Jones Beach Travel Guide

Jones Beach State Park is located on Jones Beach Island, a barrier island that lies next to Long Island.  This beach park is comprised of over 2,400 acres of spectacular New York landscape, with 6.5 miles of Atlantic coastline, and half a mile of bayside beach for still bathers, as well as 2 swimming pool facilities.  There are two bath houses located on the grounds, the west and east bath houses.  The West Bath House has an ice cream stand, a mini band-shell area and offers a spectacular view of the pool and the ocean, and there is also.

Jones Beach is also the most popular and heavily visited beach on the East Coast with an estimated more than eight million visitors each year.  This state park has a 2 mile long boardwalk located within the park itself, that offers a variety of concession stands, with a number of them staying open past the peak summer season.  West End 2 is a parking field located in the park that is currently a designated surfing area, and is open to stargazers and fisherman at night and bird watchers and other naturalists by day.

Jones Beach Weather and Best Time to Visit

Winters in New York City can be quite cold and damp, with the average temperature in January, New York City's coldest month being an even 32°F.  Spring and fall can range greatly in temperature; however they usually are very mild.  Summer season in this city are generally very humid as well as hot, with a July average of 77°F.  It is a good idea to wear sunblock whenever you plan to be outside for any length of time in Jones Beach.

During the summer months at Jones Beach it can stay hot well into the night, which is due to the urban heat island phenomenon.  Rainfall is rather consistent all year round in Manhattan Beach and the area that surrounds, so be sure to pack accordingly.  Winter snowfall varies considerably but is to be expected in this city, so it is necessary to be prepared when packing for a holiday getaway.

Peak season in Atlantic Beach is during the summer months, running from May until September annually.  This beach and the surrounding area is a very popular summer travel destination for much of the northeast, including the neighboring metropolitan areas of Philadelphia, New Jersey, and Baltimore.  If you are visiting during these months, expect large crowds and higher rates on accommodations as well as some attractions.  It is typically a good idea to book your stay early, a minimum of several weeks in advance.  This can help to ensure that you receive the best rates available for your getaway.

Experience Jones Beach

In order to experience Jones Beach State park, you have to see as much of the park as you can.  From the beach and the bay, to the nature center and trails, there is so much to enjoy.  The western part of the park contains areas for many different types of activities, like boating, surf fishing and bird and nature watching.  The untouched areas of Jones Beach State Park play host to an assortment of seasonal birds as well as area native flora.  The park is also home to some added attractions, which include the Theodore Roosevelt Nature Center, the Jones Beach State Park Pitch and Putt, and the Nikon at Jones Beach Theater.

Another way to experience Jones Beach and all it has to offer is to spend a day taking in the incredible sights of the Big Apple.  If this is your first vacation to NYC and Jones Beach make sure you visit Ellis Island and of course, the Statue of Liberty.  Ellis Island was the major entry point into the United States from 1892 until 1954.  It is no longer so, however the island is now home to an immigration museum and is the Statue of Liberty National Monument.  The nominal fee charged to ride the ferry is a small price to pay to feast your eyes upon Lady Liberty’s magnificence.