There are good beaches around NYC, as many a New Yorker will attest. And we don’t mean mere observation points where impenetrable concrete slabs or jagged rocks stand between you and dubious river water. Within two to three hours of driving, white sand beaches, charming seaside towns, and chockablock boardwalks will be at your fingertips. While all the business of city life is just a stone’s throw behind you, these beaches really melt away the stress and make you feel a world away from it all, even if some lie within the five boroughs themselves. This summer, whether you choose to spend your beach day in Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Long Island, or New Jersey, you’ll get to see a sunnier side of the city that all the locals count down to as soon as winter starts creeping in. These oceanside spots function as perfect day trips from the city (some closer than others, but all worth the mileage), and we’ll be the last to discourage expanding any of these itineraries into a weekend getaway. Fair warning: many are accessible by public transport, though others will require a rental car.
Without further ado, these are the best beaches around NYC.
Read our complete New York City travel guide here, which includes:
