Most people don’t think of New York City as a beach destination, but it really should be. Spread across four boroughs, NYC’s nine public beaches cover 14 miles of coastline, and every single one is free. Beaches are open from Memorial Day weekend through September 13, 2026.
Whether you’re after the classic boardwalk chaos of Coney Island or a quieter afternoon on Staten Island, there’s a beach here for every kind of family summer day. Brighton Beach draws a devoted crowd. Rockaway Beach has a surf scene. Orchard Beach in the Bronx is a local favorite.
And spots like Midland Beach, Manhattan Beach, Cedar Grove Beach, and Wolfe’s Pond Beach offer wide stretches of sand that feel worlds away from the city grid, even though they’re not.
NYC Parks maintains all nine beaches and keeps them accessible by subway, bus, or car, so a beach day doesn’t have to mean hours on the road on the weekend. It can simply be a Tuesday.
We’ve rounded up information about all nine of NYC Parks’ beaches so you can find the one that fits your family the best. And the best part? All of these beaches are free and open to the public!
At a Glance:
- Top Beaches for Family Fun: Brighton Beach, Coney Island Beach, Rockaway Beach.
- Best Quiet Spots: Manhattan Beach, Cedar Grove Beach, Midland Beach.
- Great for Active Kids: Rockaway Beach, Orchard Beach.
- Perfect for Little Kids: Manhattan Beach, Cedar Grove Beach, Wolfe’s Pond Beach.
- Easy Ways to Make the Day More Fun: Bring buckets, shovels, simple toys, and easy games to keep kids happy and engaged.
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Top 9 Free New York Beaches for Families
Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, 50 min to 1 hour via subway (from Midtown)
Known for its Russian population and popular neighborhood “Little Odessa,” this neighbor to Coney Island is a famous beach located in the southern part of Brooklyn. This beach is a vibe — pack a picnic or pick up some of the delicious food at some of the nearby eateries and enjoy the sunshine.
Coney Island, Brooklyn, 1 hr 15 min via subway (from Midtown)
Coney Island isn’t just a beach: it is an experience. Families can also visit fun spots around Coney Island before they take their place on the sand, such as the New York Aquarium, Luna Park, and Deno’https://www.newyorkfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/GettyImagesConey-Island-Beach-935774050-822×549.jpgs Wonder Wheel.
The beach itself is always packed, so if you are looking for a quiet beach day, you may want to go early before the crowds show up.
Or embrace this busy beach and enjoy the boardwalk food stands—just make sure to get your tickets for any extra fun, like rides or the aquarium, if you plan to include these attractions in your beach day.
Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn, 1hr 20min via subway (from Midtown)
If your ideal day at the beach involves you, your family, and a good book without all the bells and whistles, you’ll want to check out Manhattan Beach.
There is a park for the kids, and you can bring your barbecue grill and cook right by your beach spot. The waves aren’t huge, and the vibe is chill, making it perfect for families with young kids.
Rockaway Beach, Queens, 1hr 30min via subway (from Midtown)
If you want less spectacle and more surfer destination with snack shacks (Rockaway Beach Surf Club) and food Californians call everyday life, you’ll want to pack up the beach bag (and kids) and head over to this chill beach.
Clocking in at an hour car ride and an hour and a half subway ride, it is a worthwhile day trip if you are a beach bum at heart.
Orchard Beach, Bronx, 1hr 45min via subway (from Midtown)
This Robert Moses-designed beach is the Bronx’s only public beach, and it does not disappoint. At 115 acres, the beach includes a promenade, and for the kids who need to stay active, there are two playgrounds, 26 basketball courts, volleyball, and handball.
With two picnic areas, you can grab a spot to eat food from the snack bars or bring along food and munch while you enjoy the view of City Island.
Midland Beach, Staten Island – 1 hr 20min via subway (from Midtown)
A trip to Midland Beach is one that families will love to take this summer! Not only is it great, but there are also a ton of activities kids can do when they aren’t swimming or lounging on the beach!
The beach is home to the popular Sea Turtle Fountain, where young kids can run through the sprinklers, and to the Playland Playground, which is also a great spot to bring your kids to. Midland Beach also shares the Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk, where families can find delicious treats and refreshments.
South Beach, Staten Island – 1 hr 20 min via subway (from Midtown)
Sunbathe in the shadow of the Verrazzano Bridge. South Beach is one of the city’s most popular beaches, and for good reason. Visitors can bike, jog on the boardwalk, kayak, play tennis, fish, and more. Don’t leave without stopping to see the popular Fountain of Dolphins!
Cedar Grove Beach, Staten Island – 1hr 30 min via subway (from Midtown)
If you’re looking for a new favorite beach spot, why not check out the city’s newest beach? The converted oceanfront bungalow colony, Cedar Grove Beach, offers a more tranquil experience than some of the neighboring beaches and is a popular choice for local families.
Wolfe’s Pond Beach, Staten Island – 1 hr 45 min via subway (from Midtown)
You’ll want to take a day to check out the city’s best-kept secret. Wolfe’s Pond Beach on Staten Island offers access to the ocean without the chaos that tends to come with some of the city’s more well-known beaches. Get away from the summer crowds with a secluded beach day.
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5 Simple Beach Games Kids Can Play at NYC Beaches
A beach day doesn’t need to be packed with activities to keep kids happy. These easy beach games are perfect for younger kids and don’t require much planning or equipment. They’re the kind of simple things families naturally end up doing between snack breaks, wave jumping, and sandcastle building.
Treasure Hunt in the Sand
Have kids look for shells, smooth rocks, sea glass, or anything else interesting they spot along the shore. You can make a quick list for them to find or just let them wander and collect treasures on their own.
Build the Tallest Sand Tower
Forget perfection — kids usually have more fun seeing how high they can make a sandy tower before it topples over. Wet sand works best, and the rebuilding is half the fun anyway.
Follow the Squiggly Line
Draw a long, wavy line in the sand and challenge kids to walk it like a balance beam without stepping off. Make it twistier for older kids or keep it simple for little ones.
Bucket Relay
Fill a bucket with seawater and see who can carry it back without spilling too much. It’s simple, active, and somehow keeps kids entertained way longer than you’d expect.
Shadow Tag
Instead of tagging each other, kids try to step on someone’s shadow. It works especially well later in the afternoon when the shadows get longer — and it usually turns into a lot of laughing and running.
Wrapping Up
Whether your family loves the energy of Coney Island, the surf vibe at Rockaway Beach, or the quieter stretches of sand on Staten Island, NYC’s beaches make it surprisingly easy to pull off a fun summer day without leaving the city.
Some beaches are great for boardwalk snacks and people-watching. Others are better for little kids who just want calm water and room to dig in the sand for hours. The nice thing is that all nine NYC public beaches are free, easy to get to, and different enough that families can find the spot that feels right for them.
Questions Families Often Ask
- What is the prettiest beach in New York?
Many people say Orchard Beach in the Bronx is one of the prettiest beaches in New York because of its long shoreline, clean sand, and lots of space for kids and families to play. - What are the top 10 beaches in the USA?
Some of the most popular beaches in the USA include Myrtle Beach (South Carolina), Waikiki Beach (Hawaii), South Beach (Florida), Santa Monica Beach (California), Cape May Beach (New Jersey), Virginia Beach (Virginia), Outer Banks (North Carolina), Laguna Beach (California), Siesta Key Beach (Florida), and Cannon Beach (Oregon). - Which NYC beach has the cleanest water?
Manhattan Beach in Brooklyn and Cedar Grove Beach in Staten Island are often noted for having clean water, making them great choices for swimming and family fun. - Where do people in NYC go to the beach?
People in New York City visit many beaches like Brighton Beach, Coney Island Beach, Manhattan Beach, Rockaway Beach, Orchard Beach, Midland Beach, South Beach, Cedar Grove Beach, and Wolfe’s Pond Beach to relax, swim, and spend time with family and friends.
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