Beaches Near New York City
New York City may be a concrete jungle, but just beyond the skyline lies an entire world of sand, sea, and sun. Whether you're craving the energy of Coney Island, the inclusivity of Cherry Grove, or the solitude of Fort Tilden, these beach escapes offer more than just a break from the noise. After a busy week at work as a New York local, these beaches offer me a new perspective. Some are just a subway ride away, others a ferry or scenic drive, but all deliver something New Yorkers secretly (and not-so-secretly) dream of: space to breathe.
Best Beaches Near New York City
1. Bayshore Waterfront Park
Bayshore Waterfront Park had a quiet magic even in the fall: the air was crisp but the afternoons were warm enough for long beach walks and sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline across the bay. With the summer crowds long gone, it felt like my own private stretch of shoreline.
WE took the Seastreak Ferry from Manhattan to Highlands, then drove just ten minutes to Bayshore Waterfront Park in Port Monmouth, New Jersey, an easy day trip that felt worlds away from city life. The long wooden pier stretching into Raritan Bay was perfect for watching the sunrise, spotting gulls and oystercatchers, and admiring the calm silver-blue water.
When I wanted to stretch my legs, I followed the Bayshore Trail that winds along the dunes and connects to other waterfront parks.
- Drive Time from NYC: ~1 hour south
- Vibe: Peaceful, local, bayfront
- Highlights: Fishing pier, walking trails, skyline views
- Best Time to Visit: Early morning or sunset
- Cost: Free
Locals told me that in summer, it’s a favorite spot for fishing, kayaking, and evening picnics, but in the cooler months it’s wonderfully peaceful.
2. Cherry Grove Beach
June in Cherry Grove feels like stepping into summer’s first warm embrace — golden mornings, long lazy afternoons by the sea, and evenings that sparkle with laughter and music. This barrier island retreat on Fire Island has a joyful rhythm all its own and completely won me over. Early summer is the perfect time to experience it: warm enough for swimming and sunset cocktails, yet still calm before peak season hits.
I took the LIRR from Manhattan to Sayville, caught the ferry across the Great South Bay, and felt the world slow down the moment I stepped onto the dock. No cars here — just sandy boardwalks winding between dune grass and pastel beach houses. Days melted easily into each other: coffee on the deck, swims in the cool Atlantic, and long barefoot walks toward Fire Island Pines.
By afternoon, the beach filled with color — rainbow umbrellas, laughter carried on the breeze, and music floating from waterfront bars. I loved grabbing a frozen drink at Cherry’s on the Bay and watching the boats drift by, then joining locals at the Ice Palace for live music and dancing under the stars.
- Ferry Access: Sayville Ferry to Cherry Grove
- Vibe: Inclusive, relaxed, joyful
- Highlights: LGBTQ+ friendly, walkable, clean sands
- Best Time to Visit: Late spring through early fall
- Cost: Ferry fare + optional amenities
My highlight was a grilled shrimp taco at The Ice Palace. Fun, festive, and absolutely delicious under strings of patio lights and open skies.
3. Coney Island Beach
March at Coney Island is a different kind of magic — quieter, moodier, and unexpectedly beautiful. The rides may still be resting, the boardwalk not yet crowded with summer visitors, but the ocean is as alive as ever. The air carries a salty chill, gulls wheel over the surf, and there’s something soulful about watching the waves roll in under the soft gray light of early spring.
This is truly one of the best beaches and worth visiting year round for that peaceful vibe.
I took the Q train down to Stillwell Avenue, stepping out to a nearly empty boardwalk — a world away from Manhattan’s pace. Wrapped in my scarf, I walked the wooden planks from the famous Parachute Jump to the pier, listening to the creak of the boards beneath my feet and the crash of waves beside me. The Nathan’s sign glowed faintly against the cool sky — a reminder of warmer days to come. We stayed at the 3-star Best Western Plus Brooklyn Bay Hotel for two days.
Even in March, there’s plenty to savor here. I stopped for a hot coffee from a boardwalk stand, wandered past the still-silent Luna Park, and watched locals fishing off the pier. The early-season light made everything feel cinematic — the Ferris wheel silhouetted against the clouds, the ocean glinting silver-blue.
- Subway Access: D, F, N, Q to Coney Island–Stillwell Ave
- Vibe: Iconic, loud, nostalgic
- Highlights: Boardwalk, amusement park, beach performances
- Best Time to Visit: Summer weekends for full effect
- Cost: Free beach; pay for rides and food
My personal highlight was lying back on the sand listening to the ocean.
4. Fort Tilden Beach
Fort Tilden feels like New York’s best-kept summer secret — wild dunes, soft golden sand, and ocean waves rolling endlessly beneath a wide, cloudless sky. Just an hour from the city, this stretch of the Rockaways feels completely untamed, a quiet escape where you can trade subway noise for seabirds and salt air.
I took the NYC Ferry to the Rockaways, then biked along the coast until the pavement gave way to soft sand trails winding through sea grass and beach plum. You can stay at 4-star The Rockaway Hotel and make it into a relaxing weekend on the beach. Fort Tilden’s old military bunkers peek through the dunes — weathered, graffiti-covered, and half reclaimed by nature. The further I walked, the quieter it became, until it was just me, the wind, and the Atlantic stretching endlessly ahead.
August was perfect — warm enough for long swims, but not yet too hot to hike the sandy paths through the coastal forest. I climbed Battery Harris East for panoramic views of the ocean, Jamaica Bay, and even the Manhattan skyline shimmering faintly in the distance. By sunset, the beach glowed in tones of rose and amber, and the day felt infinite.
- Access: Bike or bus via Rockaway; walking required
- Vibe: Secluded, wild, minimalist
- Highlights: Remote beach, nature trails, WWII ruins
- Best Time to Visit: Weekdays for solitude
My personal highlight was finding a quiet spot with no one else nearby, hearing only the surf and gulls, and letting the city melt away behind me.
5. Jacob Riis Park Beach
July at Jacob Riis Park feels like pure summer — sun-soaked days, the scent of sunscreen and saltwater, and the joyful hum of beachgoers spread across the wide, golden sand. This historic Rockaway stretch, often called “The People’s Beach,” has an easy, nostalgic energy: a mix of vintage charm, art-deco beauty, and the laid-back spirit of New York in full vacation mode.
I drove down the Rockaway Peninsula on a bright Saturday morning, passing beach houses and dunes shimmering in the heat. The moment I stepped onto the boardwalk, I felt the familiar rhythm — waves breaking, laughter floating from the concessions, and music drifting from the Riis Beach Bazaar, where locals walked barefoot in the sand. We stayed at the 4-star Rockaway Hotel for three days.
The Atlantic was perfect for swimming — cool, clear, and endlessly inviting. Between dips in the ocean, I explored the old bathhouse, now a mix of pop-up cafés and artisan stalls, and grabbed tacos and frozen lemonade before settling under a striped umbrella for a lazy afternoon of people-watching and sea breezes.
- Subway + Shuttle Access: 2/5 to Flatbush + Q35 bus
- Vibe: Chill, historic, eclectic
- Highlights: Surfing, boardwalk food, sunbathing
- Best Time to Visit: July and August
What I Loved Most: was watching surfers ride the morning waves with my coffee for 30 minutes.
6. Jones Beach
September at Jones Beach feels like the calm exhale after a long, golden summer. The crowds have thinned, the air is a touch cooler, and the Atlantic still holds the warmth of August. It’s the perfect time to stretch out on miles of open sand, walk barefoot along the surf, and feel like you have one of New York’s most famous beaches almost to yourself.
I drove down the Ocean Parkway on a clear morning, windows open and salt air streaming in. The drive itself felt like part of the ritual — glimpses of dunes, gulls wheeling overhead, and the long horizon unfolding ahead. The beach was peaceful when I arrived: a few fishermen by the pier, joggers tracing the shoreline, and the rhythmic crash of waves echoing off the endless sand.
The September light was softer now — golden and low — casting everything in a kind of dreamy glow. I wandered along the boardwalk past the historic West Bathhouse, watched the tide roll in, and stopped for coffee at the café overlooking the water. Later, I sat by the dunes and just listened — the hush of wind, the cry of gulls, and the steady heartbeat of the sea.
- Drive Time from NYC: ~1 hour via Meadowbrook Pkwy
- Vibe: Energetic, expansive, nostalgic
What I Loved Most: was watching families splash and play, lifeguards keeping rhythm, and teenagers digging their toes into the surf while passing around watermelon slices.
7. Long Beach, Long Island’s south shore
Long Beach in late summer feels like the best of both worlds — a true beach town with easygoing surf-town energy, yet just a short train ride from Manhattan. Stretched along Long Island’s south shore, it’s where city life fades into sea breezes, 2.1-mile boardwalk walks, and the timeless rhythm of waves meeting sand.
I took the Long Island Rail Road from Penn Station this month. An hour later, I was stepping off the platform with the ocean just a few blocks away. The wide, clean beach shimmered under the afternoon sun, and the famous boardwalk stretched ahead for miles, filled with bikers, strollers, and the scent of sunscreen and saltwater.
August had left behind its warmth, but the September days were still blissfully warm, perfect for a swim, a nap in the dunes, or an ice cream cone in hand. I loved walking the 2.2-mile boardwalk at golden hour, when the Atlantic turned glassy and pink and the sky looked painted. Locals gathered to surf, chat, and watch the sun dip behind the city skyline faintly glowing in the west.
At night, I wandered into one of the cozy beachfront bars for live music and fresh seafood — that perfect blend of relaxed coastal living and New York edge. The salty wind, neon signs, and laughter spilling out onto the sidewalks felt like summer lingering just a little longer.
8. Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn
Tucked quietly at the far edge of Brooklyn, Manhattan Beach feels like one of New York’s gentlest escapes — a calm crescent of sand where the city’s clamor fades into the steady hush of the Atlantic. Though just a few miles from Coney Island, it feels worlds apart: peaceful, residential, and touched by that nostalgic seaside charm that belongs only to Brooklyn’s southern shore.
I came on a mild summer morning, following Ocean Avenue until it met the sea. The park opened before me like a calm breath — wide lawns shaded by oaks, families picnicking, and the distant shimmer of the Verrazzano Bridge on the horizon. The beach itself was serene: soft sand underfoot, clear water lapping gently, and seabirds tracing lazy arcs through the sky.
Afternoons here move slowly. I walked along the promenade, stopped for an ice cream from a local vendor, and watched the tide roll in as kids played at the shoreline. The energy felt neighborly and familiar — couples reading under umbrellas, fishermen along the jetty, and groups of friends laughing over chessboards in the park.
By sunset, the light turned golden over the water and Manhattan Beach, and the whole beach glowed — calm, simple, and quietly beautiful. It’s the kind of place that reminds you New York is, after all, an island.
9. Orchard Beach
Orchard Beach in summer feels like stepping into a classic New York postcard — the kind with sun umbrellas, laughter, and the shimmer of the Bronx shoreline against calm blue water. Often called “The Riviera of the Bronx,” this crescent-shaped beach curves gracefully along Pelham Bay, framed by parkland and sea breeze, where families, music, and weekend picnics fill the air with warmth and rhythm.
I came on a sunny July afternoon, taking the 6 train to Pelham Bay Park and walking the short path through trees that suddenly opened onto a wide, golden stretch of sand. The scene was alive — kids playing paddleball, music floating from portable speakers, and the faint scent of grilled food drifting across the promenade. The water sparkled, shallow and inviting, and the Manhattan skyline shimmered faintly in the distance.
Beyond the beach itself, Pelham Bay Park unfolds into miles of trails, hidden coves, and salt marshes — I wandered along Split Rock Trail and watched egrets feeding by the lagoon before circling back in time for sunset. As the day softened, the laughter lingered, and the whole bay turned gold.
10. Robert Moses State Park
October at Robert Moses State Park feels like the calm after summer’s applause — quieter, cooler, and achingly beautiful. The crowds have vanished, leaving miles of pale sand and rolling dunes open to the sea breeze. The Atlantic takes on that deep, moody blue of autumn, and the air smells of salt, pine, and the faint sweetness of drying beach grass.
This beach draws some of the largest crowds (nearly 3.9 million visits in 2024) because so many people love it.
I drove down the Ocean Parkway early one crisp morning, the road nearly empty, dunes glowing gold in the slanting light. When I reached Field 5, I followed the boardwalk to the Fire Island Lighthouse — its black-and-white stripes rising proud against the pale October sky. The wind was brisk, but the sun was still warm, and the whole beach stretched endlessly, quiet but alive with migrating birds and the rhythm of the surf. We checked into Moonrise Motel for two days.
This time of year, Robert Moses feels wild again — less like a day trip, more like a coastal sanctuary. I walked for hours, watching gulls and sandpipers skimming the tide line, collecting smooth shells, and just breathing in the stillness. By late afternoon, the sky turned watercolor pink and lavender, and the lighthouse cast its first glow of the evening — a perfect autumn moment by the sea.
11. Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk
Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk in summer feels like the city’s pulse meeting the sea — energetic, sunlit, and alive with that perfect mix of surf-town soul and New York grit. The wide expanse of sand stretches for miles along the Atlantic, the air filled with music and salt, and the boardwalk hums with cyclists, surfers, and families chasing the breeze.
I came out on a bright June weekend, taking the NYC Ferry from Wall Street — a journey that already felt like a small adventure, skyline fading as the ocean opened ahead. The ferry docked at Beach 108th, where the scent of sunscreen and grilled fish tacos drifted through the air. I spent the day barefoot in the sand, the waves cool and steady, and the sound of the surf mingling with laughter from the boardwalk. We checked into the 4-star Rockaway Hotel for two days.
By afternoon, the beach was a joyful mosaic — surfers paddling into rolling waves, kids flying kites, and locals gathering around the open-air food stalls that have become Rockaway icons. I grabbed tacos from Tacoway Beach, found a spot under an umbrella, and watched the light shift from gold to honey as the sun dipped lower.
Evenings here have their own rhythm — the boardwalk quiets, the sky deepens, and music starts to drift from beachfront bars. It’s that sweet moment when the day slows, the sea breeze cools your skin, and everything feels timeless.
12. Brighton Beach
By May, Brighton Beach comes alive — the ocean warms, the boardwalk hums with conversation in half a dozen languages, and the scent of sea air mingles with fresh-baked pastries from the corner bakeries. The neighborhood still keeps its old-world calm before summer crowds arrive, making it the perfect month for a relaxed seaside getaway without ever leaving New York City.
I took the Q train to the end of the line and found myself in a world that feels both nostalgic and new — Brighton’s mix of Brooklyn grit and Black Sea charm. Mornings began with barefoot walks along the soft, pale sand while the Atlantic shimmered under soft spring sunlight. The beach was peaceful but alive — joggers, fishermen, and families shaking off the last chill of spring.
Afternoons were for exploring Little Odessa’s food scene: I grabbed buttery khachapuri and hot tea from a Georgian café, then wandered along Brighton Beach Avenue where markets overflowed with pastries and pickles. The nearby Coney Island Boardwalk buzzed with early-season rides, street performers, and live music drifting from Luna Park.
- Subway Access: Q to Brighton Beach
- Vibe: Lively, multicultural, authentic
- Highlights: Wide sandy beach, boardwalk, local food
- Best Time to Visit: Weekdays in summer
What I Loved Most: Floating in the Atlantic while the boardwalk pulsed with conversation behind me. Music, laughter, languages, it all rolled together like the waves.
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