This winning beach features 32 miles of white quartz sand
Summer in New York means relaxing on the shore. Beaches from the Hamptons to Long Island offer opportunity for surfing, sea kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding or simply lazing in the sun. And beach seekers needn't stray far from the Big Apple to find the perfect stretch of sand.
Fire Island National Seashore Patchogue
Visitors to Fire Island National Seashore have 32 miles of white quartz sand beaches to choose from. When not sunbathing or swimming, park goers will find numerous nature trails for hiking and wildlife viewing as well. Photo courtesy of Mike Busch
Jones Beach State Park Wantagh
Jones Beach State Park is home to 6.5 miles of white sand Atlantic beach on the south shore of Long Island. This popular destination attracts some 6 million visitors each year–beach goers who come to stroll the boardwalk, play a round of mini golf, swim in the ocean or grab a snack at one of several concession stands. Photo courtesy of AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek, File
Robert Moses State Park Babylon
The 5 miles of sandy shoreline within Robert Moses State Park attract some 3.8 million visitors annually. Situated at the westernmost point of Fire Island, the lifeguarded beach is popular for swimming, boogie boarding, surfing and surf fishing, and amenities include picnic tables with grills, beach shops, concession stands and showers. Photo courtesy of AP Photo/David Goldman
Tiana Beach Hampton Bays
Typically less crowded than nearby Ponquogue, Tiana Beach offers both bayside and oceanside barrier beaches, complete with amenities like lifeguards, showers, concession stands, picnic tables and beach volleyball courts. Photo courtesy of iStock / optop
Coney Island Beach & Boardwalk New York
Historic Coney Island’s three miles of deep Atlantic beach boast amusements near the water’s edge and away from it, as well, in the form of basketball, handball and volleyball (in fact the AVP pro-volleyball tournament is an annual summer event). Looking for something more thrilling? Try its Boardwalk amusements and immerse yourself in Brooklyn history. Photo courtesy of JULIENNE SCHAER/NYC & Company
Cupsogue Beach Westhampton Beach
Occupying 296 acres of barrier island, Cupsogue Beach County Park features lifeguarded Atlantic swimming, as well as salt water bass fishing. Beach amenities include showers, restrooms, changing rooms and a snack bar. Photo courtesy of Russ / Flickr
Million Dollar Beach (Lake George Beach) Lake George
The 51-acre Lake George Beach, better known as Million Dollar Beach, sits on the southernmost shore of this popular Upstate New York lake. The free public beach offers a bathhouse, lifeguards, concession stands and a boat launch adjacent to the sand. Photo courtesy of iStock / Zhiwu
Coopers Beach Southampton
No stranger to the list of top Hamptons beaches, Coopers Beach on the south shore of Long Island offers a wide swath of grainy white sand backed by sand dunes and stately mansions. A snack bar keeps hungry beach goers happy. Photo courtesy of iStock / TraceRouda
Hither Hills State Park Montauk
A highlight of Hither Hills State Park is the 189-site campground right on the beach. Popular for picnicking, sunbathing and swimming, the sandy ocean beach also attracts anglers to its year round fishing. Photo courtesy of john / Flickr
Green Lakes State Park Fayetteville
A pair of glacial lakes inside Green Lakes State Park set the scene for one of New York's best freshwater beach experiences. Next to the beach, guests can rent rowboats and paddle boats during the summer months. Photo courtesy of ZeWrestler / Wikimedia Commons
The top 10 winners in the category Best New York Beach are as follows:
Million Dollar Beach (Lake George Beach) - Lake George
Coopers Beach - Southampton
Hither Hills State Park - Montauk
Green Lakes State Park - Fayetteville
10Best editors and local experts partnered with Dr. Stephen Leatherman (a.k.a. "Dr. Beach") to pick the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote. Congratulations to these 10 winning beaches!
Dr. Stephen Leatherman (a.k.a. "Dr. Beach") is a Professor at Florida International University who uses 50 criteria to select the best US beaches on an annual basis since 1991. He has published 20 books and hundreds of scientific articles about waves and beaches, as well as appeared hundreds of times on TV shows.
Dr. Stephen Leatherman
Dr. Stephen Leatherman (a.k.a. "Dr. Beach") is a Professor at Florida International University who uses 50 criteria to select the best US beaches on an annual basis since 1991. He has published 20 books and hundreds of scientific articles about waves and beaches, as well as appeared hundreds of times on TV shows.
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10Best Local Experts provide users with original, unbiased, and experiential travel content of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world. No business pays to be listed. Our Local Experts are well-traveled and well-educated group who are not only experts in their fields - and their cities - but discriminating in their tastes. These local experts live in the city they write about, with constantly updated content.
10Best Local Experts
10Best Local Experts provide users with original, unbiased, and experiential travel content of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world. No business pays to be listed. Our Local Experts are well-traveled and well-educated group who are not only experts in their fields - and their cities - but discriminating in their tastes. These local experts live in the city they write about, with constantly updated content.
10Best.com provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
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10Best.com provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
