Top 5 Can\u2019t Miss
\nWalk the two-mile Long Beach Boardwalk, stopping for ocean views and seasonal concessions along the way.Wander through downtown’s many eclectic shops, including The Codfish Cowboy and Long Beach Surf Shop, for uniquely local finds.Spend the day surfing, sunbathing, swimming, or joining a volleyball game along the town\u2019s roughly 3.5-mile stretch of sand.Grab fresh sushi at Nagahama Japanese Restaurant before continuing your night at beloved hangout spots like Minnesota\u2019s or The Saloon.Retreat to your oceanfront room at the elegant Allegria Hotel, steps from the boardwalk and beach.<\/p>\n
Just 50 minutes from Penn Station (and 56 minutes from Grand Central Station), Long Beach, New York, is one of the quickest true beach escapes from Manhattan. The Long Island Railroad drops you a few blocks from the sand, where a wide shoreline and a two-mile boardwalk<\/a> set the tone for a slower, more easygoing day than anything happening back in the city. It\u2019s a compact, albeit lively community with a year-round population of nearly 35,000, so even in the off-season, you\u2019ll find early surfers in the water and locals walking the boardwalk with coffee in hand.\n<\/p>\n Travelers come mainly for the beach (and, of course, the ability to access it without enduring Hamptons traffic or crowded ferries). But the town\u2019s thriving dining and nightlife scene\u2014and its longstanding neighborhood fixtures\u2014add reasons to linger.\n<\/p>\n Here’s what you need to know before planning a trip to Long Beach, New York.\n<\/p>\n Best Hotels & Resorts\u00a0 <\/p>\n The lobby inside the The Rockaway Hotel.<\/p>\n The Rockaway Hotel<\/p>\n The Rockaway Hotel <\/p>\n About 10 miles from Long Beach lies the Rockaway Hotel<\/a>, which made Travel + Leisure’s It List<\/a> shortly after it debuted in 2020. It still remains one of NYC\u2019s most stylish coastal escapes. Bright, minimalist interiors, an ocean-view rooftop, and a seasonal pool deck that becomes a cozy winter pool house create an effortless beach-meets-city vibe. Its 53 rooms feel warm and airy, with sleek wood accents and natural light.<\/p>\n Allegria Hotel <\/p>\n While Long Beach has limited lodging options, the Allegria Hotel<\/a> stands out <\/a>as one of the city’s best oceanfront stays, with contemporary rooms, Atlantic views, and a seasonal rooftop pool. Don\u2019t miss the on-site bar and restaurant, Atlantica, which serves fresh coastal-inspired fare (think: poke bowls, lobster grilled cheese, Long Island little neck clams) and craft cocktails steps from the sand.\n<\/p>\n The Garden City Hotel <\/p>\n Located about 35 minutes away in the tony town of Garden City, this elegant property<\/a> has been around for over a century, drawing locals and guests alike with its on-site steakhouse, speakeasy, and spa. Its 272 generously sized rooms and suites have modern design, upscale finishes, and all the comforts needed for a standout stay.\n<\/p>\n Best Things to Do <\/p>\n The Long Beach boardwalk.<\/p>\n Adobe Stock<\/p>\n Stroll the boardwalk. <\/p>\n Spanning just over two miles, the eponymously named Long Beach Boardwalk serves as the beating heart of the town, lined with seasonal food stands and casual spots\u2014my two favorites include Marvel Frozen Dairy<\/a> for soft-serve cones and Riptides 11561<\/a> for the chicken tenders. Snag a seat on a bench and bask in the ocean views, or continue along roomy lanes for walking and biking.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Hit the beach.\u00a0 <\/p>\n What\u2019s a trip to Long Beach without time in the sand? Spanning roughly 3.5 miles, this well-maintained shoreline is a year-round draw\u2014busy in summer, wide-open in winter. Depending on the season, visitors and locals come for sunbathing, swimming, and surfing, the latter especially popular in winter thanks to cold-weather swells at the permanent surf spot near Lincoln Boulevard.\n<\/p>\n Explore downtown. <\/p>\n Long Beach\u2019s inland core centers on Park Avenue, where independent shops, caf\u00e9s, and everyday local businesses anchor the year-round community. A short walk away, West Beech Street adds a cluster of restaurants, pubs, and neighborhood hangouts\u2014but more on those in a bit\u2014offering a casual dining-and-nightlife strip that stays active well beyond beach hours.\n<\/p>\n Best Shopping\u00a0 <\/p>\n The interior of Frippery.<\/p>\n Frippery<\/p>\n Frippery <\/p>\n This chic boutique<\/a> stocks women\u2019s apparel, accessories, home goods, and gifts that work well beyond summer. You\u2019ll find everything from candles and skincare to sweatshirts and jackets\u2014useful whether you need an extra layer in winter or something simple to wear after a day on the beach.\n<\/p>\n Long Beach Surf Shop <\/p>\n A longtime fixture near the beach, Long Beach Surf Shop<\/a> carries boards, wetsuits, wax, and reliable beach gear, along with casual, surf-leaning apparel. Whether you\u2019re renting a board or replacing something last-minute, it\u2019s a reliable one-stop shop for surfers and anyone plugged into the local beach scene.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n The Codfish Cowboy\u00a0\u00a0 <\/p>\n This woman-owned shop<\/a> channels the owner\u2019s Oklahoma roots and sharp sense of humor into a well-curated mix of handcrafted goods<\/a>, locally made gifts, and small-batch finds. Don\u2019t expect typical beach-town souvenirs\u2014instead, think cheeky gifts, handmade candles, and local merchandise with plenty of personality.\n<\/p>\n Shade Amour <\/p>\n Local to Long Island, Shade Amour<\/a> specializes in hand\u2013block\u2013printed clothing made from natural, eco-friendly materials. Step inside to shop a selection of one-of-a-kind dresses, beachwear, pajamas, and accessories, with proceeds from select items supporting community projects.\n<\/p>\n unsOund Surf <\/p>\n Founded in 1997 by two local surfers, unsOund Surf<\/a> is a cornerstone of Long Beach\u2019s surf community. Known for its expert staff, deep local roots, and long history of supporting local events and charities, the shop carries high-performance boards, wetsuits, and technical gear.\u00a0 It also offers repairs, rentals, and lessons, making it a spot serious surfers rely on year-round.\n<\/p>\n Nightlife <\/p>\n Bar seating in Bright Eye Beer Co.<\/p>\n Bright Eye Beer Co<\/p>\n Bright Eye Beer Co. <\/p>\n Described by Carns as a \u201cvery chill brewery,\u201d Bright Eye Beer Co.<\/a> has open seating, an easygoing taproom atmosphere, and high-quality beers brewed on-site. It\u2019s a solid stop for a flight, a post-beach pint, or a low-key night out while mixing and mingling with locals.<\/p>\n Brixx & Barley <\/p>\n Long Beach local, cookbook author, and Carnsmedia<\/a> founder Chad Carns recommends Brixx & Barley<\/a> for its lively ambiance\u2014complete with an expansive central bar and more than a dozen large TVs\u2014and its \u201cgreat bar food with Italian-American favorites\u201d like pizzas, calzones, parmigano heroes, and more. It\u2019s a popular pick for game nights, casual dinners, and a reliably energetic year-round crowd.\n<\/p>\n Shore House Bar & Grill <\/p>\n Carns points to Shore House<\/a> as one of Long Beach\u2019s defining summer hangouts, thanks to its large wraparound bar and steady lineup of live reggae. The raw bar, which he describes as “fresh and tasty,” is another highlight.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Minnesota\u2019s <\/p>\n A West Beech Street staple, Minnesota\u2019s<\/a> draws a lively crowd with a buzzy bar, DJ performances, and an always-bustling dance floor. It\u2019s easily one of the town\u2019s favorite late-night stops, equally popular with locals and weekend visitors.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n The Saloon <\/p>\n A longstanding Long Beach staple, The Saloon<\/a> delivers exactly what its name promises: a no-frills bar with cold drinks, friendly regulars, and an easygoing atmosphere. It’s excellent for low-key nights or post-beach beers; if you can\u2014and the weather’s warm\u2014snag a seat in the garden area.\n<\/p>\n Best Restaurants\u00a0 <\/p>\n A pizza served at Grotto di Fuoco.<\/p>\n Grotto di Fuoco<\/p>\n Roc & Olive <\/p>\n Chad highlights Roc & Olive<\/a> for its airy, Mediterranean-inspired setting that \u201cfeels like you\u2019re in Spain.\u201d The wide-ranging menu offers something for everyone, from seafood such as scallops and local mussels to flatbreads and burgers. Wash it down with a cocktail or a glass of vino.\n<\/p>\n Grotta di Fuoco <\/p>\n For \u201csuper creative, farm-to-table Italian fare,\u201d Carns points to Grotta di Fuoco<\/a>. While he especially recommends the wood-fired pizzas, you truly can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, including one of the handmade pastas, like linguine and clams, or heartier mains like branzino, bone-in veal parmigiana, or pork shank.\n<\/p>\n Nagahama Japanese Restaurant <\/p>\n Named for both its Long Beach home and the scenic Japanese city of Nagahama, this unassuming spot<\/a> has earned a devoted following. The menu spans fresh sushi and sashimi to classic teriyaki and tempura, but it\u2019s the quality of the fish that keeps people coming from across the island, including yours truly.\n<\/p>\n Lost at Sea\u00a0 <\/p>\n Per Carns, this cozy spot<\/a> has an \u201cambitious small-plate menu\u201d and \u201ccreative small-batch cocktails,\u201d making it one of the best restaurants in town. The menu shifts daily based on what\u2019s fresh\u2014think local fish, seasonal vegetables, and house-made pastas. And with its selection of dry European bottles, Carns says it has the \u201cbest wine list in Long Beach.\u201d\n<\/p>\n Sherry Blossom <\/p>\n For fast-casual fare, Chad points to Sherry Blossom<\/a> for its \u201cfresh bowls, fresh seafood, [and] creative dressings and sauces.\u201d The menu works any day of the week, especially when you want something bright and healthy without sacrificing flavor. It\u2019s a reliable takeout option\u2014though Carns admits he wishes they delivered.\n<\/p>\n Best Time To Visit\u00a0 <\/p>\n Sunset over Long Beach, New York.<\/p>\n STUDIO MELANGE\/Adobe Stock<\/p>\n The best time to visit Long Beach is from May to September. While the town has a strong year-round community, these months offer the fullest version of its coastal energy\u2014lively but still low-key, and easily accessible without Hamptons-style crowds or stuffiness.\n<\/p>\n Warm, sunny days bring the boardwalk and beach to life, along with the surrounding restaurants, bars, and seasonal stands. It\u2019s also when Long Beach\u2019s signature events return, including the free summer concert series<\/a> on the boardwalk, outdoor movie nights<\/a>, and the popular Arts & Crafts Festival<\/a>. Surf conditions are beginner-friendly in early summer, and the long daylight hours make it easy to stretch a beach day into night.\n<\/p>\n How to Get There <\/p>\n Commuters in a Long Island Rail Road train station.<\/p>\n Michael Nagle\/Bloomberg via Getty Images<\/p>\n The easiest way to reach Long Beach, New York, is by taking the Long Island Rail Road from Penn Station or Grand Central, which drops you a few blocks from the sand in just under an hour\u2014no car or airport hassle required. If you\u2019re flying in, John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in Queens is the most convenient option, with a roughly 30 to 60-minute drive to the beach, depending on traffic. LaGuardia Airport (LGA) is a close second, though traffic tends to be heavier.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n How to Get Around <\/p>\n A couple walks along the boardwalk in Long Beach, New York.<\/p>\n Bruce Bennett\/Getty Images<\/p>\n