Long Beach

Stepping right off the train onto this Long Island spot will set you back a little bit of cash, but the five miles of pristine sand are well worth the $15 admission. The City by the Sea was once a popular resort destination for New Yorkers during the turn of the 20th century, and its brand-new boardwalk (after Superstorm Sandy destroyed the old one) adjacent to the beach 
is perfect for in-line skating before lying out on the white sand or diving into the Atlantic. After all that surf and sunbathing, cool off with some cold ones and chow down on St. Louis dry ribs at beloved beachside barbecue joint Swingbelly’s.