Beach 89th Street runs from Beach Channel Drive to the sand in a peninsula neighborhood where the whole grid points at the ocean, and closing it for a block party is Rockaway doing what it does best. The A train and the Rockaway Park shuttle put you a block away, which is rare for a beach community this far out. If you want a summer afternoon that starts on a closed street and ends in the Atlantic, this is the address.
What to expect
Expect a closed residential street with neighbors grilling and setting up along the curb, music from a portable system, and kids running the roadway. It is a local gathering rather than a programmed festival. The Rockaway boardwalk, the beach and the concession stands are a short walk toward the water.
Good to know
- Beach 89th Street runs between Beach Channel Drive and the boardwalk in Rockaway Beach, Queens.
- The A train's Rockaway Park shuttle stops at Beach 90th Street, a block away.
- The street is closed under a street activity permit, so plan to park elsewhere.
- Bring a chair and a cooler; this is a bring-your-own kind of afternoon.
- The beach and boardwalk are a couple of minutes south on foot.
- It is a free neighborhood event on public street space.
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Common questions
How do I get there by subway?
Take the A to Broad Channel and transfer to the Rockaway Park shuttle, which stops at Beach 90th Street beside the block.
Is the beach nearby?
Yes — the block runs toward the boardwalk and the Rockaway Beach sand is a short walk.
Is the street closed?
Yes, it operates under a street activity permit that closes the block to traffic.
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