It’s finally time to prepare yourself for another fun-filled summer in the sun! New York City has a variety of beaches, whether you’re looking for something eventful or a calmer, more secluded destination. Here are a few of the best spots to check out, along with a guide on how to spend your perfect beach day.

Coney Island 

Coney Island, arguably New York City’s most famous beach, is very easy to reach by subway and admission is free. This is a terrific place to spend an afternoon because it has a ton of attractions in addition to the beach, such as the world’s longest and largest boardwalk to stroll down. One of the main attractions is Luna Park, an amusement park with multiple exhilarating rides, including the venerable Cyclone roller coaster. Regarding food, numerous concession stands are full of refreshments along the boardwalk. Some of which include Coney’s Cones, Pizza Brook and Margarita Island. To get there, hop on the D, F, N or Q trains to the “Coney Island/Stillwell Avenue” station, which is only two blocks from the shore. 

The Rockaway Peninsula 

The Rockaway Peninsula, a long and narrow section of land that is part of Queens, is located southeast of the Brooklyn beaches. On the peninsula, there are three public beaches. Rockaway Beach, one of New York City’s busiest beaches, is close to Lower Manhattan and can be reached quickly by East River Ferry or subway. You may enjoy a lengthy promenade with food vendors and numerous playgrounds in addition to the sea and sand. Additionally, there is a skate park, basketball court, volleyball court and handball court. There are numerous other events, such as free yoga on the beach and festivals that feature family-friendly activities throughout the year. For lunch, go to Bungalow Bar if you’re craving seafood, Tacoway Beach for street tacos or Low Tide Bar for burgers and fries. If you’re looking to have more of a brunch and cocktails date, go to Margie’s. You can get there by train or enjoy a day on the water by taking the ferry from Pier 11/Wall St. to Rockaway. Check out their website for other future events. 

The People’s Beach

For those who are craving a beach day without the large crowds that Coney and Rockaway bring, The People’s Beach at Jacob Riis Park might be the place for you. This was the first beach that all New Yorkers could reach via public transportation, although it was relatively smaller in size when it opened in 1912. From Manhattan, you can get there in 90 minutes by bus and subway. The water is swimmable, and the sand is soft and clean. There is also a picnic area, playgrounds and ball courts to enjoy. Concession stands are at Bay 9 and the Riis Beach Bathhouse. Unlike the other beaches, there are no stores nearby so you should plan accordingly and bring everything you need prior to arriving.