New York
Brooklyn
Brighton Beach & Coney Island and Coney Island Boardwalk: On Atlantic Ocean, from W. 37th Street to Corbin Place. Take W train to Stillwell Avenue-Coney Island (last stop); F or Q to last stop; take the B36 to Surf Ave. and West 8th Street; or take the B68 to Neptune Ave.(718) 946-1350Open: 10am-6pm Memorial Day through Labor Day weekends. Attractions: Two-mile long boardwalk, New York Aquarium, rides, eateries, outdoor spray showers. Cost: Boardwalk-FREE; Aquarium- $12/adults, $8/kids
Manhattan Beach: On Atlantic Ocean, Oriental Blvd., from Ocean Avenue to Mackenzie Street. Take the Q train to Brighton Beach, connecting to B1, B49 at Manhattan Beach-Oriental Ave. (718) 946-1373. Attractions: Beach and boardwalk. Not too commercial. Cost: FREE
Bronx
Orchard Beach and Promenade: On Long Island Sound in Pelham Bay Park. Take the 6 to the last stop, Pelham Bay Park. (718) 430-1890. Attractions: Hexagonal-block promenade, changing areas, showers, food stores, specialty shops, playgrounds, picnic areas, basketball, volleyball, and handball courts. Open: Year round. Cost: FREE
Queens
Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk: On Atlantic Ocean, from Beach 1st Street, Far Rockaway, to Beach 149th Street, Neponsit. Take the A train to last stop, Rockaway Park. (718) 318-4000. Attractions: Basketball and handball courts, roller-hockey rinks, sitting areas and playgrounds along the boardwalk and adjoining areas. Open: Sunrise to sunset. Cost: FREE
Water Taxi Beach: (Public/private partnership run by New York Water Taxi). 2-03 Borden Ave, Hunter's Point Ferry Terminal, Long Island City. Take the 7 train to Jackson/Vernon Stop or G 21st Stop, exit on Jackson Ave. Take the LIRR to LIC/Hunters Point, exit the platform on Borden Ave. By water taxi: Check the Water Taxi website for schedules and service notices at www.nywatertaxi.com. Attractions: Picnic table area, bars and food vendors, open sand area. NO pets, swimming, coolers, outside food or drink. Open: July 1-September 9 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays rain or shine until 8pm. Cost: FREE
Staten Island
South Beach: Father Capodanno Blvd. and Sand Lane. Take Staten Island Ferry (free) to buses S51 or S53 to Father Capodanno Blvd., S79 from 86th St. station in Bay Ridge. 718-816-6804. Attractions: Children's playground, handball and shuffleboard courts, bocce courts, roller hockey rink, ball fields, fishing pier, and newly renovated picnic and changing areas. Open: Daily 10am-6pm. Cost: FREE
Midland Beaches and Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk: On Father Capodanno Blvd. from Fort Wadsworth to Miller Field, Midland Beach. Take Staten Island Ferry (free) to S51; or S53, S79 to Father Capodanno Blvd.718-390-8000. Attractions: Sprinklers and a playground, handball and shuffleboard courts, seasonal concession stands, changing stations. Site of the annual Back to the Beach Celebration: food, games, sand castle building, boardwalk vendors, live music and fireworks. Open: Daily 10am-6pm. Cost: FREE
Wolfe's Pond Beach: On Raritan Bay and Prince's Bay, Holton to Cornelia Avenues. From Staten Island Ferry, take S78 to the corner of Hylan Boulevard and Cornelia Avenue.(718) 984-8266. Attractions: Swimming, row boats, daytime freshwater fishing, salt water fishing (permitted October-May), picnic grounds, outdoor fireplaces, and a model yacht pond. Restrooms available. Open: 10am-6pm Memorial Day through Labor Day weekends. Cost: FREE
Long Island
Jones Beach (Wantagh):33 miles from Manhattan via Meadowbrook Parkway south and Wantagh Parkway south.A discounted summer LIRR package ticket includes round trip rail fare to Freeport and MTA Long Island Bus service via the N88 to and from the Central Mall, and the East and West Bath Houses; $15 from New York or Brooklyn, $11 from Jamaica.(516) 785-1600. Attractions: Beach, showers, recreation programs, pool, playground, picnic tables, performing arts theater, museum/visitor center, marina, golf, gift shop, food, and fishing. No pets allowed.Open: Year round. Cost: FREE
Camp Hero State Park (Montauk): Route 27 (Sunrise Highway) east to the end, 130 miles from New York City. (631) 668-3781. Attractions: Beach, biking, bridle path, fishing, hiking, cross country skiing. Dogs allowed on a leash. Open: Year round, sunrise to sunset. Cost: FREE
Gilgo State Park: From North: Meadowbrook or Wantagh Parkway south to Ocean Parkway east or Robert Moses Causeway south to Ocean Parkway west. From West: Ocean Parkway east from Jones Beach. From East: Ocean Parkway west from Captree State Park.(631) 669-0449. Attractions: Fishing. No pets allowed. Open: April 1-December 31. Cost: FREE
Governor Alfred E. Smith/Sunken Meadow State Park (Kings Park):46 miles from Manhattan on the northern terminus of Sunken Meadow/Sagtikos Parkway. Long Island Expressway exit 53.. (631) 269-4333. Attractions: Beach, biking, bridle path, fishing, food, golf, hiking, nature trail, picnic tables, playground, playing field, recreation programs, showers. Dogs allowed only in undeveloped areas of the park with a leash. Open: Year round, sunrise to sunset Cost: FREE
Heckscher State Park (East Islip): At the end of the Heckscher State Pkwy, 50 miles from Manhattan on the south shore of Long Island, within the East Islip/Great River area in Suffolk County.(631) 581-2100. Attractions: Beach, biking, boat launch sites, camper recreation, campsites, fishing, food, hiking, nature trail, pavilions, picnic tables, playground, playing field, pool, recreation programs, showers, tent/trailer sites. Dogs allowed in undeveloped areas only, on a leash not more than six feet.Open: Year round, daily 7am-sunset. Cost: FREE
Hither Hills State Park (Montauk):122 miles from Manhattan via Sunrise Highway (Route 27) east. (631) 668-2554. Attractions: Beach, biking, bridle path, camper recreation, campsites, dumping station, fishing, food, hiking, hunting, nature trail, picnic tables, playground, playing field, recreation programs, showers, tent/trailer sites. Dogs only allowed in certain areas, on a leash not more than six feet.Open: Year round, sunrise-sunset.Cost: FREE.
Orient Beach State Park (Orient): 118 miles from Manhattan on the north shore via Long Island Expressway (Route 495) east to the end, then Route 25 east to the Park. (631) 323-2440. Attractions: Beach, biking, fishing, food, hiking, nature trail, pavilions, picnic tables, playground, playing field, recreation programs, showers. No pets allowed. Open: Year round, sunrise-sunset. Swimming season opens late June to early September. Cost: FREE.
Robert Moses State Park (Babylon):48 miles from Manhattan via Southern State Parkway to Robert Moses Causeway (exit 40), south to Park at western end of Fire Island.(631) 669-0470. Open: Year round, sunrise – sunset. Attractions: Beach, Fishing, Food, Golf, Marina, Picnic Tables, Playground, Recreation Programs, Showers. No pets allowed. Cost: FREE.
Shadmoor State Park (Montauk): Route 27 (Sunrise Highway) east to Montauk Village. The park is one-half mile east of the village on the right, at the southwest corner of Route 27 and Seaside Ave. (631) 668-3781. Attractions: Beach, biking, fishing, hiking. Dogs only, on a leash. Open: Year round. Cost: FREE
Wildwood State Park (Wading River): 73 miles from Manhattan via Long Island Expressway to exit 68. North on Route 46, to Route 25A east. Left onto Sound Avenue; left at traffic light onto Hulse Landing Road. Park entrance is on the right. (631) 929-4314. Attractions: Beach, biking, camper recreation, campsites, fishing, food, hiking, nature trail, picnic tables, playground, recreation programs, showers. No pets allowed. Open: Year round. Camping season begins first weekend of April and ends Columbus Day.Cost: FREE
Long Beach (Long Beach):From LIRR: A few blocks from Long Beach Station. Discounted package ticket includes one-day round trip rail fare to Long Beach and admission to the beach. Fare is $18 from New York or Brooklyn, and $15 from Jamaica. Hourly service from Penn Station, Brooklyn and Jamaica. Express trains from Penn Station 9:45am Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Weekday service June 25-September 3.(516) 431-1000. Open: Weekends daily June 25-September 3. Cost: $6 over age 13.
New Jersey
Allenhurst: Garden State Parkway exit 102-S/100A-N. (732) 531-2757. Attractions: Bathhouses, beach fire permits, beach on ocean, boardwalk, fishing, lifeguard, rafting, surfing, tennis courts.Cost: Small beach fee
Belmar: Garden State Parkway to exit 98. Take Route 138 east, following signs for Belmar. First right onto 16th Ave. to Ocean Ave. (732) 681-3700. Attractions: Boardwalk, fishing, lifeguard, picnicking, after-hours scuba diving, surfing, restrooms. Cost: Small beach fee
Bradley BeachGarden State Parkway to exit 100B, bear right onto the off-ramp to Route 33 east (Corlies Avenue), right onto Main St. (Route 71) into Bradley Beach. (732) 776-2990/2999; www.bradleybeachonline.com. Attractions: Beach on ocean, fishing, lifeguard, picnicking, rafting, surfing, restrooms. Cost: Small beach fee
Brick Township: Garden State Parkway to exit 90-N/91-S(732) 262-1075. Attractions: Ocean, bay, and river beach. Bathhouses, beach buggy permits, after-hours fishing, lifeguard, after-hours surfing. Cost: Small beach fee..
BrigantineGarden State Parkway to exit 38, Atlantic City Expressway east to exit 1 (Marina/Brigantine). Stay in the left lane through tunnel to Brigantine Avenue.(609) 266-7600; www.brigantinebeachnj.com. Attractions: Beach buggy permits, fishing, lifeguard, rafting, scuba diving, surfing, tennis courts, restrooms. Cost: Small beach fee.
Island Beach State Park: Garden State Parkway to exit 82B to Route 37E towards Seaside Heights; right on Central Ave. and stay straight.(732) 793-0506Attractions: Bathhouses, beach fire permits, beach on ocean, fishing, lifeguard, rafting after-hours, surfing. Cost: Small beach fee.
Lavallette: Garden State Parkway to exit 82 east, 37 east towards Seaside Heights/Lavallette exit; right on Washington Avenue to beach.(732) 793-7477. Attractions: Beach buggy permits, boardwalk, fishing, lifeguard, picnicking, surfing, tennis courts. Cost: Small beach fee.
Long BranchGarden State Parkway exit 105 to Route 36 east, bear right at Route 35 south (Asbury Park/Seaside Heights), bear right before the second light (Industrial Way), left onto Industrial Way.(732) 222-0400. Attractions: Boardwalk, fishing, lifeguard, picnicking, scuba diving, surfing. Cost: Small beach fee.
Manasquan: Garden State Parkway to exit 98, follow signs toward Point Pleasant straight into Manasquan. (732) 223-1221.Attractions: Bathhouses, boardwalk, fishing, lifeguard, picnicking, scuba diving, tennis courts. Cost: Small beach fee.
Ocean City: Garden State Parkway to exit 30-N, 25-S; beach is one mile off exit.(609) 399-6111. Attractions: Amusements, bathhouse, boardwalk, fishing, lifeguard, surfing, tennis courts. Cost: Small beach fee.
Ocean Grove: Garden State Parkway to exit 100B-S/100-N to Route 33 east straight to beach.(732) 988-5533. Attractions: Bathhouses, boardwalk, fishing, lifeguard, picnicking, rafting, surfing, tennis courts. Cost: Small beach fee.
Point Pleasant Beach: Garden State Parkway to exit 98, Route 34 south to Route 35 south. Left at Arnold Ave., follow to end. (732) 899-2424. Attractions: Surfing, swimming, fishing, restaurants, scuba diving, boardwalk, marina, water sports, bicycling, shopping. Cost: Small fee, daily or seasonal.
Sea Girt: Garden State Parkway to exit 98-S. Follow signs to beach.(732) 449-9335. Attractions: Amusements, bathhouses, boardwalk, fishing, picnicking, rafting, surfing, tennis courts. Cost: Small beach fee.
Seaside Heights: Garden State Parkway to exit 82 to Route 37 east towards Seaside Heights/Island Beach State Park. Take Route 35 N ramp towards Seaside Heights/Pt. Pleasant, right lane towards Seaside Heights. (732) 793-9100. Attractions: Amusements, bathhouses, boardwalk, lifeguard, picnicking, surfing, tennis courts.Cost: Small beach fee.
Spring Lake: Garden State Parkway to exit 98. Follow signs to Belmar, straight into Spring Lake. (732) 449-8005; www.springlake.org. Attractions: Bathhouses, boardwalk, fishing, lifeguard, rafting, scuba, diving, surfing.Cost: Small beach fee.
Connecticut
Calf Pasture Beach: Calf Pasture Beach Road, off I-95 exit 16 in Norwalk.(203) 854-7806. Attractions: Miniature golf, fishing, softball fields, volleyball courts, sailboat/windsurf/kayak rentals. Open: Memorial Day through September. Cost: Parking $15 per car.
Jennings Beach: South Benson Road, off I-95 exit 22 in Fairfield. Attractions: Playground, bathhouse, food concession. Cost: Parking $15 weekdays, $25 weekends per car.
Penfield Beach: Fairfield Beach road, off I-95 exit 22 in Fairfield. (203) 256-3010. Attractions: Playground, picnic area with public grills, food concession, restrooms. Open: Memorial Day-Labor Day. Cost: Parking $15 weekdays, $25 weekends per car.
Seaside Park Beach: Barnum Dyke, off I-95 exit 27 in Bridgeport. (203) 576-7233. Attractions: Picnic area, food concession, bathhouse, restrooms. Open: Memorial Day-Labor Day. Cost: Parking $5 per car.
Sherwood Island State Park: Off I-95, exit 18 in Westport. (203) 566-2305. Attractions: Fishing, food concession, bathhouse, swimming areas. Open: Memorial Day-Labor Day. Cost: Parking $5 in state/$8 out of state weekdays, $7 in state/$12 out of state weekends.
Weed Beach (swimming hole): Nearwater Lane, off I-95 exit 27 in Darien.(203) 656-7325; www.SwimmingHoles.info. Attractions: Public grills, picnic areas, tennis courts (reservations required), restrooms. Open: Memorial Day-Labor Day. Cost: Parking $25 per car.
