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by nycvisit
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 In New York, getting to a beach is easy. Just head to the nearest subway
station or bus stop. What's difficult is deciding which city beach
matches your mood. Will you want honky-tonk fun at Coney Island … or
laid-back surfer vibes in the Rockaways? Here's a guide to those
beaches and other places to find sun and surf in the city.
General Beach Information
Dial 311; If you are calling from out of state, dial 212/NEWYORK.
Coney Island
1208 Surf Avenue, Brooklyn, 718/372-5159.
In
addition to a beach, Coney Island has a famous boardwalk with rides and
games of chance, the Cyclone roller coaster, a sideshow, museum, flea
markets, the beautiful new Brooklyn Cyclones stadium, the fantastic New York Aquarium and special events like June’s Mermaid Parade and the summer Siren Festival.
Gateway National Recreation Area
Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island, 718/354-4606.
Fantastic
beaches, old military forts and wildlife are the big draws to this
unexpectedly diverse park with an assortment of activities from
beachcombing to aviation history. The concept of the urban natural park
emerged in the United States in the 1960s. One of the first in the
country to be set up by the National Park System, Gateway National
Recreation Area protects wilderness along the city's south shore,
combining native wildlife, public beaches and historic structures.
There is seasonal ferry service (to be expanded) from Manhattan to
Gateway’s Sandy Hook Unit in New Jersey.
Great Kills Park
Hylan Boulevard between Fairlawn & Emmet Avenues, Staten Island, 718/987-6790.
Great Kills Park is part of Gateway National Recreation Area and has a swimming beach with lifeguards, off-shore fishing, marina, jogging and walking trails.
Orchard Beach
Pelham Bay Park, Bronx, 718/430-1825.
The
elegant mile-long Orchard Beach crescent—the "Bronx Riviera"—is the
borough’s most popular summertime meeting place. There’s a boardwalk
for people-watching, a band shell where weekend concerts are held and
tennis, paddleball and basketball courts.
Rockaway Beach
Queens, South of Rockaway Beach Boulevard/Bay 116th St., 718/318-4000.
Rockaway Beach is America’s longest municipal beach, with almost ten miles for sun worshippers and sandcastle builders. |
