How to Travel to Jones Beach From Manhattan

Jones Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in New York. Located on the south shore of Long Island--less than an hour away from Manhattan--it is one of the most popular places to go during the summer, and is easily reached from the heart of New York City by car or train.

Instructions

Directions Using Mass Transit

1

Go to Penn Station. It is located at 34th Street and 7th Avenue, and by subway you can take the A-C-E or 1-2-3 lines.

2

Find the Long Island Rail Road Terminal in Penn Station. Take the Babylon train to Freeport, about 45 minutes away. You will need to purchase a ticket at one of the vending kiosks; your ticket will be collected on board the train. Check the Long Island Rail Road schedule for train times (see Resources below). Transfer to the Babylon line is also available at the Woodside and Jamaica stations, both in Queens. Woodside can be reached via the 7 subway line, while the E-J-Z subway line goes to Jamaica.

3

Transfer at Freeport to the N88 bus and ride to Jones Beach. You will need a MetroCard to pay for the bus; these cards can be purchased at any train station in the New York metro area. Check out the website for the bus schedule (see Resources below).

Driving Directions

4

Leave Manhattan using the Queens Midtown Tunnel located at 34th Street between 1st and 2nd avenues.

5

Exit the tunnel onto I-495, the Long Island Expressway. Stay on this road for 19 miles and follow Exit 38 to the Northern State Parkway heading east.

6

Continue 2 miles on the Northern State Parkway until you reach Exit 31A to the Meadowbrook Parkway heading south. Take this exit.

7

Follow the Meadowbrook Parkway for 12 miles to a toll both. If you do not have a parking pass, get one from the toll booth.

8

Look for signs for the Jones Beach Amphitheater and other fields about another mile down the parkway. These fields are the beaches. Pull up to one of the field's parking lots to park and enjoy your day.