Top 25 US beaches revealed 2 surprising NYC spots made the list

Shorely they can’t be serious.Travel & Leisure released its list of the “25 Best Beaches in the USA.” Although two unlikely New York City entries made the cut, the coastal gem of Long Island — constantly in the conversation of the nation’s nicest beaches — was snubbed.Brooklyn’s Coney Island and Rockaway Beach in Queens were awarded the same prestige as Hawaii’s Poipu Beach on Kauai and California’s Santa Monica Beach and Carmel-by-the-Sea, to name a few.The crowded NYC spots were praised for their miles of boardwalk and plenty of sandy entertainment options.Coney Island is described as “a perfect seaside wonderland of nostalgia and kitschy fun” — and the New York Aquarium is near the beach.

Known for its amusement parks, games, plus the one-of-a-kind Cyclone roller coaster, Travel & Leisure said it is also the little things like access to volleyball and basketball courts that make Coney Island and Rockaway stand out.Although not mentioned in the rating, it’s hard to have a bad day on Coney Island after a visit to the original Nathan’s Famous on nearby Stillwell Avenue, despite out-the-door lines.Also, catching a Brooklyn Cyclones baseball game at the boardwalk’s Maimonides Park to cheer on the New York Mets’ future prospects is almost always a blast — especially when fans experience a stunning sunset with views over the Atlantic Ocean and Luna Park from their seats.

The ballpark even made its way into the video game “Spider-Man 2” as a true NYC icon.Geographically close by in Queens, the Ramones’ favorite Rock-Rock-Rockaway Beach has also enjoyed a major facelift in recent seasons.Its 1932 art deco Jacob Riis bathhouse underwent a $50 million renovation in late 2022.The scene also changed greatly in the past few summers as it became a hub for vintage shops, food trucks and trendy bars.

In 2020, the south Queens surf haven also became posh thanks to the opening of its swanky Rockaway Hotel and pool.It’s nothing ag...