7 Best Beaches Near New York City

By VacationIdea Staff on July 27, 2022 - Updated

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More than 578 miles of coastline extend around New York City's boroughs, which are bordered by the Atlantic Ocean along Brooklyn's southern coastline and by the waters of the East and Hudson Rivers around Manhattan. Over 14 miles of public beaches are offered throughout the city, including internationally-renowned sites such as Coney Island.

We recommend that you call the attractions and restaurants ahead of your visit to confirm current opening times.

1.Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk

Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk is the largest urban beach and boardwalk facility in America, stretch more than five and a half miles along New York City's Atlantic shoreline. The 170-acre beach is NYC's only legal surfing beach area, letting visitors catch waves at its sections between Queens' 67/69 and 87/92 Streets. Visitors can enjoy barbecues at the park's day-use picnic sites or pick up games of beach volleyball, basketball, baseball, or handball at its various public courts. History buffs can snap photos at the beach's Rockaway Doughboy Statue, which honors the lives and loss of fallen area World War I soldiers, while birdwatchers can spot migratory birds at the Sandpiper Playground. Other major attractions include a roller hockey rink, concession areas, and children's playgrounds.

8601 Shore Front Pkwy, Rockaway Park, NY 11694, Phone: 718-318-4000

2.Jacob Riis Park

Jacob Riis Park is a delightful public oceanfront beach in the Rockaways, located within the Gateway National Recreation Area. The park, which is named in honor of famed New York City photographer and journalist Jacob Riis, is located adjacent to Fort Tilden near Rockaway Beach, accessible via the Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge. It is famed for its 1932 Art Deco-style bathhouse, which was modeled after the city's Jones Beach bathhouse and is preserved as an historic site today. A boardwalk spans the beach's northern end, while the Central Mall concourse stretches throughout its central area. Visitors can swim, subathe, or enjoy family-friendly games at the park's 18-hole Pitch and Putt Golf Course. A variety of sporting courts are also offered, along with day-use picnic sites and barbecue grills. Don't miss the Riis Park Beach Bazaar where you will find great beach eats, including hot dogs, ice creams, seafood, ice pops, and more.

Rockaway Beach Blvd, Rockaway Park, NY 11694

3.Fort Tilden State Park

Fort Tilden Historic District is one of New York City's unspoiled hidden gems, located within Queens' Gateway National Recreation Area adjacent to Jacob Riis Park. The district preserves the former historic United States Army installation of the same name, overseen by the National Park Service since its decommissioning. Though most of the fort's former facilities have been abandoned and partially reclaimed to nature, several buildings have been repurposed, including Battery Harris East, which serves as a 360-degree viewing platform for observing the surrounding New York City skyline. Beachfront areas are open to the public for fishing and relaxation, though swimmers should exercise caution, as no lifeguards are staffed on duty. As the historic site also serves as an important habitat for the threaten piping plover, visitors should exercise caution not to disturb nesting sites or step on eggs.

Breezy Point, NY 11697

4.Brighton Beach

Brighton Beach, commonly referred to as "Little Odessa" due to its strong Eastern European heritage, is a lively beachfront community in South Brooklyn, located directly adjacent to famed beachfront entertainment spot Coney Island. The beach and neighborhood have been featured in a wide variety of films, literature, and theatrical productions, including Neil Simon's Tony Award-winning 1983 drama Brighton Beach Memoirs and its subsequent film adaptation. Lifeguards are staffed on duty daily throughout the summer months at the beach, which offers opportunities for families to swim, surf, and sunbathe along the Atlantic Ocean shoreline. Traditional Russian and Eastern European restaurants line nearby Brighton Beach Avenue, offering a more laid-back and authentic alternative to the carnival-like atmosphere of Coney's Surf Avenue.

Phone: 718-946-1350

5.Coney Island

Coney Island is one of America's great historic beachfront boardwalk entertainment centers, known around the world for its thrilling classic rides, carnival-like games and amusements, and other boardwalk vendors and attractions. The famed beach's boardwalk is open to the public year-round, stretching over three miles along Brooklyn's southern coastline on the Atlantic Ocean. Visitors can swim, surf, or sunbathe along the area's family-friendly beachfront or enjoy a plethora of midway games and sideshow attractions further ashore. At Luna park and Deno's Wonder Wheel Park, visitors can ride classic rides such as the historic Cyclone rollercoaster and one of the only eccentric wheel Ferris wheels in the world. Convenient access to top Brooklyn attractions such as the New York Aquarium and MCU Park is also provided along Surf Avenue.

1904 Surf Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11224

6.Orchard Beach

Orchard Beach is the only public beach in the Bronx, located along Long Island Sound within Pelham Bay Park. The 1.1-mile beach, which was originally referred to as the "Riviera of New York" at its opening, has been expanded several times to include landfill islands within the Sound, primarily in 1937 as part of expansions by city parks commissioner Robert Moses. Today, the charming beach offers a 13-section shorefront connected by a hexagonal block promenade, open to the public during the summer months for swimming when lifeguards are on duty. Barbecue grills are available in the beach's north and south picnic areas, with more than 25 courts provided for beachfront volleyball, basketball, and handball. Other amenities include an American-style concession stand, two children's playgrounds, and restrooms and changing facilities.

Phone: 718-885-2275

7.Manhattan Beach Park

Manhattan Beach Park is a favorite summer beachfront destination for families all around the New York City area, located along Brooklyn's southern tip in the neighborhood of the same name. The neighborhood, which was originally developed in 1877 as a resort area containing attractions such as the Oriental Hotel, is located adjacent to Brighton Beach and offers a less-crowded alternative to the bustling beachfront of nearby Coney Island, with opportunities for swimming and sunbathing along the public shoreline area. The impressive Manhattan Beach Playground, newly renovated in 1997, offers a water fountain, a sprinkler system, and whimsical motifs of marine life. Basketball, baseball, handball, and beach volleyball courts are also offered, along with barbecue grills and day-use picnic areas.

760 Oriental Blvd, Brooklyn, NY 11235, Phone: 212-639-9675

7 Best Beaches Near New York City

Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk, Photo: pngstudio/stock.adobe.com
Jacob Riis Park, Photo: demerzel21/stock.adobe.com
Fort Tilden State Park, Photo: Oleandra9/stock.adobe.com
Brighton Beach, Photo: viii/stock.adobe.com
Coney Island, Photo: Felix Mizioznikov/stock.adobe.com
Orchard Beach, Photo: tonyaro/stock.adobe.com
Manhattan Beach Park, Photo: Victoria Lipov/stock.adobe.com
Cover Photo: stock.adobe.com

More Ideas in NYC: Circle Line Cruises

With over 70 years of experience, Circle Line Cruises is one of the top sightseeing excursions in New York City. Anyone who wants an exemplary sightseeing experience can trust on Circle Line Cruises to go above and beyond. With a fleet of sturdy steel boats that are made for sightseeing in any type of weather, Circle Line Cruises is prepared to offer all of its tour participants the best sightseeing experience in New York City. As one of the only companies in the New York Harbor currently dedicated to sightseeing, much effort is taken to ensure that all guests, both local and from afar, enjoy their New York cruise line sightseeing experience.

Available Cruises

Circle Line Cruises offers an assortment of sightseeing cruises for the public to pick from. From famous New York landmarks to happy hour on New York Harbor, there are varieties of sightseeing cruises to interest everyone. Some of the sightseeing cruises offered by Circle Line Cruises include:

· Holiday and NYE Cruise

· Bear Mountain

· Best of NYC

· Landmarks and Brooklyn

· Harbor Lights

· Premier

· BEAST Speedboat Ride

· Downtown Liberty Express

· Downtown Statue by Night

· Happy Hour

Those interested in any of the tours offered by Circle Line Cruises can obtain more information by visiting the company's website.

Groups

Circle Line Cruises offers group sightseeing cruise tour experiences for groups of 15 or more people. Circle Line Cruises is capable of accommodating any type of group, from private and semi-private events to educational tours for schools. Circle Line Cruises is able to accommodate a variety of group requests. Some of the more common group cruise sightseeing requests include:

· 15 Plus Guests - Gatherings for parties and celebrations and sightseeing groups of 15 or more people are eligible a variety of discounts.

· Schools and Camps - These tours provide a creative way to make learning fun. The tours can be arranged for specific age groups and subjects.

· Private Events - Circle Line Cruises offers both private and semi-private sightseeing options that include space for guests to throw their own personal event while enjoying cocktails, a buffet, and entertainment.

Charter the BEAST

For a top of the line cruise sightseeing experience, charter The BEAST, Circle Line Cruises’ speedboat adventure. The BEAST will take riders on a speedy, wet, and exhilarating tour of the Statue of Liberty, all within 30 minutes. This is a fun, unique way to experience New York City through Circle Line Cruises.

Deals

Circle Line Cruises believes that sightseeing in New York City should be affordable for everyone. They have partnered with a number of top sightseeing attractions in the city to provide deep discounts and affordable sightseeing combos for those who want to really enjoy their tourist experience of New York City. Some deals that are offered for sightseeing in New York City through Circle Line Cruises include:

· Attraction passes

· Combos

· Discounts

Guests can get more information on various deals offered by Circle Line Cruises by visiting their website and signing up for email updates, which include the latest on deals and other offers.

Address

Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises, Pier 83, West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036, Phone: 212-563-3200

More Things to Do in New York City

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More Ideas in NYC: Pod Hotels in New York City

Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, there are lots of different things that need to be taken into account when planning and preparing a trip. One of the most important aspects to consider is where you’re going to stay during your time at your destination.

These days, with hotels, motels, hostels, private vacation rentals, and more, travelers have never had so much choice when trying to find the perfect accommodation. Having a relaxing place to rest your head each night is such an important part of having a positive and satisfying trip.

When you’re trying to choose the accommodation for your stay away, you have to think about how much you’re willing to spend, what you’re going to be using the accommodation for, and how many features and facilities you really need. Many hotels and private rentals offer long lists of features, but these often come at a high price and aren’t really necessary.

If you just need something simple, then The Pod Hotels could be for you. As the name indicates, The Pod Hotels is a chain of hotels based on pod-style living, with small rooms, simple amenities, and super affordable prices to match, with these hotels being situated in some key locations around the United States.

The Pod Hotels - Pod Hotels in New York City and Beyond

Currently boasting multiple locations in New York City, as well as other locations in Washington DC and Philadelphia, The Pod Hotels is changing the game for big city accommodation. Here are just a few of the advantages of The Pod Hotels for you to think about when planning your next trip to NYC, Washington DC, or Philly.

- Pod Rooms - The Pod Hotels offers a range of small, simple, and cozy rooms to suit your needs. If you only need a hotel to sleep and relax in, rather than needing a lot of needless extras like bathrobes, coffee makers, big bathtubs, business centers, laundry machines, and more, a pod hotel could be the perfect option for you. These hotels give you all the essentials, including Wi-Fi, clean rooms, cozy beds, private bathrooms, safes, and hair dryers, all at great prices.

- Simplicity - The Pod Hotels are ‘micro-hotels’, meaning that they forego all the unnecessary aspects of many modern hotels, providing simple rooms, short lists of amenities, all the basics and necessities, and a minimalistic, simplistic lifestyle for guests. Each hotel usually features a fitness center and other fun facilities like a rooftop bar and perhaps even a restaurant, but they don’t come loaded with lots of random extras all designed to push the price up.

- Affordability - A big bonus of staying at a Pod Hotels location is the price. Since these hotels focus on simplicity and essential comforts, rather than indulging and investing in spas and business centers and lots of extras, they’re able to pass the savings onto you, the guests. Finding an affordable hotel in the center of a big city like NYC or DC is often difficult, but The Pod Hotels are making it much easier.

- Location - The locations of these hotels are also one of the top reasons people choose to stay there. Due to their small-scale simplicity, The Pod Hotels are able to fit into key locations all around big cities like NYC and Washington DC. The locations of these hotels are always chosen with convenience in mind, being short walks away from key public transport links and nicely situated with bars, museums, restaurants, and attractions all nearby.

- Extras - Despite being based on the concept of simplicity, these pod hotels do offer some nice bonuses and extras you might not find elsewhere. If you’re looking for a pet-friendly hotel in NYC, for example, The Pod Hostels will accept small dogs in some of its rooms. They also offer convenient parking by partnering with local garages and work tirelessly to provide super experiences for every guest.

Locations for The Pod Hotels

The Pod Hotels’ network is ever-expanding, so we can expect to see more and more locations opening up in the future. For now, here is the list of The Pod Hotels locations for you to choose from:

- Pod BK - For an affordable pod hotel in Brooklyn, choose Pod BK. Situated in the heart of Williamsburg, only a short subway ride away from Union Square, Pod BK offers minimalist living to every occupant with cozy rooms, simple amenities, great prices, and four roof decks enjoying wonderful views of the city skyline. There are 249 rooms at Pod BK, and this pod hotel can be located at 247 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211. To book a room at Pod BK, call up 844-POD-ROOM or email reservations@podhotelbk.com.

- Pod 51 - There are several Pod Hotels locations in Manhattan, NYC, and Pod 51 is one of them. Situated in Midtown, this pod hotel is right by three different subway lines and within walking distance of key locations like Central Park and Grand Central Terminal. Situated at 230 East 51st Street, New York, NY 10022, Pod 51 can be contacted by email at info@podhotel51.com.

- Pod 39 - Another Manhattan location, Pod 39 is situated in Murray Hill, right by Grand Central Terminal and within easy access of most major landmarks and hotspots around the city. You can get to places like Times Square and the Empire State Building with ease from this pod hotel, making it a great option for tourists. Pod 39 features its own rooftop bar and lounge space and is located at 145 East 39th Street, New York, NY 10016. To contact this pod hotel, email info@podhotel39.com.

- Pod Times Square - As the name implies, Pod Times Square is located right by one of the most important and iconic landmarks not just in New York City, but in the entire world. It's right by Hudson River Park too, offering easy access to many Manhattan neighborhoods. You'll find the classic range of room types like Full Pod, Queen Pod, and Bunk Pod at this pod hotel, which is situated at 400 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

- Pod DC - Anyone visiting the nation's capital and looking for a simple and affordable hotel in DC should definitely consider Pod DC. Located in the Penn Quarter neighborhood right near areas like Chinatown and Gallery Place, Pod DC is within walking distance of world class museums and iconic monuments. It features a rooftop bar, a diner, and a lower-level whiskey bar. Pod DC is located at 627 H Street NW, Washington DC, 20001.

- Pod Philly - The September 2019 addition to The Pod Hotels family, Pod Philly is actually the first micro-hotel in Philadelphia and is located in Center City, offering quick and direct access to many of the main attractions of the city, plus some of its best bars, restaurants, and shops too. It features a Mexican-style restaurant and a rooftop bar with amazing views.

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More Ideas in NYC: Comedy Shows in New York City

The most recognizable city on Earth, appearing in more movies and TV shows than anyone could possibly count in a lifetime, New York City is simply iconic. It's the biggest city in America and one of the largest and most populous cities on Earth. A hub of economy, entertainment, culture, and more, NYC is a truly global power city, with more influence on modern life and society than any other location on the planet.

Known as the 'City That Never Sleeps', New York City boasts a thriving nightlife scene, with an almost endless array of activities and things to do each and every evening. Nights in New York are just like the days, with countless busy people filling the streets, tourists snapping photos at landmarks like Times Square, and a whole lot of flashing lights and lively scenes all around. Naturally, New York has a lot of different live shows and events to enjoy in the evenings, from concerts and sporting events to stage productions and, of course, comedy shows. Things to Do in NYC

Comedy has always been a big part of New York City’s culture with legendary comics from history like Jackie Gleason, Milton Berle, George Carlin, George Burns, and various members of The Three Stooges being born and raised in the city, as well as dozens of modern comedy stars like Jerry Seinfeld, Larry David, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, Eddie Murphy, Ray Romano, Adam Sandler, and Amy Schumer also calling NYC home.

Best Comedy Shows in New York City

Known as the cultural capital of the world, it's no surprise that New York has plenty to offer for comedy fans. A whole host of comedy clubs and shows can be enjoyed all around the city, and every single touring comedian in North America simply has to stop off and spend at least a few nights in the Big Apple as part of their schedules. All of this means that New York is one of the best spots on Earth to witness some side-splitting comedy, and here are some of the city’s favorite funny locations.

1. Comedy Cellar - 1267, 117 Macdougal St, New York, NY 10012, Phone: 212-254-3480

If you're looking for an intimate comedy venue in New York City with a lively crowd and vibrant atmosphere, it doesn't get much better than the Comedy Cellar. Founded way back in 1982 by stand-up star Bill Grundfest, this spot is situated right in the heart of Greenwich Village. The likes of Dave Chappelle, Jim Norton, Dave Attell, and Rich Vos appear here regularly, along with a nice mixture of new talents too. TV specials and famous scenes have been filmed here and each show features around half a dozen comics doing quickfire sets of around 20 minutes.

2. New York Comedy Club - 241 E 24th St, New York, NY 10010, Phone: 212-696-5233

Featuring both new and established comedians, the New York Comedy Club features a cozy, intimate setting and an impressive cast of comedians. This joint got its start back in 1989 and has since served up some of the funniest comedy shows in all of NYC. With the timeless brick wall and comfy candlelit tables all around, this comedy club offers shows every single night of the week, with many well-known stars from major TV networks appearing here often.

3. The PIT - 123 E 24th St, New York, NY 10010, Phone: 212-563-7488

The PIT, which stands for Peoples Improv Theater, got stated in 2002 and is generally seen as the top spot for improv comedy in New York City. Offering classes, study resources, workshops, and more, it's a great place for improv comedians to hone their skills and learn more about the craft of comedy, and a super spot for regular folks to enjoy awesome comedy shows too. Improv shows are held here each week in the theater's multiple performances spaces.

4. Gotham Comedy Club - 208 W 23rd St, New York, NY 10011, Phone: 212-367-9000

A popular hotspot for stand-up comedy shows in New York City, the Gotham Comedy club was opened back in 1996 and quickly established itself as one of the Big Apple's premier comedy destinations. Major talents like Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, Dane Cook, and Dave Chappelle have all appeared and performed here, with many more top tier comedians appearing each and every month. Several TV shows and specials have been filmed here, like Comedy Central's Live at Gotham series and LOL with the N. Even the first episode of the famous Larry David sitcom Curb Your Enthusiasm was filmed at this comedy club.

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