When it comes to summertime in NYC, having the luxury of nearby beaches within only less than a few hours or so is one of the best parts of those stuffy summers in the city. Some of my favorites over the years in the Northeast region range anywhere from the southernmost tip of New Jersey all the way up to Acadia National Park, Maine; I have driven hundreds and hundreds of miles exploring all types of different areas experiencing some of the most beautiful skies in the world (while also sitting in lots of traffic!). If you have the chance this summer to get away, here are some locations known for sunrises and sunsets, sunbathing, swimming, and any random assortment of lighthouses that at one point were my photographic obsession. 

New York 

westhampton beach

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beach 98 street rockaway

 

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ORIENT POINT

 

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far rockaway

 

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brighton beach

 

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Two Mile Hollow Beach

 

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hobart beach

 

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Caumsett state national park

 

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coney island

 

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main beach

 

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montauk point

 

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sunken meadow state park

 

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HITHER HILLS STATE PARK

 

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Maine 

TWO LIGHTS PARK

 

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old orchard beach

 

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marshall point light

 

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ram island ledge light

 

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nubble lighthouse

 

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portland HEAD light

 

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ACADIA NATIONAL PARK / otter cliffs

 

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Massachusetts 

SANDY NECK BEACH

 

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highland light

 

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PROVINCETOWN

 

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PROVINCETOWN HISTORIC DISTRICT

 

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COAST GUARD BEACH

 

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New Jersey 

cape may lighthouse

 

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higbee beach

 

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SUNSET BEACH

 

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Connecticut 

short beach

 

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compo beach

 

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SILVER SANDS STATE PARK

 

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NEW HAPSHIRE

odiorne state park

 

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