Guide to Jones Beach, New York

Jones Beach is a popular beach on a barrier island south of Long Island that attracts people from across Long Island and New York City.

The Stats:

According to the New York State Parks website, Jones Beach includes 6.5 miles of ocean beach, a two-mile boardwalk and one-half mile of bay beach.

I've been to both the ocean and bay beaches, but mostly go to the ocean side at Jones Beach where there's lots of great sand and surf. The bay beach has a very gradual drop-off, and usually very calm water. It's a great spot for families with young children.

The Cost - Parking:

To visit Jones Beach during the season, you can buy an Empire Passport, which will get you into most state parks for a year. Or, you can pay a daily rate to park during the summer season. As of this writing, it's under ten dollars for the day, and that includes a car full of people. You can go to Jones Beach the late afternoon/early evening and get in for free; but at that point, the lifeguards may not be on duty.

Amenities/Other Attractions:

There are snack bars and food vending carts, as well as public restrooms at various locations at Jones Beach. Some of the food can be a bit expensive, so you might want to bring your own.

There used to be a sit-down restaurant by the Central Mall area, but it was torn down. A new catering hall is supposed to be built by Donald Trump. There is also a gift shop and a parks office at the Central Mall.

In addition, there are two pools -- the West Bathhouse and East Bathhouse. (I have never tried them, and one is closed in 2009 due to state budget cuts.) There is an outdoor theater at Jones Beach that brings in major acts during the warmer months and a small stage near the Central Mall location. There are also volleyball courts and mini golf, a nature center and a biking/jogging trail. Click here for more on that and other LI bike trails.

Events

For the past several years, the Bethpage Federal Credit Union Air Show has flown over Jones Beach during Memorial Day Weekend. Jones Beach is also the site of a major Fourth of July Fireworks show.

How to get to Jones Beach:

By Car: Take the Northern or Southern State Parkway to the Meadowbrook Parkway or the Wantagh Parkway, South. (The parkways do not allow commercial vehicles.) Both the Wantagh and Meadowbrook end at Ocean Parkway, which runs parallel to the shore and has exits to the various parking lots for Jones Beach.

By Bus (during the season): Take the Long Island Railroad to Hicksville or Freeport, and then take the Jones Beach bus. Go to www.mta.info and click on LI Bus for schedules and fares.