A Guide to the Top 9 Beaches in New York
Top family-friendly beaches in NYC include Brighton Beach, Coney Island Beach, Rockaway Beach, Manhattan Beach, Cedar Grove Beach, Midland Beach, Orchard Beach, and Wolfe’s Pond Beach. These beaches give families soft sand, calm water, and simple summer fun that feels easy, peaceful, and welcoming for kids of all ages.
NYC Parks maintains 14 miles of beaches around the city, so you and your family have plenty of options for a relaxing beach day this summer.
We’ve rounded up information about all nine of NYC Parks’ beaches so you can find the one that fits your family the best. And the best part? All of these beaches are free and open to the public!
Visit any of these family beaches to make some lasting memories with your kids while also having fun this summer.
Too Long, Didn’t Read:
- Top Beaches for Family Fun: Brighton Beach, Coney Island Beach, Rockaway Beach.
- Best Quiet Spots: Manhattan Beach, Cedar Grove Beach, Midland Beach.
- Great for Active Kids: Rockaway Beach, Orchard Beach.
- Perfect for Little Kids: Manhattan Beach, Cedar Grove Beach, Wolfe’s Pond Beach.
- Easy Ways to Make the Day More Fun: Bring buckets, shovels, simple toys, and easy games to keep kids happy and engaged.
Now that you know how many great choices there are, it is time to take a closer look at the beaches that are perfect for families. Each one has something special to offer, whether your kids love running in the sand, building big sandcastles, or splashing in gentle waves. Below are the beaches that make summer days feel easy, fun, and full of happy memories for you and your family.
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Top 9 Free New York Beaches for Families
Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, 50 min to 1 hour via subway (from Midtown)
Known for its Russian population and popular neighborhood “Little Odessa,” this neighbor to Coney Island is a famous beach located in the southern part of Brooklyn. This beach is a vibe — pack a picnic or pick up some of the delicious food at some of the nearby eateries and enjoy the sunshine.
Coney Island, Brooklyn, 1 hr 15 min via subway (from Midtown)
Coney Island isn’t just a beach: it is an experience. Families can also visit fun spots around Coney Island before you take your place on the sand, such as the New York Aquarium, Luna Park and Deno’s Wonder Wheel.
The beach itself is always packed, so if you are looking for a quiet beach day, you may want to go early before the crowds show up.
Or embrace this busy beach and enjoy the boardwalk food stands—just make sure to get your tickets for any extra fun, like rides or the aquarium, if you plan to include these attractions in your beach day.
Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn, 1hr 20min via subway (from Midtown)
If your ideal day at the beach involves you, your family and a good book without all the bells and whistles, you’ll want to check out Manhattan Beach.
There is a park for the kids, and you can bring your barbecue grill and cook right by your beach spot. The waves aren’t huge, and the vibe is chill, making it perfect for families with young kids.
Rockaway Beach, Queens, 1hr 30min via subway (from Midtown)
If you want less spectacle and more surfer destination with snack shacks (Rockaway Beach Surf Club) and food Californians call everyday life, you’ll want to pack up the beach bag (and kids) and head over to this chill beach.
Clocking in at an hour car ride and hour and a half subway ride, it is a worthwhile day trip if you are a beach bum at heart.
Orchard Beach, Bronx, 1hr 45min via subway (from Midtown)
This Robert Moses-designed beach is the Bronx’s only public beach, and it does not disappoint. At 115 acres, the beach includes a promenade, and for the kids who need to stay active, there are two playgrounds, 26 basketball courts, volleyball, and handball.
With two picnic areas, you can grab a spot to eat food from the snack bars or bring along food and munch while you enjoy the view of City Island.
Midland Beach, Staten Island – 1 hr 20min via subway (from Midtown)
A trip to Midland Beach is one that families will love to take this summer! Not only is it great, but there are also a ton of activities kids can do when they aren’t swimming or lounging on the beach!
The beach is home to the popular Sea Turtle Fountain where young kids can run through the sprinklers and to the Playland Playground that is also a great spot to bring your kids to. Midland Beach also shares Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk where families can find delicious treats and refreshments.
South Beach, Staten Island – 1 hr 20 min via subway (from Midtown)
Sunbathe in the shadow of the Verrazzano Bridge. South Beach is one of the city’s most popular beaches, and for good reason. Visitors can bike, jog on the boardwalk, kayak, play tennis, fish and more. Don’t leave without stopping to see the popular Fountain of Dolphins!
Cedar Grove Beach, Staten Island – 1hr 30 min via subway (from Midtown)
If you’re looking for a new favorite beach spot, why not check out the city’s newest beach? The converted oceanfront bungalow colony, Cedar Grove Beach, offers a more tranquil experience than some of the neighboring beaches and is a popular choice for local families.
Wolfe’s Pond Beach, Staten Island – 1 hr 45 min via subway (from Midtown)
You’ll want to take a day to check out the city’s best-kept secret. Wolfe’s Pond Beach on Staten Island offers access to the ocean without the chaos that tends to come with some of the city’s more well-known beaches. Get away from the summer crowds with a secluded beach day.
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5 Simple Beach Games Kids Can Enjoy at New York Beaches
Going to a New York beach is already fun, but it gets even better when you play simple games that make you run, laugh, and enjoy the whole day with your family. These games use simple items like sand, water, and sunshine, so children can enjoy them right away without needing any special tools.
Each game is gentle, safe, and easy to understand, which makes it perfect for younger kids who just want to explore and have a good time. These ideas also give parents a calm way to keep kids busy while enjoying the beach, creating a day that feels relaxed, happy, and full of simple memories.
- Treasure Search in the Sand: Kids can spend time looking for small treasures in the sand, like shells, smooth stones, or tiny sticks. They can follow a simple list or explore freely, keeping themselves entertained while parents relax nearby.
- Build the Tallest Sand Tower: Children can use wet sand to build tall towers, carefully pressing and shaping the sand as they go. They can keep adding more sand to make their towers higher, enjoying the process and having fun for a long time.
- Follow the Wiggly Line: Drawing a wiggly line in the sand gives kids a fun challenge as they try to walk along it without stepping off. The line can be simple for younger children or more twisty for older ones, keeping everyone active and laughing.
- Bucket Fill Challenge: Kids can take a small bucket, fill it with seawater, and bring it back without spilling too much. This game keeps them moving, encourages coordination, and is simple to play safely on the beach.
- Play Shadow Tag in the Sun: Instead of tagging hands, children can try stepping on each other’s shadows. This playful game gets them running and laughing, and it works perfectly on a sunny day at the beach.
Wrapping Up
From building sandcastles to exploring boardwalks, visiting these free New York beaches gives your family a chance to laugh, play, and enjoy the outdoors together. Each beach is offering something special, whether it is soft sand, calm water, fun boardwalks, or quiet spaces where kids can play. Whether you are playing at Brighton Beach, having fun at Coney Island Beach, relaxing at Manhattan Beach, enjoying quiet time at Cedar Grove Beach, running and exploring at Rockaway Beach, or visiting Orchard Beach, Midland Beach, South Beach, or Wolfe’s Pond Beach, you can choose the beach that feels best for your family.
FAQs
- What is the prettiest beach in New York?
Many people say Orchard Beach in the Bronx is one of the prettiest beaches in New York because of its long shoreline, clean sand, and lots of space for kids and families to play. - What are the top 10 beaches in the USA?
Some of the most popular beaches in the USA include Myrtle Beach (South Carolina), Waikiki Beach (Hawaii), South Beach (Florida), Santa Monica Beach (California), Cape May Beach (New Jersey), Virginia Beach (Virginia), Outer Banks (North Carolina), Laguna Beach (California), Siesta Key Beach (Florida), and Cannon Beach (Oregon). - Which NYC beach has the cleanest water?
Manhattan Beach in Brooklyn and Cedar Grove Beach in Staten Island are often noted for having clean water, making them great choices for swimming and family fun. - Where do people in NYC go to the beach?
People in New York City visit many beaches like Brighton Beach, Coney Island Beach, Manhattan Beach, Rockaway Beach, Orchard Beach, Midland Beach, South Beach, Cedar Grove Beach, and Wolfe’s Pond Beach to relax, swim, and spend time with family and friends.
