Queens/The Rockaways

The Rockaways is a peninsula in Queens, a borough of New York City. The area is well known as Queens' main beach area. This article also includes the nearby neighborhoods of Howard Beach and Broad Channel.

Understand
The Rockaways hold some of Queens' most beloved, serene beach areas. The whole peninsula is a collection of neighborhoods ranging from middle to upper class. There are two main communities on the peninsula: Edgemere and Far Rockaway.

By subway
The Rockaways are served by the and the Rockaway Park Shuttle (marked as ), with the A running East to Far Rockaway and the shuttle running down to Rockaway Park. The and the  meet at Broad Channel station. The closest connection between the and any other line is Broadway Junction in East New York

By bus
The B35 bus that goes down Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn, starting from Avenue H between Flatbush and Nostrand, right by the Junction where Flatbush and Nostrand meet and the 2 train terminates, connects with Jacob Riis Park in the Rockaways, which has a long beach and pedestrian/bike paths.

By LIRR
The LIRR's Far Rockaway Branch serves Far Rockaway only. Note that this station is not included in the City Ticket program as going to it requires leaving New York City. is located on Nameoke Ave.

By ferry
NYC Ferry runs a ferry from the Financial District in Manhattan via Southwest Brooklyn in Brooklyn. A single ticket cost $2.75, its possible to bring your bike along for an extra $1. is along Beach Channel Dr, near the terminus Rockaway Park metro station.

By bicycle or foot
You can cycle or walk across the Marine Parkway - Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge, which connects the Brooklyn neighborhood of Marine Park with the Rockaways. To get there from further north, you can take the #2 subway to the last stop, Flatbush Avenue, and then take the B35 bus from Avenue H between Flatbush and Nostrand Avenues. There are stops on the Brooklyn and Rockaways side of the bridge.

Stay safe
The Rockaways are the home of surfers and world travelers. As a rule of thumb, the farther east one moves down the peninsula, the safer you are. The neighborhoods of Edgemere are very safe and home to a very diverse community.

Howard Beach and Broad Channel are very safe overall, but there is a level of insularity and undercurrent of racism in these areas that may make some people, especially those with darker skin tones, uncomfortable.

Connect
Cellphone signals can be weak on Rockaway Beach.