Rockaway Beach, NY guide
Surf, shop and stuff your face with tacos at Rockaway Beach—NY’s summertime spot for fun in the sun
No summer in NYC is complete without hitching a ride to Rockaway Beach, NY! Out of all the things to do in the summer, taking advantage of one of New York’s best beaches is a must. Take the subway, a beach shuttle bus or the ferry to the free, Queens beach that is filled with plenty of affordable food trucks as well as great bars and shops. Rockaway Beach is also one of the best places to go when you’re craving tacos. There's a reason we rank this ’hood as one of the best day trips from NYC, so go check it out for yourself!
RECOMMENDED: Full Queens, NY neighborhood guide
Where is Rockaway Beach, NY?
Rockaway Beach—one of New York's finest and most fun beach towns—is located on the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens, NY.
How do I get to Rockaway Beach, NY?
A trip to Rockaway Beach is a rite of passage that guarantees the best summer ever in New York. But, for some, getting there can be a real trek. There are several ways you can travel to Rockaway Beach. Apart from the most popular method (begging your only friend in New York with a car to drive), you can take the A train which stops at Beach 67th St, Beach 90th St and so on. You can also utilize NYC’s ferry system (a one-way ticket runs you just $2.75). For a no-fuss and extra fun trip to the beach, book a roundtrip ticket ($29.95) through the OvR Rockaway Beach Bus which runs every weekend from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Your trip includes pick-up and drop-off service, free refreshments (the cold, delicious beverage kind) and exclusive deals at partnering businesses in Rockaway, Riis Park, Williamsburg, Bushwick and the Lower East Side.
For $20, you can hitch a round-trip ride via Rockaway Brewing Company’s new Brew Cruiser. It’s a real game changer for folks who live in Long Island City and Astoria—and it’s also pretty convenient for Greenpointers and Midtown East peeps, too. The nonstop shuttle bus has three departure times every Saturday (9:30am–4pm, noon–6:30pm, 2–9pm) from a LIC pickup spot and drops beachgoers off at Beach 73rd Street and Beach Front Road. Fans of the local brewers can purchase cans as well as growlers to sip while working on their tans.
