When someone thinks of New York City, they think of landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State building, sights like Times Square and the Manhattan Skyline, and the must do's like see a Broadway show. What may be surprising is that New York City also has beaches.
New York City is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean. Many of the boroughs of the city are even islands themselves, like Manhattan and Staten Island. Even Brooklyn and Queens are connected to an island. With so much water surrounding New York City, it's not really a surprise that New York City is home to several beaches.
If you're planning on taking a trip to New York City this summer, it can get pretty hot. In between checking out all the main attractions, cool down and visit one of New York City's 14-miles worth of beaches. While there are no beaches on the island of Manhattan, there are plenty to choose from in the other five boroughs.
Rockaway Beach, Queens
Rockaway Beach may sound familiar as it was the subject of a Ramones song. It is New York City's only legal surfing spot, however only certain parts allow surfing. Most of this large beach is open to those who just want to take a dip, but as a warning, the waves and rip currents can be rough, so take caution. Rockaway is also home to several playgrounds, volleyball courts, a skate park, and brand new concessions.
Coney Island, Brooklyn
Coney Island is more than just a beach. It is home to an iconic boardwalk, amusement park rides, including the famous Cyclone roller coaster, The Brooklyn Cyclone baseball stadium, and much more. Spend the day tanning on the sand, swimming in the ocean, or fisihing off the pier, and then enjoy all the other attractions that Coney Island has to offer, including fireworks on Friday nights. Some other smaller beaches in Brooklyn include Brighton Beach, which is a continuation of Coney Island Beach, and Manhattan Beach.
Orchard Beach, The Bronx
Orchard Beach is one of New York City's smaller beaches, spanning just over a mile. The Bronx's only beach was originally conceived as the "Riviera of New York." It contains a promenade with shops, playgrounds, barbecue pits, picnic areas, and several sports courts. This beach can draw tens of thousands of people on a hot day and it makes the perfect place for a stroll on cooler days.
South Beach, Staten Island
Staten Island is home to a few beaches including Cedar Grove Beach, Midland Beach and Wolfe's Pond Beach, but South Beach is one of the bigger and more popular areas. Bordering the beach is the 2.5-mile Franklin D. Roosevelt boardwalk. From here, guests can view the Verrazano Bridge and the New York Harbor. Sometimes there are also free concerts and fireworks. At the end of the boardwalk is the Dolphin Fountain, which is an icon to the locals.
New York City Beaches are open between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day. Lifeguards are on duty between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
