4 Coastal Locations to Visit In Your Campervan Near NYC
If you are visiting New York City, you are going to be inundated with incredible sights, sounds, and excitement. There is no other city like it, and there is more to see and do here than you can possibly take in even with a full lifetime to explore.
But that means it is really easy to miss the fantastic experiences which are waiting for you outside the city. If you have access to a campervan or motorhome, it is well worth taking a few drives. Here are some fantastic coastal destinations to add to your itinerary.
1. Orchard Beach
About an hour northeast along the coast from city central, you will find Orchard Beach. With its pleasing crescent shape, the geometry of this beach makes it possible to see from end to end. The central part of the beach does tend to get crowded, but the ends are less so. During the summer there is often live music and entertainment. You will also find trails, marshes and islands you can check out.
2. Jones Beach State Park
No tour of beaches near New York City would be complete without visiting at least one of the famous beaches on Long Island. If you drive about an hour and a half from the city center, you will find Jones Beach State Park along the south shore of Long Island.
This is a very popular destination, so be prepared for crowds—but they are worth it. The beach is clean and you will find that there are a lot of fun activities you can do here: fishing, watching seals, hunting for shells, and live music. There are plenty of venues for delicious food and refreshments. If you happen to be in NYC for the holidays, that is the perfect time to drop by Jones Beach State Park as there is an impressive holiday light drive-through display here along with hot cocoa and cider.
3. Hammonasset Beach State Park
If you drive up the coast the same direction you do to get to Orchard Beach but you keep going for close to two and a half hours, you can reach Hammonasset Beach State Park in Connecticut. This two-mile beach features a boardwalk and a boat launch, so it is a great destination for a variety of water sports. Go swimming, boating, or fishing. You can also picnic and hike and check out the programs and exhibits provided by the Nature Center. Plan to spend the night if you have time, as there are hundreds of camping sites available.
4. Seagull Beach
If you are interested in taking a longer trip, one destination you might consider is Seagull Beach in West Yarmouth, Massachusetts. It takes around five hours to reach this location, but it is just one of a number of lovely beaches you can explore in this area.
As the largest saltwater beach in Yarmouth, Seagull Beach includes a long shore for walking or relaxing, clean water for swimming, and a rocky jetty you can climb out on. Like the charming Town of Yarmouth itself, Seagull Beach is picturesque and offers a great change of pace from much of the crowded Northeast.
Don’t Miss These Beaches Near NYC
Event though most folks visiting New York City don’t think to go to the beach, maybe they should! Then again, maybe it is for the best that these shores don’t get too crowded. That way you can enjoy getting away from the hustle and bustle a bit while breathing in the fresh sea air!
