Taking a long weekend trip to an island not far from New York City can be just as good as flying out to the Caribbean, and also much easier. There are tons of beachy vacation spots, relatively close to the city and only a boat, train, or car ride away. From Montauk to Martha’s Vineyard, the Northeast has no shortage of family-friendly (and easy) beachside getaways–check out some of our favorite spots for sun, fun, and family adventure and take advantage of all that the season and the region has to offer. You’ll come back with not only a tan, but also with a new favorite destination for family fun.
Montauk, NY: A ride on the LIRR will take you to the tip of Long Island and into a popular summer tourist spot for vacationers craving waves and fishing. Montauk is home to the largest recreational fishing fleet in New York and also boasts various stables and whale-watching boat rides and trails. Every Monday summer night, a live concert plays at The Green at the town’s gazebo—your kids will love running around and dancing to a backdrop of live music and fluffy sand.
Fire Island, NY: If you’re looking to escape bustling traffic and longing barefoot walks and peaceful bike rides, take a ferry from Bay Shore, Long Island to one of Fire Island’s best beaches—Ocean Bay Park and Seaview are popular choices amongst island-goers. The half-hour boat ride will bring you to a car-less, quiet 31-mile strip of land that’ll make for a perfect weekend vacation. Bike ride to one of the many cool playgrounds the beach has to offer or lounge on the shore with your toes dipped in Atlantic Ocean waves.
Cape Cod, MA: This national seashore on the eastern most part of Massachusetts is a beachy gem great for a summer vacation, especially for seafood enthusiasts. Cape Cod is strewn with beautiful dunes, picturesque harbors, and quiet beaches, and is also known for its culinary delights. Indulge in the shore’s exquisite clam chowder or quaint cranberry bogs in favorite towns like Brewster, Wellfleet, Province Town, Chatham, Truro, and Mashpee. The Cape is a five hour train or bus ride from Penn Station, and a flight from JFK or Newark only takes an hour but is also a little pricier.
Nantucket, MA: Thirty miles south of Cape Cod lies a windswept island made of white sand, salty air, and clear blue water. Nantucket prides itself not only in its peaceful shorelines but also in its numerous museums, bike trails, and aquariums. Visiting the Nantucket Atheneum is a must during your trip there, as it displays elegant artifacts and stories of the island as well as bountiful books and a cozy children’s reading room. The Seastreak Ferry, as of this summer, is now offering service directly to ACK from Manhattan.
Martha’s Vineyard, MA: Martha’s Vineyard is another of Massachusetts’ clump of islands and is adjacent to Nantucket. Immerse yourself in the leisurely vacation vibe and check out the art museums, petting zoos and farm stands, and Flying Horses Carousel in Oak Bluffs. If you go during the week, you can enjoy a children’s outdoor circus Wednesday evenings at the Chilmark Community Center. MV is also reachable directly from NYC via the Seastreak Ferry.
Block Island, RI: A less-than-four hour ride from Penn Station will drop you off at Rhode Island, where you can hop on a ferry in Point Judith to land straight on Block Island in under thirty minutes. Take a break from the sun at one of the island’s two movie theaters, or go from the waves to the Block Island Club that includes tennis, swimming, and arts and crafts. There’s also an arcade in Champlin’s Marina, as well as horse back riding and an animal farm. Boredom is unachievable on Block Island! Block Island is also reachable via a short ferry ride from New London, CT (which is about three and half hours from the city via Amtrak or Metro North and Shoreline East trains).
Long Beach Island, NJ: This family-friendly seashore is only a two hour drive from the city, but once you step out of the car you’ll feel transported into a coastal paradise. The island is made of quiet beaches great for tanning and wading in the water, but if you head south you’ll find cities packed with stores and restaurants. Stop by the Victorian Fantasy Island Amusement Park or Thundering Surf Water Park & Adventure Golf, which features eight giant water slides.
Shelter Island, NY: Located right off the Hamptons, Shelter Island is a patch of land of 12 square miles surrounded by Shelter Island Sound and Gardiners Bay. Though it’s small in size, the island offers fun for the whole family to enjoy, ranging from bird-watching trails to the antique museum Historical Society to kayaking rentals. If you want to take a break from the beach, the renowned Guild Hall gallery is right off the bay and offers live music and art exhibitions. Shelter Island is only a 10-minute ferry ride from Sag Harbor, Long Island, so you’ll be transported into a coastal summer wonderland in no time.
Newport, RI: Check out Newport for its combination of beautiful beaches, historic landmarks, and festivals. Your kids will love Newport’s most popular beach, known for its variety of kid-friendly attractions. Easton’s Beach, known by the locals as 1st Beach, has a carousel, playground, and aquarium for kids to enjoy. Throughout the summer, Easton’s Beach also features summer concerts, carnivals, and volleyball tournaments. You can also check out Fort Adams on a guided tour (reserve it ahead of time!) or explore the grounds on your own. Don’t forget about the International Tennis Hall of Fame, and take some time to do the Cliff Walk.
Rehoboth Beach, DE: If heading south to the mid-Atlantic is what you have in mind, chart a course for Rehoboth Beach in Delaware. This destination by the shore features a bustling and picturesque Main Street, along with cool museum options like the Rehoboth Beach Historical Society and Museum, and the Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company Museum. Plus, this beach vacation option is short trip from Washington D.C., so a day-trip to our nation’s capital is easy to work in on the way to or from the city.
