10 Beaches Near New York City
Searching for the best beaches near New York City? Well, you are in the right place! Since living in New York City for 10 years, I've discovered that the city may be a concrete jungle, but just beyond the skyline lies an entire world of sand, sea, and fun in the sun! After all, Manhattan is an island (man-made, but still an island!) After a busy week at work, these beaches reminded me of that!
Some of my favorite beaches are just a subway ride away (a perfect day trip from NYC!), while others require a ferry or scenic drive. But all deliver something New Yorkers secretly (and not-so-secretly) dream of: space to breathe. Here are my very favorite beach finds that we've enjoyed while living in NYC, and I hope you'll love them too.
- -- Best Beaches Less Than 1 Hour from NYC
- #1. Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn
- #2. Orchard Beach
- #3. Brighton Beach
- #4. Coney Island Beach
- #5. Fort Tilden Beach
- #6. Jacob Riis Park Beach
- #7. Rockaway Beach
- -- Best Beaches Over 1 Hour from NYC
- #8. Jones Beach
- #9. Robert Moses State Park
- #10. Bayshore Waterfront Park
Best Beaches Less Than 1 Hour from NYC
These are my favorite beach spots when I just want a quick morning or afternoon near the ocean because they are quick to get to.
Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn - 30 minutes from NYC
If you’re looking for one of the most laid-back beaches near New York City, this one is a standout. You will find Manhattan Beach at the far edge of Brooklyn (I know, the name is confusing it being located in Brooklyn and all...). According to local history, the beach was confusingly named "Manhattan Beach" on purpose in 1870s to attract clients from Manhattan.
Though just a few miles from Coney Island, to me, it feels worlds apart. Why? It's much more peaceful and residential than Coney Island.
You can enjoy walking along the promenade, stop for an ice cream from a local vendor, and watch the tide roll in. It's a kid-friendly beach and you'll see many families set up for the day.
I recommend bringing a picnic so you can stay a while. You can also stroll toward Sheepshead Bay for seafood.
What I loved best:
Manhattan Beach Park Google Maps pin adjacent to the sandy shore adds to the experience. You can enjoy shady paths, tennis courts, volleyball, basketball, and Dana Borell Garden.
A downside? I have to warn you that if you don't bring your own snacks, once other people around you start to barbecue, you'll get very hungry from the enticing BBQ aroma!
Orchard Beach - 35 minutes from NYC
Prefer a beach in the Bronx? Head to Orchard Beach, called “The Riviera of the Bronx”. The beach is crescent shaped along Pelham Bay, framed by parkland.
I love that Orchard Beach (Google Maps Pin) offers wide shoreline views, and a long paved promenade.
You can take the number 6 train to Pelham Bay Park. Follow the short path through trees that opens onto a wide stretch of sand.
Beyond the beach itself, Pelham Bay Park has miles of trails, coves, and salt marshes.
What I loved best:
My personal highlight was wandering along Split Rock Trail and watching egrets feeding by the lagoon. Sunsets are lovely too so I recommend staying for the sunset.
Need to know : Swimming is prohibited when lifeguards are not on duty Lifeguards are on duty during beach season only, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. If you are driving instead of arriving by train like we did, parking costs $10 on weekends and $12 on weekdays,
Brighton Beach - 30 minutes from NYC
We absolutely love New York's Brighton Beach, and have been many times.
We took the Q train to the end of the line and I instantly thought our journey was worth it! First things first, enjoy a relaxing walk along the sand on Brighton Beach Google Maps Pin . When you get hungry, check out Little Odessa’s food scene. We grabbed buttery khachapuri and hot tea from a Georgian café. After, go for a stroll along Brighton Beach Avenue where markets sell pastries, pickles and everything in between.
For me, Brighton Beach is one of the best beaches near New York City because it has heaps of things to do!
Need more excitement on your weekend getaway? Visit Coney Island Boardwalk where you'll find rides, street performers, and live music from Luna Park. How far is Brighton Beach from Coney Island Beach? It's a quick walk (around 15 minutes), or a 5-minute subway ride on the B/Q lines!
Coney Island Beach - 30 minutes from NYC
This is undoubtedly a great place for a beach getaway from NYC! In fact, as locals we enjoyed coming back during different seasons because the atmosphere changes so much.
In the summer months (June, July and August), you can look forward to rides, different food vendors, and swimming (of course!).
From fall through spring, there is a different kind of magic. It's so much quieter and that makes Coney Island Beach even more beautiful. The boardwalk not yet crowded with summer visitors, we could just hold hands and enjoy watching the waves.
To reach Coney Island Beach, take the D, F, N, Q trains down to Stillwell Avenue. This beach trip is affordable. Beach access is free, but you pay for rides and food.
Fort Tilden Beach - 35 minutes from NYC
To me, this beach is New York’s best-kept summer secret! I loved the heaping dunes and soft sand here. Just an hour from the city, this stretch of the Rockaways is a quiet escape from NYC.
To get to Fort Tildene from Manhattan, you can take the subway to Brooklyn and then transfer to a bus toward the Rockaways. The total trip typically takes around 35–50 minutes, depending on where you start, and costs the standard $3 USD subway fare.
Then there is the NYC Ferry which is scenic and romantic.
I love the way Fort Tilden’s old military bunkers peek through the dunes. I climbed Battery Harris East for panoramic views of the ocean. Sunset was my favorite time.
I’ll say this upfront: Fort Tilden (Google Maps pin) is more about nature and atmosphere than nonstop activities. Bringing snacks is a smart move.
If it’s your first time visiting the area, pairing Fort Tilden with nearby Jacob Riis Beach. Or go on an outdoor tour with a local guide which can be a great way to learn about local history.
A downside? The currents can be strong and it’s a bit of a trek from public transit. If you want to swim, I recommend Jacob Riis Park Beach instead.
We checked into 4-star The Rockaway Hotel (from $200/night) for a relaxing weekend on the beach.
Jacob Riis Park Beach - 45 minutes from NYC
For one of the best beaches near New York City that doesn’t feel overly touristy, Jacob Riis Park is a great choice. It’s also affordable and easy to get to.
This historic Rockaway stretch, often called “The People’s Beach,” has a nostalgic energy. You can walk along the boardwalk, picnic on the sand, and swim in the Atlantic (of course!). There is also the old bathhouse, pop-up cafés and artisan stalls.
- Subway + Shuttle Access: 2/5 to Flatbush + Q35 bus
- Location Map
- Jacob Riis Park Beach website
What I loved best:
What I Loved Most: Watching surfers ride the morning waves with my coffee.
In addition, I like that there are usually lifeguards here in the summer which makes it safer for people.
Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk - 45 minutes from NYC
This is one of my favorite beaches near New York City in the summer. Why? First off, you get these wide stretches of sand on Rockaway Beach (Google Maps Pin). And secondly, the boardwalk comes alive with visitors and locals.
We like taking the NYC Ferry from Wall Street because the journey is scenic. The ferry docks at Beach 108th.
You can see surfers paddling into rolling waves, kids flying kites, and locals gathering around the open-air food stalls, a Rockaway icon. I grabbed tacos from Tacoway Beach, and found a spot under an umbrella.
Best Beaches Over 1 Hour from NYC
These are my favorite beach spots when I'm in the mood for a long beach day or even a weekend getaway in the sun.
Jones Beach - 1 hour from NYC
This is one of my favorite easy beaches near New York City because it feels like a complete reset without the hassle of a long road trip.
I love that the Jones Beach shoreline goes on for miles, with soft sand, and iconic Art Deco architecture. At Jones Beach State Park you get a snack bar, pool, locker rooms, picnic areas. There is even a summer concert venue. Visit the Central Mall area for ice cream and beach snacks.
Local tip:
There is a parking fee during peak season (Memorial Day to Labor Day), typically around $10 per vehicle. But there's no per-person entry fee for the beach itself.
Robert Moses State Park - 1 hour 10 minutes from NYC
If you’re craving a more untouched beach near NYC, this state park is hard to beat. In fact, Robert Moses State Park beach draws some of the largest crowds (nearly 3.9 million visits) because so many people love it.
What I loved best:
By late afternoon, the sky turned watercolor pink and lavender, my personal highlight.
Local tip:
There is a $10-$15 daily parking fee during peak season (May-Sept), but it's free in the off-season (winter months)!
Bayshore Waterfront Park - 1 hour from NYC
Our visit to this beach started with a ferry ride. We visited in the off season for the first time which made me love Bayshore Waterfront Park beach ( Google Maps Pin ) even more.
We took the Seastreak Ferry from Manhattan to Highlands (from $48 per person). From there it was just ten minutes by car to Bayshore Waterfront Park in Port Monmouth, New Jersey. It's such an easy day trip that felt worlds away from city life. I thought the long wooden pier stretching into Raritan Bay was very scenic.
If you want to stretch your legs, you can follow the Bayshore Trail. It winds along the dunes and connects to other waterfront parks.
What I loved best:
I thought that Bayshore Waterfront Park is home to one of the best beaches near NYC.
In the summer, you can enjoy fishing, kayaking, and picnics. In the cooler months it’s wonderfully peaceful.
Booking Checklist
1. Book Your Flight - I use Expedia because I like their mobile app with my itinerary. They've helped me re-book flights on many occasions. Once you reach their Gold tier, support is especially good.
2. Book Your Hotel - I use Booking.com or Expedia, depending on my destination.
3. Book Your Rental Car - I use Expedia.
4. Book your tours on Viator or Get Your Guide.
5. If you are planning to visit more than three national parks in the next 12 months, we've found that buying the America the Beautiful Pass is cost effective.
