Overview
The Rockaways is a peninsula in Queens, a borough of New York City. The area is well known as Queens' main beach area. This article also includes the nearby neighborhoods of Howard Beach and Broad Channel.
1 sights · 1 things to do · 1 places to eat · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about The Rockaways
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
A rare bit of nature in New York. While much of the reserve has been helped along by human hands, it is still well worth visiting to see what Queens looked like before all the development. There are several walks.
Rockaway Beach
One of the biggest beaches in New York City and the most popular in Queens. Biking along the boardwalk is particularly popular.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 86°F; winter lows dip to about 29°F. Cold months (Jan) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Aug and Jul. (climate data from nearby New York City)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- JFK John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York — 4 mi away (major hub). Directions
- LGA LaGuardia Airport, New York — 13 mi away (major hub). Directions
The Rockaways are served by the and the Rockaway Park Shuttle (marked as ), with the A running East to Far Rockaway and the shuttle running down to Rockaway Park. The and the meet at Broad Channel station. The closest connection between the and any other line is Broadway Junction in East New York
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
- Lunch Elegante Restaurant and Pizzeria
- Afternoon Rockaway Beach
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
The Rockaways hold some of Queens' most beloved, serene beach areas. The whole peninsula is a collection of neighborhoods ranging from middle to upper class. There are two main communities on the peninsula: Edgemere and Far Rockaway.
Get in
By subway
The Rockaways are served by the and the Rockaway Park Shuttle (marked as ), with the A running East to Far Rockaway and the shuttle running down to Rockaway Park. The and the meet at Broad Channel station. The closest connection between the and any other line is Broadway Junction in East New York
By bus
The B35 bus that goes down Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn, starting from Avenue H between Flatbush and Nostrand, right by the Junction where Flatbush and Nostrand meet and the 2 train terminates, connects with Jacob Riis Park in the Rockaways, which has a long beach and pedestrian/bike paths.
By LIRR
The LIRR's Far Rockaway Branch serves Far Rockaway only. Note that this station is not included in the City Ticket program as going to it requires leaving New York City. Far Rockaway station is located on Nameoke Ave.
By ferry
NYC Ferry runs a ferry from the Financial District in Manhattan via Southwest Brooklyn in Brooklyn. A single ticket costs $4.50. Bikes can be brought on for no additional charge. Rockaway ferry landing is along Beach Channel Dr, near the terminus Rockaway Park metro station.
By bicycle or foot
You can cycle or walk across the Marine Parkway - Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge, which connects the Brooklyn neighborhood of Marine Park with the Rockaways. To get there from further north, you can take the #2 subway to the last stop, Flatbush Avenue, and then take the B35 bus from Avenue H between Flatbush and Nostrand Avenues. There are stops on the Brooklyn and Rockaways side of the bridge.
See
Do
Eat
Eat Elegante Restaurant and Pizzeria
Often called the best pizza in the Rockaways, this place has one wall near the register lined with bills with compliments written on them.
Sleep
Stay safe
The Rockaways are the home of surfers and world travelers. As a rule of thumb, the farther east one moves down the peninsula, the safer you are. The neighborhoods of Edgemere are very safe and home to a very diverse community.
Howard Beach and Broad Channel are very safe overall, but there is a level of insularity and undercurrent of racism in these areas that may make some people, especially those with darker skin tones, uncomfortable.
Nearby
Brooklyn
City / town · 4 listings · 8 mi away
Long Beach
City / town · 33 listings · 8 mi away
Rockville Centre
City / town · 15 listings · 11 mi away
Garden City
City / town · 13 listings · 13 mi away
Hempstead
City / town · 1 listings · 13 mi away
Sandy Hook
Park · 5 listings · 13 mi away
Gateway National Recreation Area
Park · 16 listings · 13 mi away
Hempstead
Rural area · 9 listings · 14 mi away
My experience
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