Long Beach
Long Beach is Nassau's Atlantic boardwalk town — Coney-Island energy minus the kitsch. 2.2 miles of restored boardwalk, surfing year-round (yes, locals surf in winter), the West End nightlife strip, and a downtown anchored by the LIRR terminus. Summer destination + actual living town.
Known for
- 2.2-mile boardwalk
- surfing
- West End nightlife
- summer beach town
- LIRR terminus
Long Beach is the LI summer day-trip that doesn’t require packing a car — LIRR direct from Penn, 50 minutes door to boardwalk. The boardwalk was rebuilt after Sandy, the West End is the bar/restaurant strip, and the surfing community is real (yes, locals surf in February).
The summer rhythm:
- Weekday after 4 PM: LIRR from Penn, beach, dinner on the boardwalk, late train back
- Weekend: arrive by 10 to beat the West End parking crunch
- Late summer: Boardwalk Concert Series (Thursdays free, August)
Year-round: Long Beach Polar Bear Plunge (New Year’s Day) is the most-attended LI New Year’s tradition. Costumed plungers, 2,000+ jumpers, Atlantic Ocean in January.
Upcoming in Long Beach
Long Beach Boardwalk Concert Series — Thursday Free Show
Free outdoor concert series on the Long Beach boardwalk, Thursdays in August. Bring a beach chair or blanket — the stage is mid-boardwalk near Riverside Blvd. LIRR direct from Penn, 50 min door to boardwalk.
- When
- Where
- Long Beach Boardwalk, Long Beach
Long Beach Marathon + Half — Boardwalk Sunday
Long Beach's annual fall marathon + half-marathon along the 2.2-mile boardwalk + neighborhood streets. The boardwalk loop is genuinely one of the prettiest urban race courses in metro NYC. Spectator-friendly — most of the course is visible from the boardwalk.
- When
- Where
- Long Beach Boardwalk, Long Beach
- Price
- TBD
West End Friday Night — Long Beach Bar Strip
The Long Beach West End strip — three blocks of bars, restaurants, and outdoor seating — comes alive every Friday + Saturday summer night. Minus5 Ice Lounge, Sloppy Tuna, Joe's, and the boardwalk-adjacent rooftops are the regulars. LIRR direct from Penn means car-free city escape.
- When
- Where
- Long Beach West End, Long Beach