It has been almost two years since Hurricane Sandy rolled through Long Beach, leaving devastation but also offering residents some amazing community bonding experiences in its wake. “We are Long Beachers,” says resident Kathleen Bauer. “Sure, before the hurricane we were Long Beachers; it’s just that now when we say it, it means something a little bit more. We went through that storm and its aftermath together.” Yet through this, Long Beach as a city has come back bigger than ever and made some improvements and additions to its community that no Long Island resident should miss. Below are just a few reasons you should make Long Beach, N.Y., a stop on your island “stay cation.”
Surf camp! Surf camp is offered in two parts of town through two camps. Skudin Surf Camp in the middle of town is run by the Skudin brothers and is not just for kids. With instructors teaching children and adults in both camp and private setting, riding a wave may be the most fun thing you do this summer! (Visit SkudinSurf.com.)
Arts in the Plaza— The music starts at noon each Saturday at the Kennedy Plaza, just steps from the train station. Arts in the Plaza hosts an eclectic group of artists, and craft and food vendors to provide a backdrop to the sounds of a different band each week. Be sure to bring your family Saturdays to Arts in the Plaza. There is also a kids’ crafts area. (Visit ArtsInThePlaza.com.)
Shops and boutiques—Long Beach shops are open, and the people of Long Beach are still in need of your support. Shops to fit every need, with artisan and fair trade items found at Momona Gallery; organic body products found in the beautiful Karma’s Angel; and, of course, after you fall in love surfing, there are plenty of surf shops to help you fill your quiver with deals on boards both new and used.
Long Beach International Film Fest (LBIFF) will be held July 30 through August 4. Seeking out the best in international cinema, the LBIFF will showcase the work of the world’s top filmmakers and fresh talent alike, presenting more than 50 of the finest films from around the globe. On August 1, Friday, set upon the spectacular Atlantic Ocean coastline of Long Beach. New and less than an hour from Manhattan, the LBIFF invites folks to bring a beach chair and enjoy Shorts on the Beach, a compilation of short films that have been entered into the festival.
2.2 miles of boardwalk—Long Beach has more than two miles of boardwalk for you to run, bike (in the bike lane of course) or stroll along its beautiful coastline.
The beach—Need we say more. Long Beach, located on the South Shore of Long Island, offers a beautiful, clean beach with lifeguards and public bathrooms. The beach can be used in various ways, with active pursuits, like volley ball, surfing, sand soccer, going on daily. If you want to just “chill,” bring your beach chair close to the water, grab a book, or just meditate while taking in the horizon and the scenery.
Restaurants—If being by the ocean gives you a hankering for fish, there are tons of choices, including a few awesome restaurants. Like Sushi? Check out Nagahama on Long Beach Road. Thai? Try Chaba Thai on Park Avenue. Gerri’s offers scallops that are served over pureed sweet potatoes; and then there’s Sugo Restaurant, where the food is almost as awesome as the owner that walks the room every night to be sure your dining experience is second to none. Not in the mood for fish. Not to worry, there are plenty of great continental food establishments, including John Henry’s Pub and The Park Restaurant, which both offer a great place to grab a drink and a burger.
Shmorgasboard—Want to end your day sandy and salty with no desire to sit in a restaurant but would love to head home and not think about dinner? The Shmorgasboard Food Trucks on Riverside Avenue allow you to do just that. The Shmorgasboard has food trucks that offer everything from Cuban food to the best lobster roll on Long Island, and access to Swing Belly’s ribs which will make you come back for more.
iFly Trapeze—Yup, with the beautiful Atlantic Ocean for the backdrop, you can view Long Beach from an entirely different vantage point. iFly Trapeze is back in Long Beach this summer.
Speaking of surfing—Long Beach boasts not only a film festival, it’s also home to Surf Week, July 16 through 20. With surf contests, movies and other events, Surf Week is sure to be a hit for young and old alike.
Source: Gambino’s Long Beach Clean Up Crew. On behalf of the Long Beach locals, Gambino’s crew asks when you come to our beach town to please leave it how you found it. You can even take a picture of yourself cleaning the beach and tag Gambino’s Long Beach Clean Up Crew on Facebook. Also, please drive responsibly and slowly; our children live here.
