Jacob Riis Park Park
Historic New York beachfront park with boardwalk
On the Rockaway Peninsula, Jacob Riis Park draws beachgoers to its wide sand, Art Deco bathhouse and boardwalk. Summer visitors swim, picnic and watch beach events; public transit and nearby seafood stands make it a city-accessible seaside escape.
Jacob Riis Park at a Glance#
About Jacob Riis Park#
Jacob Riis Park is a public oceanfront park and beach on the Rockaway Peninsula in the New York City borough of Queens, named for reformer and photographer Jacob Riis. It is part of the National Park Service’s Gateway National Recreation Area and is known for its expansive sandy beach and historic bathhouse.
Key features include a long beachfront, a boardwalk, and an Art Deco-era bathhouse complex that serves visitors and houses historic architectural elements. The beach draws large numbers of visitors in summer for swimming, sunbathing and public events.
The park was developed in the early 20th century and later incorporated into the Gateway National Recreation Area; it has undergone multiple restorations and public-investment projects to maintain beach and visitor facilities. The National Park Service manages lifeguard staffing, facilities and park programming.
Jacob Riis Park sits on the Rockaway Peninsula in southern Queens, along the Atlantic Ocean and just west of Far Rockaway; it is part of New York City and is accessible from the rest of the city via public transit and park roadways.
- Management and season: Managed by the U.S. National Park Service as part of Gateway National Recreation Area; the site is busiest in summer when lifeguards are on duty and facilities are open.
What to See#
- Art Deco bathhouse: A large Art Deco bathhouse complex on the oceanfront that houses visitor services and historic architecture dating to the early 20th century.
How to Get to Jacob Riis Park#
Jacob Riis Park is on the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens, NYC. From Manhattan, take the A train to Far Rockaway-Mott Avenue and then a local bus (Q35) or transfer via the NYC Ferry to Rockaway; there are also seasonal shuttle services and parking options along Beach Channel Drive. Public transit is usually the easiest option during summer weekends.
Tips for Visiting Jacob Riis Park#
- For a quieter visit, go on weekdays in the morning before the crowds peak - summer weekends get extremely busy.
- Bring sunscreen and a windproof layer; ocean breezes can be sharp even on warm days.
- If visiting in summer beach season, use the boardwalk entrances and note lifeguard hours for safer swimming.
Best Time to Visit Jacob Riis Park#
Best visited in summer for full beach access and events, otherwise spring and fall for calmer crowds.
Weather & Climate near Jacob Riis Park#
Temperate climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 28°C. Abundant rainfall (1141 mm/year), wettest in August, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -4° - 4° | -5° | 90 mm | - | - | 5.1 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -3° - 5° | -4° | 78 mm | - | - | 5.1 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 0° - 9° | 1° | 104 mm | - | - | 5.2 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 5° - 14° | 7° | 97 mm | - | - | 4.9 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 10° - 19° | 15° | 103 mm | - | - | 4.3 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 15° - 24° | 20° | 81 mm | - | - | 4.1 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 19° - 28° | 23° | 105 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 19° - 27° | 23° | 113 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 15° - 23° | 19° | 92 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 9° - 17° | 13° | 86 mm | - | - | 4.2 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 5° - 12° | 6° | 98 mm | - | - | 4.7 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 0° - 7° | -1° | 94 mm | - | - | 4.9 m/s | - | - |
