MAIN Beaches US New York State Beaches

Another reason to love New York?

You'll find it in miles of rivers, lakes and Atlantic Ocean shores.

New York City beaches are by far the most visited, but also check out what leafy Westchester and sunny Long Island have on offer in summer.

Along the stretch of Long Island's shores, Jones Beach is a traditional hot spot for beating the heat, punctuated by a spectacular air show by the Blue Angels in what has become an almost annual summer tradition.

Meanwhile, even further out on "the island" (as the locals call it) there is fashionable Hamptons Beaches on Long Island where the famous, the rich, and the nearly-rich go to play in summer. In fact, Main Beach in East Hampton (top) has been included in a list of the Top Ten US Beaches for its pristine beauty - with additional high marks from surfers for its wild waves and booming surf in season.

Then there is quiet Montauk Point, a good place for just lazing the days away at the easternmost beach community in the state.

In New York State, it's all cool ...

What's the weather like today? New York beach web cams: (also see New York City beaches)

Fire Island webcam

East Hampton webcam

Long Beach webcam

Montauk webcam

Find your New York beach - click a location on the map for official web sites and driving directions

DID YOU KNOW? New York State beaches & lakes fun facts:

Western New York's "Coney Island".

• No one knows exactly how the barrier island off Long Island's coast got the name Fire Island, but according to folklore it may have been the fires which were set by pirates to lure unsuspecting ships to coastal beaches.

• The historic, 78-foot high Montauk Point lighthouse was built by orders of George Washington in 1797.

• The largest fresh water beach in the US is located on the Adirondack Coast, an area straddling Lake Champlain in upstate New York.

• Once known as the “Coney Island of the West,”  Ontario Beach Park in Rochester remains one of the regions most popular, offering a large sandy beach and family-friendly picnic areas.

More about New York State beaches around the Web:

Long Island Railroad Hampton Service - Check out the main form of transportation to the Hamptons from the New York City area, including a schedule, and information on tickets and reservation service.

New York State Parks, Lakes, and Community Beaches in the Hudson Valley, New York - Find out where to cool off in downstate southern Westchester with information and contact details on sandy beaches and lakeside fun throughout the county.

New York State Parks - Swimming - Get the entire picture of everything from sandy beaches to Olympic-size swimming pools available in parks throughout the state, and check out that photo gallery....