7 Beaches near New York City You Need to Visit This Summer

New York City has many charms. Unfortunately, the tourists and suffocating heat that both arrive in the warm-weather months are not among them. For New York parents, watching over their young ones when they’re home from school for the summer only add to feeling of being overwhelmed. When city life starts bearing down on you, there’s perhaps no better summertime escape than a beach. Fortunately, New York City and the surrounding metropolitan area are home to numerous beaches — many of which can even be reached without a car.

With spring approaching, now’s a good time to start planning a beach getaway. According to local experts, here are seven of the best beaches in the greater New York City metropolitan area:

1. Coney Island

Every New Yorker should visit Coney Island at least once. Between the boardwalk, amusement-park rides like the Wonder Wheel and the Thunderbolt, and tasty treats like funnel cakes and Nathan’s hot dogs, the Brooklyn destination is iconic. Coney Island also has beaches — in fact, 3 miles of very popular coastline are here. The location’s popularity means that finding a spot on the sand can be difficult, so New Yorkers should make their way out to Coney Island — which is accessible via several subway lines — as early in the day as possible.

2. Jacob Riis Park

The wide stretches of sand at Jacob Riis Park are a big draw for families. Nicknamed the “people’s beach” thanks to its proximity to public transit, Jacobs Riis sits along two bus lines — one of which, the Q35, is accessible via the A, S, or 2 trains. Along with generously sized beaches, Jacob Riis Park has plenty to explore in the form of greenspaces and a 1930s art deco bathhouse.

3. Jones Beach

A family-friendly destination, Jones Beach offers mini-golf, swimming pools, and a boardwalk to families. And in the summer, Jones Beach hosts concerts at its Nikon-branded theater. As for the beach itself, this Long Island destination stretches for an impressive 6 miles along Long Island Sound. Similar to Jacob Riis Park, Jones Beach is home to art deco-inspired bathhouses. Architecture enthusiasts can also find a near-replica of Venice, Italy’s St. Mark’s Basilica near the beach’s entrance.

4. Long Beach

Families looking for a tranquil beach experience as possible may enjoy Long Beach may be just what they need. Located less an hour from Manhattan via Long Island Railroad, this 5-mile stretch of coastline offers a respite from city life. New Yorkers can walk along a quiet boardwalk or try their hand at riding the Long Island destination’s surfable waves. The crowds here are so scarce that there’s usually enough room to stretch out. Families can even play volleyball or toss around a frisbee.

Prospective visitors should note that there’s a fee to enter Long Beach. However, Long Island Railroad sometimes offers a discounted package that, along with a train ticket and beach pass, includes coupons to some of the small town’s many restaurants and retailers.

5. Orchard Beach

New Yorkers have been flocking to his Bronx beach since the 1930s. Constructed under the direction of influential but infamous urban planner Robert Moses, the “Riviera of New York City” stretches for more than a mile along Long Island Sound. From the crescent-shaped beach, visitors can take in picturesque views of City Island. Abundant snack bars mean kids will never go hungry. When they need to burn off some energy, a boardwalk, two sets of playgrounds, and more than two-dozen basketball, volleyball, and handball courts will be ready for them.

6. Sandy Hook

Located in New Jersey, this national park offers myriad opportunities for adventure. Fortunately, the beach’s 7-mile length is patrolled by lifeguards. The potential escapades here include touring both the historic US Army post Fort Hancock or a lighthouse that, at more than 250 years old, is the oldest working lighthouse in the country. Visitors less interested in history can immerse themselves in the local ecosystem on a nature walk. A warning to parents: one of Sandy Hook’s beaches, Gunnison, is a nude beach. However, other options here, like North or South Beach, are family friendly.

7. South Beach

The Staten Island Ferry is all that separates Manhattanites from this sandy island destination, not to be confused with New Jersey’s South Beach. With its mild waves, Staten Island’s South Beach is ideal for parents who have young children. From the seashore, beachgoers can see the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. The 2.5-mile Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk is also easily accessible. Welcome news to any New Yorker is that South Beach is a short walk from some top-notch pizza. Parents should be sure to grab a slice or two for themselves and their kids before hopping on the ferry back home.