Rockaway Beach

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Rockaway Beach

Photo: spurekar · CC BY 2.0 · Flickr

🏖️ Beach · Queens

3.5 hours · Free · No reservation needed

age fit
0–1 yr
★ 3.0
1–3 yrs
★ 4.0
3–5 yrs
★ 4.0
5–10 yrs
★ 5.0
  • 🚇
    About 70 min by subway or car
    From Midtown · Getting there: Subway A to Beach 90 St or Beach 98 St; in summer NYC Ferry runs direct from Wall St (about 1 hour)
  • 🍼
    Stroller-friendly
    Flat surfaces — bring the stroller
  • 🌳
    Little shade
    Great on sunny days · Handles heat · Wind-OK
  • ⏱️
    Typical visit: 3.5 hours
    Best seasons: Summer

The only surfing beach in New York City, with 7 miles of new boardwalk and sand; in summer NYC Ferry gets you there from Manhattan in an hour, with the Statue of Liberty from the boat and sand and taco stands as soon as you step off; a summer ritual for local families.

💡 Tips
The waves are bigger than at Coney Island, so little kids mostly play in the sand inside the lifeguarded area; the most food is around Beach 97 St. Weekend morning ferries have lines, so get to the pier early.

What this place offers

✓surf beach
✓boardwalk
✓tacos
✓ferry
✓lifeguards
✓restrooms
✓waves

Featured in these guides

This weekend's weather in Queens

Forecast at the destination itself (coast and hills often differ from home)

🌧️
Sat 10/17
Rain · 46–62°F · 36% rain
☀️
Sun 10/18
Sunny · 43–59°F · 3% rain

Location

Queens, New York

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