Jacob Riis Park Trip Guide: Attractions, Top Things to Do & Dining

Jacob Riis Park is a seaside park with a beautiful beach view. You can enjoy huge social gatherings, playing sports and food vendors. It is popular for the umbrella (LGBTQIA+) community. Jacob Riss Park has a very great history of architecture and land. It has a huge parking area and a long beach area. You can access various amenities such as showers, food vendors, and seasonal services.

Where Is Jacob Riis Park Located?

Jacob Riss Park is in the southwestern portion of the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens. You will notice the landmarks in the Jacob Riss Park, such as a bathhouse, boardwalk, playing courts and a golf course. Tourists will notice playgrounds and picnic spots for families and friends. You can enjoy DJs and parties organized by the park. You could enjoy the various street foods around the beach and boardwalk.

History of Jacob Riis Park

Jacob Riis Park was constructed as a seaside beach in 1912. Seaside Beach is named after the journalist Jacob Riis. Jacob Riis was a Danish-American social reformer and a social documentary photographer. In the early period, there were some facilities such as walkways and natural dunes, which attracted a low or free crowd connection gathered by ferry and rail. The crowd also came to watch the spartan in that period. Jacob Riss Park was used as a Naval Air Station in World War I by the military.

Best Time to Visit Jacob Riis Park

The best time to visit Jacob Riis Park is from Memorial Day to Labour Day. Weekdays, especially in the early morning, are the best for a peaceful time. And if you visit during evening hours, you can experience live shows and concerts, especially on weekends. The lifeguards are available on the beach from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. only.

Lifeguards are only at bay two and five. Bays one and four are closed due to bad conditions of the beach. Bays six to twelve are open for swimming, but there are no lifeguards. Bay nine has food amenities like street food and drinks. You are not able access that many amenities in the Jacob Riis Park compared to the season amenities. But you can make it to the historical places or boardwalks. There are multiple numbers of food vendors are there too.

Top Things to Do at Jacob Riis Park

You can enjoy the beach activities and various other things. There are so many spots with awnings and sheets over them to avoid sunburn. Volleyball and basketball are the most popular outdoor games; you can engage too.

Swimming and Sunbathing

The following are some key points to remember before going for the swimming or sunbathing:

One of the most soothing things is listening to the symphony of the waves mixed with the breeze.
Also, give you Vitamin D and also put some sunscreen.
You should always swim under the supervision of the lifeguards.
Lifeguards are present during the peak season from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Bays Two and Five.

Building a Sand Castle

Building a sand castle is a time consuming and also very enjoyable activity. Before building the sand castle, you have to remember the following terms:

You need to bring some tools, such as buckets and shovels.
carving tools like knife, scoop, etc.
Mix the sand with water before getting it into the castle structure.
Carve the structure into the shape of the castle you want to build.
Decorate the sand castle with pebbles and shells.

Historic Monuments and Wise-Clock

You can visit various places and historic places near the Jacob Riis Park are as follows:

You can visit historic monuments at Jacob Riis Park, with the great history of New York.
You can visit the ART Deco Bathhouse to explore the historic and restored art house.
You can visit the area where WWI was occupied by the military forces at that time.
You can visit the wise clock. It was built in 1891 by a watch brand named Boston’s E. Howard Watch Company.

Playing Courts at Jacob Riis Park

You can enjoy various sports and play games at the Jacob Riis Park, which includes the following:

Basketball: They have six full basketball courts near the beach.
Handball: They have handball courts and you just have to get a handball and enjoy playing.
Golf: They have an 18-hole pitch and putt golf course. It is organized by Aviator Sports.
Soccer and Softball: There are fields available for playing soccer and softball.
Jacob Riis Park: They have playing small and very functional park for the children.

Walking and Biking on the Boardwalk

The following points can be beneficial for your walk and biking on the boardwalk are:

Biking: Biking is only allowed in the concrete pathways.
Accessibility: You can go on the beach, park and courts from the boardwalk and also go to food vendors to eat some food.
Regulation: Normal bicycles are permitted to ride on the boardwalk. However, you have to check your electric bicycle for a permit or eligibility to ride there in the peak season.
Cost: Biking and walking are free on the boardwalk, but parking of bicycle in the main Jacob Riis Park could charge you the parking fees as per the parking rules.

Popular Attractions Near Jacob Riis Park

The popular attractions near Jacob Riis Park are listed below:

Riis Park Beach: It is such a great spot to spend the day with your family. The vibe around the beach is very comfortable and filled with joy.
Sports and Events Centre: Aviator Sports and Events Centre provides various sports and activities such as golf, mountain climbing and a sports centre.
Jet Ski: Jet skiing around the Rockaway beach is most of the enjoyable and hard activities for newcomers.
Boardwalk: Boardwalk is known for various foods and drinks, allowing people to access amenities around the beach.

Food and Dining at Jacob Riis Park

Bay Nine is known for its food and drinks served by the food truck, and they also play music and have DJs to hype the tourism. There are various food and dining options, and some of them are in the following:

Food Trucks & Stands: They serve various snack options that you can enjoy on the beach. They serves hot dogs, burgers, drinks, etc. Some vendors of food trucks are Rockawades, The In-Laws and Junxion, who also play DJs and music near their trucks.
PICO Kitchen & Cantina: They serves Mexican-Latin food which is very delicious and good. Highly recommended for the ambience and the services. All the staff are very good and helpful towards the customers
Cuisine By Claudette: This restaurant is usually busy. It is located near the beach which makes it very accessible. There’s limited seating inside. Water for all is available without a fee.
Harbor Light Pub & Restaurant: They serves various drinks including alcohol and have variety of the food. The staff helps very well and make you feel like home. It serves local food in America. It has a very casual and cozy atmosphere.
Kennedy’s Restaurant: Delicious food and beautiful ocean views. They have seating areas inside and outside where you can enjoy both seating areas. Reservations are must due to heavy tourism during the season time.

Hotels and Resorts Near Jacob Riis Park

Some of the best hotels and resorts near Jacob Riis Park are in the following:

The Rockaway Hotel: Their rooms and services are very good. They have public amenities like sauna and pools. It opens 24 hours a day.
D Piper Inn Hotel: It closes at 9:30 AM and is 2.2 Miles away from the Jacob Riis Park. It only offers a stay and basic amenities. Located in Rockaway Park.
Best Western Plus Brooklyn Bay Hotel: It opens all day long and 3.7 Miles away from the Jacob Riis Park. It only provides a stay and basic amenities. Located in Sheepshead Bay.
The High Tide Hotel: it is open all day and is 3.1 Miles away from Jacob Riis Park. It includes a stay and other basic amenities. Located at Seaside.
New Grassy Point Hotel: It is open all day and is 3.7 Miles away from Jacob Riis Park. It provides the stay and other amenities. Location at Broad Channel.

Travel Tips for Visiting Jacob Riis Park

The travel tips for visiting Jacob Riis Park are as follows:

Safety: Lifeguards are on duty 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Memorial Day to Labour Day. Bays one and four are closed due to hazardous conditions of the beach due to erosion.
Plan Transportation: If you come by driving, it would cost you $20 per day for parking. The common route is two or five subway to Flatbush/Nostrand and take the Q35 bus to the park for public transport.
What to Pack: The beach supports only card payment mode. Although there are food stands near Bay nine and in the market area, there may not be many selections.
Explore Amenities: Explore the historic areas of Jacob Riis Park, such as parks, picnic spots, playing courts, food trucks and all other different things.
Beach Decorum: Alcohol and smoking are prohibited in the beach area.

Conclusion

If you are planning to go for a trip to Jacob Riis Park this blog will help you to prepare for your trip and make it very enjoyable and you will explore all the fun activities. It is very rich in history and culture. You can visit the historic monuments and enjoy the moments with your loved ones and family. Jacob Riis Park is one of the best beaches in New York with crowded and peaceful beaches depending on the day and time.