Over the past several years, Rockaway Beach has become a hot spot for New Yorkers. It was first popularized by the surfing scene but it’s a glorious escape from the city. It’s free, there’s room for everyone on the 14 miles of beach, and you don’t need to worry about a lack of amenities like bathrooms and restaurants because you’ll find it all here!
Anyone who visits Rockaway Beach will quickly be drawn to the laid-back, hip, and fun vibes of the beach and you’ll feel far away from the stress (and heat) of NYC.
Are you ready to go?! Here’s your comprehensive guide for visiting Rockaway Beach including how to get there, which beach to go to, what to bring, and where to eat. Let’s jump in!
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How to Get to Rockaway Beach
Unlike many day trips, getting to Rockaway Beach doesn’t require a car (although you can certainly get there by car). For most city dwellers the best way to get to the beach is by train, ferry, or bus if you’re up for a party.
By Train: This is the most accessible option with trains running approximately every 20 minutes. Hop on the A train which will take you straight to Rockaway. You can get off at Beach 67th Street which will take you to a quieter beach or get off at Beach Channel station and catch the S shuttle train to Beach 90th, 98th, 105th, or 116th Streets.
By Ferry: Catching some city views and fresh breeze on the way to the beach? Yes please! The Rockaway ferry leaves from Pier 11/Wall Street and makes a stop at the Brooklyn Army Terminal in Sunset Park. The ride takes about an hour from Manhattan to Beach 108th Street in Rockaway. Be warned, the ferry is a really popular option and has limited capacity. People will line up 15-20 minutes before the ferry departs so if you’re coming close to the departure time you may have to wait an hour for the next ferry. Although if you’re there early in the morning, there won’t be as many people. You can find the ferry schedule here.
By Bus: We warned you, this one’s a party! Catch the Rockaway Beach Bus from Manhattan or North Brooklyn. This coach bus will take you straight to the beach and serve you drinks on board.
Which Beach to Visit
If you’ve never been to Rockaway Beach, you may be surprised to learn each section of beach is named by the corresponding street number (it’s the New York way! ;)). The beaches go from 9th Street to 149th Street which sounds more overwhelming than it actually is. However, every section of beach has a different vibe. Here are some popular beaches to check out in Rockaway.
9th to 27th Street: This is where the locals hang out. The boardwalk starts at 9th Street so this is a great place to start if you’re looking to cover the whole walk.
38th to 57th Street: This section is currently closed off for plovers (an endangered bird) to nest. No, this isn’t a joke. Learn more about it here!
67th Street: If you’re not planning to swim but are looking for good people watching, this is the place for you! There aren’t as many people here so it’s relatively spread out and is a fun spot for watching surfers shred some waves. Plus there’s easy access if you’re taking the train.
91st to 105th Street: These are the busiest stretches of the beach. Here you’ll find dining, live music, and shopping. Of course, the beaches are livelier here too but if you’re looking to be in the action, this is the place to be.
105th to 116th Street: This is a quieter portion of the beach and where you’ll find a lot of families and kids. If you’re visiting by car there’s a paid parking lot at 116th Street which is really convenient.
What to Bring
Here are some beach essentials you’ll want to bring with you:
- Beach blanket/chairs
- Umbrella
- Towel
- Sunscreen
- Water
- Snacks
- Beach games
- Book
- An extra layer (for the ferry ride or when it cools down after sunset)
Don’t worry if you’ve forgotten any of these things. There are lots of stores nearby/on your way to the beach. If you need to buy anything pop into CVS (near 90th Street Beach) Walgreens (near 105th Street Beach) or Duane Reade (near 116th Street Beach).
Tip: If you don’t want to haul snacks/drinks from home, there’s a Stop & Shop (near 90th Street Beach) where beachgoers are known to stock up on all the beach day essentials.
Where to Eat
Don’t bother packing food for the beach. At Rockaway, you’ll find a huge variety of restaurants and cafes with amazing food. These are some popular spots for food:
Brother’s Rockaway: The vibe here is super cool and laid back. You’ll find simple, healthy eats for breakfast or lunch with lots of vegan options. They also make smoothies and juices here.
Rockaway Beach Bakery: Grab some incredible house-made pastries and coffee before hitting the waves! (Apparently, this is the real reason Chris Morocco even goes to Rockaway…)
Boardwalk Bagel & Delicatessen: You can take a New Yorker out of the city but they’ll still be wanting bagels…Especially on the weekend. If you’re at the beach craving a bagel, this is the spot to go!
Red Hook Lobster Pound: As a native Rhode Islander, the only food that’s right for the beach is seafood. Here they serve both the Maine variety (with mayonnaise and celery) or the Connecticut variety (topped with warm butter). They are sublime!
Rockaway Beach Surf Club / Tacoway Beach: This cleverly named taco shop is a hot spot. It’s always packed and buzzing but it’s worth it for what is arguably the best taco shop in all of the land. The fried fish tacos are the most popular but there are other meat and vegetarian options as well.
Rippers Burgers: Here they serve up amazing burgers, hot dogs, and fries. Don’t miss their frozen sangria.
Caracas Arepa Bar: This Venezuelan spot won over the hearts of New Yorkers at their East Village and Brooklyn locations. They serve a variety of popular arepas which are the perfect handheld beach food.
What to Do
Of course, sitting out on the beach is a wonderful way to spend a day but if you’re looking to pack more into your trip, here are some activities you may enjoy.
Walk: Get a full view of the beach by walking, biking, or skating through 5.5-mile boardwalk. This was completely rebuilt after Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and provides great views of the beaches. The surface is paved which is ideal for skateboarding and biking.
Surf: If you’re a surfer, get out on the waves! Rockaway has three designated surfing beaches: 68th to 71st Street, 87th to 91st Street, and 110th to 111th Street. Grab some rentals at Local Surf School which was started by two Rockaway locals. You can also sign up for private or group surf lessons here and go home with a new skill under your belt.
Cocktail Hour: Who said you can’t have some luxury at the beach?! The Rockaway Hotel and Spa is a charming spot for sunset. Visit the rooftop bar for some cocktails and a great view of Manhattan and the Atlantic.
Playground: There are lots of playgrounds spread out across the beach for the little ones to play. Here’s where there are playgrounds at these Streets on Rockaway Beach: 9th, 17th, 30th, 59th, 73rd, 82nd, 84th.
That’s a wrap! Hopefully this guide gave you some tips for visiting Rockaway Beach. Here’s to sun and sand and many beach days this summer.
Never heard of Rockaway Beach Bakery, I need to go back and try it!