Wheelchair-accessible car park
Yes
Jacob Riis Park in Rockaway Park
Categories
Location on the map
Rockaway Park, Queens County, New York, US
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Yes
Amenities
Good for kids
Yes
Phone: +1 718-318-4310
Site: http://www.nyharborparks.org/vis...
Site: http://www.nyharborparks.org/vis...
Opening hours
- Monday:7AM–12AM
- Tuesday:7AM–12AM
- Wednesday:7AM–12AM
- Thursday:7AM–12AM
- Friday:7AM–12AM
- Saturday:7AM–12AM
- Sunday:7AM–12AM
Comments (199)
Love going to this beach 🏖 much calmer and not as much people. You do have to pay for parking if you go driving. They also have these small spots to get light appetizers, drinks & ice cream.
One of my favorite beaches close to home. Because its part of the National Park Service its clean and well maintained. Unfortunately there are few options for food and other services. Its a very family friendly beach with good lifeguard coverage. The eastern most location closest to Rockaway Beach is a haven for LGBTQ+ friends and allies.
It is cleaner than Coney Island, including water. The waves are bigger too, but beware of sharp breakwaters, which are hidden in the water
The beach is amazing, super clean and nice overall. The bathrooms are gross and have no toilet paper most of the time, but theyre better then a lot of places. No lifeguards at most posts. But love this beach better then Jones.
Amazing beach out on Rockaway, I usually go through here riding out in Brooklyn. The broad beach walk from here to Far Rockaway is amazing.
Beautiful park, beautiful beach, great time.Parking lot is huge but sometimes in the high season is pretty full or there is a line to get in. Pretty clean. Everyone is there to enjoy nature, good crowd!
A mini vacation while still being home in NYC. It felt so great to be out there with my Brooklyn family and friends. It was even great to share positive energy with some friendly nearby strangers. (We needed to lean on each other since cellphone service is pretty weak out there. Its a New York City staple. Go enjoy the sunshine there!
My Favorite place I was There During Summer and When the weather is good Today Was A Beautiful Day
Like this beach, perfect for walking and enjoyable solitude.
Great beach getaway for Brooklynites. Inclusive, everyone-is-welcome vibe. Family friendly, party friendly, body friendly. Lifeguards on duty during busy hours in summer. Big, clean bathrooms. Plenty of parking.
The beach is ok..Great way to relax and spend some down time. The beach itself was clean, lifeguards were attentive and bathrooms were clean. It was disappointing that there were no concession stands/food or drink available for sale.
In some perspective, the beaches at Riis are probably among the finest in the world: the sand is perfect & the water is cold. However, if you prefer clear blue water, not for you - the Atlantic around here has rarely been clear, and foam, dead bugs and minor garbage can appear with the tides, especially after a rainstorm. But that doesnt stop the beaches from being packed on Holidays and weekends. Paid parking is nearby, and public transit is accessible, Restrooms are available and life guards are prevalent, but the concessions have been closed at the bathhouse (classic building with the two spires) for eventual repairs, leaving only the Dropout and three smaller stations to provide specific food and drinks. The Two Dudes (I think thats the name) by Bay 1 (traditionally the LGBTQ-centric area by the probably haunted abandoned hospital) serves standard fare and could make a killing as the only game in the area, plus you can rent chairs, umbrellas and order food to your setup with LIDO (see qr code pic). Wise Clock is very good for brunch items, a bit pricey, but selective in what they sell (people have come by for soda or Gatorade which they do not sell). The Dropout is the main concession area with ice cream, raw bar, standard fare, and alcohol like frozens, mixers and beer, but you cant leave the area with the drinks. Riis does have nude bathing areas, as does neighboring Fort Tilden beaches, which are not life guarded. Worth noting that Riis and Fort Tilden are Federally-managed, not wholly NYC Parks-managed.
Love the unoffical LBTQAI section where there are no worries to wear what you want, be with who you want, and just have a good time. Wish there were there were concession stands and more ramps onto the beach. There are usually lots of waves, though it doesnt stop people from getting in.
Relaxing and a bit more privacy compared to amusement park beaches such as Coney...overall its a great location to have a great outing with your family. Parking is like $20 for the day.
Ample parking space with parking fee of $10 for a day. Parking is 5 mins walk from the beach. Theres restroom nearby and a long beach. Perfect for day out with family. Lots of people in the weekend but social distancing is observed.
Great place to ride your bike!!!Broad walk bike lanes make it a nice ride!
Great Beach! Very LGBTQ friendly on the left side of the beach looking at the ocean
Great place, my family and friends loved this beach ⛱️.
Historyc beach the view is beautiful , this government preserve park . The beach has been busier over the past couple of years , because of more advertisement , its very nice , clean , well-patrolled , and peaceful . There is always something happening . Whether its some sort of a sports or bar and live music . There is are food trucks and restaurants that come out there to feed people , and I know that , the cocktails are pretty awesome as well . The beer is 35 flavored is available . Friendly staff and attentive . Parking is lots of places , always busy because live in - out . The security service is working .
I had lots of fun at this Beach 🏖 it’s my first time at a beach in NYC will be back and they have lots of parking that you should use don’t use free parking they will tow your cars away some person parked and 3 cars of them were towed away because they parked the same spot before don’t be tempted use the payed secure parking you’ll thank me later and they got lots of rest rooms I only hated I saw so many nude people 😟that was kinda weird felt like we’re were on the wrong side one the beach 😒but apart from that we had fun make sure you bring your Beach umbrella 🏖 no shade guys it’s the beach 🏖 have fun 🤩
Always a great time . But they need to cut the grass 🙄
This definitely became my most visited spot during 2020 summertime. By bycicle from anywhere in the city, you’ll have the chance to enjoy, either a quiet area where to enjoy a good reading, or a more fun spot at the end of the bay with hot guys all over around.
Huge parking lot right across from the beach. Super easy access. Cost 10$ to park and in the off season it’s free! It’s so convenient and a huge huge space. We let the dog run off some energy here as well as people park and teach their children how to bike ride, roller blade or scoot. Also people seem to park here and walk across the street the opposite side of the beach and fish along the beach. Very cool.
Joe Biden gives no money to fed beaches what a disgrace not one stand open for food or drink. all stands for bech umbrellas rental or purchase closed. all opportunities for jobs in concession stands selling food or any profits lost. he did however double the cost of parking lot so they can make money and give nothing in return. and oh yeah and just 4 lifeguards for 20 stands. just 4 years ago when Trump was in office all stands open extra food carts. people selling all kinds of mrchandise. 3 lifeguards to a stand. live music. wind art displays. protected birds fenced off and safe. half price on parking public busses and ferries running full scale and a large and beautiful police presence on horses heres an idea if you belive this fool is a good president run down to Jacob riis Park and go for a long swim in its dangerous waters when your drowning look up ill be on lifeguards stand giving you the brooklyn salute
Great beach a little drive out of the city. Free parking off season. In summer loads of food/drink options all along the front, and the beach gets completely packed, but in winter its beautiful for a peaceful walk and escape from the city. Views of Manhattan in the opposite direction, but best to look out at miles and miles of sea. Close to the rockaways, but a little quieter than far Rockaway as not as easily accessible on public transport.
WORST BEACH EVER. Location, terrible. View, hideous. Facility, none. Don’t even bother traveling all the way to this ridiculous and disappointing beach, especially if you’re from or have been to the Europe. Literally any beach in the Europe is 100 times better than this miserable place.
The beach was perfect yesterday water was cold we had fun, bathroom clean as you use it they come and clean after you.
It is one of the most serene beaches within the 5 boros. It is a peninsula. On one side you observe Jamaca Bay, on the other side there is the Atlantic Ocean. To the right you can see Coney Island. To the left, Far Rockaway Beach. You can even observe the Manhattan skyline. The only thing is there are no food stands. Make sure you bring food and water!
Good for a nice relaxing day at the beach by yourself or with your family. You can walk along the beach all the way to the end which is called breezy point and youll reach a rock formation at the end which is pretty cool.
Love coming here peaceful and relaxing. The unfortunate part was before covid there were food trucks and concession stands and bicycle rentals now there is none of that.
At the quiet time of year, NOT between Memorial Day and Labor Day, you can have the place nearly to yourself. The Atlantic rolls in regardless of season and the beach is wide. We can one weekend prior to Memorial Day and it was nearly empty. Very pleasant to walk down the beach. Bring some sandwiches and watch the waves.
Always a fun time on this beach!!! free to do whatever you like here play music, swim,tan through footballs and play other games also
I go there to enjoy the beach and the sand. Spend a day by the water take a break from everything.Sand is clean. Parking is 20 dollars but worth it. Restrooms are good. Was there on 5.22.22 I guess over the winter they lost some serious beach front.
Beautiful Park with the beach just steps away...very peaceful you can have a large or small scale family bbq
People forget about Riis beach because its in Queens. I recommend everyone go to Riis Beach once. Its beautiful, not dirty, there is picnic area where you could have a beach party. Bring the grill and your music and set up shop. Then take a short walk to the water. I had a very relaxing day on the beach. Very clean and well kept not like Coney Island or Manhattan.
The beach is beautiful, water is clean and not too cold.You just need to pay a parking spot witch is 10$/day. There are some restaurants at the beach but they are pretty much expensive, but you also have a barbecue grill at the few places at the beach so you can bring your own meat and make a barbecue.
Pretty nice beach. Ample parking. We went during the pandemic on a Saturday morning. They have 50% parking capacity during this time but only like 20 cars were there by 9am. 11am it was still pretty empty. Beach itself is clean and nice. Bathrooms are open during this time as well. We also went here earlier on July 4th 2019. Beach was nearly body to body but we still had a place to park in their giant parking lot. It normally costs money but is free during the pandemic times. I recommend arriving very early (8am ish) on regular non-pandemic weekend days.Update: its basically back to being VERY packed after 11am or so, just like it was previous summers.
The place is wild , be ready for outdoor activities, fun ,and lots of sun . plenty of water oposite side is the beach summer time woohoo !
Best beach around NYC. Always clean.Best time to go there would be the weekdays. Weekends are packed and the barbecue area wont have any seats unless you get there super super early.
My favorite place at any time of the year.You can always ride your bike in a great location throughout the area!!! Be sure to upload yourself a Lime is a great App for cycling, which can always be found in the area! Great beach in summer and a barbecue area very close to the beach) 💛
Very nice and historic beach that has ambiance of 1940s with authentic buildings and design. Great waves and skyline of NYC will add to your experience. This beach was sort of abounded for decades, but becoming more popular for the next couple of years especially among hipsters of Williamsburg and Manhattan as new water shuttle and bus lines are opened. The place has different food and beverage vendors as well as live performances. If you want to getaway from the city to the sandy beach and big waves without get stuck in traffic for hours (as with Hamptons) this is the place!
Quiet and not as busy as the other beaches in the city. Waves can be rough so I suggest caution.
Not too clean but still we love it. Here are our top takes -- accessible- bathroom- parking
FACING THE ATLANTIC,Riis Park’s back is to the towers of Manhattan and lower Brooklyn and let’s New Yorkers experience the city as an ocean place and to remember it is where it is because of the glorious harbor in front of them. There are waves and sea birds and the shells of clams, scallops and oysters scattered on the shore. Off season, few other people are there. The towers, at least for a bit, are small on the horizon and can be ignored. All the trip takes are subway, bus or ferry rides.
A great place for a walk or relaxing on the sand. No lifeguards so swimming not yet permitted. Rest rooms are available.
Clean, low-key and gay friendly beach. Definitely bring your own food as there’s only one burger/drink joint nearby. There’s a cafe a few minutes away but very slim menu and pricy.
Very nice and quiet park with the beach close by. It is almost never crowded which is why I love going there!
One of my favorite beaches. I’ve been going there for a few years now with my family. We always get the seasonal parking pass so worth it because I’m there almost everyday in the summer
Amazing beaches with plenty of space for playing beach sports and to set yourself in.It may be challenging to get there by public transport but it’s well worth it.If you can bike, you can go to Brighton beach and get a bike here. It’s always less crowded than Coney Island and Brighton.The beach has several areas that are LGBTQ friendly and also some nude areas. You need to learn where is what from your friends.
Best place to spend a summer day with friends or a winter day with the dog
Beautiful park, beautiful beach, great time.Parking lot is huge but sometimes in the high season is pretty full or there is a line to get in. Pretty clean. Everyone is there to enjoy nature, good crowd!
Sun. Surf and no crowds! One of my favorite spots to visit in the winter!
Busy on summer weekends but great during the week with food options, playgrounds amd parking nearby. Easy access via public transit (2 train to Flatbush and Q35 bus to Rockaway)
My favorite place in NYC during the summer. Catch the bus some snacks and a great book and relax for a couple hours. I feel my problems cant reach me here
If a you live in New York City this beach is easy to get to by train, bus or water taxie. The far end isn’t too crowded. A handful of top less women sunbathing. Fun day trip! Bring your own snacks and drink.
LGBQT+ Paradise. Fun people watching. Loud happy music. Has an Hamburguernjoint with drinks.
This is a beautiful beach, very clean, plenty parking ($10 dlls) if you are driving or $ 2.75 if you take the ferry. Lifeguards and security patrol on duty. You can walk around and enjoy ice cream, food and beer from local business. There is a small area for children with swings and slides. I really enjoyed my stay here♡♡♡
Its really nice with a view of the beach! The park has lots of rust on it but besides that it was great!
Amazing closest beach from the City. Good restroom, snacks and parking facilities available.
Great place to spend the day since it’s right on the beach. Only thing is there’s no food in walking distance
Wonderful experience! Not too crowded and the food at the grill was delicious!
HAD A GREAT TIME WITH FRIENDS.
Our number 1 beach to go. In recent years many more people than usual, yet it’s great place . Love fishing here at night!
We usually go there on the weekends in the early mornings and I must say it is a great experience. Price for entry summer of 2021 is $20 per vehicle which has increased since last year. If you go early it is not packed at all and you can get a good spot by the water. Beach is clean and depending on the day the water can be very enjoyable (not much waves etc.) The boardwalk has treats to eat but can be expensive so we usually bring our own food. We usually leave around noon since we have little ones we need to put down for nap time. Overall a good experience.
Long stretch of decent unprotected (free) beach close to city and away from common overpolicing elsewhere.It is totally overbuilt with parking lots, buildings, playgrounds, and concrete boardwalks, though, while very badly neglected. These human-made atrocities are in a state of disrepair.
This place remains my favorite 😍 very quiet, clean beach, peaceful, few people now. Problems with parking, parking is prohibited almost everywhere
Love this place, love the Rockaways. A lovely escape during summer with fine sunsets looking back toward the city. Show up late, or on a gray day, and you can have the place to yourself!
Its a very clean beach, my kids had a blast!
Loved it. Nice large parking lot. The beach is beautiful
This has to be one of the best beaches I’ve been to in New York City. Clean, quite, and a lot of space. It has a grilling area and other activity areas like basket ball, volleyball etc. The is also a food area that has a variety of options (even vegan) but unfortunately they were closed when I was there. I still don’t go in NYC’s beaches water but by far this one didn’t look so bad so I let the tide on my feet. I would definitely recommend this beach and plan on coming back.
Four stars when considering this is a city beach, but three stars compared to beaches in the burbs. Great amenities - food options, clean bathrooms - with MTA access. This beach gets CROWDED. And many patrons are under the impression that its OK to play music. Its not, but this doesnt stop them.Party atmosphere aside, the water is cleaner than youd expect.
I havent been there in a While but it was Blanket to Umbrella wall of people. Hardly any Beach left I was dissatisfied with the whole experience. Then the surf was so Rough that while I was resting I heard screams and the water came up to almost where I was laying just crazy.
This is where you go if youre from South Brooklyn and you want a real beach. By real I mean an ocean beach. With waves. This place has it all: waves, sand, snacks, and beer. I highly recommend making your way out here rather than going to Manhattan Beach or Coney Island Beach.
Good beach for relaxing and sunbathing 🌴🌊🐚☀ 👙. Usually not crowded. Closest beach for public transportation.
Love spending the day here w friends, wave diving is life
Beautiful and clean. Cant wait to go again soon!
As always clean, pet friendly, amazing food/drinks vendors! Excellent if youre driving, you will not have problem parking your car. Safe and everyone is welcome. Mi husband and our dog love this beach. Make sure to bring an umbrella and take your trash before you leave. :)
Cheap. $10 per car. Tons of parking. Easy to get to. Wide beach. Excellent selection of food and drinks. Can also take a ferry from NYC.
Had a good time with Journey Church and the ferry plus shuttle made a quick easy way to get there
For a beach in NYC, Im not kicking and screaming when someone says we have to go here. Its not best beach youll ever visit, but with standards in check, you can have a great time. Getting there may require multiple modes of transportation (if you dont drive... also, ask about parking from someone familiar with the area, if you do) and theres not a true boardwalk or many places to eat nearby. Also, it does look old.Yet! With the right people, a plan on how to get there, and bringing your own refreshments, the world is your oyster... Just like with anything in life..... Message...
Riis has always been a great beach until recently, 20 bucks for parking plus tolls depending on where youre coming from is not worth it. The water was extremely polluted with so much nastiness- even face masks. Very sad to see this. Sand wasnt too bad. And wasnt crowded on a Thursday on bay 7,8 & 9 at least. I do have malaise and still not feeling my normal self. Im assuming from the dirty water. There were no park rangers around to even tell about water. You can just go to rockaway beaches an have a more enjoyable time
Anyone who knows me knows I hate the beach ⛱HOWEVER.. dating a woman who loves the beach means I have to enjoy it too. I did enjoy my time here, the water is clean and feels great on those 90° NY days. The beach itself is well kept and has lots of room, I will say if you want time to find a spot get there as early as possible because this place gets crowed at 10:30am. Also bring some shoes or flip flops you dont mind getting sand in because the sand gets hot🔥. Like I said I hate the beach but on a quiet day I will make an exception for this one.
Beautiful and plenty of parking. Best beach in NYC
Excellent park with a very nice summer beach that is still within NYC. Parking is super close to the beach.
Spent a few hours in the parking lot with sun, fun and my dog.Freedom!!!
This is one of the few beaches where you can do multiple activities. Theres the beach, there are handball courts, basketball courts and a picnic area where you can BBQ. Also on the weekends, there is live music.The Riis beach bazaar has an electric flavor. You wont find your typical Coney Island fare here. How does lobster rolls sound?!There are restrooms that are kept clean. However, this beach do lack showers.As for getting there, the best way is to drive by car and pay the beach parking fare of $10. It does fill up to capacity rather soon so yet to get to the beach before 12 noon on hot days.What about the beach itself? The waves are rather overcoming which is fun if you can swim. The waves are also pretty strong; so be careful with children.
A family favorite. Plenty of parking. I believe the fee is $20 starting Memorial Day weekend but free up until that point. The beach is kept clean and waves are plentiful for kids and adults to enjoy. Playgrounds and grills located on the grass leading up to the beach which are often occupied for celebrations. Bathrooms are fairly clean for a beach environment. They have a sign posted not allowing kites or pets for 2021 from March up through September 15th. My family and I hope to visit often this summer. Check the parks website for a seasonal pass if you plan to visit often.
You can take MTA here, the bus runs pretty frequent. This way you avoid parking fees. The beach was very quiet even with a crowd. You can definitely catch a nice nap. Restrooms are far in between so make sure you station near one or experience the inconvenient commute to and from. I was near 169th beach street and nothing was close. Overall I would come back but nothing immediate. Definitely wear swim shoes, the sand is not smooth in and out the water. Waves were aggressive but you are still able to find some fun.
Great beach within the city limits. Difficult to get to by public transit, but its a really nice bike ride from either Manhattan or Brooklyn, just be ready for a long day of biking.
Is nice family orientated parking is $10. Handicap is $5-7 alot of Lady bugs by the water and baby crabs
A very nice beach to visit and conveniently located near the city.
Old but faithful beach naked after one of our great photographers and citizens, Jacob Riis. Great family beach with a snack bar, restrooms and huge parking. Seniors get half off with an access pass. Many beautiful protected birds and good shore fishing. Theres also a pitch and putt golf course.
I enjoy biking here, over the Marine parkway bridge. Great sunset.
Best beach area in all of NYC. The sand and water is the cleanest and the general vibe is fun and relaxing. Plenty of food vendors and other merchants. Parking is easy, too, thanks to the giant (paid) parking lot.
The beach was clean and you have a great view of the sunset
During the summer often arrive a little after 5pm to picnic with family and friends. Any earlier parking is $20/car. During the week lots of room to spread out. The pavilion has a decent selection of beers and snacks.
Clean beach, not too crowded, clean bathrooms. Parking is $20 cash only. Come early for best spots and easy parking and low traffic e (before 10:30am).
Great beach area maintained as much as possible. Nice and helpful Park and Lifeguard staff. Places to buy food and rent beach equipment (umbrellas, chairs etc.)Parking area rates currently $20 regular day rate (discount rates are lower), large vehicles higher rate and regular season pass $100.One of the downsides of parking is the inconvenience of parking near the stairs with underground tunnel access. The other parking areas offer safe access across crosswalks. The tunnel access parking has no ramp and is prone to flooding. Its a much longer walk for those looking to access the beach area near beach area Bay #2 Two Dudes eatery or Lido Beach Butlers. Wagons, strollers, totes, coolers and beach gear might be a long haul or struggle for many.It would be helpful and appreciated if NPS Gateway could implement more efficient access from parking lot to beach area Bay#2.Note: Adding Do Not Enter signs, blocking make-shift access and Park Police enforcement are not considered as accommodating beach parking visitors and their needs as there is a fee ($+) to park.
$20 to park is outrageous. but whats really outrageous is that the yearly pass is 100, but that you can only buy it during the week before 5pm. so 99% of the people who use this beach will not have an opportunity to buy the yearly pass. that is an outright scam. We should not tolerate such a crooked policy. this is new for this season as far as I know. ridiculous
BEWARE: I found a needle on the beach Saturday morning. Definitely recommend wearing shoes & watching where you step on the sand.Neighborhood beach. Not a lot of people Saturday morning. Easy to find parking.
This beach was great and not to many people were there. We were able to play some music and have a good time.
The breeze was astronomical. The view was amazing. They attendees were comfortably enjoying themselves.Locally located in an accessible location.For a publicly accessible place, its well taken care of.
Lovely beach, not crowded. Great low key boardwalk. Parking for days.
Great beach in nyc, we went on a weekday and it wasn’t too crowded, parking is $10 and there’s bathrooms and food options available.
This beach was so clean that everyone would like to swim. The staff shall properly ensure the cleanliness and orderliness of this establishment. They were provided with all safety precautions. It was a joy to meet you!
Its a great beach, with nice people, a little small but still nice. Bring food and drinks also water shoes. The beach has a lot of shells at and in the water for about two feet. Then its smooth.
A beautiful day at the beach. You can now rent from LIDO chairs and umbrellas and even lounge chairs. The parking went up to 20 dollars and season pass to 100 dollars. And all of the northern side of the parking is closed off
I spent a day at the park on Labor Day 2020. It is a large park managed by the National Park Services. It is modestly maintained and has the appearance of decline. The last time I visited this park was a few years ago.The parking was adequate, with a reasonable fee of $10. The beach was very crowded, with many people not observing social distancing. I also watched several people going inside the mens room, not wearing masks.The park has a large picnic area, but it is, in my opinion, a little far from the beach and does not have sufficient picnic tables or covered zones to protect from rain or harsh sun lights.There were no garbage containers on the beach. A few garbage receptacles were on the boardwalk, but most of them were overfilled.The beach water was filthy. It has lots of debris and seaweeds floating everywhere.There are some playgrounds but were not sure if they were open to the public at the time of my visit.Thee were several vendors on the beach selling Icee ice cream and others offering liquors. None of the vendors displayed a vendor license and there were no apparent enforcement effort to check them out.If you are looking for a better experience at the beach, I recommend Jones Beach or Coney Island.
My fav close to home Beach. The park rangers where very accommodating with garbage bags. Boardwalk and grass around picnic area needs some TLC and DEFINITELY needs more toll booths. Disappointed at them DOUBLING parking prices but love that its LGBTQ friendly.
This place can get crowded so best to visit early or late in the afternoon. Clean beach and cleaner water. There is a food court and public restrooms. Public transportation will drop you right off at the beach.
Went out there for a nice dip in the water on January 1.. a great place for family day
A train close; if you want to get away from the city and onto the beach. Riis Beach is the place to be.
Go to beach has it all. Rowdy gay party scene on the east side and super chill natural setting on the west near Fort Tilden. Food vendors, bars, bathrooms, ample parking.
Love this beach! There’s the family-friendly section closer to the concession spots and restrooms and then the more queer section further out by the abandoned wear house. Parking is $10, which isn’t too bad.Given that we went while there’s a pandemic, everyone was very responsible and wearing masks on the boardwalk and socially distanced outside of their pods on the beach. Trash receptacles were still overloaded by the end of the day, but generally a good experience.
Great place. Great for birders. Great for LGBTQ folx over to the left. Great for families in the center. Great for chill non-families to the right. Food available but nice wildlife AND bathrooms in the same location. The people who work here are very kind too. Good vibes.
Visited it more to recall childhood memories. Area has taken a beating from Sandy... will need to see it in the summer
No swimming for now but nice to be on the beach again!
A beach is a landform alongside a body of water which consists of loose particles. The particles composing a beach are typically made from rock, such as sand, gravel, shingle, pebbles, etc., or biological sources, such as mollusc shells or coralline algae. Sediments settle in different densities and structures, depending on the local wave action and weather, creating different textures, colors and gradients or layers of material.
Good beach destination, the parking fee is 10$, there are some small eateries there and some play grounds for kids
Nice beach with lots of space and a massive parking lot. Weekdays are always great. And weekends you have to plan to be very early unless you don’t mind the massive crowds.
Nice beach. Go early to find a nice place
I had an amazing 👏 time we will definitely be back .
Decent Beach. Easy, fun and convenient to get to. The 2/5 train to Bklyn College takes you to this Brooklyn nabe where you walk across the street and catch the Q35 bus in front of Target (after you grab some cheap snacks).A short 25 min. express ride takes you directly to the beach. It only stops once along the way and the ride is so scenic!Kids playground and basketball courts greet you at the entrance. Good alternative to the congested Coney Island.
They charge 20 bucks by the entrance of the parking lot, and its only cash, the year is 2021. Not sure how much covid spread around during that transactions. We pay a lot of tax in NYC and still cannot park in a parking lot nearby the beach and the line for parking under the sun is so long and so cruel. Wish everything was free in this world like the year 8674 BC.
What a beautiful place to visit.I enjoyed it very much.Parking on weekdays is $20.Plenty of parking available.The beach is clean and beautiful.I will be back soon.
I went during the noon on a weekday. It was a relaxing beach trip.
Winter beach walk is the most effective and healthy coping mechanism I have found. The immense power and eroticism of the sea and the fresh air are enough to briefly distract me from the crippling question why am I like this. Each time I visit it is different. The waves and wind and light and sand birds have unlimited combinations and all of them are better than my apartment.
Commute is not easy but the beach is nice. The food by the boardwalk is slightly overpriced so pack something
Its a huge beach and jammed in the summer. Good getaway.
Beach was clean. Has great amenities like a frozen bar, food, gift shop, and beer station.
Really nice park with good parking and delicious food options. Everything was affordable. My favorite public beach near NYC.
This place gets packed fairly quickly. Go early if you can and leave early as well.
Beautiful place, the beach is perfect. I love it ❤️
Its amazing that you can ride a bike to the beach in NYC.
Nice day at the beach. Relaxed clean atmosphere.
A beautiful beach on even cloudy days. Small boardwalk with amenities and a bike repair station by the west end.
Love this beach! Its my preferred location for a near to home beach day.
Great place for all ages. The water is not that far from the parking lot and the restrooms.
I truly enjoyed this beach. If you need handicap parking there is a lot right next to the beach. The police is very vigilant so be on notice.
What a treasure! Excellent park with bathrooms and food/beverage options like burgers beer and mixed drinks. Beach is clean and huge! Can’t wait to go back.
One of our regular go to beaches in the Rockaways that has easy parking, but as of Summer of 2021 that easy parking is going up from $10 to $20 for the day.
Beautiful getaway
A great beach and not too far out of the city.
My mother brought me to this beach alot as a child...(40 years ago). The beach would be better if ppl placed there trash in the bins as well as took there garbage with them instead of leaving it on the beach.
Beautiful, quiet not yet beach weather took some pics of my car and enjoyed the scenery
Beautiful beach with lots to do, from surfing and jet skiing, to sunbathing and swimming its got everything you need for a fun day at the beach. Its also better maintained and less crowded than the other beaches at Rockaway. If you dont like the water they also have basketball and volleyball courts. Overall it makes sure a fun trip
Nice beach, great atmosphere, beautiful.
Always love me some Riis Beach in the summer and FYI the gay area is all the way to the left I front of the abandoned buildings.
I love this NYC beach. I have gone for sunrise, sunset and all times in-between.
Went to fly a drone, cops told us we couldnt. This was during winter. Empty parking lot. We went here trying to be safe and we were told we couldnt. So I guess they want us to fly above streets, people, cars, etc.
It now costs $20.00 to park in the parking lot and yet they have spent nothing on improvements, like adding concessions.I dont know why people have to sit so close that they share my shade and then play music. The only music needed is the sound of the waves breaking on the beach.
Great ride from Forest Hills and all of the Rockaway Boardwalk!
Set up a 40 by 100 tent for a movie shoot. Great view of queens Boro ferry and Manhattans skyline from park.
Its a no frills kinda beach but I like it here a lot....its nice if you have a family because they have a really nice playground for the kids.
By far one of the best beaches in NYC
This lovely beach gets a lot of sun worshipers. The weather was beautiful and the water was very inviting. The wind did pick up around 11 and many were chasing their umbrellas. Parking is 10.00 for the day and I later learned I could have purchased a season pass. Bathrooms are busy but clean. Food stands for the hungry and thirsty. They have a large and very active playground for the kids when they need a break from the sand and water. We had a great day except for the family that decided to block our view of the ocean with their big tent.... others were kinder and moved their tents further down on the beach.
Better then Rockaway. less crowded. Also there is some food options and baths :)
I honestly dont want to add more reviews so people can stay away from my happy place. But hey, theres plenty of sea and sand for everyone at this place, and the vibe is just da best.
One of the best beaches in all NYC. Easy transportation. Great upkeep.
Nice public beach, though it needs more water fountains (and ones that actually work) -- so make sure and bring your own. Otherwise youll be paying 3$ for a small bottle. Some decent food options and a bar here too. Traffic gets extremely bad after 10am or so getting in.
Best beach in NYC, hands down. Endless sandy beaches, good food served on the boardwalk starting before memorial weekend and runs past Labor Day. Heck, you can even get oysters and cocktails if in the mood! Family friendly beach, advise arriving early to avoid lines to get into the parking lot. There’s a $10 cover for parking, or it’s $70 for the whole season. Waves can be a bit too strong for very small children so heavy supervision a must.
Nice clean beach, most of the restaurants were closed though because of flies.
Great place Jacob Rilis Park
Very nice place and clean!!
Wide open space...green and blue....trees....sun and sand....lovely
Good place for swimming, parking costs $10.
Great clean beach. Wonderful views of the dolphins/whales when they visit. Recently banned smoking on the beach, finally.
Very nice.. no need to ride out to Jones beach.. this was just as ice, maybe better. Less congested and great for families.
Generally much less crowded than near the boardwalk. There are bathrooms there, and playgrounds for kids. Theres parking if you drive, and a free shuttle from the ferry downtown. I love this beach!
Cloudy days are the best days to go!
Jacob Riis Park was very relaxing. I did not go into the water I sat on a bench and enjoyed the breeze that was coming. The beach was very clean, not that crowded.
It’s a good beach, if not a little crowded. Not very family friendly, as you can smell marijuana being smoked in several spots down the beach. Also there are enough topless women that you’ll think you’re in Europe. If you like the party vibe, this is a great beach to go to. If you’re looking for something quieter and less crowded, walk down the beach maybe 15 minutes from the parking lot towards Fort Tilden beach, where it’s more peaceful with significantly less people around.
5 stars for the beach3 stars for the crowdsThe worst type of club kid/Bed Stuy gentrifier/digital media employees have found this spot. It is incredibly crowded on weekends.
Beautiful beach and good for bicycle rides)))
Used come here as a smal child in the 70s through teenage in the 80s. Not what I remembered 😕 was super dirty. Not happy I paid roundtrip tolls to come here. Hopefully this space will return to what it used to be or better.
Lots of parking (beware they actively ticket if you park in a non-parking area!!), and fairly simple to reach via public transport. The picnic area and beach have lot of sand flies, so bring spray or citronella. Strange social dynamic: picnic area tends to be people if color, beach & boardwalk tends to be the opposite. Got quite a few looks while on the boardwalk (🤷♀️🤷🏻♀️🤷🏼♀️🤷🏽♀️🤷🏾♀️🤷🏿♀️). Otherwise, well kept park, with clean bathrooms and cool vendors. I would definitely visit again.
Great spot in the summer. My wife and I always go to the LGBTQ section as everyone one there is very friendly.
Lots of broken glass in the sand, but otherwise, pretty nice! The area to the left has a lot of gay guys and topless women, and towards the center of the beach there were a lot of people playing beach volleyball. There were also some nice places selling food and coffee.
$20 fee to enter the beach area, at lease they should create a more actively clean playground area for the children.
Fishing has been lousy here...and if your bladder needs attention the east area pavilion bathrooms are closed and the porta potties have been removed.
Great Place to relax and kick back. Peaceful and quiet.
Such a chill beach. And in the evening some of the endangered birds come out. So much nicer than the Rockaway beaches that I grew up going to.
Great beach, only 30 min from south Brooklyn, parking available, you have to pay per car but super worth it!
One of the best nyc beaches, pretty much clean sand and water. But 20$ for post apocalyptic parking it’s too much.
They have put a lot of work into updating this park and it shows. There’s a modern skate park filled with kids learning the ropes, multiple seaside eateries (the arepas folks!) & a lot of great places to sit!Come on a more cloudy day and it’s not quite as crowded (especially into early September). The area is significantly cheaper than the rest of NYC so definitely stock up on groceries here rather than elsewhere in the city.We also met a cool local musician who preferred not to be named (of MF Doom fame). He hangs around a good bit so you might get lucky too!
Great place to go to the beach
The water was clean and the waves were not to harsh.
Very beautiful beach and park. Although lots of people were not social distancing and some bike riders didnt wear a mask or other coverings. I did see some vehicles from the Parks Police mostly to monitor the parking areas.
The beach is way too crowded on Sunday. I will never go there again, I am talking about walking 20 minutes just to find a decent spot for a towel.There is a huge parking lot, that charge 10$ (Not bad at all), and police in cars and on horses patrolling the beach. It is a nice beach, nothing special, and if i would know, i would have drive 15 more minutes to a quieter beach...
Total reviews rating 4.5
199 Reviews for Jacob Riis Park 2023:
Review №1
2022-06-26Should have a season pass holder line to the parking lot for expedited access.Complete center section of the beach is closed. No food or drink options on east end of the beach. Half of the parking lot on east end is closedOur beach is not what it was . Have been coming for over 30 years. What happened to our beach. For years this was a 4.5+ beach.
Review №2
2022-05-21I know this beach is LGBT friendly and I have nothing against it, but topless women walking around children is overkill. Its de not a nudist beach though. With children, I recommend visiting in the morning, in the late afternoon there are too many loud drunken companies.
Review №3
2021-11-11It was a nice visit. A older guy and I got into a long conversation about all of Rockaway over the time. It happened when he heard the Drone and happen to see it for a sec along the Grass along the walk. He was like what kind of bird is that?! After a long LoL! We spoke of everything from the 60s to Sandy to current issues.
Review №4
2021-07-20Love the beach and crowd...very clean and friendly for family gathering. There is a $20.00 parking fee but it is a small token to experience an amazing beach.
Review №5
2021-08-28Love this beach! I have been hanging out here every Summer weekend for the past 5 years. Mornings are quiet and relaxing, and you beat the crowd. Bathrooms are decent. The fries at Two Dudes are really good.The food at the Bazaar isn’t that exciting so we just pack our own food and enjoy the day.
Review №6
2022-06-06Favorite beach for the cool New Yorkers. If you are part of the LGBT community, this is the beach for you. Soft sand, clean water and sand, bathrooms and parking facilities. The concrete boardwalk needs to be repair. This park/beach was in better shape 30 years ago. The parking has been increased to $20, which it is a bit too high for beach goers. You must bring your own food/drinks, since there is nothing around.
Review №7
2021-12-14Its now not beach season but a nice place to walk around and see the Alantic Ocean and a nice place to take pictures and walk around
Review №8
2021-06-08We went after 5pm. You no longer have to pay for parking after 5. It’s $20 to park for the day. The beach was still pretty crowded, but by 6:00, it started to thin out and there was more room. The beach is well kept up even for as busy as it is. There were several lifeguards at each stand and they were vigilant.
Review №9
2021-08-02Nice beach. Rough waters. Bring swim shoes because its all shells and rocks on shore/in the water and it hurts to walk.Best to come on a Monday or Tuesday when its practically empty before 12pm
Review №10
2022-04-26Pitch and putt, course is not in great shape but still fun.