The People's Beach at Jacob Riis Park, Queens

The beach at Jacob Riis Park in Queens, also called ‘The People’s Beach’, is one of the city’s oldest planned recreational beaches. Built in the 1930s and named after Jacob A. Riis, a noteworthy journalist and social reformer, the people’s beach still holds historic value and has been the site of activism ever since.

The magnificent bathhouse from the 1930s is one of the major attractions and forms the backdrop for visitors enjoying their time on this relatively quiet beach. There is also a 4 faced clock built in 1891 which can be found on the boardwalk.

Unlike the nearby Rockaway Beach stretch, this beach is relatively small (about 1 mile) and much calmer. Swimming here is allowed only with lifeguards present from 10 AM to 6 PM and the beach is open between May and September. 

Jacob Riis park is accessible by bus, subway and ferry and both locals and tourists come for the newly set up Riis Park Beach Bazaar (open daily from 11 AM to 7 PM) which has tons of food and drink options along the beach.