Top 5 Beaches near NYC

A sandy beach may not be the first thing that comes to mind when someone says “New York City” but consider that the city is surrounded by water, with a stretch of land named Long Island surrounded by coastline on one side and the famed Jersey Shore in New Jersey on the other side….it turns out there are numerous attractive beaches relatively close to New York City.  

Whether you are stuck in the city on a sweltering mid-summer day surrounded by skyscrapers or visiting and looking for something different to do, it is good to know that in almost no time you can escape to the beach!  Here is a list of my top five favorites, including how to get there.  Note that access to most beaches requires the purchase of a beach pass. Daily passes can be purchased at many beach entrances and are usually in the $12 – $15 range.

5. Long Beach, Long Island

This is the first New York City beach I ever went to, mainly because I lived in Manhattan, and it is an easy train ride from New York Penn Station to the Long Beach stop on the Long Island Railroad (LIRR).  They even sell round trip tickets that include the beach pass.  Once you get off the train the beach is literally across the main road and steps away. 

It is a long beach, hence its name, with a great boardwalk about two miles long.  You can rent bikes and bike along the boardwalk, or just find yourself a spot on the beach to soak in the sun.  This is the only beach on the list where you can also rent beach chairs and umbrellas.

When you get hungry, the city of Long Beach has numerous restaurants, pizza shops, ice cream parlors and the like located along Park Avenue with a casual atmosphere for dining in or taking away.

4. Asbury Park, NJ

This once was a major recreational getaway, which has undergone some recent renovation.  It is still the spot to catch live bands playing at places like the Stone Pony, or to play arcade games. It’s about an hour and a half ride on the New Jersey transit system from Newark Penn station to the Asbury Park stop.

The beach itself is crowded and lively, with an atmosphere that is a little on the funky side.   You can go on and off the beach, getting sweet lemonades and French fries from the board walk.  Afterwards take a stroll to the renovated convention center and stop for some ice cream from Betty’s Ice Box. 

When you get hungry, you can get some dinner at the renovated restaurant Café Moonstruck, which was the famed Raspberry Café back in the eighties.

3. Jones Beach, Long Island

Over six miles of white sand can be found on Long Island’s Jones Beach, one of New York’s largest beaches with over six million visitors in an average summer season.  Part of Jones Beach State Park, it is considered “the people’s beach”, and there really is something here for everyone, including biking, surfing, swimming, or taking in a concert.

Most people drive here as there are large parking lots available.  However, one can also get here on the Long Island Railroad and a connecting bus. 

Eating options are a little more limited, and I noticed many people had brought their own food to the beach when we were there.  We managed a quick lunch at the Boardwalk Cafe, which has burgers, hot dogs and the like and is located near a lot of concession stands for more options for snacks, ice cream etc.

For more information on what to do, see Jones Beach, NY.

2. Long Branch, New Jersey

The long coastline of New Jersey, known as the Jersey Shore, has something like 44 different beaches to explore.  Another of my favorites is the beach at Long Branch.  It can also be easily accessed by taking the New Jersey Transit system from Newark Penn station to Long Branch which gets you there in about an hour.

Long Branch has a renovated boardwalk and several hotel and dining options nearby, so it comes close to feeling like a beach resort. 

Along with a clean beach and a 8.2 mile long boardwalk, Long Branch has a center called Pier Village.  When you need a break from the beach you can grab a sandwich, get a coffee or saunter through the shops there.

1. Montauk, Long Island

You can also ride the Long Island Railroad all the way to the last stop, which is Montauk.  It’s a long train ride from NYC Penn station, about three hours, but there are plenty of beach hotels in the area near places like Ditch Plains Beach or Montauk Beach where you can stay for a longer visit. There are car and taxi services available that make getting around easy. 

When you have had enough sun, you can feast on the freshest seafood at Gossman’s, have a beer at the outdoor patio of the Montauk Brewing Company, or check out the Montauk Point Lighthouse, the first ever built in New York State. 

For more on what to do in Montauk, see A Day in Montauk, NY.

Whichever beach you choose, it is sure to add a very memorable day to your vacation if you plan to take in a New York or New Jersey beach day.

This article was originally published in the Kelly Diane Report.(https://thekellydianereport.co.uk/2022/04/08/new-york-beaches/) and has been modified from the original.