Escaping NYC: Beach Edition

The weather-warmer; the nights-longer. These two ingredients make up the formula for an adventure, an adventure that can take you beyond the city skyscrapers. Summer isn’t summer without a weekend city escape from the city and a trip to the beach. For us lucky city-dwellers a great beach is a hop skip and a train ride away. No need to leave New York state to get in some sun and surf, though there are some great beaches in the Garden State. We want to make your trip as easy as a summer’s day which is why you’ll want to look to us for your go-to beach guide getaway.

Coney Island, Brooklyn:

This beach is quintessential New York summertime fun. From being the birthplace of Nathan’s Hot Dogs to the annual Mermaid Festival, Coney Island will forever be a historical landmark and icon for the city. With a plethora of things to do at Coney Island, the most important being soaking up on the sun on sand and cooling off in the Atlantic Ocean; Coney Island is the answer to your summertime prayers.

How To Get There: Getting away to Coney Island is a simple 60 minute train ride from Manhattan. Take either the D, F, N or Q trains to Stillwell Ave. station.

Long Beach, Long Island:

3.5 miles of sandy beaches, honestly there is nothing more we could ask for. Long Beach, nicknamed “The City by the Sea” has plenty to offer besides the beach. Ranging from great restaurants to local art displays, playgrounds, food trucks, pull up bars, and bike paths, you won’t be disappointed. Trust, an invitation to Long Beach is an offer you can’t refuse. *FUN FACT: Long Beach is featured in the first “Godfather”, and if you haven’t seen it yet, take it from us it’s the greatest of movies!

South Beach, Staten Island:

Whether traveling from Brooklyn, Manhattan, or Queens, you will still have to take the Staten Island Ferry to get to this beach and that alone is an awesome adventure. The Staten Island Ferry is free 24/7 and gives you the views of the city and Lady Liberty that you normally have to pay an arm and leg for on a commercial ferry ride. Once you get off the ferry the S51 bus is located right at the terminal and will take you to this great beach. Not necessarily known as a shore town, South Beach has a lot to offer. Its a quiet and well maintained beach that will surely provide the peace and quiet you might need after a crazy work week in the city.

Asbury Park:

We had to include this one on our list because Bruce. Not only did this legendary musician name his first album after this wonderful shore town, but he regularly makes surprise appearances at many of the local music venues and bars, such as The Stone Pony (http://stoneponyonline.com). The beach itself is wonderful, providing plenty of space for the diverse and eclectically awesome crowd that it draws. Personally this is a home away from home for some of us here at Brooklyn Cloth and we would not steer you wrong, so if you get a chance to venture into the Garden State, please do not pass up Asbury Park.

How To Get There: Bus from Port Authority, New York- The Academy Bus Service will bring you right into Asbury Park OR take the train http://www.njtransit.com/images/railmap06.jpg You have to take the “Blue Line” starting from Penn Station and transferring from Long Branch to Asbury Park, which is only a couple miles apart.