This beach has areas designated for barbecuing, à playground, a boardwalk, restrooms, a large parking area. It's a great place to hang out with your family and friends. There are lifeguards on duty from 9-6 everyday. Keep in mind, parking is $25, no cash, from 7am-6pm. No dogs allowed from May-September.
Park
Jacob Riis Park (Gateway National Recreation Area)
Howard BeachQueens
Howard Beach
Queens
The brief
About Jacob Riis Park (Gateway National Recreation Area)
This park boasts a sandy beach & an art deco-style former bathhouse featuring history exhibits.
Community Rating
4.6
out of 5
5,185 community reviews
Rating aggregated from community reviews across platforms. Read full reviews on Google or Yelp for detailed diner experiences.
Reviews
What diners say about Jacob Riis Park (Gateway National Recreation Area)
15 verified Google reviews
4.7
15 reviews
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This National Park needs some serious funding and ideas to bring it back to a greater glory. This needs to be a Federal, State and Local collaboration.
It has a nice beach, kids play area and picnic area.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️<br><br>Riis Beach is such a great spot to spend the day. The beach is wide, clean, and never feels too crowded, even on busy weekends. The water is nice for swimming, and there’s plenty of space to spread out and relax. What I love most is the mix of people—it has a welcoming, laid-back vibe that makes everyone feel comfortable.<br><br>There are food stands and little spots to grab drinks or snacks, so you don’t have to leave if you get hungry. The sunsets here are also amazing, definitely worth staying to watch. Whether you want to hang out with friends, take a walk, or just relax by the ocean, Riis Beach has the perfect atmosphere.
Best Brooklyn beach by far. It’s reasonable clean and gay friendly. Available shower close to the big public restroom.
Very Spacious, Really Clean, place to walk, bike 🚲 riding, jogging, 👟 a Very Beautiful ocean 🌊 view! 👍🏾😌⛱️♥️❤️
fittingly came here after completing a summer lgbt+ history course which in one of the modules we discussed designated spaces for queer folks where jacob riis was mentioned. it was lovely to come here knowing the history with a group of friends on the 4th. cute beach, accessible by car or public transportation via q35 and other bus routes, ample bathrooms, only two eating spots tho. additionally love that one can be nude or partially
Surprisingly very clean and free shuttle bus to the ferry to go to Brooklyn, Manhattan and other parts of queens. Definitely worth the $4 ferry if it’s near you. Just pack a lunch or stop at rippers and you have a very fun and affordable day at the beach. Very family oriented place and after going almost once a week at this point, I haven’t encountered any loud or drunk idiots disturbing the peace. Very nice beach and would recommending coming with friends, family and loved ones.
This is a beach park that is normally a great place to go - much of it will be closed this summer (2024) due to severe beach erosion though, sadly.<br><br>On a normal day the only reason it can be bad is that so many people treat it like a trash can, leaving their garbage right on the beach. I imagine their homes must be disgusting, too, because they seem to believe that’s normal. When the people there actually care it’s beautiful, though.<br><br>There is paid parking available.
My most favorite place in the world - the Beach. I've been coming here for many many years. It's local to me and having a playground is a bonus with a few areas to grill. It's much easier to walk to the beach if you're lugging beach equipment. It's my GO TO beach. Only thing is when summer is around expect to pay for parking. But the beach does provide a huge lot and it gets packed fast!
Peaceful good for the kids and parents you could barbecue of course you have to bring your own you can fish for those that love fishing go in the water rest be at peace. Enjoy
My 3rd favorite beach in NYC, it’s such a family vibe that makes you feel like you are elsewhere. It’s like a Long Island beach meets Manhattan beach vibe. The sunsets here are incredible and there is a lot of activity available, basketball courts, golf course, bike paths, etc! Lifeguards on duty at this beach
Nice clean beach. But the water is freezing cold. They do have lots of bathrooms, but there’s no convenient store. They only have 5 spots to eat inside a little food court. Be ready to pay $18 per person for food there. But apart from that’s it’s nice.
We went after 5pm. You no longer have to pay for parking after 5. It’s $20 to park for the day. The beach was still pretty crowded, but by 6:00, it started to thin out and there was more room. The beach is well kept up even for as busy as it is. There were several lifeguards at each stand and they were vigilant.
Historyc beach the view is beautiful , this government preserve park . The beach has been busier over the past couple of years , because of more advertisement , it's very nice , clean , well-patrolled , and peaceful . There is always something happening . Whether it's some sort of a sports or bar and live music . There is are food trucks and restaurants that come out there to feed people , and I know that , the cocktails are pretty awesome as well . The beer is 35 flavored is available . Friendly staff and attentive . Parking is lots of places , always busy because live in - out . The security service is working .
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