The Best Weekend Beach Towns Near NYC for a Quick Coastal Escape

Once you’ve had just about enough of the rushing between subway stops and skyscrapers, you’ll feel the urge to escape the concrete jungle that is New York City. Don’t feel bad about it—even the most die-hard New Yorkers feel the urge to run every now and then. And when that need hits, it’s the coast that calls. Salt water, sea air, and a horizon wider than anything the city can offer. That’s when you grab a car, catch a train, or hop on a ferry. Whatever it takes to get yourself to the beach. The next time you feel that pull, here are the best weekend beach towns near NYC to make your getaway.

Distance from NYC: 50 minutes by train

Long Beach is one of the quickest ocean escapes from Manhattan, reachable in under an hour on the Long Island Rail Road. The beach is wide, clean, and consistently draws surfers thanks to rideable waves. Access requires a day pass (around $12), though the LIRR sometimes bundles train fare and admission into discounted getaway packages, making it easy for car-free city dwellers. After Hurricane Sandy, the boardwalk was completely rebuilt, and today it stretches two miles along the shore with space for biking, skating, or grabbing a bite between swims. The town itself has a laid-back energy that feels distinctly different from the city: low-key restaurants, beach bars, and the kind of pace that invites lingering.

Distance from NYC: About 1 hour by subway or 45 minutes by ferry

Coming from Miami, where I grew up near tropical waters, Rockaway Beach wasn’t exactly what I pictured when I thought of “the beach.” Yet hopping on the subway and ending up at the ocean turned out to be the closest I could get to those childhood beach days—and once I arrived, it really wasn’t a total letdown. The beach itself stretches nearly six miles, making it the city’s largest. Surfers paddle out year-round, with schools like the New York Surf School giving lessons to beginners. But the energy here is as much about the scene as the surf. The boardwalk hums with food stands slinging tacos, burgers, and seafood, while spots like the Rockaway Beach Surf Club bring together artists, locals, and a laidback beach crowd over cold drinks and music. It’s raw, unpolished, and lively—a uniquely New York mix that I rarely got back in Miami. And just for that, it was worth the ride over every once in a while.

Distance from NYC: About 1 hour by subway

Visiting Coney Island feels like stepping into an old movie set, a place where the past still lingers in the neon lights and wooden roller coasters. The beach itself can get crowded on hot summer days, but that’s part of the vibe. The real magic is the boardwalk, where Nathan’s Famous hot dogs proudly stands alongside nostalgic carnival games, the iconic Cyclone (still rattling along since the 1920s), and the towering Wonder Wheel. For food beyond the boardwalk, locals swear by Totonno’s, a century-old coal-oven pizzeria serving thin, charred pies that are worth the wait. Coney Island may not be tropical, but it’s pure New York: loud, nostalgic, and unforgettable once you’ve experienced it for yourself.

Distance from NYC: About 1.5 hours by car, or train + bus

If there’s such a thing as a classic American beach day, Jones Beach delivers. Spanning 6.5 miles of sand along Long Island’s southern shore, it’s where families, friends, and day-trippers arrive early to carve out their space in the sand, coolers in tow. Between swims, there’s no shortage of distractions, from beach volleyball to pickleball to mini-golf and even a public pool. Accessibility is also a priority, with free sand wheelchairs available for use. By evening, The Jones Beach Theater pulls in big-name concerts every summer, from nostalgic rock acts to pop headliners. Most visitors drive, but the Long Island Rail Road paired with a bus makes it doable without a car.

Distance from NYC: 1.5 hours by car

Asbury Park might only be a short drive from the city, but it feels like stepping into a living time capsule. The mile-long beach is classic Jersey Shore, with the real fun happening off the sand. Play a round of pinball at the Silverball Museum, bowl at the revamped Asbury Lanes, or catch a set at The Stone Pony, a venue still defined by its Springsteen legacy. On the boardwalk, ice cream, fries, and old-school treats keep the throwback spirit alive. When it’s time to kick back, Asbury best stays are found in boutique inns. The St. Laurent offers 20 chic rooms plus a private beach club, while the Asbury Ocean Club Hotel mixes contemporary design with an oceanfront pool.

Distance from NYC: About 1.5 hours by car

If you’re after a slower kind of Jersey Shore, Ocean Grove fits the bill. This seaside town leans more nostalgic than flashy, with a quiet beach, a wooden boardwalk, and a compact downtown just a couple of blocks from the water. The pace feels intentionally calm—it is a community rooted in Methodist traditions, which means you won’t find alcohol served in town, but you will find plenty of ice cream shops filling the gap. The nearby lakes add to the small-town setting, and fishing is popular along the coast. Ocean Grove doesn’t try to compete with the bigger, louder Shore towns. Instead, it’s a reminder that sometimes the best weekend escape is the simplest one.

Distance from NYC: 2 hours by car

A refreshing alternative to the Hamptons, the North Fork trades flashy beach clubs for quiet coves and vineyards. You can linger over a tasting at the family-owned Macari Vineyards in Mattituck or sip a glass at Kontokosta Winery in Greenport, where rows of vines seem to tumble right into the Sound. For an overnight stay, the Silver Sands Motel embraces its 1950s heritage while feeling thoroughly modern inside. With its blend of wine country charm, seaside calm, and a slower rhythm than its neighbors, the North Fork feels like an antidote to Hamptons’ excess.

Distance from NYC: 2.5 hours by car

At the southern tip of New Jersey, Cape May feels like a town preserved in time, with nearly 600 Victorian buildings lending the streets a unique character. Days are best spent along Beach Avenue or at Sunset Beach, where dolphin sightings are surprisingly common. In town, you’ll wander past antique shops and the pastel houses that give Cape May its charm. To get out on the water, join Cape May Whale Watcher for an evening cruise. For dinner, The Lobster House is a perennial favorite (the long waits are part of the ritual). Stay at Lokal Hotel, where a heated saltwater pool makes even shoulder season feel inviting.

One local tip: Cape May requires beach tags, so pick one up before settling in on the sand.

Distance from NYC: 3 hours by car

At the eastern tip of Long Island, Montauk mixes surf-town energy with a touch of Hamptons polish. Start with Ditch Plains Beach, where surfers line up for waves, or wander into Montauk Point State Park to see the lighthouse first commissioned by George Washington. For a different slice of history, ride horseback through fields and shoreline with Deep Hollow Ranch, a cattle ranch dating back to the 1600s. Car or no car, Montauk is easy enough to reach—the Long Island Rail Road drops you right into town, making it an easy call for a summer weekend.

Distance from NYC: 3 hours by car

Newport has long been a stage for American wealth, with Gilded Age mansions like The Breakers and Marble House lining Bellevue Avenue. Touring them gives you a sense of their extravagance, but the Cliff Walk provides the best view—3.5 miles of sea spray and architectural drama side by side. When you’re ready for time on the sand, Easton’s (First) Beach is family-friendly with gentle surf, while Sachuest (Second) Beach stretches wide with a wildlife refuge just beyond the dunes. Sailing remains central to Newport’s DNA, and you can hop aboard everything from sightseeing cruises to America’s Cup–style yachts. For a taste of the town’s food culture, head to the local classic known as Flo’s Clam Shack, which has been serving fried clams since 1936.

Distance from NYC: 5 hours by car

Not a beach town in the traditional sense, Lake Placid proves that a summer escape doesn’t necessarily need to involve saltwater. Best known for its Winter Olympic legacy, this Adirondack village takes on a softer charm in the warmer months. At its heart is Mirror Lake, a calm stretch of water perfect for paddling or swimming. At sunrise, the surface lives up to its name, reflecting the surrounding mountains in perfect stillness. Beyond the water, the Adirondacks deliver some of the best hiking in the Northeast. Trails range from gentle forest walks to challenging climbs,  allowing you to balance time on the water with adventures on the trails.