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Long Islanders are passionate and opinionated on many topics.
Questions like where to find the best Chinese food, the best bagels and the best pizzeria spark heated debate, even within the same towns.
Another hot topic? Our favorite beaches. Like pizza joints and Chinese takeout, beach preferences vary.
(And the locals pay little mind to national beach rankings.)
Most towns on the shores have their own beaches for residents. But non-residents might be able to enter after certain times or by paying a fee. (Of course, you can always make friends with some Babylon or Oyster Bay peeps to get into Venetian Shores or TOBAY with their pass.)
Even with all the choices on Long Island, finding the best beach for the whole family isn’t always easy. You need easy parking, things to do, snacks, a short walk, bathrooms — and a boardwalk is a bonus.
Based on this criteria, we spoke to some Long Island moms we know to find their best choices.
What’s your favorite?
Sunken Meadow State Park
Sand and shade … but pack the bug spray
Sunken Meadow is like a one-stop shop for all Long Island’s natural beauty and outdoor sports, with a golf course, hiking trails, ball fields and water sports. Parents will love the calmer waters of the Long Island Sound. But if you’re used to ocean or bay beaches, be prepared for some rocks underfoot.
Pack your water shoes, sunscreen, and bug spray — the mosquitos can get bad.
Best of all, because it’s a state park, parking is relatively cheap and covered by the Empire Pass, Lifetime Liberty Pass, Golden Park program (non-holiday weekdays only), and other state-sponsored discounted or even free programs.
TOBAY Beach
Parent-, kid-, and boater-approved
One reviewer called TOBAY Beach “one of the best beaches in NYS.” We have to agree. You can hang out near the waves on the ocean side or take it easy by the bay. It’s got two restaurants, concession stands, and a spray park. And if you own a boat? The marina is the place to be all summer.
The downside? Daily entry is $20 and only available if you have a Town of Oyster Bay resident in your car — or a $60 seasonal sticker, which is available only to town residents.
Crab Meadow Beach
A hidden gem
Nestled at the edge of Northport, Crab Meadow Beach might be the Town of Huntington’s best-kept secret. It’s open to non-residents for a fee and has a boardwalk, a covered picnic area with tables and a nice-sized playground.
La Casa Café offers waterfront dining right on the beach, and there are coffee shops and other restaurants nearby.
As with other North Shore beaches, expect calm waters but a rocky shoreline.
Venetian Shores
Come for the spray park, stay for Katch
North Shore parents escape to Crab Meadow for a low-key beach day. You’ll find Babylon parents at one of several town beaches. Venetian Shores in Lindenhurst offers something for all ages: a spray park, playground, basketball courts, and Katch, a restaurant and bar known for its great live music and vacation vibes. Parking is free and open to non-residents after 4 p.m. Before then, you’ll need to be a Town of Babylon resident with a seasonal beach permit on your car.
Robert Moses Field 5
The beach of your childhood
One of Long Island’s two most famous beaches, Robert Moses State Park earned its place on this list because it’s the starting point for many core memories among many a Long Island mother. (Doesn’t time just fly?) If you’re up for a ¾-mile hike, you can reach Fire Island by foot from Field 5 — which may not be ideal with kids in tow. But there’s plenty of reason to stay at Field 5, including a large playground, a boardwalk, concessions, and restrooms.
Enjoy the waves of the Atlantic Ocean and the endless views.
Wildwood State Park
Camping, rocks, and waves
When you want to get away from it all without paying tolls to leave the Island, Wildwood is your North Shore camping oasis. Whether you stay for a day, a week, or a long weekend, you can enjoy wooded trails for hiking and biking plus a gorgeous 2-mile stretch of beach overlooking the Long Island Sound.
Kids will love the playground and basketball courts, and summer nights bring free movies under the stars.
Meschutt Beach County Park
Bay views, good food
Nestled in Hampton Bays, Meschutt Beach County Park sits on the Great Peconic Bay and is open to the public for a fee, with discounted rates for Suffolk County residents who have a Green Key card. Parents will love the calmer waters — perfect for snorkeling or just wading with the kids.
Your kids will love the playground, while you’ll love the laid-back East End vibes. The on-site restaurant, Tiki Joe’s Beach Club, garners an average of 4.1 stars on Google, so it might be worth trying a lobster roll while you enjoy the sunset.
Top: Long Island Sound photo by Anke Talbot on Unsplash
