[title]
When New Yorkers think “best beaches,” the mind usually jumps straight to the Rockaways, Coney Island or maybe a Hamptons weekend if the stars (and LIRR schedules) align. But this summer, two under-the-radar city spots—South Beach in Staten Island and Orchard Beach in the Bronx—have landed on Condé Nast Traveler’s list of the best beaches near NYC, proving you don’t have to flee the five boroughs for a day of sun, sand and snack-bar glory.
South Beach is Staten Island’s low-key showstopper. Just a short ferry ride from Manhattan, followed by a quick bus or walk, this Atlantic-front stretch delivers serious mini-vacation energy without the airfare. Volleyball courts, a long fishing pier and wide swaths of sand make it easy to forget you’re still within city limits. Bonus points for the pizza—some of Staten Island’s best slice shops are a stroll away, ready to reward your beach day appetite. It’s free of South Beach Miami’s pricey cocktails, but you can still work on your tan like a pro.
Orchard Beach, tucked inside Pelham Bay Park, is the Bronx’s only public beach and embraces that distinction with style. This mile-long, half-moon cove was nicknamed the “Riviera of New York” back in the Robert Moses era, and the retro charm still shines through. Expect snack stands, two playgrounds and enough courts for basketball, volleyball and handball to keep things lively. The water’s calm, the views stretch toward City Island and post-beach seafood—think fried clams or lobster rolls—is practically mandatory.
Neither of these borough-born beaches gets the same Instagram love as Queens’ surf scene or Brooklyn’s boardwalks, but that’s part of the appeal. You’ll skip the crush of tourists while still getting plenty of shoreline to stretch out on. They’re also two of the easiest beaches to pair with a proper neighborhood adventure—South Beach for old-school Staten Island dining, Orchard Beach for a Bronx seafood blowout.
In a city where most summer escapes require long drives, packed trains or both, these two sandy gems are hiding in plain sight. If you’re tired of the same old stretch of sand, it might be time to swap Hamptons FOMO for a MetroCard and a sense of curiosity. The best beach day of your summer could be closer than you think.