Being a native New Yorker comes with one drawback (for me, at least): I don’t own a car, or drive often for that matter. While I am vaccinated, I have still been cautious about traveling. Taking day and weekend trips out of New York City felt like the perfect way to acclimate to being out again. I have heard of Fire Island before (not to be confused with the fraudulent Fyre Festival), but was surprised by how much fun the trip would be. To date, it is probably the best day trip out of New York City I have ever taken! Here is a family-friendly, fun travel guide on things to do at Ocean Beach Fire Island.
AN INTRODUCTION TO FIRE ISLAND
Fire Island is a barrier island just off the southern shore of Long Island. The island is filled with resort towns that are connected by ferry, and to date, there are 17 distinct communities. Note: this blog post will only focus on Ocean Beach, although I hope to get myself out to one of the other villages one day.
TRANSPORTATION: GETTING FROM NYC TO FIRE ISLAND
On average, it takes around 1.5 hours to get to Fire Island from NYC via Long Island Railroad (LIRR). To get to Ocean Beach, you will take the LIRR from Penn Station to Bayshore. You can search for departure times here. On the weekends, the fare was around $15 one way. For someone who does not own a car, it was reassuring to know that train was the best mode of transportation.
The summer traffic in Long Island can be ridiculous, and many parts of the island do not allow cars. If you do plan on driving, you can park at a nearby port, and then hop on a ferry.
After arriving to Bayshore, you can take an Uber or walk 20-min to the ferry station. (Wear comfy shoes!) I found walking to be the most cost-effective, although the road can be lonely at night.
Ocean Beach Ferry Ride
The ferry ride lasted around 25 mins. I recommend packing a sweater because the ride can get chilly, especially at night. Cost was $21/person round-trip. While there is a strict timetable that the ferry operates by, we found that during peak times, it arrives more frequently than posted. (Pro Tip: Remember to bring cash. The ticket booth does not accept credit card)
Once you arrive on the island, you will be surprised by how close everything is. Pretty much all spots are walkable.
PLACES TO EAT AT OCEAN BEACH FIRE ISLAND
While I highly recommend taking this day trip from New York City, food was not the highlight of it. I know, I am spoiled coming from a place where nearly every authentic cuisine feels within reach. Although I did not expect the same standards here, I was taken aback by the quality. I researched a few well-known places on Yelp, and was suspicious by how low the reviews were. A few bites confirmed these ratings were accurate, but since I mainly came for the beach, I came with tempered expectations.
Some places we tried:
- Rachel’s Bakery: Known for their crumb cake, and confectionaries. It was also the first food spot we noticed when we got off the ferry. We also ordered some savory things off of the menu, which came in huge portions.
- Bay Walk Cafe: A good stop back from the beach if you are feeling slightly hungry or dehydrated, known for their smoothies and acai bowls.
- Maguire’s Bayfront Restaurant: A pretty lively spot we stayed at for dinner with a lovely sunset view. (Request outdoor seating) This restaurant seemed to be a popular choice for bachelorette parties. Seafood was not the best I’ve ever had, but it was a fun experience.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY THINGS TO DO AT OCEAN BEACH
Humor has it that Ocean Beach is known as the ‘Land of ‘NO.” Once you arrive, you are greeted by a sign of things you are not allowed to do (like bring food in…unless it’s water). Crazy, right? But on the flip side, I found the beach to be very well-maintained, clean, and peaceful. Super family-friendly if you wanted to bring your kids there for a day-trip.
Beach Activity Ideas + Things to Pack
I found being in the water to be pretty fun in itself. However, definitely pack some board games and a good book. Laying on a towel with a good read amidst the soothing sound of the ocean felt like the perfect sabbath for me.
Packing Essentials:
- Sunscreen + Swimsuit (shared about the one I wore on this trip in an earlier post)
- Beach Towel (to lay on and to dry off with)
- Huge bottle of water (since food isn’t allowed)
- Entertainment: books, board games (ball-playing not allowed)
As much as I loved the calmness of Ocean Beach, I was even more pleasantly surprised by my walk getting there. The entire town is very walkable, and along the paths, you are greeted by small shops, quaint beach homes, and bamboo gardens. If you’re lucky, even a few deer may cross your path.
Exploring the Shops
Again, I found the beach and walking paths to be the main highlight of the trip. But there are several small shops on Ocean Beach that you can explore. Most were a combination of clothing boutiques and souvenir shops. There are also a few dessert shops (e.g. ice cream and chocolate) if you have a sweets craving. Not comparable to New York City, but a comforting presence nonetheless 🙂
Walking to Ocean Bay Park Beach
I did not explore this option, as I was only there for the day. However, if Ocean Beach feels too tame, you can walk to Ocean Beach Bay Park. It is about a 20-min walk, also accessible by water taxi. Ocean Bay Park is less restrictive, with fun options such as parasailing, tubing, and boat tours.
LODGING AT OCEAN BEACH FIRE ISLAND
By the time I decided to make this trip (about a month in advance), most places were booked on Airbnb. Not to mention, the prices were quite exorbitant. From my perspective, a day-trip to Ocean Beach felt sufficient. However, with an extra day, the agenda would have felt less rushed. I would suggest checking Airbnb for any places to stay nearby, as hotel options seemed limited on the island. If you are lucky, you might be able to snag a spot at their boutique Palms Hotel.
TRAVELING BACK FROM OCEAN BEACH
The journey to Ocean Beach took around an hour for me on LIRR, but coming back was a different story. I am glad we took an earlier ferry (around 7:45pm) because after 8pm, the LIRR times become very sparse. Not to mention, the stops run local, so the journey back felt twice as long. After a day of being out in the sun, I was definitely wiped out.
OCEAN BEACH FIRE ISLAND TRAVEL GUIDE SUMMARY
Hopefully, you found this guide helpful for your next getaway out of the hustle and bustle of New York City. Ocean Beach Fire Island is an excellent destination if you are looking to plan an uncomplicated weekend or day trip. Walking and family friendly. While Ocean Beach does have its restrictions, you can always take a water taxi to a near by town as there are nearly 32 miles of the barrier island to explore!
Remember to sunscreen, stay safe, and enjoy this respite from New York City for just a bit.
