Rockaway Beach, Beachfront neighborhood in Queens, United States.
Rockaway Beach is a beachfront neighborhood in Queens, New York, stretching along the Atlantic shoreline with a five-mile sandy beach and wooden boardwalk that connects several residential sections. The peninsula separates the Atlantic Ocean from Jamaica Bay and forms the southernmost inhabited part of New York City, with the area organized between Beach 3rd Street in the west and Beach 149th Street in the east.
In 1897, two separate settlements called Holland and Hammels merged to form the Village of Rockaway Beach, which later became part of New York City during consolidation. Development began in the late 19th century as a seaside resort, promoted by the construction of hotels and rail connections that brought daytrippers from Manhattan.
The neighborhood maintains strong connections to Irish American heritage, earning the informal designation as a gathering point for Irish communities in New York. This tradition shows in local pubs, shops and festivals held along the boardwalk and side streets.
The A train subway line, local buses and NYC Ferry service offer connections between Rockaway Beach and other parts of New York City. The boardwalk invites walking or cycling, with the western end of the beach more densely developed than the quieter eastern section near the National Recreation Area.
The Ramones immortalized this location in their 1977 song Rockaway Beach, which became part of the neighborhood musical legacy. The track still appears on postcards and souvenirs, reminding visitors of the connection between this beach and the New York punk rock scene of the 1970s.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
