Off-the-beaten path beach daytrip from NYC?

Over the 4th, my boyfriend and I have the same weekend off for the first time in our relationship, and I want to take the car to the beach. Can we improve on Robert Moses? Is Fisher’s Island too unfriendly?

He is a New Yorker who holds a mysterious childhood grudge against our area beaches so I’d love to find a new option to try.

Question

Off-the-beaten path beach daytrip from NYC?

Over the 4th, my boyfriend and I have the same weekend off for the first time in our relationship, and I want to take the car to the beach. Can we improve on Robert Moses? Is Fisher’s Island too unfriendly?

He is a New Yorker who holds a mysterious childhood grudge against our area beaches so I’d love to find a new option to try.￼

Sophie · Answer

Highlands natural pool: Not a beach but very offbeat suggestion for something different! There are turtles and maybe a snake and lots of algae in the water. There’s a hiking trail if it’s kinda cool out and you need to work up a sweat. For a beach, look at Spring Lake and surrounding beaches. They are pretty and not the typical NYC childhood beach like Coney, Riis, etc. (which I love btw!!)

Sarah Cooney · Answer

Oyster Bay: No place more delightful! Teddy Roosevelt stuff abounds! There’s a great bookstore right in town called Theodore’s. Amazing coffee at Southdown. Italian ice at a place that’s been there for over 100 years! (Bonanza’s). And a great brewery. And you can just take the LIRR right into the center of town. But if you have a car make a reservation at Teddy’s summer White House, Sagamore Hill, and don’t miss the walk down to the beach there (no swimming though).