Rockaway Beach Queens, NY

Rockaway Beach was established in the mid-1800s when businessman Michael P. Holland purchased the tract of land and named it Hammels. The neighborhood merged with the village of Holland, and later he decided to donate the land to the city of New York. Summer was the most popular month in Rockaway, and the largest hotel in the states was built. Today the area has over 13,000 residents, which makes it the third largest city on the peninsula.

The Rockaway Museum provides a home for a variety of artifacts from the region. The museum receives the majority of its funding from the sale of T-shirts, books and other memorabilia, and each year the museum holds an arts festival with crafts, food and local artists displaying their wares.

Tucked away from the excitement of the city, Rockaway Beach has a variety of restaurant choices to choose from, including fast food, tasty international cuisine, elegant establishments and classic family-friendly eateries. You can find the majority of the restaurants in the neighborhood along Rockaway Beach Boulevard.

If you want an authentic slice of pie, Plum Tomatoes has been in business for over 25 years serving up authentic Italian meals with friendly customer service. They make every pizza the minute you order it, so whether you desire to have a pizza delivered or dining in, you can be sure it will be hot and fresh. Try the signature Margherita pizza loaded with plum tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil, or sample a slice of the renowned focaccia primavera square pizza.

For live entertainment and an eclectic bar scene, Rockaway Beach has many places to go to grab a beer and live music. The Rockaway Beach Surf Club provides a place for local artists to go to display their work. The club hosts paint parties and film festivals as well as an annual Halloween party.

The majority of the residents in Rockaway Beach prefer to drive, but getting to downtown New York can be tricky since water surrounds the perimeter. Beach Channel Drive and the Shorefront Parkway connect directly to the Cross Bay Bridge, which leads into the Belt Parkway and into downtown. For parking options, residents can utilize street parking and other free parking area can be found in several lots around the neighborhood.

The MTA provides public transportation to all areas in Rockaway Beach. This service includes both the subway and the bus, which takes approximately 90 minutes to travel from Rockaway Beach to downtown Manhattan. Uber provides transportation to and from the city, but nothing quite beats the experience of hailing a cab in New York City and the surrounding area.

Bike and pedestrian walks remain available along the boardwalk and provide an excellent way to get around the west side.

Residents in the New York City appreciate the importance of excellent health. For this reason, you can find many parks and recreational areas to enjoy in your free time.

Bayswater Park has a playground with swings, and an enclosed dog park area. Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk also provides residents with a year-round place with fitness with exercise equipment, playgrounds a skate park and baseball fields. Primarily the park comes alive during the warmer summer months, but the park can be used any time for free. Every year, the park hosts a Fourth of July fireworks display with live music and food.

Rockaway Beach has a busy shopping district along Beach 116th Street, providing a great place to browse and dine. Before heading to the beach, be sure to check out the popular Rockaway Beach Surf Shop. The Rockaway Bazaar, a seasonal boardwalk market, features food vendors, beach rentals, and shops. It is open from Memorial Day through the season. For grocery shopping, locals shop at the Cross Bay Grocery or Key Foods.