New Yorkers love NYC for all the crazy things you get out of city life – we thrive on crowded subways, cafes on every corner, Broadway and smelly cabs. But for all the things I love about the city, we still need escapes. You know what I mean – I call It the itch. When all the bums, honking and hot sidewalks finally get the best of you and need to get out.
Except the secret to NYC is that us locals realize we don’t actually HAVE to escape the city to get out – you just need to know where to go.
Max and I have been trying hard to enjoy a NYC summer this year instead of traveling, so we’ve been exploring a lot of areas we haven’t been to in the 9 years of living here. Yes, NYC is in fact that tiny and packed with that much that you can live here your whole life and still not see it all.
But that’s what I am here for, right? To find all the great hidden gems and tell you about them. Sometimes they’re so good I DON’T want to tell you about it. One of them being – The Rockaways. Particularly Camp Rockaway.
Here’s my tip: BOOK YOUR NIGHT RIGHT NOW. Just do it – click right here.
We visited Camp Rockaway last week and it was one of the most incredible things we’ve ever done in the city. Ever. AND the NY Times just also wrote about the Rockaways, so the secret is out guys – get there before it gets taken over by hipsters.
Now here’s why:
It’s exactly what you think it is – camping on the beach.
Yes, you sleep in a tent. Yes, you really wake up and have private access to the beach at 5am for the sunrise. And yes, it’s only $200 a night. You guys, you can’t go on vaca for that cheap and these views.
Here’s the good stuff:
- You can take the NYC ferry there – for $2.75
- They are set up as “glamping” tents so you don’t have to bring anything but towels for the beach (and you sleep on a real bed).
- It’s very small and intimate – only 12 tents in total – so you’ll get to know everyone around the campfire at night.
- Private access to Rockaway Beach for sunrises in the morning
Here’s what you need to know before you go:
- They have a grilling area for hotdogs and hamburgers on the fire. I recommend you bring something so you can eat later (the food vendors close at sunset or a little before so you might get caught off guard and go hungry).
- Yes, they have overnight parking (only $10) and you can come and go as you need – like if you need emergency water or food after the vendors close.
- They sell smores packs there, too, so you can leave one less thing at home
- They provide you with shower towels (and they have amazing sun showers!) which are private.
- They have a communal bathroom just like other campgrounds, so leave the curling irons at home.
- They have tons of fun games to play at night and honestly, it was the hit of the trip! The kids loved to sit around and play Trouble all night (and all morning!). Seriously, having breakfast and playing games with everyone might have been our favorite part. Enjoy it and leave the electronics at home.
- Okay, so you need to bring your phone – there is a main charging station and they have a few solar chargers to borrow that you can take back to your tent if you need as well.
- Activities. There are a TON of activities to do here but check their availability in advance. Such as surfing lessons and whale watching boat rides – make sure they are open that day and have slots and check the locations of each – some are further than others. We also brought our fishing poles which was A LOT of fun to do with pros on the beach at sunset.
- Yes, there is someone on-site at all times to watch over the grounds and the gates are locked from midnight till 5am.
- They have two-person tents. You can rent a “cot” for kids to add into your tent for $70 extra and it comes with a sleeping bag. See here. It’s useful!
- Food. You can check out the Riis Park Beach Bazaar. They actually have a great VEGAN BOWL here at The Meatup Grill and the pizza bagels at The Wise Clock Cafe are WORTH EVERY CALORIE. They also open for breakfast at 9am and have incredible waffles and avocado toast (also – they serve complimentary coffee at Camp Rockaway at 7am every day!). There is also a fantastic hamburger shack (with fries!) Called Two Doods. You’ll want that, too. And Ample Hill Creamery and People’s Pops.
- They have beach buggy service called Lido Beach Butlers – so if you feel like you need a little more pampering, they can set up chairs, a tent and even a full spread for the beach!
What to pack:
- Sunscreen and bug spray (they also sell there if you forget it!)
- Beach towels
- (maybe) Hot dogs and buns
- Layers! It gets chilly at night.
- Not needed but recommended – sand tent like this. It can get windy out there and you might eat some sand, so this will give you some shade from the sun, too.
We’re heading back again this summer, and with only 12 tents per night, they book up FAST. I would recommend booking now, and when you’re there, tell Kent you heard about the secret from Stephanie. 🙂
Want the full sneak peek? Check out my full story on highlights here under Camp Rockaway.
