Riis Park is the most beautiful beach in the city limits — a mile of federal parkland with a derelict Art Deco bathhouse at its centre — and the Beach Bazaar turns its boardwalk into a full food-hall operation for the season: ten vendors, two bars, a retail market and music running the length of it. Weekends are packed; a weekday in late August is when it is actually pleasant. If you have only ever done Rockaway Beach proper, this is the better half of the peninsula.
What to expect
The boardwalk stretch behind the bathhouse holds the vendor row, so you walk the line, order at whichever stall has a queue you can live with, and eat facing the water. The bars run through the afternoon and evening. Beach access is directly off the boardwalk, so people move between sand and food all day.
Good to know
- The Q22 and Q35 buses serve Riis Park; the A train to Rockaway Park plus a bus is the subway route
- Parking is available in the large Riis lot but fills on hot days
- Entry to the bazaar is free — you pay only for food, drink and retail
- Weekdays are dramatically quieter than weekends
- The season ends in October, and vendor hours shorten as it winds down
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Common questions
Is it open on weekdays?
Yes — the bazaar operates seven days a week through the summer season, though vendor lineups can be lighter midweek.
Do I have to pay to get in?
No. Walking the boardwalk and the bazaar is free; food, drink and retail are paid.
Can I swim there?
Yes. Jacob Riis Park has lifeguarded beach directly off the boardwalk during the season.
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