Rockaway
Located in Queens, Rockaway is another world. Battered after Hurricane Sandy, Rockaway is now open after a full reconstruction of the Boardwalk and surrounding areas near the beach. Now its pier is lined with new restaurants, food trucks, and even a bazaar which has DJs, clothing, and food. Rockaway is now the coolest beach to explore.
How to get there: A train or Beach Bus from Brooklyn
[Photo via @helemakai]