With temperatures soaring in New York City, a trip to the beach becomes a necessity. While the Jersey Shore or the Hamptons may be great weekend getaway options, Rockaway Beach in Queens is without a doubt the best option for a quick day trip. Head to the eastern edge of New York City to find adventure, an ever changing roster of delicious eateries and ongoing cultural events.
Get Outdoors:
On a hot summer day, the best part of being by the beach is finding the water. In Rockaway you can rent a surfboard from Breakwater Surf, Boarders or Station or for newer surfers take a beginner class with Skudin Surf School. For calmer waters, explore Jamaica Bay by stand up paddleboard or try your hand at SUP yoga with A Team Paddleboarding to find some zen.
Eats + Drinks:
The go-to spot for post beach eats & drinks is the Rockaway Beach Surf Club where Tacoway Beach serves up its famous fish tacos in the club’s backyard patio. Or try out Rockaway Beach’s newest eatery, Bistro 96, a Brazilian cafe offering everything from Açaí Bowls to pastries (Brazilian empanadas) and fresh fruit juices.
Insider Tips: Get your culture on by checking out the installations by the Rockaway Artists Alliance or attending free dance performances at the annual Beach Sessions.
How to Get There: The A train will take you directly to the beaches from 67th street and down. To get to the higher number beaches (90 and up) switch to the S train at Broad Channel. Get ready for the 2017 return of the Beach Ferry which will pick up and drop off from Manhattan.
Photo credits: Rockaway Beach Surf Club (tacos), David Knapp (surfers)
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn -based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin.
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram