The Best Beaches Near New York City

Beaches Near New York City

With so much water nearby, New York City has a handful of beaches in the area. Whether you want to enjoy a picnic by the water or just spend some time outside, these beaches offer a bit of a break from the chaos of the city.

Coney Island

Coney Island is a classic, old-school amusement park and entertainment area that offers visitors a glimpse into the past. The park is just over an hour outside of Manhattan and it has several classic thrills including a wooden roller coaster, an aquarium, and a boardwalk. The island also has a beach and a chill atmosphere that makes a strong contrast to the vibe in the city.

1218 Bowery Street, West Brighton, NYC, New York, 11224

Rockaway Beach & Jacob Riis Park

Rockaway Beach is located in Queens and is accessible with public transportation. Here you can find some nice sand, fairly calm waves, and a relaxed crowd. In the summer months, especially on weekends it can get a bit crowded as this is one of the most accessible beaches to the city. A large section of this beach is Jacob Riis Park which is a National Recreation Area managed by the NPS. Here you'll find several historic art deco buildings in addition to the wide sandy beach (and a sizeable parking area).

125 Beach 135th Street, NYC, New York, 11694

If you're looking for more information about New York City, read The Best Planetariums to Visit near New York City and The Best Playgrounds in New York City.

Jones Beach State Park

Jones Beach in Wantagh on Long Island is very popular, and can get crowded in the summer. But the popularity is warranted as the beach here is terrific, and there's also a lengthy boardwalk, changing areas and bathrooms, and other nice facilities. They also have concerts in the summer which bring in a crowd. As it's a state park, there is a small admission fee.

1 Ocean Pkwy, Wantagh, New York, 11793

Manhattan Beach

Not far from Brighton Beach is this smaller family-friendly beach with nice sand and fairly calm waves. It's the perfect place to spend the afternoon with your kids and enjoy beautiful weather. Picnics and BBQ's are popular here and it's easy to keep everyone entertained with the sporting venues and other activities nearby as well.

The surrounding neighborhood is filled with single family houses, many with private swimming pools.

Oriental Blvd, from Ocean Avenue to Mackenzie Street, Brooklyn, New York City, New York

Cedar Grove Beach

You'll find this fairly new beach on Staten Island. It's charming and small, and it's also wheelchair accessible. Lifeguards are on staff in the summer months, too.

Ebbitts Street and Cedar Grove Avenue, Staten Island, New York City, New York

Long Beach

Long Beach on Long Island offers a large stretch of sand from the Atlantic Beach area on the western side to Point Lookout on the eastern side. You can get here from Manhattan on the LIRR, and once you do you will be greeted with relaxing waves, chairs and umbrellas for rent, a nice long boardwalk, and various restaurants, bars, and ice cream shops along the main road for when you get hungry or thirsty. You can also take surfing lessons here, or enjoy the concerts in the summer.

300 W Broadway, Long Beach, New York, 11561

Website

Brighton Beach

Next door to all the fun at Coney Island, Brighton Beach has some wide sandy beaches with a relaxing but fun vibe. As expected, it's very popular in the summer months when the water and weather is warmer. Lifeguards are on duty during the day in the summer, and the facilities are wheelchair accessible, too.

Ocean Parkway to Corbin Place, Brooklyn, New York City, New York

Website

How much does it cost?

Prices for activities, things to do, and tours range from $33 to $185. The average cost for a tour or tickets is $96. A few of the best options are below.

Where to Stay in New York City

More Ideas for New York City

Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.

About BudgetYourTrip.com

Search for Travel Costs

Planning a trip to New York City? You might also be interested in The Best Neighborhoods in the Bronx and New York City Bucket List Places to See.

Share This Page

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.