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We went to New York for a wedding in May. It was beautiful. The bride, the weather, the beach, the food, and just about everything! We saw boats taking shipments all over and went over some nice bridges with some great architectural features.
In the mornings, we enjoyed walking on the boardwalk and listening to the waves crash on the beach. We picked up shells and sticks that had drifted ashore. There was trash that washed up on this beautiful beach and I used it a learning opportunity for the boys. I taught them about littering and in doing so Jack now says he is going to catch those litterbugs so they can pick up their trash.
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The History of Long Beach, New York:
Long Beach is one of the older, more established communities on Long Island. Founded in 1880 when the first Long Beach Hotel was built, it continued to grow at a steady pace and is currently still undergoing renovations since Superstorm Sandy.
The major attraction in its development was the fact that Long Beach is an oceanfront island along with Long Island’s south shore which has a moderating effect on its climate. Long Beach averages 10 degrees warmer in the winter and 10 degrees cooler in the summer than inland communities on Long Island and New York City. With the ocean on one side and the bay on the other, Long Beach is developed as a seaside community.
By the beach on the oceanfront, there is a 2 ¼ mile-long boardwalk, where both in winter and summer, one can find strollers, joggers and bicycle riders. A section of the boardwalk is set aside as a bicycle lane and the recent interest in physical fitness has resulted in increased use of the lighted boardwalk both during the day and at night. The adjacent beach is a 3.5 mile stretch of pure white sand open to the public year-round with daily and seasonal rates during the summer.
The bayside of the community is lined with homes and private docks. Waterfront homes can also be found in an area called the Canals. Man-made extensions were created when canals were dug connecting areas of Long Beach to the bay. In fact, no home is more than a few hundred yards from the water as Long Beach is only ½ mile wide at its widest point.
Much of Long Beach is going through revitalization and redevelopment since Superstorm Sandy.
Places to go visit:
- The Beach– it is absolutely amazing and after all the hurricanes that destroyed it, they are slowly but surely making it beautiful again.
- Walk to the boardwalk that is
- Play in the water or sand.
- Pick up shells- We love finding unique shells and driftwood. Shells are great for fish tanks, art projects, decor and so much more. Driftwood you can do so much with.
- Go surfing or if needed, they do have lessons available.
- The Lighthouses – You may ask what lighthouses? There are 5! That is absolutely amazing. Can you tell me another place that has 5 lighthouses that sound it?
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Fire Island Lighthouse in Captree Island, NY
- Eatons Neck Light in Northport, NY
- Montauk Lighthouse Museum in Montauk, NY
- Orient Point Lighthouse in Orient, NY
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The Coney Island Lighthouse in Brooklyn, NY
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- A Bagel Shop- There is at least 5 to 10 on Park Ave (the main road going in and out). You won’t be disappointed with fresh bagels or bread from New York.
Want to see more ideas for things to do in Long Beach, NY?
The City of Long Beach has tons of recommendations for places to stay or amazing places to get a bite to eat.
Where to stay?
There is not much in the way of hotels in Long Beach, NY. You can rent a house or a condo a lot easier. We found that there are only 2 so we decided to stay at the Allgeria Hotel and it was very nice. It is right on the boardwalk, has a rooftop pool, restaurant and bar inside. This made it easy for us to choose because once we parked we could pretty much never leave since the beach is right there. It was very relaxing and the boys absolutely loved playing in the sand.
Do you have other recommendations for Long Beach, New York? I would love to hear them, but honestly, I could just spend the day at the boardwalk all day with the boys. That would be the life, wouldn’t it?
Sincerely,
Main Mom says
I would love to make a trip there and see the lighthouses!
Claire says
I’d never have thought of visiting the beach in New York, but it’s top of my bucket list and I might have to pay a visit.
Plus I really love lighthouses x
Britt says
The lighthouses sound incredible. That was one of my favourite sights when I went to the East Coast of Canada, so I would definitely want to check them out here as well!