Refresher: Five Great Beaches You Can Easily Get To Without A Car
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<strong>Jones Beach:</strong> It can get crowded and it takes a bit of time to get out there, but <a href="http://nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/10/details.aspx">Jones Beach State Park</a> is definitely the place to go for a big, classic day at the beach. It boasts 6.5 miles of ocean beach, a beautiful boardwalk, a half mile of bay beach, two swimming pools, miniature golf, and a even Friendly's!<br/>Depending on where you're coming from in the city, it can take between 90 minutes to two hours by mass transit. You take the LIRR to the Freeport Stop, where you'll squeeze onto an MTA bus packed with rowdy teenagers who will spark a wave of dread and doubt about your decision to ever leave the A.C. <em>Maintain.</em> As everyone gets off at the West Bath House, remain calm and seated. Go further, to the East Bath House, where the beach tends to be less crowded.
<strong>Fort Tilden:</strong> The beaches at this decommissioned military base in Queens can be a bit tricky to get to, but two wheels will do you just fine. Either plan for two hour bike ride from Manhattan or take your bike on the B/Q train to the Sheepshead Bay / East 16 Street station (at Avenue Z). From there, it's about a 7 mile bike ride, first through relatively quiet residential streets, then on a bike path along the beaches, and finally over the Marine Parkway Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge and into <a href="http://www.nyharborparks.org/visit/foti.html">Fort Tilden</a>. (<a href="http://www.ridethecity.com/">Map it here</a>.)<br/>There are no lifeguards, so watch out for riptide. There are also no amenities other than that bathroom by the bike rack, so bring your own food and brown-bagged beverages. But what's great about the Fort Tilden beach is its DIY vibe; it's also relatively uncrowded. It's part of Gateway National Recreation Area, and when you're done with the sand there's lots to explore along the trails. Like <a href="http://randolphmase.wordpress.com/2009/01/30/gateway-national-recreation-area-%E2%80%93-jamaica-bay-unit/">this one</a>!
<strong>Sandy Hook:</strong> Hands down our favorite of this group, these public ocean-front beaches are as beautiful as they are easily accessible... for a price. $40 gets you a round trip ferry ride to New Jersey's <a href="http://www.sandy-hook.com/">Sandy Hook</a>, where both family-oriented and nude beaches await. The <a href="http://www.seastreak.com/">Seastreak Ferry</a> leaves from Pier 11 & East 35th Street on the East River, and arrives at Sandy Hook about 45 minutes later.<br/>There, a free bus awaits to drive you to the beaches, or you can bring you bike (for an extra $5) and pedal over to the beach on the bike trails. It's about a five minute bike ride to the nearest beach, and a little further to the nude beach (here's a handy naked <a href="http://gunnisonbeach.org/etiquette.php/">etiquette guide</a>). Each of the main beaches have lifeguards, bathrooms, showers, changing rooms, umbrella rentals, and snack food stands. Also note, if you want to kick your beach getaway up a notch, the Seastreak also operates ferries to Martha's Vineyard!
<strong>Rockaway Beach: </strong> We put together <a href="http://gothamist.com/2011/06/21/your_guide_to_rockaway_beach_this_s.php#photo-1">a thorough guide</a> to this newly hip Queens destination, but here are the highlights: Eat <a href="http://rockawaytaco.com/">a taco</a>. Rent a <a href="http://gothamist.com/2011/06/21/your_guide_to_rockaway_beach_this_s.php#photo-9">surfboard</a>. Check out some creepy <a href="http://gothamist.com/2009/06/18/a_look_at_abandoned_far_rockaway.php#photo-1">abandoned bungalows</a>. Sold yet? Here's how to <a href="http://gothamist.com/2011/06/21/your_guide_to_rockaway_beach_this_s.php#photo-21">get there</a>.
Manhattan Beach: Manhattan Beach is the cleaner, emptier alternative to the Coney Island and Brighton Beaches. Like those two locales, it is also conveniently located in Brooklyn (ignore the misnomer), but the calming ocean breeze isnât spoiled by metal-detector-wielding beach combers or boom box-blasting teenagers. Itâs about a 40 minute subway ride from Union Square, plus an additional 10 minute bus ride or 20 minute walk. That walk takes you over the quaint Sheepshead Bay on an equally quaint wooden footbridge, and then through the quiet and majestically ritzy Manhattan Beach residential area. Surrounding the beach is a large space for grilling and a variety of playgrounds, making Manhattan Beach the perfect spot for an all-day, blood-pressure-lowering adventure.
Briana Parker