Things To Do
Beaches – Get More Shore
First thing to do is get your hands on a beach
chair. Sure, the City Department of Parks and
Recreation provides beach mats at all public beaches,
but there's nothing quite like soaking in the
sun, sounds and fresh air from the comfort of
a beach chair. And, if nothing else, it can come
in handy should all the seats on the A train be
taken.
The beaches are open now through Labor Day
and lifeguards are on duty from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Queens
Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk
On Atlantic Ocean, from Beach 9th Street, Far
Rockaway, to Beach 149th Street, Neponsit
(718) 318-4000
Bronx
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| A group plays volleyball at Water Taxi Beach in Long Island City. |
Orchard Beach and Promenade
On Long Island Sound in Pelham Bay Park
(718) 885-2275
Brooklyn
Brighton Beach & Coney Island and Coney Island
Boardwalk
On Atlantic Ocean, from W. 37th Street to Corbin
Place
(718) 946-1350
Manhattan Beach
On Atlantic Ocean, Oriental Blvd., from Ocean
Avenue to Mackenzie Street
(718) 946-1373
Long Island
Jones Beach State Park
Wantagh, NY
(516) 785-1600
www.longislandexchange.com/jones-beach.html
Water Taxi Beach
2nd Street and Borden Avenue, Long Island City
www.watertaxibeach.com
The East River is not known for its lovely beaches.
But over the summer, Queens residents are invited
to dig their toes into the sand, soak up some
sun and have a beer or two at the Water Taxi Beach,
a venue that combines the comforts of Miami with
the skyline of Manhattan.
The free beach sprawls across 20,000 square feet
of property located next to the Hunter's Point
Ferry stop. It offers commuters a brief respite
from the rattling, congested subways as they travel
home, allowing easy access across the 34th Street
pier across the river.
Much like any other beach, Water Taxi has volleyball
courts, picnic tables and a place to purchase
cheap, grilled meats. This year the beach will
also have a tent area and juice bar to keep visitors
both dry and wet, respectively.
Beach chairs, blankets and cameras are encouraged;
dogs and coolers are prohibited. Swimming is also
not allowed, but would you really want to take
a dip in the East River?
The menu includes dogs, burgers, fries and a few
vegan choices for those not so keen on eating
dead wildlife. And of course, what beach would
be complete without ice cream?
So if you crave the beach this summer, and can't
find the time or money to make it out to the Hamptons,
make sure to drop by - it's the next best thing.
Fireworks Spectacular at Jones Beach State Park
July 4, 9:30 p.m.
(631) 321-3510
Be sure to arrive early and get a great spot.
You're not going to want to miss one moment of
this 30-minute long firework extravaganza set
to patriotic music. This annual tradition was
canceled in 2007 due to high winds and rough surf.
But hopefully the show will go off without a hitch
this time around.
Different
Strokes For Different Folks
Our
city offers its residents 54 public pools throughout
the five boroughs. So when it comes to cooling
down, New Yorkers have a lot to choose from.
If you're looking to improve your crawl, head
to Flushing Meadows Corona Park Aquatic Center
and dip into the brand new Olympic-size, indoor
pool, equipped with adjustable floor and diving
tank.
If, on the other hand, you're just looking to
splash around, why not venture to one of the water
parks in close vicinity.
Queens Outdoor Pools
Astoria
19th Street and 23rd Drive
(718) 626-8620
Liberty
173rd Street and 106th Avenue
(718) 657-4995
Fisher
99th Street and 32nd Avenue
(718) 779-8356
Fort Totten
338 Story Avenue
(718) 224-4031
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| Kids play at Queens’ new Flushing Meadows Corona Park Aquatic Center. |
Queens
Indoor Pools
Flushing Meadows Corona Park Aquatic Center
Avery Avenue and 131st Street
(718) 271-7572
Roy Wilkins
177th Street and Baisley Boulevard
(718) 276-4630
Queens Wading Pools
Fisher
99th Street and 32nd Avenue
(718) 779-8356
Fort Totten
338 Story Avenue
(718) 224-403
Liberty
173rd Street & 106th Avenue
(718) 657-4995
Queens Mini-Pools
Marie Curie Park
211th Street & 46th Avenue
(718) 423-0762
PS 10
45th Street & 30th Road
(718) 777-7599
PS 186 Playground
Little Neck Parkway & 72nd Avenue
(718) 347-2945
Windmuller
54th Street & 39th Road
(718) 651-8247
Queens Diving Pools
Flushing Meadows Corona Park Aquatic Center
Avery Avenue and 131st Street
(718) 271-7572
Fort Totten
338 Story Avenue
(718) 224-4031
Water Parks
Splish Splash
2549 Splish Splash Drive
Calverton, NY
(631) 727-3600
www.splishsplashlongisland.com
SplashDown Beach
16 Old Rt 9
West Fishkill, NY
(845)897-9600
www.splashdownbeach.com
Swimming Instruction
Free Aquatics Instruction from Bethesda Aquatics
Astoria Pool
19th Street & 23rd Drive
July 7 - Aug. 27, 2008
(718) 448-3133
