What you need to know about going to Jones Beach

The finest beach area within easy reach of New York City on both weekdays and weekends throughout the summer is Jones Beach on Long Island.

Jones Beach State Park has some six and one-half miles of ocean beaches with good surf, as well as beach areas with quiet water for small children.

You'll hardly believe that these wonderful wide sandy beaches and the big sand dunes in back of them are not natural. Yet, all the sand was brought in during a massive public works project.

Easy transportation

Jones Beach gets crowded on warm weekends, so travel midweek if you can. In a park this big, there's always room for everyone, however.

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To reach Jones Beach, take one of the following New York subway lines (map) to 34th Street/Penn Station in Manhattan: 1,2,3,9, A, B, C, D, E, F, N, Q, R, V, or W.

From Penn Station, take the Long Island Rail Road to Freeport.

Long Island Rail Road trains are frequent and cheap. (Yes, that's how they spell railroad.)

At the Freeport station, grab Long Island Bus number "JB88" to Jones Beach.

This bus service operates weekends from Memorial Day weekend in late May through Labour Day weekend in early September.

Daily service runs from late June through Labour Day.

For the Long Island Bus schedule to Jones Beach, click on "Jones Beach" and then on "Jones Beach - Freeport schedule" in the left column.

Ask Long Island Rail Road about reduced fares that include both train and bus.

Jones Beach Theatre

At Jones Beach, you'll find excellent facilities, including changing rooms, showers, and snack service.

Make sure to bring sun screen, as the spray from the strong surf magnifies the impact of the sun.

Your day need not end at sunset. The Jones Beach Theatre is one of the major concert venues in the U.S.—you can rock into the night.

Check out its schedule.

Have a great time at Jones Beach!

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