1. Rockaway Beach, Queens   Watch the longboarders catch some of New York’s best waves at this surfers delight.  Close to the city, Rockaway Beach Park offers a quick get-away.  Free admission.  A to Broad Channel then S to Rockaway Park-Beach 116th St. 
2. Jones Beach State Park, NY   If you don’t want to wade in the surf of this 6.5 mile beach, try the calmer bay beach or one of the two pools.  Summer concerts in the outdoor amphitheater.  $8/day, LIRR to Freeport then JB62 to Jones Beach.   
3. Long Beach, NY   A few years ago, on my first trip to Long Beach, I exclaimed “I feel like I’m in California!”  Located on the Atlantic Ocean, the town of Long Beach has a great laid back beach vibe and  enough white sand that will make you feel like you’re in Hermosa Beach, California.  $6/day, LIRR to Long Beach 
4. Brighton Beach and Coney Island, Brooklyn   The neighboring communities of multi-ethnic Brighton Beach and all-American Coney Island have a little something for everybody.   Russian and Ukraine eateries line the boardwalk of Brighton Beach while you can get a Nathan’s Hot Dog in Coney Island.  B, Q to Brighton Beach. 
5. Spring Lake, NJ   So quaint, this town deserved its own post earlier in the month.  Located just two hours south of New York on the Jersey shore, this idyllic stretch of white beach is the longest non-commercial Boardwalk in New Jersey.  Private beach, but hotels and B&Bs have passes for guests.  Jersey Transit to Spring Lake.  
6. Atlantic City, NJ   The classic South Jersey getaway, A.C. has undergone a transformation, of sorts.  You can’t help but think of the glorydays of Atlantic City when you walk wooden boardwalk.  Frequent bus departures from Port Authority on Academy Bus Lines and Greyhound Bus Line.
7. Great Kills Park, Staten Island   A great swimming beach, nature trails, fishing, and a marina with a public boat launch comprise this Staten Island recreation getaway.  S78 from Staten Island Ferry Terminal. 
8. Ocean Beach, NY   One of the most happening towns on Fire Island, Ocean Park is one step below the Hamptons.  LIRR to Bayshore then water taxi to Ocean Beach.  
9. Orchard Beach, Bronx   This man-made beach neighbors the forest and marshland of Pelham Bay.  Walk the promenade or catch one of the free concerts that take place throughout the summer.   Bus: Bx12, Bx29, Bx5, Bx52
10. Hampton Main Beach, NY  Located in East Hampton and nestled between other notable beaches, Main Beach has long had the reputation for being the best of the bunch.  Click here for transportation option to the Hamptons.

Photo credit (top to bottom): Rockaway Beach, flickr; surfer at Long Beach, flickr; Spring Lake boardwalk, personal collection; Atlantic City boardwalk, flickr; Main Beach, flickr

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Post from: The New York City Traveler

Where to Stay:  Spring Lake has unique accommodations to meet the needs of every visitor.  From a beach house to a quaint bed and breakfast to an inn, here are a few of my favorite places to stay.  

• The Grand Victorian at Spring Lake  General Manager Steven Hyatt makes guests feel welcome and tends to every need without being overbearing.  As an invited guest of The Grand Victorian, I thoroughly enjoyed my stay.  Located on the beach, you simply can’t beat the location.  Enjoy the laid-back beach vibe that radiates though the house.  Enjoy the ocean view while relaxing on the giant wrap-around porch or take a complimentary beach pass and enjoy your day on the beach.  www.GrandVictorianSpringLake.com 
• The Ocean House  More of an inn than a bed and breakfast, Ocean House has 30 rooms but owners and innkeepers, Dennis and Nancy Kaloostian, still make everybody feel like family.  Five types of accommodations will fit the needs of every traveler.  www.TheOceanHouse.net  
• Victoria House  Owners and innkeepers Lynne and Alan Kaplan have restored and maintained this historic 1882 house.  Victoria House is a traditional bed and breakfast with modern-day amenities.  The beautiful backyard boasts a gazebo and a koi pond, perfect for long, relaxing afternoons.  Lynne, a trained chef, will delight you with the breakfasts she cooks, often using the fresh herbs from her garden.  Ask for the Berry Brule, it’s amazing! www.VictoriaHouse.net 

Where to Eat:  Breakfast at your inn, picnic lunch on the beach, and dinner at one of the fine restaurants in the town makes for culinary delights.  Here is a sampling of the cuisine found in Spring Lake. 

• Tom Bailey’s Market  Head to the back of this market for a great selection of lunch meats, cheeses, and a selection of hot deli entrees.  Or have them make you a sandwich, perfect for enjoying on the beach.  www.tombaileysmarket.com
• Vivere Restaurant Located at the Grand Victorian at Spring Lake Inn, Chef Claudette Herring specializes in Northern Italian fare never disappoints.  Enjoy dinner in the dining room or on the covered porch with a view of the ocean. 
• St. Stephen’s Green Publick House  Paying homage to the “Irish Riviera,” St. Stephen’s offers Irish pub fare like Shepard’s Pie and Potato Leek Soup.  Live traditional Irish music every Tuesday night and Irish rock band every Saturday at 9:30pm.  www.StStephensGreenPub.com   

Getting There:  Spring Lake is easily accessible on the New Jersey Coast Line of NJ Transit.  Trains leave almost hourly Penn Station-New York.  Most trains require a quick, easy transfer in Long Branch.  The trip lasts just over 2 hours and costs $12.50 one-way. 

Getting Around:  Spring Lake can be easily navigated on foot.  The train station is five blocks from the beach and most accommodations are walking distance to sights and restaurants.

Check out yesterday’s post, an introduction to Spring Lake and a short list of how to best enjoy this idyllic town.

Photo credit: personal collection

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Post from: The New York City Traveler

What to Do:  If you’re looking for something more than just relaxing at your inn and reading a book, there is a myriad of activities to occupy your time while in Spring Lake.  Most inns have bicycles that you can borrow to get around town.

• The two-mile, non-commercial boardwalk and beach is the central summertime attraction in Spring Lake.  The white sand reminds me of some Caribbean locales.  The beach is private, however most accommodations will provide complimentary beach passes.    
• Stroll through the park and cross one of the three wooden bridges in the town’s namesake Spring Lake.  The lake is stocked with fish, so bring your fishing pole! 
• The active community theater, Spring Lake Community House, received regional recognition for the original play William’s Dark Lady.  Performances continue in late June and July.  A production of Oliver! is scheduled for August.  www.SpringLakeTheatre.com 
• Visit historical sights such as the Sea Girt Lighthouse, which dates back to 1896. The lighthouse offers tours and has rooms dedicated to the marine history of Spring Lake.   

Getting There:  Spring Lake is easily accessible on the New Jersey Coast Line of NJ Transit.  Trains leave almost hourly from Penn Station-New York.  Most trains require a quick, easy transfer in Long Branch.  The trip lasts just over 2 hours and costs $12.50 one-way. 

Getting Around:  Spring Lake can be easily navigated on foot.  The train station is five blocks from the beach and most accommodations are walking distance to sights and restaurants.

Be certain to check out tomorrow’s post for my recommendations on the best accommodations and restaurants in Spring Lake.

Photo credits: personal collection

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Post from: The New York City Traveler