NEW YORK (PIX11) – This summer, you have more options for getting around the city, and feeling like it’s out of town for a summer escape.
Change the city view by traveling another street, catching a train, and arriving at the water.
Summon the summer with the sight of the shoreline.
May is especially meaningful for Tracy, who says it is her month.
“My birthday usually falls around Memorial Day, and then I’m a mother, and then I’m a teacher. To me, it’s like a mini cruise,” she said while waiting for a ferry to Martha’s Vineyard for a special trip.
She was getting ready for Memorial Day weekend at the 34th Street ferry landing.
By Friday afternoon, large crowds were waiting for rides out of town, taking ferries for the four-hour trip to destinations off the coast of Massachusetts.
Others lined up for Seastreak boats bound for New Jersey destinations. Some boarded the NYC Ferry for trips to the Rockaways, the Bronx, Brooklyn, or Queens.
Ferries are often a commuting choice during the workweek, but boats and transit systems also offer options for summer downtime.
Transit can help you stay in town while still getting out of town.
Emma was enjoying the start of the long holiday weekend.
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“Should be a lot of fun. Looking forward to spending time with friends, and hopefully the weather will not be too rainy,” she said while waiting in line.
There are several transit options to consider this summer.
The MTA has increased some service to the Rockaways on buses and subways.
In the Bronx, the Orchard Beach Pavilion reopened this week after a new $114 million renovation project. Riders can take the 6 train and connect to a bus to reach the popular beach destination.
BX12 weekend service to Orchard Beach begins Saturday and runs through the end of August.
For the Rockaways, seats can be reserved on the NYC Ferry beginning July 1.
The Q35 bus continues service to Jacob Riis Park, while service is also being expanded on the Rockaway Park subway shuttle.
The MTA says trains at Coney Island will run every three minutes during peak summer periods.
Meanwhile, a private company has launched a new bus service from Jersey City to the Jersey Shore.
Part of planning a summer getaway is checking transit and transportation options.
“You just have to look for something at the beach to get a spot,” said Theo.
Travel plans and the weather forecast will shape the summer of 2026.
Riders should note that the 7 train is partially suspended between Hudson Yards and 74th Street–Jackson Heights from late Friday night through Monday morning at around 10:30 a.m., beginning this weekend.
The Transit Authority is beginning a major tunnel project, and some weekend outages on the 7 line will continue throughout the summer.
G train service changes are also scheduled in June.
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