Beaches

@JenMac I usually head out to the beaches of Long Island specifically those near the town of Babylon. I have friends who live there and have access to beaches like Cedar Beach, Gilgo Beach, and Overlook Beach. I think you do need to have a residence permit to access these beaches but dont need one to access other beaches of the area like Jones Beach and Robert Moses State Park. Maybe these beaches are not hipster havens like the Hamptons but they are quite lovely during the summer.

The Hamptons are lovely, except for the people. Jersey totally didn't impress me, so wouldn't recommend it. This one's tough for me because I have Florida beaches to compare and nothing in this are seems good enough after that.

Fire Island is nice - I go there for a few holidays each year! It's quiet, calm, and the food is delicious - lots of fantastic seafood!

Thinks for the recommendations! I will definitely have to check em out. I think I've heard about Fire Island before. Summer seriously needs to hurry up.

I prefer Long Beach or Robert Moses. Robert Moses does not have a boardwalk. But they do have a large picnic area and clean beaches. There is usually a lifeguard on duty as well. I prefer Long Beach because of the boardwalk.

Brighton Beach is interesting, but I wouldn't call it beautiful necessarily.

There are so many beaches around. It is hard to choose. Finding the right beach is according to taste. It's what the person likes and dislikes about the place that usually determines where to go.

@Uraniumfish Why are the Hamptons better than the Jersey shore, in your opinion? Have never been to either - not being the beachiest person - but I'm just curious.

The Hamptons are a little bit nicer beaches, whereas the Jersey shore is a bit trashier. I think in both places the areas can vary, and I can't say I've seen either beach so extensively that I know both inside and out. Just a general impression.

I'm not a huge fan of either (Jersey Shore a bit trashy, whereas the Hamptons are pretentious and fussy). Martha's Vineyard is another great locale, though - one I highly recommend

How far is Martha's Vineyard from here? Always wanted to go?

Is it bad that I've never actually been to a New York beach? For some reason they don't strike me as prime beach material. That said, I'm not opposed to checking any of them out, and that includes the Jersey shore.

@JenMac Here's a link which gives you a ton of information for getting to Martha's Vineyard from NYC. http://www.mvol.com/articles/83/#newyork

Thanks so much Uptowngirl! I'm definitely putting it on my to do list for this summer. If it ever comes . . . .

@NeverSleeps If you are looking for azure seas and white sand beaches then NY beaches dont qualify but some of the beaches on Long Island are quite nice and make for a fun outing on a scorching NYC summers day.

@uptowngirl It's okay, I'm due for a Caribbean vacation anyway. I know people love their summers here, but I actually prefer the in-between seasons of spring and fall. Thinking back on every season besides winter, they all seem terrible short in comparison. It is just me? I've never been to a north eastern beach whatsoever, but I imagine they would be nice just to stroll down around. Maybe take in a lobster dinner by the sea? Yeah, I definitely wouldn't expect clear blue seas or even white sand - more like stormy seas and some huge boulders.

@Neversleeps you can definitely do that and a fresh lobster meal is easy to find in the beach towns of Long Island.

@NeverSleeps: You talk about a vacation. I'm due for one myself. I haven't had a vacation in three years. So I think I take one soon. I'm not going to any beaches here in NYC. I am thinking of either Florida, Hawaii, or California.

@uptowngirl Really?! For some reason I pictured having to go to Maine. Long Island never struck me as the type of place to get incredibly fresh lobster. Ahhhh I really want to go now.

@NeverSleeps I think I mentioned this place in another post - one such place in Long Island is Southside Fish and Clams on Montauk Highway in Lindenhurst-http://www.southsidefishandclam.com/ordereze/default.htm..now I am salivating just thinking of the New Year's Day Lobster lunch that I had there.

Seafood: Is that all people think about when at the beach. :) ha ha. I think of a nice juicy cheese turkey burger. Ah, I'll be you thought I would say hamburger.

@hhusted les fruits de la mer i.e. seafood so how can you not help but think of them ?

@uptowngirl Thanks! $24.95 seems really inexpensive for a twin lobster meal, too! I'm assuming because they just haul it off the docks?

@Neversleeps My lobster was extremely fresh and the place is immensely popular so don't think they would serve something dodgy/frozen..