After another icy winter of bitter wind, gray skies and slushie snow as black as coal, T-shirt weather has finally arrived. But instead of dashing off to a wallet-crushing Hamptons share, opt for an affordable day trip to a nearby beach. A multitude of Atlantic Ocean options are located within a few hours’ journey.
NEW YORK CITY
Orchard Beach
Transportation: 6 train to Pelham Bay, transfer to the Bx12 bus to Orchard Beach
Travel time: 90 minutes
Who needs stuck-up Hamptons socialites when you can join bathing hotties on this mile-long strip dubbed the “Bronx Riviera”? A steamy, borough-spanning cross-section (Italian hard bodies and Puerto Rican lovelies alike) converges on the sands wearing barely more than birthday suits. Take a cold shower in Long Island Sound and crack a clandestine brewski since no bars or restaurants are nearby.
Jacob Riis Park
Transportation: 2 train to Brooklyn College-Flatbush Ave, transfer to the Q35 bus to Riis Beach
Travel time: 90 minutes
Though Robert Moses’ “people’s beach,” carved from a naval airfield, has fallen into gentle disrepair (cracked concrete boardwalk; broken clocks), it’s still a low-key family hangout ideal for barbecue action. Afterward, catch the Q22 bus to 116th Street to cool off at 85-year-old Rogers Irish Tavern for free peanuts and Hercules-strength cocktails.
South Beach
Transportation: Staten Island Ferry to the S51 or S81 bus
Travel time: 50 minutes
Consider the Staten Island Ferry your personal cruise ship—buy a Bud tall boy for extra festivities—ushering you to this criminally undervisited seaside treasure. There’s a boardwalk, nearly half-mile fishing pier, and, heck, both shuffleboard and bocce courts. Sun yourself bronze, then protein-load on South Fin Grill’s seafood—not caught in New York waters, thank you.
LONG ISLAND
Jones Beach
Transportation: LIRR to Freeport, transfer to N88 bus to Jones Beach
Travel time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Despite Jones Beach amphitheater’s roster of faded bands like Rush, Dokken and Jethro Tull, this 2,413-acre expanse ain’t just for retro rockers—there are eight distinctly different beaches, including boom-box-banned Fields 1 and 6 and the teen-popular Central Mall. Jones Beach’s far-western side is designated for surfers, while buck-naked sunbathers should disrobe on the eastern end.
Long Beach
Transportation: LIRR to Long Beach
Travel time: 55 minutes
If you’re looking to avoid loud-mouthed teens and louts, ride the LIRR to this picturesque shoreline that’s as immaculate as it is relaxing. Rent a cruiser and pedal around, or perfect your spikes on the sandy volleyball court. This should work up a hankering for pulled-pork sandwiches, pitchers of beer and saucy ribs at Swingbelly’s Beachside BBQ.
CONNECTICUT
Cove Island Park
Transportation: Metro-North Railroad to Stamford, transfer to 43 bus to Cove Island Park
Travel time: 80 minutes
Located on Long Island Sound in office-plexy Stamford, this recreation headquarters features a running trail, grassy expanses perfect for kite-flying, and several beaches ideal for sprawling out and napping without fear of being mauled by irresponsible Frisbee flingers. If you’re sick of being a landlubber, visit environmental organization SoundWaters (soundwaters.org) for a jaunt on its 80-foot schooner.
Greenwich Point Park
Transportation: Metro-North Railroad to Greenwich, then cab ride to beach
Travel time: 55 minutes
Join the tony Greenwich residents at this super-size sandy beach that, until 2001, was off-limits to anyone but locals. Nowadays, anyone can visit this tranquil summertime retreat, filled with nature trails and nary a drunken bum. When hunger hits, head to the Ginger Man for bulging burgers and 23 drafts on tap like Dogfish Head’s potent 90-minute IPA.
Ocean Beach Park
Transportation: Amtrak to New London, then take a cab to beach
Travel time: 2 hours and 45 minutes
Kitschy fun dominates this good-times complex, which includes amusement-park rides, a Skee-Ball arcade, mini-golf course and a 50-meter swimming pool complete with whooshing water slide. Oh, and there’s also a half-mile beach covered in baby-soft sand that’s perfect for constructing sand castles, while the no-fuss Sandbar Café will sate any greasy-food urges.
NEW JERSEY
Sandy Hook
Transportation: SeaStreak ferry from Pier 11 or E. 34th St., then a five-minute bus ride to beach
Travel time: 65 minutes
For isolated splendor, this sanctuary contains enough nature—hello, forests and bike paths—to soothe city-addled nerves. The seven miles of beach mean there’s sandy perches for everyone: Nudists can strip at Gunnison Beach, while families will probably prefer North Beach. The sole eating option is the Sea Gulls’ Nest (seagullsnest.info), where you can suck longnecks, nosh nachos and savor Manhattan views.
Atlantic City
Transportation: New Jersey Transit bus from Port Authority
Travel time: 2 hours and 30 minutes
One benefit to losing your shirt at blackjack tables is that you’ll fit in on the beach, a hangout for bronzing twentysomethings and families whose daddies are busy betting. If sun-worshipping gets boring, ride the go-karts at Steel Pier before hitting White House Sub Shop —only order a half sub, lest you like gluttony.
Photo by James Hanlon
Screw the share
A decompressing day at the beach is but a bus, train or bike ride away
By Joshua M. Bernstein
Special to MetromixMay 21, 2009
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Taking in sun and, um, scenery at South Beach on Staten Island
(Credit: James Hanlon)
