Is the beach calling your name? Check out these six towns in the New York City ‘burbs that combine coastal living with easy access to Manhattan.
If sand and surf is on your lists of must-haves, these six NYC suburbs deliver.
Larchmont, NY
A walkable town with easy beach access — and just 20 miles from New York City? It’s easy to see why Larchmont tops so many city dwellers’ “must-see” lists.
Located on the Long Island Sound, Larchmont is home to a bustling downtown complete with a weekend farmers market, art galleries, boutiques, coffee shops, and amazing restaurants. And if you do move here with summers on the water top-of-mind? Check out the public beaches and private clubs throughout the community, which offer sailing, paddle boarding, and swimming, plus plenty of space to relax on the sand. Locals enjoy movie nights and picnics on the beach, and an active calendar of events year-round.
Once you’ve had your fill of sun and surf, score a table at Lusardi’s for upscale Italian fare. Have kids in tow? Billy & Pete’s Social serves kid-friendly pizzas, burgers, and mini donuts.
Rye, NY
Want to feel like you’re on vacation every day? With its five golf courses, 34 acres of shoreline, beach and yacht clubs, marina, and the historic Rye Playland, Rye offers a holiday feel all year long.
Just steps from the beach is the Westchester Children’s Museum. Bring the kids here for hands-on science, technology, education, arts, and math activities. Want to try your hand at rowing? RowAmerica in Milton Harbor offers group rowing lessons, private instruction, and competitive racing. Cap your visit with a lobster roll and cocktails at The Barley Beach House — the patio overlooks the Sound and has live music most weekend nights in the summer.
Port Washington, NY
Across the Sound is Port Washington, Long Island. Just 17 miles from NYC — and directly on the waterfront — Port has it all. While you’re touring, stop by the Saturday morning farmer’s market at the Town Dock, or stroll by the marina and watch the boats sail in and out of the bay. During the warmer months, grab a beer and feast on lobster rolls, fried clams, and other New England-style favorites at Butler’s Flat Clam Shack overlooking Manhasset Bay, or grab a spot outside at Louie’s.
Greenwich, CT
While lots of towns have beaches just for residents, Greenwich takes it up a notch with not one, but TWO, town-owned islands, Great Captain Island and Island Beach. Here, residents can swim, kayak, picnic, and, even, camp overnight.
If you’ve got kids, be sure to visit family-friendly Byram Beach, with its sandy beach and swimming pool overlooking the Sound. Want to up your beach game even more? The beach has its own clambake pavilion. Or head to the playground, marina, boat launch, sports fields, or walking trails, or check out the Bruce Museum Seaside Center and the Old Greenwich Yacht Club at Greenwich Point Park, which is known by locals as Tod’s Point.
But to truly experience all the Greenwich waterfront has to offer, hop aboard the Cruise to Nowhere, a two-hour tour of local waters that sets sail from the Arch Street Dock, then head over to the upscale French L’Escale Restaurant at the Delamar Hotel, where you can choose from outdoor waterfront seating or the formal inside dining room.
Westport, CT
Further up Connecticut’s Gold Coast is Westport. During your town tour, soak in the sunshine at one of the town’s beaches, Compo, Burying Hill, Old Mill or the state beach at Sherwood Island State Park. Compo Beach is by far the most popular for locals and features many parent-friendly amenities like a boardwalk (great for strollers) and a concession stand. The Saugatuck River is the site of the annual Great Duck Race every summer, when Westport residents gather to race rubber ducks and raise money for local charities. Enjoy river views at Rive Bistro or watch boats sailing on the Long Island Sound while feasting on locally harvested seafood and shellfish, garden fresh produce, and sustainable meats at La Plage.
Rumson, NJ
New Jersey is famous for its beach towns, and Rumson is one of the most treasured. Surrounded by the Navesink and Shrewsbury Rivers to the north and south and the Atlantic to the east, you can smell the salt air almost anywhere you go in this 7 square mile town. Start your day with an early morning swim, take an afternoon stroll along the walkway at Riverside Park, and end your day with a juicy burger at Barnacle Bills, a local hot spot on the Navesink River that has live music almost every night.
Ready for vacation living every day? Schedule your free Suburbs Strategy Session today to find the right beach town for you.