If you’re after a seaside in New York State, the glitz and glamor of the Hamptons and the old-school attraction of Coney Island – each within the neighborhood of New York Metropolis – are likely to steal the highlight. However there are loads extra sandy havens to be discovered throughout the Empire State.
Regardless of which path you’re heading, verify the water high quality at your vacation spot earlier than going for a swim. The 67 seashores in New York’s state park system make it simple, conducting checks at the very least as soon as per week and posting the outcomes on-line, at park places of work and at any seashores with excessive numbers.
Listed here are 12 of our favorites, beginning with these near Manhattan.
1. Rockaway Seaside, Queens
The Ramones might have put it on the map again within the Nineteen Seventies, however through the years, Rockaway Seaside has maintained its popularity as a brilliant summertime spot with nice waves, good eats and a pleasantly sandy stretch of shore.
This stalwart in Queens hosts the town’s solely sanctioned browsing seashores, one between Seaside 67th and 69th Sts and the opposite between 87th and 92nd Sts. Newbies can take classes from Locals Surf Faculty, and skilled wave-riders can lease boards and equipment from a handful of outlets close by.
Native Tip: For refreshments, hit the concession stands at 87th, 96th and 106th, or enterprise off the boardwalk and head for Tacoway Seaside, a seasonal setup that slings fish tacos which might be well worth the subway experience alone. Dig into arepas at Caracas at Seaside a hundred and fifth St or recent fish at La Cevicheria at Seaside 97th St. Revelers take pleasure in dwell music till the wee hours at Rippers, simply east of Seaside ninetieth.
2. Orchard Seaside, the Bronx
Dubbed the “Riviera of New York” when it opened within the Thirties, Orchard Seaside is the one seaside within the Bronx, and it stays a sizzling spot to today.
Don’t look forward to finding peace and quiet right here. Between the playgrounds, the snack bars, the promenade with eating places and retail, and dozens of basketball, volleyball, and handball courts, the 1.1-mile-long seaside is a go-to vacation spot all summer time lengthy. The waves are light, due to its perch on the Lengthy Island Sound, and the sand is accessible, with seaside mats and two sand-friendly wheelchairs out there upon request.
3. Coney Island and Brighton Seaside, Brooklyn
At Brooklyn’s southernmost level, Coney Island was developed as a resort within the 1800s, and by the flip of the century, its amusement park points of interest had been drawing crowds from all 5 boroughs. Although its large strand isn’t the cleanest, its boardwalk is tough to beat for people-watching.
Steps away from the seaside, Luna Park has rides, video games and extra. Although it’ll shake you up a bit, don’t skip the Cyclone, a wood curler coaster courting from 1927 that’s a New York Metropolis landmark.
For a rainy-day choice or a break from the solar, the close by Coney Island Museum provides an summary of the neighborhood’s colourful historical past. The NY Aquarium is close by too.
A brief stroll down the seaside or boardwalk is Brighton Seaside, which is a bit more low-key than its neighbor, with extra folks socializing, exercising and having fun with the outside.
Planning Tip: After a day within the solar, head off the Brighton Seaside boardwalk for a Russian or Ukrainian feast (with some vodka) within the neighborhood, which is typically referred to as Little Odessa. We particularly love the Uyghur dumplings at Kashkar Cafe.
4. Jacob Riis Park Seaside, Queens
On the Rockaway peninsula between Jamaica Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, Jacob Riis Park is residence to a preferred strip of sand nicknamed the “Individuals’s Seaside,” and it lives as much as its popularity, welcoming tens of 1000’s of sunbathers – typically topless – throughout the summer time months.
A part of the Gateway Nationwide Recreation Space, a sprawling, 27,000-acre park masking components of New Jersey, Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island, this historic LGBTIQ+ website boasts a restored Thirties artwork deco bathhouse, a pitch-and-putt golf course and concessions galore – suppose frozen guava margaritas, key-lime piña coladas, lobster rolls and fried clams – from the uber-popular Riis Park Seaside Bazaar.
5. Lengthy Seaside, Lengthy Island
Situated off the South Shore of Lengthy Island, smack-dab in the midst of the barrier island that provides it its title, Lengthy Seaside is lower than an hour from Manhattan by way of the Lengthy Island Railroad. However you’d hardly understand it when you arrive. Given its pristine sands and surf-worthy swells, the city’s Ocean Seaside Park may very well be half a world away, with solely the crowds to trace in any other case.
The three.5-mile seaside is likely one of the island’s finest, and it’s tailored for households, with a number of playgrounds for the little ones and a great deal of actions for the older ones, together with surf classes, bike leases and a 2.25-mile boardwalk to discover. Meals carts and concession stands promote burgers and ice cream.
The draw back is a $15 day-use price. You should purchase passes (card funds solely) at designated seaside entrances or get digital passes on-line.
Planning Tip: Lengthy Island Rail Street provides summertime seaside packages on the weekend, which normally embrace discounted seaside admission, a Lengthy Seaside trolley voucher and round-trip practice fare, with departures from each New York’s Penn Station and Atlantic Terminal in Brooklyn.
6. Jones Seaside, Lengthy Island
A hop, skip and leap throughout a slim inlet east of Lengthy Seaside, Jones Seaside Island is taken into account to have probably the greatest seashores on Lengthy Island. Its eponymous state park is extraordinarily well-liked, drawing some six million guests on an annual foundation. Its attraction is due in no small half to the open-air amphitheater, a gorgeous venue overlooking the bay and that includes A-list expertise all summer time lengthy.
However the seaside itself deserves credit score as properly. It has greater than 6 miles of white sand and a 2-mile boardwalk lined with eating places, cafes and concession stands. Observe the winding bike paths, take pleasure in quiet pastimes like fishing and birding, or play miniature golf and shuffleboard – there’s sufficient right here to maintain everybody occupied.
7. Fireplace Island, Lengthy Island
Accessible solely by ferry, car-free Fireplace Island – one other barrier island, located east of Jones Seaside – is a welcome change from the gridlock on the remainder of Lengthy Island.
The boat takes you on to a variety of locations throughout the 32-mile-long island, but when it’s your first go to, get off at Ocean Seaside, a quaint village with postcard-ready storefronts and eating places, for a simple entry into island life. Should you’re vacationing right here for Satisfaction or searching for out LGBTIQ+ communities year-round, Cherry Grove and the Pines are the place you wish to be.
For home shares, bars and a thriving pickup scene, head to Kismet. For a slower, household vibe, try Saltaire.
Planning Tip: Should you’re heading to Fireplace Island from NYC for the day, plan for at the very least two hours of journey every means, with the ferry and the practice. Should you’re planning to remain in a single day, guide upfront as a result of choices are restricted.
8. Plattsburgh Metropolis Seaside, Plattsburgh
One of many largest freshwater seashores within the state, Plattsburgh Metropolis Seaside is within the northeasternmost reaches of New York on Lake Champlain, straight throughout the water from Vermont and the Inexperienced Mountains.
Along with its stellar views, it’s good for a sporty day trip – kayaks and stand-up paddleboards can be found to lease – or an tour with a canine companion. In contrast to many seashores in New York, canines are welcome right here.
9. Montauk
No listing of New York seashores could be full with no point out of the Hamptons. As soon as a sleepy fishing group on the easternmost level of Lengthy Island, residence to artists, surfers and artistic varieties of all stripes, Montauk nowadays is get together central within the peak summer time months however stays charmingly low-key within the low season.
Lower than 2 miles from the LIRR terminus is the family-oriented Kirk Park Seaside, with public restrooms and lifeguards on obligation. If mingling with the surf crowd is extra your velocity, stake out house on the sand at Ditch Plains, simply east of the village correct.
Native Tip: One in every of New York’s finest state parks for biodiversity, Hither Hills is much less busy than the seashores on the town, and you’ll even guide a campsite and keep in a single day. For a extra distant expertise, strap in your strolling sneakers and head for the Amsterdam Seaside Protect, the place a delicate, wooded loop leads as much as bluffs with ocean views and right down to a rocky seaside untouched by the plenty.
10. Million Greenback Seaside, Lake George
New York’s Atlantic-facing seashores get a number of consideration, however its freshwater lakes deserve some as properly. Among the finest seashores in upstate New York might be discovered within the Adirondacks, about an hour north of Albany on Lake George.
Dubbed the Million Greenback Seaside for its opening value in 1951, this sandy 51-acre shoreline is public property operated by the state, with a bathhouse and a volleyball court docket, plus grills and picnic tables for meals alfresco.
11. Inexperienced Lakes State Park
Simply outdoors of Syracuse within the japanese Finger Lakes, Inexperienced Lakes State Park contains two crystal-clear lakes, one with a sandy seaside for swimming and the opposite designated a Nationwide Pure Landmark.
The seaside is a attract its personal proper, a sandy unfold overlooking blue-green waters encircled by thick woods, with a lifeguard, a contemporary bathhouse and concessions on-site, however the lakes themselves are the primary attraction. Reaching depths of almost 200ft, with a chemical stability that retains the layers of water from intermixing, these lakes are meromictic, that means that the layers of water don’t intermix, an enchanting and uncommon pure phenomenon. America has fewer than 20 meromictic lakes, and this pair is much more distinctive, taking their signature aqua hue from the mineral content material of the water, not organic sources like algae or phytoplankton.
12. Bennett Seaside, Lake Erie
Some 20 miles south of Buffalo on the Lake Erie shore, Bennett Seaside is a sandy (albeit rocky) freshwater seaside with light waves, surrounded by grassy fields, wildflowers and dunes. The Angola-area favourite cultivates a household ambiance – loud music and booze are strictly prohibited, and swimming is allowed solely when a lifeguard is on obligation. However the furry members of your family have to remain residence, together with gadgets like life jackets, rafts and kayaks, as canines and flotation units are forbidden as properly.
Nonetheless, whether or not you’re fishing for trout within the close by creek or anticipating waterfowl, shorebirds and even the odd eagle, there’s sufficient at Bennett Seaside to make a day of it, particularly for those who keep to catch the solar setting over the lake.
