38 THE COURIER SUN • SUMMER FUN • JUNE 27, 2013 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.couriersun.com summer fun s BY KEVIN KEATING New York may primarily be known for its dining and nightlife, but its many miles of beaches should not be overlooked. The general New York area contains an abundance of beautiful beaches open to the public all summer long. Whether traveling via public transportation, car or bicycle, some fun in the sun is not far from even the innermost parts of the Big Apple. One of the most commonly visited and renowned beaches in the world, Coney Island, is located right in Brooklyn—and it’s free. With several parking lots running parallel to the boardwalk and eight local trains and buses stopping in the immediate area, Coney Island is as easy to reach as it is easy to enjoy. There is never a dull moment for beachgoers at Coney Island. The Riegelmann Boardwalk—which runs through Coney Island and Brighton Beach— offers over three miles of sandy beaches, equipped with a wide range of dining options, amusement parks and other attractions. Grab a hot dog at world famous Nathan’s, ride the famous Cyclone or play some handball at the West 8th Street court—all right before taking a refreshing dip in the cool water of the Atlantic Ocean. For the more laid-back beachgoer, Queens’ Rockaway Beach offers a relaxing environment, also for free. Without as many attractions as Coney Island, Rockaway is usually populated with crowds of local residents looking for a quiet day in the sand. However, many Brooklynites do travel over the Marine Parkway Bridge for a calmer environment than the forever-hectic crowds of Coney Island. Running from Beach 9th Street to Beach 149th Street, Rockaway is one of the largest urban beaches in the country. Public transportation can get you to the most popular area of the beach by taking the A train to Broad Channel and transferring to the S train to get off between Beach 90th and 116th Streets. The boardwalk at Rockaway Beach is not covered with eateries like Coney Island’s boardwalk, but it now has three concession stands throughout its length. Also, several delis and restaurants on Beach 116th Street deliver to customers on the beach. In Staten Island, the recently renovated Franklin Delano Roosevelt Boardwalk and Beach runs for 2.5 miles on Father Capodanno Boulevard. After suffering massive devastation from Superstorm Sandy, it will triumphantly re-open on Memorial Day for the 2013 summer season. Despite the lack of public transportation in the area (only reachable by the S53 bus), there is street parking available as well as a very large free parking lot on Father Capodanno Boulevard and Sand Lane. This beach is also free to the public. Jones Beach is a six-and-a-half mile sandy stretch on the south shore of Long Island, just 20 miles from the city. This location is nationally known for hosting countless summertime concerts, and attracts six to eight million visitors each year. Many rich and famous folks frequent the beaches of the Hamptons, also on the south shore of Long Island. However, a day at a Hampton beach is not an exclusive treat only for the likes of beautiful celebrities. Visit beaches free to the public, like Main Beach and Montauk Beach (a surfer’s haven), for a bit of a more upper-class experience. Additionally, just an hour drive from New York City, the Jersey Shore is lined with over 200 miles of beaches. Towns like Seaside Heights, Point Pleasant and Belmar all offer gorgeous beaches, with boardwalk attractions and a thriving nightlife. Although the beaches are not free like their New York counterparts (beach badges usually cost about $5), they are well worth it for their vacation-like environments. For more information about area beaches, visit the following websites: Coney Island: nycgovparks.org/parks/coneyisland Rockaway: nycparks.org/parks/rockawaybeach Staten Island: nycparks.org/parks/fdrboardwalkbeach Jones Beach: nysparks.com/parks/10/ Hamptons: hamptons.com Jersey Shore: newjerseyshore.com
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