Ultimate Guide to Visiting Rockaway Beach in NYC

While many tourists often overlook it in favor of the more crowded Coney Island, Rockaway Beach in Queens, New York attracts over one million visitors each year—and it takes just about the same amount of time to get there from Manhattan.

With clean, soft stretches of sand, pleasant waves, uninterrupted views of the Atlantic Ocean, and some of the best beach food available, Rockaway Beach and the Far Rockaways have become local favorites among New Yorkers.

The journey to Rockaway Beach typically takes about an hour and 14 minutes by subway or bus from Manhattan, and just over half an hour by car. This makes it a perfect day trip destination if you’re looking to escape the summer heat in the city. The most popular stretch of beach runs along streets numbered from the mid-80s to 100, so if you prefer a quieter experience, it’s advisable to head further east or west.

Oceanside Food and Local Cuisines

Address: 106-01 Shore Front Pkwy, Rockaway Park, NY 11694, USA

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Although packing a picnic lunch is an option (glass containers are not allowed!), there are several wonderful eateries along Rockaway Beach.

Concession stands along the Rockaway boardwalk offer superb beach food. Located at Beach 86, Beach 96, and Beach 106, visitors can enjoy offerings from local New York City vendors such as Caracas Arepa Bar, ice cream and popsicles from CitySticks, and Central Asian dishes from Uma’s.

Additionally, Rockaway has several fast-food chain restaurants, including Dunkin’ Donuts, McDonald’s, Popeye’s Chicken, and Papa John’s Pizza. Alternatively, you might stop by Palenque for homemade Colombian cuisine or Pico RBNY for authentic Mexican street food.

General Information

Address: Rockaway Beach Boardwalk, Queens, NY, USA

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The Rockaway Beach and boardwalk encompass 170 acres of oceanfront sun and sand. The beachfront stretches from Beach 9 to Beach 149 and offers a variety of visitor facilities, including spray showers, restrooms, playgrounds, and water fountains.

Swimming is allowed only when lifeguards are present, which is from Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day weekend, daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Restrooms and spray showers can be found at 116 Beach, 97 Beach, and the playground at Beach 59. Additional showers are available at 102 Beach and the playground at Beach 17.

While chair and umbrella rentals are not available directly on the beach, many stores near 116 Beach sell them at reasonable prices. Rockaway is also known as New York City’s only surfing beach, with designated surfing areas between 67 and 69 streets and between 87 and 92 streets, leading many nearby stores to stock surf gear.

Getting to Rockaway Beach

Address: Rockaway Beach, Queens, NY, USA

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Reaching Rockaway Beach is as straightforward as taking the N train to Coney Island, typically taking just over an hour by bus or train, and about half the time if you drive. There are also free parking lots located near the beach in Rockaway, which is a significant advantage over Coney Island.

You can access Rockaway Beach via the A, J, or Z trains. For the A train, transfer to a Rockaway-bound A or S train at Broad Channel and continue to stops ranging from 90 Beach to 116 Beach Streets. Alternatively, you can take the J or Z train to Woodhaven Boulevard, then transfer to a Q53 or Q21 bus heading to 108 Beach Street.

If driving, access Rockaway Beach at the end of Flatbush Avenue or via the Belt Parkway. In addition to street parking options, there is a free parking area located between Beach 94 and Beach 95 Streets, extending from Rockaway Beach Boulevard to Shore Front Parkway. Another free parking lot is situated from Beach 11th to 15th Streets.

For added convenience, a special shuttle operates from several New York City locations via the NYC Beach Bus. For just $10 one way ($15 round-trip), enjoy hassle-free bus service, including chair and umbrella rentals, enabling out-of-towners to experience the unique New York City beach culture without having to navigate public transit or the cost of a taxi.