The beach can be linked to the band the Ramones and their song Rockaway Beach and other artist. It has also been in films such as Woody Allen’s Radio Days and Our Hawaii by Kryssa Schemmerling. If Rockaway beach were a person, he or she would emanate confidence with a never give up New York attitude.
How to get there
From North Brooklyn you can sign up for pick up bushwickbeachbus.com, a luxurious charter with on board bathrooms, however the beach bus often only runs on weekends. If one feels like “roughing it” for barely an hour on the train Rockaway is easily accessible from the A train, simply take it all the way to Broad Channel and transfer to the S…or for the best surfing beach forego the S and get off at Beach 67th Street. If you take the train be sure to pee beforehand. It can be a long ride when you need to go.
Where to sun yourself
For maximum party and people watching pick a spot between Beach 87th and Beach 98th, you’ll barely have a patch of sand to yourself but you’ll be surrounded by all the local color and able to chow down on a burger from Rippers or a rose from Low tide bar. If you want a little more space head up to Beach 105th the sand is a little less jam packed and you can still enjoy arepas and frozen sangria from Caracas.
Where to drink
Old School: Connolly’s and Bungalow Bar. Connolly’s is a Rockaway institution. Be sure to get a floater with your pina colada (if you have a thermos you can get it to go and bring it to the beach but shhhh…) Bungalow Bar is on Beach 92nd on the bayside. You can drink frozen pink lemonade while a cover band plays late 90s bro rock that reminds you of dudes you regret from high school. Three lemonades in you may feel brave enough to venture over to Thai Rock and rent one of the jet skis. Take a lesson and ride the waves responsibly.
New School
Playland and Rockaway Beach surf club. Surf Club is on 87th and the Blvd, it is home to the newest incarnation of Rockaway Taco (get the fish ones). Here you can enjoy a watermelon margarita or rum straight out of a coconut while watching surf movies. Playland is on 98th, it is Rockaway’s premier boutique hotel, with food by Williamsburg, Brooklyn institution Lodge. They also feature pop up shops from independent designers and retailers…which reminds me
Where to shop
Playland’s back patio pop ups feature designers such as Kri Marino jewelry; beautiful, handmade and AFFORDABLE body chains, rings and earrings. Instagam.com/krimarino.
Check out Off Season Rockaway for loose, flowy rompers and bandeau tops that work just as well back in the city as on the beach. Also, you can eat more tacos while wearing them and no one will know.
Pop over to the Palms to check out the pop up the Notion from Dj May Kwok. She offers selections from independent designers as well as surf wear from more established ones. Because clearly a Cynthia Rowley wetsuit is necessary to your life.
Where to stay
If you decide to stay and make a weekend of it, my recommended choice is The Playland Motel. The experience at Playland is built on a love for art & music. With only 12 bedrooms, decorated to look just like a com book quickly and enjoy Pizza, beer and cocktails served on-site at Playland Pizza.Book the Suite, the only one with a Private Bathroom.
Any Questions or Tips to add?