Jones Beach State Park

As soon as the weather starts getting warmer in New York City, many flee the heat and humidity of the streets and escape to the 2,400-acre Jones Beach State Park in Long Island in order to relax in front of the beach or partake in other fun outdoors activities.

After Coney Island, Jones Beach is the most popular beach in NY. About a 1.5 to 2 hour drive from Manhattan (depending on traffic) and with about 6.5 miles of sandy terrain, this is a the destination for many, not only for its beaches but also for many other  it offers visitors of all including families. Activities such as fishing, golfing, pool swimming, and even surfing, just to name a few.

The beach entrances are dividing into fields, with Field 1 being the largest and most popular for visiting bathers. I hosts two-mile boardwalk as well as concession stands and umbrella rentals. My family tends to visit the fields a little further away, with many not so many amenities, to avoid the crowds.

The park hosts two major events each year: an annual 4th of July fireworks display that is so incredibly popular people arrive early and stay well into the evening (normally 9:30pm) till the show begins. The second, the Air Show, which takes place Memorial Day weekend each year, is also well-attended and requires some planning in order to guarantee a parking spot close to all the action.

Jones Beach State Park also hosts concerts in the nearby Jones Beach Theater, an outdoor concert stadium which seats about 14,000 concert goers. Concerts are ongoing till end of August.

There is an $8.00 parking fee and or the option of an Empire Pass which is $65 for the season.

Photo: Jackie P. from Yelp

Related: Gilbert Lake State Park, New York.