This is a trip for a hot summer day - Spend time on Jones beach - for other beaches check out this great article "Dude, Forget Your Car, 9 Easily Accessible Beaches" from OffMetro. A few can be reached by ferry from New York City. There is a separate description in this blog of a trip to Far Rockaway, close to New York City accessible by both train and ferry link to New York Ferry Routes and Schedules.
Best time to visit: Summer
Length of trip: It will take up at least 5 hours of the day
Difficulty level: Very little walking and stroller friendly, the beaches around New York City have strong tidal currents. If you are not a good swimmer - good for paddling.
Suitable for: All age groups adult and child
Forward Planning: Purchase a LIRR Jones Beach Package from Long Island Railroad at Pennsylvania Station on 7th Avenue and 34th Street (on the West Side of Manhattan near Macys). This package includes round-trip rail fare from Manhattan to Freeport, plus round-trip Long Island Bus connections to the beach.
For schedules and details go to www.mta.info/lirr/getaways/BeachPackages/
or call 516.822.LIRR.
Jones Beach is described on web sites as being 1 hour away (feels a bit longer) or 33 miles from Manhattan and consisting 6.5 miles of ocean beach. There are two swimming pools and miniature golf nearby. It’s not too far, the sea is clean, the waves are exciting and transport involves taking a train and a 15 minute bus ride. The bus makes several stops - fewer crowds at the West Bathhouse and the East Bathhouse house has a pool and rentable lockers. Jones Beach is also a concert venue in the summer - see http://www.jonesbeach.com for the calendar. In any event give yourself a generous amount of time for your beach day.
Tips: go early to avoid crowds, bring sunscreen and carry a bus and train timetable with you. Travel light and bring a blanket (Duane Reade or Bed Bath and Beyond sells cheap picnic blankets) and 2 towels. You can also carry a picnic – a less arduous and perhaps less healthy option is to use the pricey concession stands that sell hotdogs, hamburgers and ice-cream, also vendors walk the beach offering the same fare. We rented umbrellas and chairs. There are very vigilant lifeguards but you should keep a sharp eye on the kids in the waves. Leave early to insure seats all the way home. They will be much appreciated by tired well beached children.
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| A pool at Jones Beach |
Jones Beach is described on web sites as being 1 hour away (feels a bit longer) or 33 miles from Manhattan and consisting 6.5 miles of ocean beach. There are two swimming pools and miniature golf nearby. It’s not too far, the sea is clean, the waves are exciting and transport involves taking a train and a 15 minute bus ride. The bus makes several stops - fewer crowds at the West Bathhouse and the East Bathhouse house has a pool and rentable lockers. Jones Beach is also a concert venue in the summer - see http://www.jonesbeach.com for the calendar. In any event give yourself a generous amount of time for your beach day.
Tips: go early to avoid crowds, bring sunscreen and carry a bus and train timetable with you. Travel light and bring a blanket (Duane Reade or Bed Bath and Beyond sells cheap picnic blankets) and 2 towels. You can also carry a picnic – a less arduous and perhaps less healthy option is to use the pricey concession stands that sell hotdogs, hamburgers and ice-cream, also vendors walk the beach offering the same fare. We rented umbrellas and chairs. There are very vigilant lifeguards but you should keep a sharp eye on the kids in the waves. Leave early to insure seats all the way home. They will be much appreciated by tired well beached children.
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