NYC Memorial Day Beach Guide: Catch Some Rays, Weather Willing

NEW YORK CITY — New Yorkers looking to hit the city's beaches for the Memorial Day holiday weekend have some good news and bad news.

The good news: the city's public beaches will officially be open for people looking to burn and wash away all negative vibes from more than a year under the coronavirus.

The bad news: the rainy, chilly forecast.

Let's get to the bad news first — rain is likely Saturday, with temperatures only reaching 54 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. Plus, there will be a high rip current risk that day.

The dreary wet weather likely will continue Sunday and clear up Memorial Day, although the high will be 67 degrees.

But the good news for the adventurous and future summer beachgoers is the city's sandy stretches will be officially open Memorial Day weekend through Sept. 12. They'll have a 6-foot social distancing guideline, but that likely will end by July 4.

Swimming is allowed when lifeguards are on duty from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Beaches

Brighton Beach at Coney Island

Borough: Brooklyn

Address: W 37th Street to Ocean Parkway

Brighton Beach is right next to Brooklyn's Coney Island and often (but not always) draws less of a crowd.

Cedar Grove Beach

Borough: Staten Island

Address: Ebbitts Street and Cedar Grove Avenue

Cedar Grove is New York City's newest beach, a converted oceanfront bungalow colony in Great Kills Park. The Parks Department describes it as "smaller and somewhat more tranquil than its neighbors, Midland Beach and South Beach."

Manhattan Beach

Borough: Brooklyn

Address: Oriental Boulevard, from Ocean Avenue to Mackenzie Street

A family-friendly beach east of Brighton Beach attracts locals looking for a calmer experience.

Parking is available for $7 from Monday through Friday and $22 on weekends and holidays.

Midland Beach

Borough: Staten Island

Address: Fort Wadsworth to Miller Field, Midland Beach

Verrazzano Bridge views define this beach, which also offers a scenic trail for biking, a boardwalk and Ocean Breeze Fishing Pier, one of the city's most popular.

Orchard Beach

Borough: Bronx

Address: Long Island Sound in Pelham Bay Park

Orchard Beach is The Bronx's only public beach, proclaimed "The Riviera of New York" when it was created in the 1930s, according to the Parks Department.

Parking is available for $8 from Monday through Friday for cars and vans and $10 on weekends and holidays. A senior citizen discount is available for weekdays.

Rockaway Beach

Borough: Queens

Address: Beach Ninth Street, Far Rockaway to Beach 149th Street,

Crank up The Ramones's self-same song as you head to this popular Queens beach. The Parks Department says: "Beach goers can enjoy the sand and water, the variety of concessions, and the city's only legal surfing beaches. Rockaway Beach is also home to a variety of playgrounds and other outdoor activities."

South Beach

Borough: Staten Island

Address: Fort Wadsworth to Miller Field

Located on New York Bay, South Beach also boasts a view of the Verrazzano Bridge. Be sure to check out the beach's Fountain of Dolphins.

Oh, and there's free parking.

Wolfe's Pond Beach

Borough: Staten Island

Address: Raritan Bay and Prince's Bay, Holton to Cornelia Avenues

Wolfe's Pond Park is the city's "best-kept secret," at least according to the Parks Department. It offers a small, calm and secluded beach.