Beach Getaways Near NYC: The Best Beach Vacations Near the Big Apple

Situated on a pristine stretch of oceanfront in Montauk, the furthest point east in the Hamptons, Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa provides not only ocean views from every single room, but also the only private beach access in the area. Meaning you can enjoy an epic day on the waves swimming – or with surfboard, paddle board, and boogie board rentals – without crowds. In the evening, the private stretch of sand is a prime location for beach bonfires and toasted s’mores.

Off the beach, you’ll find an array of crisp rooms and suites decked out in a soothing nautical palette, as well as beach bungalows for a more secluded retreat. There’s also swank Scarpetta Beach, a chic Manhattan transplant serving upscale Italian dishes such as lobster tagliolini nero and raw fish crudo in a seaside setting. If you’re traveling with little ones, they can play at Gurney’s Kids Club while you enjoy a cocktail at the swank Regent Cocktail Club.

Although the Hamptons have a reputation for star-studded glitz and glamour, there’s a lighter side to these beach communities nestled in rural Long Island. In fact, c/o The Maidstone hotel in East Hampton is full of the kind of quirky style that most travelers would normally associate with hipster Brooklyn neighborhoods.

The 16 rooms and three cottages look like a series of white-clapboard houses from the outside, and the interiors are designed to be super comfortable, sporting ultra-luxe handcrafted Hästens Swedish beds and deep soaking tubs. However, it’s the décor that’s extra noteworthy here: each room is dedicated to a Scandinavian luminary. For example, a pink and grey striped guest room is a tribute to Astrid Lindgren, the author of Pippi Longstocking; another room with, as the hotel puts it, “lugubrious” dark walls and gilded mirrors pays homage to Edward Munch; a fabulous “Out of Africa” theme imbues the author Karen Blixen’s suite. Note that although safari animals aren’t present, dogs are always welcome at the property.

The restaurant at The Maidstone is one of the most popular in East Hampton for straight from the water seafood. Speaking of the water, each room here comes with a much-coveted beach parking permit (the only way to get close to the ocean with your car in The Hamptons as many beaches have no public parking). Another plus: everything you’d need for a relaxing beach day including beach bags, chairs, towels, and umbrellas.

Located in the historic port of Sag Harbor, Baron’s Cove infuses a boat-loving vibe throughout the boutique inn. Cozy up in the clubby lobby bar and lounge with a wood burning fireplace, catch a breeze on the wide front porch, or watch the sailboats from the sunny side veranda. You can also watch the water from the restaurant here, which serves up fresh seafood along with sweeping views of the harbor.

The resort is within walking distance from the local jitney stop (a popular way to get to the Hamptons from NYC) and is a short stroll from the town’s charming Main Street, so no car is necessary for your beach getaway. Choose a breakfast-in-bed package to start the day with pancakes in luxurious, water-hued rooms that sport harbor views, village vistas, or private garden terraces – the latter of which makes it easy to bring Fido with you on your beach vacation.

There’s also a heated saltwater pool with harbor lookouts, a tennis court, spa services, complimentary bikes to explore the area, and a free beach shuttle right to the sand, along with towels, chairs, and umbrellas.

Facing the Long Island Sound, Water’s Edge Resort & Spa is roughly 100 miles from Manhattan, the same distance as The Hamptons. Head to this resort in Connecticut when you’re looking for pampering luxury at the beach.

The spa here is one of the largest in the area, and you can splash out with shore-inspired treatments, such as sea salt and lavender body polish or a seaweed wrap. Another plus to the posh resort is a private beach exclusively for hotel guests, not to mention both indoor and outdoor pools with views of the ocean.

Choose an ocean-view room to watch the waves roll in without having to get out of bed; villas by the sea get you even closer to the surf and offer two-bedrooms and two-bathrooms, plus gas fireplaces and kitchens with high-end Viking appliances. Not that you have to cook when you’re here. There are four different dining options, including Datillo’s for upscale Italian and the casual al fresco Sunset Bar & Grill.

If you’re not familiar with New Jersey, you’ll find two big surprises when you arrive in Long Branch. First, this is not the “Jersey Shore” you’ve seen on television. Long Branch is a sophisticated beach town with an array of fantastic dining options (don’t miss Avenue for French bistro classics and McLoone’s for fresh seafood) raised above the sand in Pier Village, a boardwalk with sophisticated shops, cocktail lounges and no rides or rowdy crowds. The second surprise: Long Branch is actually closer to Manhattan than The Hamptons, just 50 miles from midtown.

That means you can be enjoying one of the two dozen sleek and spacious rooms at the Bungalow Hotel just an hour after you leave NYC. This boutique getaway feels a bit like it was transported from SoHo, with all white rooms decorated with bright pops of color and original art. Bungalounge is a guest lounge that doubles as a rotating art gallery and is where you can kick back with a cocktail while you play a game of billiards or foosball. An outdoor area with a gas fireplace and oversized seating is the perfect spot to watch the stars. When the sun comes up, you’re just a block from the sand and sea.

It’s about a 4-hour drive to this vacation rental cottage in Cape Cod where you’ll enjoy a complete change of scenery as well as privacy and seclusion at The Islander, Steps From Water, Firepit, AC vacation rental. The three bedroom home features an airy open floor plan with high vaulted ceilings, a full kitchen and living room, plus a large front porch with a fire pit and views of the water on either side.

Not only is the home just a few yards away from a private beach, but it’s nestled in the Wild Life Sanctuary of Monomoscoy Island, so you’ll be close to nature, but not other vacationers. The island is just 1.5 miles long, making it easy to explore on a walk or a bike ride. For a change of scenery, Mashpee Commons and Popponessett Market Place are just a few miles away for ice cream, lobster rolls, and souvenirs.