New Yorkers are used to life in the fast lane, but a trip to one of the area’s many beaches offers an opportunity to slow down the pace and enjoy what the sun, sand and waves have to offer. And, whether you are a local, or are visiting The Big Apple on business, a welcoming beach awaits you. For your convenience, we put together a list of the 15 best beaches in New York City’s five boroughs and beyond.

1. Coney Island Beach 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDTd7p0s2jY/

On Atlantic Ocean, from W. 37th Street to Ocean Parkway | (718) 946-1350

Whether it’s summer or off-season, Coney Island Beach offers a raucous and entertaining respite. This iconic and family-friendly locale at the tip of Brooklyn is easily accessible by subway and has two glorious amusement parks: Deno's Wonder Wheel and Luna Park. Grab a friend and walk along the iconic boardwalk or enjoy swimming & sunbathing on its nearly three-mile stretch of sandy beaches. If it’s too chilly to enjoy the beach, the nearby New York Aquarium is entertaining and features 350 varieties of marine creatures.

2. Brighton Beach

https://www.instagram.com/p/CFDrtpbJsdb/

Brightwater Ave East of Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY 11235

Amenities at Brighton Beach include concession stands and a bicycle and skate path. Also, travelers and families from all over the city come to enjoy the laid-back vibe at this Brooklyn getaway and explore “Little Odessa,” a neighborhood that earns its name because it has one the largest Russian communities in the U.S. You will find delicious variety in the food available, but the nearby bakeries and restaurants that cater to the neighborhood’s Russian & Eastern European residents are out of this world good. We recommend trying the house-made pierogis from Home Made Cooking Café or Siberian Pelmeni from Varenichnaya. 

3. Manhattan Beach Park

760 Oriental Blvd, Brooklyn, NY 11235 | (212) 639-9675

On Brooklyn’s southern tip, there is the wide and crescent-shaped Manhattan Beach. It’s a popular summer swimming spot and a favorite among families, who pack picnic baskets and barbecue there. If you tire of beach activities, the park has tennis, volleyball, basketball and handball courts to play in. Manhattan Beach Park is sandwiched by playgrounds with spray showers, and it also has two large baseball diamonds on its eastern side. You can also watch movies for free in the parking lot throughout the summer. 

4. Rockaway Beach & Boardwalk

8601 Shore Front Pkwy Rockaway Park, NY 11694 | (718) 318-4000

Open year-round is Rockaway Beach in Queens. The beach is a resource to locals and travelers, and it is typically less crowded than Coney Island. The beach is a gathering point for surfers, too, and there are surfing schools like the Local Surf School that teach you how to “Hang 10.” The Rockaway Boardwalk, sidelined for a bit after Hurricane Sandy, is open again. With several playgrounds lining the beach and plenty of activities, the youngsters are bound to stay entertained. There are also snack bars near the boardwalk, such as the Rockaway Clam Bar that sells delicious split-top rolls filled with fried clams and lobster. 

5. The People's Beach at Jacob Riis Park 

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16702 Rockaway Beach Blvd. Queens, NY 11694 | (718) 318-4300

Coming in at #5 is the fun-filled swimming beach at Jacob Riis Park. Nicknamed “the People’s Beach’’ because of its easy access to public transit, you can get there from Manhattan by bus or subway in about an hour and a half. Artisanal concessions have made it more popular over the years. The fun atmosphere makes it one of the perfect places to have a barbecue or beach party. Its courtyards, landscaped walkways and boardwalks provide ample opportunities to spread out and enjoy the fresh, open air. Visitors can also enjoy the restaurants, shopping, putt golf course and ball courts there. 

6. Jones Beach

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2400 Ocean Parkway, Wantagh, NY 11793 | (516) 785-1600 | 

The white sands of Jones Beach extend for seven miles, and its expansive borders contain facilities with many exciting activities. The park is designed on the theme of an ocean liner, and visitors can swim in the ocean, ride bikes on the boardwalk or go fishing there. You can also play shuffleboard, basketball, corn hole, paddle tennis and more. Music lovers can attend concerts at the Northwell Health Theatre. The park has some architectural wonders, too, including the Jones Beach Water Tower (“The Pencil”) that supplies water to the entire park. 

7. Asbury Park, Jersey Shore

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1300 Ocean Ave, Asbury Park, NJ 07712-5782 | 732-897-6500

This Jersey Beach rocks so much it inspired Bruce Springsteen to famously name his debut studio album “Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.” after it. Whether you want to frolic in the surf, go shopping or simply want to relax & read while listening to the rhythm of the waves, Asbury Park has a little something for everyone to enjoy. The cultural hub has a rich history, and it attracts people from around the world with its vibrant music, art and surf scene. Asbury Park’s Boardwalk always keeps things interesting, and crowds flock in droves to participate in the annual Oyster Festival and Jazz Festival. 

8. Orchard Beach

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Park Dr, Bronx, NY 10464 | (718) 885-2275

Located on Long Island Sound in Pelham Bay Park, is Orchard Beach. The man-made beach was formerly named “the Riviera of New York” when it was built in 1930. The waters there are family-friendly since they are generally calm and shallow. If you need a break from the beach scene, you can take a leisurely walk on the promenade and step into some of the many shops and food venues. Orchard beach also contains a hexagonal central pavilion, picnic tables and recreational areas. 

9. Main Beach, East Hampton

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101 Ocean Ave, East Hampton, NY 11937 | 631-324-4150

The Hampton Beaches in Long Island are recognized, not only as the best beaches, in New York, but in all of the United States. They are also the seaside retreat of the rich & famous. If you want to live the life of the wealthy elite (if only for a little while), put on your designer bathing duds and go to Main Beach, as it gets the most accolades. The destination has a wide and spacious beach, and outfitters offer surfboard, kayak and paddleboard rentals. After spending time at the beach, you can walk to a beautiful, shuttered windmill, one of the many historic windmills on the East End.  

10. Shelter Island

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38 North Ferry Road, Shelter Island, NY 11964 | 631-749-0291

Near the Hamptons, is Shelter Island, an isolated 8,000-acre island that is only accessible by ferry. Nicknamed the “Un-Hamptons” for its mellow vibe and lack of entertainment & nightlife, this Long Island destination has become popular following the renovation of an 1872 inn, The Chequit. The Chequit made Fodor's Travel's list of 15 best hotels in the United States, and it is about a 4-5 minute drive from the North Ferry Station. Shelter Island has a fine beach for wandering and general all-around relaxing. You can also get in tune with nature on the trails there or get some exercise kayaking and cycling.   

11. Montauk Point State Park

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2000 Old Montauk Hwy, (Long Island Region) Montauk, NY 11954 | (631) 668-3781

On the South Shore of Long Island, is Montauk Point State Park. The rocky beach offers breathtaking views, including glimpses of harbor seals sunning themselves on the rocks. The park features winding nature trails, and surf fishing at the Point is a hot sport. In fact, New York Striped Bass fishing has become synonymous with Montauk. One must-see attraction is the historic red & white lighthouse, and both it and the park’s shoreline are accessible from the parking area. 

12. Fire Island

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Fire Island is a remote barrier island. Visitors get there from a number of locations on Long Island, typically by ferry, private boat or water taxi. The 31-mile island is geared more toward those that enjoy sunsets on salt marshes and spiritual renewal more than frolicking on the beach. Visitors to Fire Island can enjoy history, the beauty of the sunken forest, high dunes and wildlife. Also, there are camping facilities available if you want to stay a while. The black & white lighthouse on the western end of the island is a popular point of interest, and from its vantage point, you can see stunning panoramic views.  

13. Cherry Grove Beach

Bookended between Fire Island Pines and Sailors Haven, is Cherry Grove. The area is a cultural hub, and entertainment venues host art shows, plays and various other community events there. Cherry Grove boasts an active nightlife, along with pubs and restaurants. When dining out, you can enjoy live music, cocktails, seafood, pizza, steaks, etc. against the backdrop of ocean and bay views. The community flies their Pride Flag high and much of the beach between Cherry Grove & the Pines is “come as you are.” In other words, clothing is optional.

14. Fort Tilden Beach

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_Q3lijHC8R/

Center Rd, Queens, NY 11697 (in Gateway National Recreation Area) |

 (718) 338-3799

Another NYC beach that is off the beaten path is Fort Tilden Beach in Queens. Birdwatchers, especially, will enjoy gazing at the seabirds roosting in cordoned-off areas. Seclusion also means a lack of amenities and infrastructure at this 3-mile stretch of beach, including lifeguards. In fact, swimming is prohibited at Army-managed Fort Tilden Beach. To get there, you can take the 2 to hop on a bus. However, we encourage you to ride a bike there and bike lanes on the route from Prospect Park abound. You will need to take a picnic with you since there are no places to buy food and beverages at Fort Tilden Beach.

15. Franklin Delano Roosevelt Boardwalk & Beach

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Fr Capodanno Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10306 |  (212) 639-9675

South Beach and Midland Beach in Staten Island make up a good portion of the FDR boardwalk and beach. They extend 2.5 miles southeast from Fort Wadsworth to Miller Field's Gateway Recreational Area, parallel to Father Capodanno Boulevard. Facilities there include dog-friendly areas, barbecuing areas and handball and volleyball courts. Beachgoers can also enjoy gorgeous scenery from the Verrazano Bridge and jog along the boardwalk. Midland Beach is the less congested of the two, and you can fish off the Ocean Breeze Pier. The Sea Turtle Fountain and the playground are a hit among the kiddies, and they tend to run through it for hours on end.

Photo Attribution 

1. Manhattan Beach: Multiplicitous, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

2. Rockaway beach: Hayley Pfitzer, Unsplash

3. Cherry Grove: Dinker022089, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons