Top 12 Beaches in New York City to Cool Off in the Heat

Warm weather has officially begun, and thankfully, New York City has plenty of beaches to cool off. After reopening much later in the summer in the past few years, most of New York’s beaches will officially reopen on May 27th. From this weekend, lifeguards will be on duty daily from 10:00 to 18:00. Which beaches in New York are worth paying attention to, said Secret NYC.

1 Jacob Riis Park Beach, Queens

This oceanfront beach with landscaped walkways is clean and offers plenty of space to relax. The beach has a variety of restaurants including Rockaway Clam Bar, Riis Park Beach Bazaar and many more.

• Where: 157 Rockaway Beach Blvd.

2. Coney Island Beach, Brooklyn

This iconic New York beach boasts three miles (4.8 km) of sun and sand, and volleyball and basketball courts are usually open for outdoor activities. In addition, to spice up your life a bit, you can visit one of their iconic amusement parks, ride the world-famous Cyclone and, of course, eat a hot dog from Nathan’s. If you’re looking for the perfect combination of sun, sand, and beach fun, Coney Island might be one of the best beaches in New York for that.

Street parking with a meter.

• Where: On Atlantic Ocean, from W. 37th Street to Ocean Parkway

On the subject: Beaches will open soon in New York: how to get to the best of them by public transport

3. Orchard Beach, Bronx

Orchard Beach is the only public beach in the Bronx. It is artificial, built in the 1930s. At 1.1 miles (1.7 km) long and 115 acres (46.5 ha), it boasts a waterfront, center pavilion, eateries, and more. After a renovation a few years ago, this has become the perfect place to enjoy the sunset on the boardwalk or even take a stroll through the wooded surroundings.

Parking: $8 Monday-Friday for cars and vans and $10 weekends and holidays. Parking is $13 weekdays, weekends, and holidays for buses, trucks, and commercial vehicles.

• Where: On Long Island Sound in Pelham Bay Park, Bronx

4 Rockaway Beach, Queens

Rockaway Beach is a favorite place for surfers and the only legal surf beach in the city. Throughout the Rockaway Peninsula there is a busy boardwalk with bike and skate paths.

Free parking spaces at B. 11th to B. 15th Street and B. 95th Street and free street parking.

• Where: On Atlantic Ocean, from Beach 9th Street, Far Rockaway, to Beach 149th Street, Neponsit

5. Brighton Beach, Brooklyn

If you want to try something that can be less crowded than Coney Island Beach, then Brighton Beach is right next door. It is located in an area known as “Little Odessa” for its Eastern European eateries and shops.

Street parking with a meter.

• Where: On Atlantic Ocean, from Ocean Parkway to Corbin Place

6. Fort Tilden Beach, Queens

This place in Breezy Point is a bit more inconspicuous and secluded, but swimming is prohibited here as there are no lifeguards on duty. So sunbathe or fish. The nearest car park is in Riis, so you have to walk a bit. There is also a historical element of the fort, built in 1917, which you can climb to the top for panoramic views of the coast.

No Parking.

• Where: Center Road, Breezy Point

7. Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn

Don’t let the name fool you – it’s actually located in Brooklyn (more specifically, east of Brighton and Coney Island). It is a little quieter here, the locals often create a family atmosphere.

Parking: $7 Monday through Friday and $22 weekends and holidays.

• Where: On Atlantic Ocean, Oriental Blvd., from Ocean Avenue to Mackenzie Street

8. South Beach, Staten Island

This Staten Island beach offers stunning views of the Verrazano Bridge. There is a promenade, scenic bike paths, a fishing pier and a special park for the elderly.

Free parking.

• Where: On Lower New York Bay, from Fort Wadsworth to Miller Field, Midland Beach

9. Midland Beach, Staten Island

Midland Beach is next to South Beach, on the other side of the Franklin Roosevelt Boardwalk. Usually there are a little less people here. There are tennis and shuffleball courts on the beach, as well as a children’s fountain with sea turtles.

Free parking.

• Where: On Lower New York Bay, from Fort Wadsworth to Miller Field, Midland Beach

10. Wolfe’s Pond Beach, Staten Island

Wolfs Pond Beach has been called “the city’s best-kept secret”. It’s smaller than others on Staten Island, but less well known, so it’s quiet and not crowded.

Free parking.

• Where: On Raritan Bay and Prince’s Bay, Holton to Cornelia Avenues

11. Jones Beach, Wantagh

The 6.5 mile (10.4 km) beach is perfect for swimming, relaxing and more. There is plenty to do here, including mini golf, ball courts, shuffleboard, a swimming pool and state-of-the-art Northwell Health.

• Where: Jones Beach State Park, NY

12. Long Beach, Long Island

Listed as one of the cleanest beaches near New York, Long Beach is a paid beach that definitely deserves your attention. Long Beach itself is known as the “City by the Sea” due to its combination of great oceanfront entertainment and gorgeous beachfront. To get there, just take the LIRR train to Long Beach Station, which is just a few steps from the beach.