NYC Beaches

At last, information on all the great beaches within NY City limits. Enjoy it while you still can.

Coney Island Surf Ave., Brooklyn, 718/372-5159 In addition to a beach, Coney Island has a famous boardwalk with rides and games of chance, Cyclone roller coaster, a sideshow, museum, flea markets, the beautiful new Brooklyn Cyclones stadium, the fantastic New York Aquarium, and special events like June’s Mermaid Parade and the summer Siren Festival.
Did You Know?New York City has 578 miles of waterfront. Gateway National Recreation Area Brooklyn, Queens, & Staten Island, 718/338-3688 Fantastic beaches, old military forts, and wildlife are the big draws to this unexpectedly diverse park with an assortment of activities from beachcombing to aviation history. The concept of the urban natural park emerged in the United States in the 1960s. One of the first in the country to be set up by the National Park System, Gateway National Recreation Area protects wilderness along the city's south shore, combining native wildlife, public beaches and historic structures. There is seasonal ferry service (to be expanded) from Manhattan to Gateway’s Sandy Hook Unit, in NJ.Great Kills Park Hylan Blvd., between Fairlawn & Emmet Aves., Staten Island, 718/980-6130, 718/ 351-8700 Great Kills Park is part of Gateway National Recreation Area and has a swimming beach with life guards, off-shore fishing, marina, jogging and walking trails.

Orchard Beach Pelham Bay Park, Bronx, 718/885-2275 The elegant mile-long Orchard Beach crescent - the "Bronx Riviera" - is the borough’s most popular summertime meeting place. There’s a boardwalk for people-watching, a band shell where weekend concerts are held, and tennis, paddleball, and basketball courts. Rockaway Beach South of Rockaway Beach Blvd./Bay 116th St., 718/318-4000 Rockaway Beach is America’s longest municipal beach, with almost ten miles for sun worshippers and sand castle builders.

Coney Island Freak show, highly recommended

SIDESHOWS BY THE SEASHORE is located at the corner of Surf Avenue & West 12th Street in the heart of the Coney Island amusement park. The sideshow seats about 100 people and there is a FREAK BAR (serving beer) and a GIFT SHOP in the lobby. Both the inside and the outside of this historic early 20th century building are decorated in canvas sideshow banners. In the 1950's and 60's it was home to Dave Rosen's Wonderland Circus Sideshow where such legends as Sealo the Seal Boy, JoJo the Dogfaced Boy, tattooed man Jack Dracula and talker Bobby Reynolds once worked and performed. Please call the office at (718) 372-5159 for rental rates. SCHEDULE FOR SUMMER: Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend the full cast show will perform Fridays from 2-8pm and Saturdays and Sundays from 1-11pm. PRICE: Tickets can be purchased at the door only on the day of performance. The price is $6 for Adults and $4 for children under 12 years old. TRANSPORTATION: Take the N or Q train to the last stop, Coney Island station.