44. Pick Your Favorite NY Beach

There is an abundance of beaches near NYC.  Choosing just one of them can be hard, but rather than limit this post to one beach I decided to make a list.  So here it is.

Brighton Beach

It’s only a few steps away from Coney Island so you could mix you beach day with a Coney Island Day if you wish.  It’s known for its clean, soft sand.

Rockaway Beach

Rockaway Beach is located in Queens and actually has a song named after it by the Ramones.  If this doesn’t make you want to spend a day there… well that’s understandable. 

Centerport Beach

You can go here, but it will cost you $15 to get in if you are not a Huntington resident.

Long Beach

This is a general favorite of most people.  There is free parking around the beach, though it will cost you $6 to get in.

Cooper Beach

This beach is open to residents only.

Coney Island Beach

Maybe it’s just me, but I almost expect to see people dressed in black and white full body bathing suites from those old silent films about Coney Island here.  Other than that while you are on this beach, make sure you check out The Original Nathan’s Hotdog Stand.

Jones Beach

Parking will cost you $7 a day, or $49 per season if you plan on going more than 7 times.

Manhattan Beach

You are only going to get here by car, so if you don’t have one, move on to the next beach.  It’s a great beach for people watching.

Orchard Beach

It’s the only beach in the Bronx, and it’s a nude beach.  Who cares about the sand, water, or anything else.  It’s a nude beach people.

NYC beach photo provided by: Amanda M. Hatfield