New York City has beaches that provide an alternative experience to the city's skyscrapers and museums. Coney Island beach in Brooklyn offers a wide swath of sand along with amusement parks, aquariums, and playgrounds where visitors can spend the day. Nearby in Brighton Beach and Sheepshead Bay, there are Russian cafes and seafood restaurants along the boardwalk and a few subway stops away where beachgoers can find meals. Coney Island beach can be accessed by public transit, car, or bike from Lower Manhattan.

1. New York City Area Beaches

2. Tourists come to New York City for skyscrapers, Broadway shows and museums. But beaches?
Before you say, “fuggedaboudit,” remember that the city sits on the Atlantic Ocean and is
surrounded by ocean, bays and the Long Island Sound.

3. New York City Area Beaches
Taking your own break from the concrete jungle might give you insight into local city life that you didn’t expect. Here are some
metro-area beaches to try. They’re all accessible by public transit, but renting a car or even a bike for the day will give you some
extra flexibility.
Coney Island
Coney Island in Brooklyn is frankly not the most pristine beach you’ll ever visit. But with a wide swath of sand, boardwalk clam
shacks, an amusement park, aquarium, baseball stadium and on-beach playgrounds, it’s easy to fritter away the day here. Eat:
Try one of the boardwalk Russian cafes in Brighton Beach, ten blocks east. Or head to Randazzo’s in Sheepshead Bay, a few
minutes east by car on the BQE or 2 subway stops on the Q. The raw bar and red-sauce seafood dishes are worth the trek. Get
there: Subway, car or bike (from Lower Manhattan).