Long Beach (New York)

Long Beach is a city in Nassau County, on an island across from Long Island, New York.

Understand

Long Beach is an urban community set on a barrier island in the Atlantic Ocean (not surprisingly, called Long Beach Barrier Island), across from Long Island. It can be visited as a day trip from New York City, which is about 50 minutes away via the Long Island Rail Road; for those who prefer to stay longer, there are hotels and housing developments near the beach. There are plenty of restaurants and bars in town, but for visitors, it's mostly really about the long sand beaches.

This small city was founded in the 1880s and started out as a vacation community where visitors crowded for some sea and surf. Through the 1940s, Long Beach was a glamorous resort town that attracted celebrities and other wealthy visitors, but a decline that began with the advent of affordable air travel led to the city developing a reputation for crime and decay by the 1970s, and gang culture took the most indigent areas around the 80s. In the 21st century, however, Long Beach is once again a desirable destination. Long Island residents returned first, followed by Manhattanites looking for a quick, easy and affordable beach getaway, and now, for the first time in decades, hotels have begun to operate within the city limits. There are still notable places of poverty and crime in Long Beach, but they are easily avoidable.

In 2012 the area was devastated by Hurricane Sandy, with many homes and businesses flooded and the city's beloved boardwalk destroyed. Long Beach proved to have both the will and the resources to rebuild, and the city emerged even better than before the storm. In October 2013, just a year after Sandy, workers laid the last plank on the reconstructed boardwalk. Today homes are being repaired and rebuilt and shops, restaurants and bars continue to reopen; many new businesses, often catering to a younger, more-cosmopolitan clientele, are replacing those that unfortunately could not return.

Get in

By plane

By train

MTA operates frequent LIRR trains from Penn station in Manhattan via Atlantcíc Terminal in Brooklyn. The beach is a short walk from the station.

By car
  • Take the Long Island Expressway from the Meadowbrook Parkway South to Exit M-10 (Lido-Long Beach Loop Parkway), OR take the Belt Parkway East to Nassau Expressway towards Long Beach.

By bus
  • There is a local bus service and a county MSBA line (Schedules here .)

Get around

On foot

Long Beach is a supplementary walking city around Park Avenue and Beech Street; there are tons of restaurants and shops within walking distance of the beach and boardwalk. Walking, however is not suggested in the North Park area of Long Beach due to it being a crime spot.

By car

You can drive through Long Beach and there are various parking lots and parking meters located throughout town. Note: parking tends to be packed during the weekends and especially during the summertime so go early for a prime spot.

By bicycle

A great way to get around town. There are tons of bike shops where you can rent bikes hourly or for the day.

  • Local Cycles, 307 W Park Ave, Long Beach, ☏ +1 516-390-7085
  • Long Beach Bicycle, 755 East Park Ave, ☏ +1 516-432-9632
  • Social Bikes Long Beach, sobilongbeach.com

By bus

Nassau Inter-county Express's Route 33 (☏ +1 516-336-6600) runs between Far Rockaway and Long Beach LIRR stations via Beech Street and West Park Avenue.

See
  • 🌍 Long Beach Historical & Preservation Society Museum, 226 West Penn Street (between Laurelton and Magnolia Blvds.). This museum was founded in 1980 to "educate the public about Long Beach and to preserve and enhance the city's architectural and historical heritage." The museum has thousands of pictures, documents, and memorabilia which can be viewed by the public. 
  • 🌍 Holocaust Memorial at Kennedy Plaza. Financed and designed by Holocaust survivor Dr. Stanley R. Robbin, M.D. in April of 1982, this giant granite memorial was erected in honor of those lost during the Holocaust. This impressive granite structure is something to see. 
  • 9/11 Memorial, 1300 Lido Blvd (Town Park Point Lookout). To remember 9/11, a major day in American history, a monument has been erected in Lido Beach. 

Do
  • The Beach. Long Beach and the surrounding communities on Long Beach Island are well known for their, well, beaches.
    • Beach Park at Long Beach. 3.5 miles of soft sand, this beach plays host to sunbathers, boogie-boarders, surfers, boaters, and swimmers. During the summer, daily or season admission is sold per person. (updated Jun 2021)
    • Town of Hempstead beaches. To the east, Lido Beach and Point Lookout have several town beaches. These are quite pricey for non-residents. (updated Jun 2021)
    • Nickerson Beach. This is a Nassau County beach in between the Hempstead ones. For 2021, it is only open to county residents. (updated Jun 2021)
    • Atlantic Beach. The Village of Atlantic Beach's beach is only open to village residents. The beach in East Atlantic Beach is administered by the Town of Hempstead, but is only open to East Atlantic Beach residents. (updated Jun 2021)
  • The Boardwalk. This boardwalk stretches over 2 miles long and is a great place to ride your bike, roller-skate, run or walk and take in the breathtaking views of 3.5 miles of beautiful silky sand. 
  • Park Avenue. Walk down the main street of Long Beach and see tons of trendy shops and boutiques as well as awesome restaurants. 
  • 🌍 The West End. Running from Nevada Avenue at the city's western border to New York Avenue, a stretch where the island is only three blocks wide, the West End is Long Beach's younger, funkier, more-intimate side. You'll find a fun assortment of independent shops, restaurants and bars along walkable, two-lane West Beech Street. 
  • 🌍 Long Beach Cinema 4, 179 E. Park Ave, ☏ +1 516 431-2400. This four-screen theater closed due to damage from Hurricane Sandy and remained shuttered for years, leading to concerns that it would never reopen. After a full restoration, though, it finally opened its doors in the spring of 2015. 
  • 🌍 Long Beach Sharks, 150 W Bay Dr, ☏ +1 516 721-4076, . See website for current season schedule. Enjoy an ice-hockey game at the Long Beach Ice Arena. The Sharks play in the North American Tier III hockey league. (updated Aug 2023)
  • Arts & Crafts Fair. Two weekends, one in July and one in August. Every summer there is an annual arts and crafts fair on the boardwalk and over 200 vendors participate and sell everything from food to hand-made jewelry. 
  • Restaurant Week. Oct 8th-24th. This is definitely something you should check out if you are ever in Long Beach during October 8th-24th. There are fixed price menus of $19.99 or below offered at a ton of great restaurants in the city. Definitely check this out if you are in the area during October because some of these restaurants have a long waiting list. $19.99 or below. 

Buy
  • 🌍 Long Beach Surf, 70 W Park Ave, ☏ +1 516 431-5431. This store carries a ton of surf gear and equipment. They also have a sale rack that they constantly add to so be on the lookout for some great deals. 
  • 🌍 Unsound Pro, 359 E. Park Ave, ☏ +1 516 889-1112. A surf/snow shop that prides itself on selling top name surfboards and wetsuits as well as snowboards and hot/cold climate clothes and accessories. Whether you are looking for a new snowboard or new surfboard, check out Unsound Pro. 
  • Ohh La La, 167 E Park Ave # A, ☏ +1 516 431-4070. a fun and girly clothing boutique that describes it's clientele as "vintage and modern, casual and dressy, sexy and feminine, edgy and classic." With tons of designer and brand names and an enthusiastic staff, this store is worth checking out. 
  • Rose & Eye, 893 W Beech St # A, ☏ +1 516 897-7900. The woman's clothing boutique located in the West End has tons of dresses, shoes, and accessories. If you think ahead and join the mailing list, you can get 20% off your purchase. 

Eat

There are many great restaurants in Long Beach. Since it is a laid-back beach community there are tons of bars and grilles that offer everything from delicious home-caught seafood to typical American cuisine like burgers and steaks. What ever you crave, a restaurant in LB will play into your taste buds.

  • 🌍 Sutton Place, 124 W. Park Ave, ☏ +1 516-431-3133. This restaurant is known as the "great American bar and grille." The food is awesome, there are plenty of burgers and salads, foods to appease any appetite. It is also a very casual and relaxed environment, there are tables located inside as well as outdoors so diners can pick what kind of eating atmosphere they desire. 
  • 🌍 Grill Fire, 40 East Park Avenue, ☏ +1 516-432-2690. "an upscale seafood grill by the beach," this restaurant lives up to it's claim. The food is fresh, the service is friendly and the ambiance is relaxing. If you are looking for a luxurious night out in Long Beach, throw on some classy duds and go to Grill Fire. 
  • Lido Kosher Deli, 641 1/2 E. Park Ave, ☏ +1 516-431-4411, . Like many nearby communities on Long Island's South Shore, Long Beach has a large Jewish population, and this is its culinary temple. Owner Wally Goetz has been serving up jaw-straining deli sandwiches from this location near the city's eastern boundary for nearly 30 years; there's also a full menu of heimische classics such as goulash and stuffed cabbage. Just don't ask for Swiss cheese on your corned beef--this is a strictly kosher affair. 
  • Long Beach Inn, 943 West Beech St., ☏ +1 516-432-9220 ext 10. One of the best restaurants in Long Beach. Set up as a bar/grille type establishment, it is also Long Island's premier live music venue. Eat, drink and take in a set or two. 
  • Carnival Ice Cream Parlor. Open seasonally and located on the boardwalk, Carnival has the best flavors of ice cream that are a delicious treat after hot hours spent on the beach. They have tons of original flavors and fair prices. 
  • Gino's Restaurant & Pizzeria, 16 W Park Ave, ☏ +1 516-432-8193. If you are looking for great Italian food at a place that has been around forever Gino's is the place for you. Note: for every entree ordered you get complimentary salad and pasta, so bring your appetite. 
  • The Shoregasboard, Riverside Blvd and Boardwalk, ☏ +1 516-431-7846. Weekdays: 11:30AM to 9PM Weekends: 9AM to 9PM. The food-truck craze has hit Long Beach hard with this four-wheeled food court at the foot of the boardwalk. Eight vendors operate trucks surrounding a bank of tables, with cuisines ranging from seafood and smoothies to barbecue and Jewish deli. The Shoregasboard runs on the same schedule as the beach season, from late May to early September. 

Drink
  • 🌍 The Beach House, 906 West Beech St, ☏ +1 516 208-8733. If you are looking for a casual bar for a laid back night, definitely stop by this bar. The bar is fully stocked, food is served, and there is indoor and outside seating. 
  • 🌍 Jetty Bar and Grill, 832 W Beech St, ☏ +1 516 442-1338. 
  • Shines, 55 California St, ☏ +1 516 432-9248. With dark mood lighting and tons of locals, Shines is a fun place to come if you want to meet some neighborhood "characters." Fun fact about Shines- free drinks on your birthday! 
  • Speak Easy, 032 W Beech St, ☏ +1 516 889-3279. Do yo want to visit a small spot on the West End? A great local spot, with great food, especially on Monday Night: Fried Chicken Night. This bar has a great assortment of beers from all around the world! 
  • Whales Tale, 916 W Beech St, ☏ +1 516 432-9587. With a nautical atmosphere and loaded jukebox you will be in for a great time here. It is a great place to drink beer, eat seafood and gamble. 

Sleep

Stay safe

Overview

Long Beach, overall, is a very safe city – although crime does happen like in any other American city of its size and character (see "Crime" section). The City of Long Beach Police Department regularly patrols the city and will assist you in any way necessary should an issue arise.

You can contact emergency services by dialing 911.

Crime

You will not experience any issues if you use basic common sense. Like any city, Long Beach has good areas and bad ones. Overall, the only area of Long Beach which can be considered "bad" by some metrics is the area immediately west of the Long Island Rail Road tracks, behind City Hall. This area contains a housing project – the Channel Park Homes – and is one of the more impoverished areas of the city. Crime does take place here and there is a known gang presence in this area – along with drug trafficking operations. Drugs which have been problematic in this area include cocaine, crack, and MDMA – and gangs which are present include the Latin Kings, P Block Demons, and the MS-13-affiliated Long Beach Lokotes. However, the crimes which take place here are rarely (if ever) targeted at tourists, and are instead between rival gang members, drug-related, or otherwise between people who know each other. There is also nothing of interest for the average tourist in this area of the city, and the Long Beach Police Department's headquarters right in front of this section of the city (at City Hall). The LBPD is well aware of the issue – and as is stated above, it prides itself in keeping the city a great, safe place. Furthermore, despite being located adjacent to this area, the Long Beach LIRR station & Bus Terminal (an intermodal complex which sees 24/7 train and bus service) is safe, well-lit, and well-patrolled by law enforcement; the bus terminal is south of City Hall & the rough area, and the train station is only accessible south of City Hall (thus not from the area of concern).

Other than the small, aforementioned area, the rest of the city is very safe.

When Mother Nature strikes

Like other towns on barrier islands, Long Beach is very susceptible to flooding from high surf and wind. During Hurricane Sandy, ocean waves rolled over Long Beach Island into the channel beyond, on their way to hitting Long Island, leaving severe damage in their wake. If there is a warning of a severe storm, reconsider visiting, and if the area has recently been hit hard by a storm, check conditions before coming.

Go next
  • Long Island Rail Road station — at W. Park Ave. and Park Pl. 1 Park Ave, Long Beach
  • Car- Via Long Island Expressway.
  • Bus- There is a local bus service and a county MSBA line (Schedules )
  • Plane- Twenty minutes from John F. Kennedy International Airport
Routes through Long Beach
Valley Stream ← Oceanside ←  NW  SE  → END


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