Travel

15 gorgeous beaches that are easy to get to from New York City

Sarah Schmalbruch

2015-05-28T19:52:00Z

Coney Island Beach — Coney Island Beach. Flickr / KIDKUTSMEDIA

It's getting be that time of year when the heat in New York City becomes unbearable.

Advertisement

Which means it's time to start planning your weekend getaways.

If you're not lucky enough to have a house in the Hamptons that you can escape to, there are plenty of beaches close enough to the city that can be reached by public transport.

Grab your bathing suit and take a look at our list of beaches that won't cost you a lot of time or money to get to.

Advertisement

Long Island's Jones Beach is one of the largest beaches in New York. There are 6.5 miles of sand and two miles of boardwalk, along with two swimming pools, a miniature golf course, and a nature center. The easiest way to access the beach is by taking the Long Island Rail Road from Penn Station.

Jones Beach

If you're looking for a mix of nature and beach, Jacob Riis Park Beach in Queens is your answer. It's part of the Gateway National Recreation Area and can be reached via the M, the N and 5, or the 5 and 6 subways.

Jacob Riis Park Beach

Advertisement

Although it can be somewhat of a tourist trap, Coney Island offers more than just sand and water. There's a ferris wheel, other amusement park rides, and Nathan's famous hot dogs. Hop on the F or Q subway and you'll be there in no time.

Coney Island Beach

Located in Queens between the Rockaway Peninsula and Jacob Riis Park Beach, Fort Tilden Beach is lifeguard-free and usually crowd-free. The beach is inaccessible by subway or car, but if you have a bike the ride is doable.

Fort Tilden Beach

Advertisement

Just a train ride away using New Jersey Transit, Long Branch Beach in New Jersey presents a great beach along with shops, restaurants, and lots of good ice cream.

Long Branch New Jersey

The Bronx's only public beach, Orchard Beach has been around since the 1930s. It's complete with 26 sporting courts, so for those who aren't beach bums, there other options. Both the N and 6 trains will get you to Orchard Beach.

Orchard Beach

Advertisement

Rockaway Beach in Queens is ideal for families — it has seven playgrounds — and surfers, thanks to its waves. Multiple subways lines will get you to Rockaway.

Rockaway Beach

Also known as Little Odessa, Brooklyn's Brighton Beach is known for its Russian and Ukrainian influences, so grab some borscht and take a stroll down the boardwalk. You can reach the beach via the B or Q subway.

Brighton Beach

Advertisement

Manhattan Beach is next to Brighton Beach in Brooklyn and is often filled with family picnics and barbecues. The beach is easily accessible via the N or Q subway.

Advertisement

Part of the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Boardwalk and Beach, Staten Island's Midland Beach has everything from a fishing pier to a bike path and a roller-hockey rink. You can either take the bus or the R subway to get here.

Midland Beach

Advertisement

Situated on the northern tip of the Jersey Shore, Sandy Hook has seven miles of beaches and dunes as well as one of the oldest lighthouses in the country. A 40 minute ride on the Seastreak Ferry is one of the easiest ways to reach Sandy Hook.

Advertisement

Since it was refurbished after Hurricane Sandy, South Beach has both new fountains and playing fields. Located on Staten Island next to Midland beach, South Beach is accessible via bus, the R, or the 6 and 4 subways.

South Beach Staten Island

Fire Island, the barrier reef off of Long Island, is home to many popular beaches. Ocean Beach is one of them and is known as the unofficial capital of the island, so you won't run out of things to do here. The best way to reach the beach is via the Long Island Rail Road.

Ocean Beach, Fire Island

Advertisement

Although many people travel to the Hamptons in style — think a helicopter — there are other ways to reach the area, like the Jitney and the Long Island Rail Road. Southampton's Coopers Beach is a prime example of one of the area's beautiful beaches backed by impressive mansions.

Coopers Beach

Now take a look at the best beaches around the world.

Whitehaven Beach

The 10 best beaches in the world, according to travelers »

New York City Travel

Advertisement

Jump to

Main content
Search
Account