Jones Beach State Park

Jones Beach State Park is the most famous public beach on Long Island, a barrier island strip off Wantagh that opened in 1929 under the planner Robert Moses. It was conceived as a grand people's seaside resort, with Art Deco bathhouses, a wide boardwalk and a water tower that looks like a campanile. Millions of visitors still come each summer for the surf, sand, fishing and family picnics. Its mix of wide ocean beach and bay-side calm, plus the scale of the facilities, makes it an easy day out for New Yorkers and a good choice for visitors who want a classic American beach without travelling to the Hamptons.

The ocean beach is long and sandy, with lifeguards in summer and different areas for swimming, sunbathing and surfing. Beach fields are marked by numbers, and the busiest fields near the main bathhouses fill quickly on hot weekends, so arrive early. The boardwalk runs for about two miles and is popular for walking, jogging and cycling, with food stands, mini-golf and play areas for children. The Central Mall is the hub, with the tall water tower as a landmark and a pool complex that adds options when the surf is rough.

Beyond the beach, the park offers fishing, kayaking on the bay side and bird watching in the dunes. Piping plovers and other shorebirds nest in marked areas in spring and early summer, and visitors are asked to keep to the paths. Evening concerts take place at the outdoor amphitheater, drawing big-name acts and large crowds, and the park hosts an annual air show that fills the sky and the sand. In winter the beach is almost empty, and the long walks are bracing.

The architecture deserves attention. The bathhouses and buildings use Art Deco and rustic stone styles that show how seriously the state treated public leisure. Murals and details reward a slow look, and informational displays explain the history and the role of Robert Moses, whose legacy is debated. Parking is paid in summer and lots can fill on peak days. Facilities include changing rooms, showers, restaurants and snack bars, so it is easy to manage a day without bringing everything.Practicalities: Jones Beach is about thirty miles from Manhattan.

Cars use the Wantagh State Parkway or the Meadowbrook Parkway, and in summer a train and bus combination via Freeport or Wantagh connects some visitors. Bring sun protection, a beach umbrella and plenty of water, and respect lifeguards and flags because rip currents occur. Weekdays are calmer than weekends, and early morning or late afternoon visits avoid the worst heat and traffic. Pair Jones Beach with Fire Island for a day exploring the South Shore barrier islands, or finish with dinner in a nearby harbor town.