Seagulls! That’s when I know I’m either near the beach, or just back on Long Island.
Yay, I’m finally telling you guys about my super fun beach-filled weekend down on Long Island!
I can’t wait to tell you all about the building in the picture above- it may not look especially beachy, but this structure is part of the very essence of Jones Beach State Park.
However, I get ahead of myself.
Let’s start at the beginning, shall we? I love Long Island. It’s my childhood home and where my parents and extended family still live. There are, of course, several cons to living there, especially when compared to the quiet of the Hudson Valley: overpopulated, tons of traffic, and about a trillion strip malls and car dealerships. But Long Island also does a lot of things well, trust me!
The flags welcoming us to Jones Beach State Park
One thing Long Island does well is food: bagels come to mind first of course, followed by pizza (my love!), and any of several ethnic cuisines, all prepared by first- and second-generation immigrants: Italian, Greek, Indian, Dominican and Puerto Rican, to name a few. But here’s what my family and I enjoyed last Friday night:
Did someone say fried food? I am so there.
All American is a 50’s style burger place in Massapequa, on Long Island’s South Shore. I hear that their hamburgers are some of the best ever, but for obvious reasons, I was quite content with French Fries, a potato knish, and a vanilla milkshake (to share, those shakes are filling!).
Coffee? Why would anyone buy coffee here when you can have a milkshake?
Oh yeah, and this place gets pretty crowded in the summer. We were there on a Friday night in the middle of summer, what did I expect? If you’ll look to the top right of this picture below, you’ll see that it’s super busy- those are the lines to order!
Hi, Tristan, Sue, Andy, Mom, and Joe!
And standing back to get the sign on top (with strategically placed sea gull):
Lines out the door by the time we left! Also, what a beautiful neon sign 🙂
As I mentioned in my Mother’s Day post, Long Island also does historic estates and mansions well. But Gold Coast estates aren’t the only places you’ll find history- in fact, Jones Beach State Park is on the National Register of Historic Places. History + recreation (mini golf, shuffleboard, volleyball, and other cruise-type games) and you get the ocean, too? Oh yes, Jones Beach has it all!
The buildings at the beach, constructed in 1929, are Art Deco style, which I just love. Other Art Deco structure in New York include the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, and Rockefeller Center.
The 231 foot water tower, made of Ohio sandstone, Barbizon brick, and copper
Have I mentioned the boardwalk yet? It’s huge, and ever so lovely to stroll on while the summer sun is setting.
It’s also nice in the evening because so many of the day’s beachgoers have packed up and left 🙂
Here are a couple more photos from Friday evening:
Just look at that adorable, whimsical sign! Adore!
Sunlit boardwalk! The West Bath House, seen in the first picture, is in the background
Yep, that’s a gorgeous sunset right there.
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That was Friday evening: my family and I enjoying the beach and the boardwalk after a nostalgic dinner and before a big party on Saturday. Sunday midday, Andy and I returned to Jones Beach- after all, he had never been there before! Sunset is one thing, but one must experience the beach in the daytime.
Another great sign + just some of the other beach loving folk coming and going
More great signs & architectural focus:
Comfort Stations! Let’s all call bathrooms comfort stations from now on.
Incongruity: the old-timey next to the present day.
First Aide. I couldn’t stop exclaiming over the fonts and details on the buildings, as if it was my first time seeing them (ha!).
The West Bath House houses a Friendly’s upstairs, and downstairs is another concession area and two swimming pools.
West Bath House grandiosity. Jones Beach has style!
That’s enough architecture. Are you guys ready for swimming or what? We are at the beach, after all. Here you go:
To answer your questions: No, I have never actually been in this pool, and no, I don’t know what the point of a pool at the beach is. But whatevs, people like it!
Kind of weird, right? I don’t know about you, but I go to the beach for the ocean. And ohhh, how we savored those waves, that salty water, that sense of calm and joy that nothing else can bring.
(yay)
The beach was super packed, but somehow we had a nice little bubble of space in the water (for the most part).
And these two are courtesy of Andy and his waterproof camera:
Can I just say how nice it is to finally have goggles for swimming- no more worrying about losing my contacts in the water!
The Wave Monster! Make no mistake, friends, that is an expression of ‘Yay!’
Oh yes, we ate lunch, too. Fighting those powerful waves makes you hungry! We ate the sandwiches below, plus a kale and goat cheese salad, carrot sticks, and tortilla chips.
Ciabatta bread sandwiches with cucumber, roasted red pepper, garlic hummus, provolone cheese, and spicy mustard. Oh yes.
I’m so glad we made the intention to spend an afternoon at the beach and followed through. Jones Beach, and nearby Robert Moses beach, are two spots that are like coming home for me, quite literally. I remember my dad helping me tackle the intimidating ocean waves when I was a little kid, countless sandy walks with my siblings, and begging my mom for ice cream from the bath house.
It was nice to bring Andy to Jones Beach for the first time. I’m pretty sure he enjoyed himself 🙂
Yep…I’m sure we’ll be returning to the beach in the near future.
Do you have a favorite beach or summertime getaway spot?
(Apologies for the late post- it’s officially Friday, eeek! Hoping everyone has a great weekend. Don’t worry, there’ll still be a Friday Gratitude post coming up, too!)
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Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air. —Ralph Waldo Emerson
Loved this post! LI always get a bad rap but you’ve done well convincing people otherwise! Great photos and enthusiasm. One of my favorite places to visit in the summer was Robert Moses State Park; walking on the boardwalk/trail up to the lighthouse and seeing the wildlife and plant life specific only to a beachy area. Well done, Christy.
All right! I knew it had to take a fellow LI/beach lover to truly ‘grade’ critique this post 😉 Robert Moses lighthouse will just have to be featured in a post all its own- esp since we still haven’t seen it compared to when we were there last year.
Thank you darling!
I love, love, love the beach! I haven’t gotten there yet this year, but I really need to go asap!
Looks like you guys had a great time. Love the pic of the wave monster!
I hope you do get to go soon, Holly. Talk about a respite- the beach totally rejuvenates my soul 🙂
thanks for sharing, lovely post.
Thank you!
Another awesome blog post, and about such a special place! So glad you enjoy Jones Beach too. My childhood memories are focused on Fire Island, with my dad piloting our boat across the Great South Bay, for a day of exploring and splashing in the waves. Good times, and more to come with all of our family.
Thanks, Mom 🙂 I haven’t been on a boat in too long!
I’ve never been to long island…your pictures look like so much fun! My in-laws have a lake house in lake of the ozarks and that has to be my favorite summer destination, it’s our 2nd home in the summer!
It was so much fun, Jaclyn! I just googled Lake of the Ozarks because I’d never heard of it- beautiful! It’s nice to have a summery spot to escape to 🙂
Great recap on Jones beach! I love the picture of you in the ocean when the wave is all around you! Great shot!
So funny that there’s a pool right next to the beach. I don’t get it either, I’m with you, if I’m going to the beach, then I want to be at the beach! I love the east coast beaches because the ocean temps are so much warmer. The ocean here in SF is COLD! You need a wet suit even in the summer!
Looks like you had a great trip! xoxo, Jackie
Thanks Jackie! I just like the pool because of its history- my dad took swimming lessons there as a kid in the 50’s 🙂
Yep, I remember that about the SF beach, haha. I love both coasts, they’ve each got their merits. The ocean at Jones Beach felt super cold when we first got in- but then after awhile it was just refreshing.
(I always love your comments!)
[…] has it been a busy week. I’m on Long Island again, this time for our annual family Lobster Party with my dad’s side of the family. July […]
I’ve never been to Jones Beach but my husband was just there on Thursday night for a Phish concert. I have been to Long Island plenty of times, though. By the way, that shot of you in the wave is amazing. It made me gasp out loud. What a moment! Great camera work too.
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Your husband must have had a great time on Thursday! Some friends just went to Phish tour up in Saratoga and loved it.
Thanks Tamara- my hubby does have a way with the camera 🙂
[…] in July there was beach time, festivals, family get-togethers, great desserts, baby-sitting, lots of friend time, and my return […]
Ugh. I hate Jones Beach! Only because every time I go there I get horribly horrible (eyes swollen shut) burnt. It’s our first 4th of July this year Not going. We’re searching for another non-cursed beach. I know, I’m being silly. But at the thought of that cursed beach my skin just crawled.
Otherwise, nice photos 🙂