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Beach goers can enjoy the sand and water, the variety of concessions, and the city's only legal surfing beach, located between 67-69 Street and 87-92 Street. Rockaway Beach is also home to a variety of playgrounds and other outdoor activities.
- Things to Do at Rockaway Beach
- Where to Eat at Rockaway Beach
- Where to Stay in Rockaway Beach
- How to Get There
Go to the beach!
This long stretch of clean, soft sand has something for everyone. Hit 67th Street if you're looking for good surf, a chill vibe (there are no concessions on the beach, though there are several a block inland), or a little more space between you and your neighbors on the sand. Because of the waves here, beach patrol often restricts swimming at this end, but you can typically go in for a quick dip unbothered. Even if you have zero interest in getting in the water, this is a great area to marvel...
Take surf lessons.
Surfing put Rockaway Beach on the map and still makes up a large part of its singular culture. This is the perfect place for beginners to learn, as the forgiving waves never get too big or too rough (avoid going out during storms, of course). Various companies offer surf (and SUP and skateboard) lessons at Rockaway, but Locals Surf School, founded by lifelong neighborhood residents Mike Reinhardt and Mike Kololyan, is one of the oldest and most beloved. Operating out of black tents on the bea...
Check out the shops.
Locals Surf founders Reinhardt and Kololyan also opened a coffee shop called Locals Collective, which makes great espresso drinks, breakfast sandwiches, and açaí bowls to fuel up for a surf sesh or vegging on the sand. Pick up a logo T-shirt or sweatshirt so you can rep Rockaway back in the city. Breakwater Surf Co. and Station RBNYalso rent boards and wetsuits if you're a bit more seasoned and want to catch some waves on your own. Both shops sell swimsuits and apparel from surf and skateboar...
Rockaway Beach Bakery
For coffee and a quick bite before hitting the sand, Rockaway Beach Bakeryis a local favorite. Pastry chef Tracy Obolsky's fresh danishes, loaves, scones, muffins, and cookies (the list goes on...) are some of the best I've had anywhere in the city. For breakfast, how does one choose between the flaky ham and Swiss everything croissant, the stacked smoked salmon croissant-wich, and the biscuit stuffed with bacon, cheese, and a gooey fried egg? Just come back to try them all.
Boardwalk Bagel & Delicatessen
Though bagel bloat might not sound like the best way to start off a beach day, I'd be remiss not to include this great deli — and hey, you're in New York. Bagels on a weekend morning are religion, bathing suit or not. Like any New Yorker, I take my bagel recommendations seriously, and Boardwalkmakes one fine hand-rolled, boiled, and then baked breakfast delight: a perfectly crisp shell with a chewy, doughy interior.
Boardwalk Eateries
If you find yourself peckish even after a generously portioned breakfast sandwich, the boardwalk eateries will keep you from getting hangry before making the pilgrimage to Tacoway (see below). At 106th Street, you'll find an outpost of Caracas Arepas Bar that does the famous East Village eatery justice with its Venezuelan stuffed corn-cake sandwiches. At the 97th Street concessions stands, Edible Island serves light, fresh poke bowls and Red Hook Lobster Poundsatiates the lobster roll craving...
The Rockaway Hotel
Rockaway was sorely lacking in accommodations until the chic Rockaway Hotelopened in 2020. With a sparkling pool surrounded by loungers and cabanas, a leafy rooftop bar where DJs spin sunset sessions, daily fitness classes, and gorgeous, airy design throughout, this truly feels like a beach resort getaway. The impeccable and attentive service adds to the blissed-out feeling of being on a vacation — even if you're just a subway ride away from home. When the beach gets a bit too windy (as it of...
Airbnb
With the Rockaways' growing popularity comes a growing inventory of accommodations available to rent on Airbnb, from a room in an artsy beach house to a two-bedroom townhousewith ocean views. The Arverne community, on the eastern end of the beach, has condos with fenced-in yards perfect for post-beach grilling and chilling, and some even boast roof decks. Here you'll have easy access to the surfing beach and a huge Stop & Shop supermarket (a true luxury for New York City dwellers) to stock up...
By Subway
Hop on the A train to Far Rockaway and ride it directly to Beach 67th Street — and you're there! Or get off at Beach Channel station and stay on the platform to wait for the S shuttle train that will bring you to Beach 90th, 98th, 105th, or 116th streets. The A trains that go all the way to Far Rockaway run roughly every 20 minutes or longer, so make sure you're boarding the right train.
By Ferry
A ferry to Rockawayruns from Pier 11/Wall Street in the Financial District, stops at the Brooklyn Army Terminal in Sunset Park, then goes to Beach 108th Street in Rockaway, giving you a mini tour of the New York City coastline and some lovely ocean breezes on your way down to the beach. It takes about an hour and capacity is limited, so on busy weekend days, you might have to wait for more than one ferry to board.
By Car
If you drive, try to get there early in the day on summer weekends. Street parking, which is free, can be tough to come by, as it's used by area residents. If riding a coach bus with cold drinks of the alcoholic variety sounds appealing, recruit some friends and take the OvR Rockaway Beach Bus, with pickups in SoHo and Williamsburg.
- Karen I. Chen
Plan a fun beach day at this beach in Far Rockaway. With its great surf, it’s the perfect spot for surfers of all levels. If you prefer to stick closer to the boardwalk, check out the area between 90th to 98th street. Here, you’ll find plenty of tasty food options, from tacos to lobster rolls.
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- Attraction
Here’s everything you need to know about Rockaway Beach, one of the best beaches (and best day trips) in New York, including directions.
- Jillian Anthony
- Enjoy The Beach. Located on a peninsula at the eastern end of Queens, Rockaway Beach is a beautiful beach with a 5-mile-long boardwalk. It’s a great place for swimming and water sports.
- Learn To Surf. If you’ve been wanting to learn to surf or just to try it out, the Rockaways is a great place to start. Rockaway Beach is the main place to learn surfing in New York City.
- Walk Or Bike The Boardwalk. Walking, people watching, or bike riding along the 5-mile-long boardwalk is a very pleasant way to spend some time. There is a bike path on the boardwalk and several places to rent bikes during the summer season.
- Get Your Game On. For those that are interested in active pursuits in addition to water activities, there is a skate park near 91st Street, handball courts, basketball courts, and volleyball courts at a variety of locations.
Jun 21, 2023 · The Ultimate Guide To Rockaway Beach, Queens: Things To Do + More. Rockaway Beach has it all–to livelier spots nestled along the boardwalk, to more low-key areas perfect for families, and all the restaurant and bar options you could imagine!
Rockaway Beach is a neighborhood on the Rockaway Peninsula in the New York City borough of Queens. The neighborhood is bounded by Arverne to the east and Rockaway Park to the west.
