Community Corner

Life's A Beach

The LIRR has 12 discounted beach getaways leaving every weekend from the Atlantic Avenue/Flatbush train station

Memorial Day signals the unofficial start of the summer. It's also the day when all New York City beaches open.

If you missed the chance to catch the sun and sand this past Memorial Day weekend, don't fret, you still have plenty of opportunities.

The LIRR special beach package tickets are available on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays throughout the summer. And an average beach trip leaving from Atlantic Avenue/Flatbush station on the LIRR is only 1-2 hours in a stress-free, air-conditioned environment.

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After one trip, you will want to head out for a beach getaway every weekend for the next several weeks. 

LIRR Beach Getaways:

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Jones Beach (Freeport Station) Jones Beach State Park offers miles of sandy beaches and refreshing ocean surf. A two-mile-long boardwalk, games, playgrounds, and swimming pools are also available at the park. The discounted package ticket includes round trip rail fare to and from Freeport and MTA Long Island Bus service via the N88 to and from the Central Mall, and the East and West Bath Houses at Jones Beach. The special package fare is $17.50 from New York or Brooklyn, and $14.50 from Jamaica. 

Long Beach Enjoy the ambiance of a seaside resort, just a short train ride from Penn Station, Brooklyn or Jamaica. Just a few blocks from the LIRR's Long Beach Station, Long Beach offers unsurpassed ocean swimming and a two and a half mile long boardwalk, summer concerts and Arts & Crafts Festivals. The discounted package ticket includes one-day round trip rail fare to Long Beach and admission to the beach. The special package fare is $21.00 from New York or Brooklyn, and $18.00 from Jamaica.

Kismet/Fire Island Lighthouse (Ferry from Bay Shore) –  Intensely informal, car-free and easygoing, Kismet is known as a great community with something for everyone. Amenities include a couple of full service restaurants, two public tennis courts, a basketball court, and playground area. Just a half-mile from the beach is the over 150 year-old Fire Island Lighthouse. General admission is included in the package. A climb to the top of the lighthouse provides a panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean, the Great South Bay, Fire Island, Long Island and the Manhattan Skyline. It's perfect for individuals, families, or groups. For information and events call 631-661-4876 or visit fireislandlighthouse.com. The special package fare is $35.00 from New York or Brooklyn and $34.50 from Jamaica.  For children 5-11 years of age the fare is $18.50.

Ocean Beach (Ferry from Bay Shore) – Home to over a dozen restaurants, hotels, and endless attractions such as sidewalk sales, live bands, and innumerable shops and boutiques, Ocean Beach is truly the ‘cosmopolitan' center of Fire Island. For the ultimate seafood experience by the water, or to just unwind and take in the charming atmosphere, Ocean Beach has it all and it's a great family destination. The special package fare is $31.00 from New York or Brooklyn and $30.50 from Jamaica. For children 5-11 years of age the fare is $14.50.

Ocean Bay Park (Ferry from Bay Shore) – Take the train to Bay Shore Station and board a David Brothers Taxi to the Fire Island Ferries. One of the most relaxed of the Fire Island communities, Ocean Bay Park has a mix of families and singles. Bay-front dining is available at two of the four restaurants. There is also a grocery store, two pizza places and a bagel shop. For a schedule of ferry departure times call Fire Island Ferries at 631-665-3600 or visit fireislandferries.com. The special package fare is $31.00 from New York or Brooklyn and $30.50 from Jamaica.

Cherry Grove (Ferry from Sayville) – Time has no meaning on Fire Island. You'll think you've entered a different world. Lay on the beach, and let yourself go. Push your toes through the warm sand. Relax, dine and dance, and indulge yourself. The shops and restaurants are all brilliantly colored and built on multi-levels, so you can find something for everyone. For a schedule of ferry departure times call the Sayville Ferry Service at 631-589-0810 or visit their website at sayvilleferry.com. The special package fare is $31.00 from New York and Brooklyn, and $30.50 from Jamaica. The LIRR package begins May 28 and continues daily through September 5.

Fire Island Pines (Ferry from Sayville) – "The Pines" named for the beautiful wind-sculpted pine trees, is truly an architectural paradise and the largest community on the Island. When you approach from the Bay side, you are reminded almost of Monte Carlo or the south of France.  Colorful umbrella-spiked tables on the wide terraces of outdoor bars & restaurants form the picturesque harbor. Populated in good part by members of the world of fashion and design, it is well known for its upscale social life and beautiful harbor. For a schedule of ferry departure times call the Sayville Ferry Service at 631-589-0810 or visit their website at sayvilleferry.com. The special package fare is $31.00 from New York and Brooklyn, and $30.50 from Jamaica.

Sunken Forest at Sailors' Haven (Ferry from Sayville)– Sunbathe on a pristine ocean beach or take a nature walk through the beautiful and enchanted Sunken Forest at Sailors' Haven. The Sunken Forest is an enchanting 300 year-old primeval holly forest situated below the primary dune. The Parks Department provides free guided tours. For a schedule of ferry departure times call the Sayville Ferry Service at 631-589-0810 or visit their website at sayvilleferry.com. The special package fare from New York and Brooklyn is $28.00, and $27.50 from Jamaica. For children 5-11 years of age the fare is $15.50.

Watch Hill (Ferry from Patchogue)-  Lounge in the sun on a peaceful beach on the secluded shores of Fire Island or walk the nature trails. The ferry service is run by the Davis Park Ferry Company, they can be contacted at 631-475-1665 or on their website at davisparkferry.com. The special package fare is $27.00 from New York or Brooklyn and $21.50 from Jamaica. For children 5-11 years of age the fare is $13.50. The LIRR package begins May 28 and continues daily through September 5.

Davis Park (Ferry from Patchogue)– Take the train to Patchogue Station, and board Lindy's Taxi to the Davis Park Ferry. On one end, a huge boat-filled marina, on the other magnificent ocean waves form this community's great landscape. After swimming, walking or sunbathing on the beach, enjoy the local popular restaurant and bar, with live music and dancing on the weekends. The Davis Park Ferry Company can be contacted at 631-475-1665 or on their website at davisparkferry.com. The special package fare is $33.00 from New York or Brooklyn and $32.50 from Jamaica. For children 5-11 years of age the fare is $23.50. The LIRR package begins May 28 and continues daily through September 5.

Robert Moses – Take the train to Babylon Station and walk downstairs for the S-47 Suffolk Bus. Located on the western tip of Fire Island, Robert Moses State Park offers world-class sand and surf in a casual, less-crowded atmosphere. The Park has five miles of ocean beach, picnic areas and an 18-hole pitch & putt golf course.  The special package fare is $20.50 from New York and Brooklyn, and $16.00 from Jamaica. The connecting S47 bus service, provided by Suffolk Transit, from Babylon Station to Robert Moses operates approximately every half-hour on weekends; hourly on weekdays. The last bus departs Robert Moses at 6:30 PM. Daily service begins June 20 and continues through September 5.

Captree Fishing – Captree is a fisherman's haven and a picnicker's delight, so pack a lunch and enjoy a day of fishing while taking in the beautiful views. And no need to bring fishing gear, it's all included in the package price. The special package fare is $45 from New York and Brooklyn, $28.50 for children 5-11 years of age.

For additional information customers may call the LIRR's Travel Information Center at 718-217-5477 (718-217-LIRR).   If you are deaf or hard of hearing, use your preferred relay service provider or the free 711 relay to reach LIRR at 718-217-5477.


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