For no more than the cost of a Long Island Rail Road ticket, you can go from the heart of Manhattan to white sand and gentle waves of Long Beach in less than an hour. What’s more, you can also enjoy excellent meals or a night on the town, or even learn how to hang ten. Easily walkable and accessible, put the City by the Sea on your summer to-do list.
You need a beach pass to visit Long Beach during beach season, from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The Long Beach boardwalk is open year-round.
Getting there
- Take a Long Beach-bound train from Penn Station, Grand Central, Jamaica, Lynbrook, or other local stops on the Long Beach Branch.
- Exit at Long Beach Station. From there, it's a short walk to the beach.
While you're there
- Stretching for 2.2 miles along the beach between Neptune Boulevard on the east end and New York Avenue on the west end, the Long Beach Boardwalk is the main artery that connects the town. Along the boardwalk, you’ll find access to the beaches, as well as public restrooms and food stands, plenty of benches, a volleyball court, and a playground.
- If you’ve brought a bike, you can ride it the full length of the boardwalk; the same goes for scooters.
- No one will mistake New York for Hawaii anytime soon, but if you’ve ever dreamed of catching waves in the metro area, Long Beach is the place to be. Some of the best surfing in the area can be done right off its shores, with the best waves usually found in September and into the early autumn.
- If you’d like to learn more about Long Beach and its history, check out the collection of the Long Beach Historical and Preservation Society, located near the boardwalk. Founded in 1980, the society maintains an archive of documents, photos and artifacts covering Long Beach’s past. The museum is open to the public on Sundays and also hosts walking tours and other events.