From Long Island City to South Street Seaport to Governor's Island, you can don your swimsuit, hit the sand and get some sun at Water Taxi Beach.
While the man-made beaches don't offer much in the way of swimming, there's some fun in the sun to be had at all. Here's a look at what the three distinct spots have to offer, which are all accessible by, for the most part, water taxi.
Long Island City
54-34 2nd Street
How to get there: Four-minute Water Taxi ride from midtown Manhattan, free from East 35th Street in Manhattan every Friday and Saturday night form 8 pm-2 am; 7 train to Vernon Blvd/Jackson Avenue or E train to 23rd Street/Ely Avenue
View: Midtown Manhattan skyline
Activities: Volleyball, sunbathing, dancing
To eat: Motz burgers, pulled pork sandwiches, hot dogs, fries, chicken, ribs, seafood and more
To drink: Cocktails, summery beers, sangria
Special events: DJ every Sunday in the afternoon till late
Open: Now through October 2010, daily
South Street Seaport
89 South St @ Pier 17 North
How to get there: Water taxi to Pier 11; 2, 3, 4, 5, A, C, J, M, Z lines to Fulton Street/Broadway Nassau
View: Brooklyn Bridge
Activities: Ping pong, nautically themed miniature golf, sunbathing, dancing
To eat: Fish tacos, jumbo wings, hot dogs, beer batter fish and chips, Motz burgers, raw seafood bar on weekends, watermelon, ice cream, and more
To drink: Cocktails, summery beers, sangria
Special events: DJs most Wednesdays and Thursdays in the afternoon till late
Open: Now through October 3, 2010, daily
Governor's Island
How to get there: Free ferry from Manhattan's Battery Maritime Building and Brooklyn Bridge Park
View: Lower Manhattan
Activities: Sunbathing, volleyball, basketball, dancing
To eat: Hot dogs, Motz burger, kielbasa, pork spareribs, fries, roasted corn, watermelon, ice cream, and more
To drink: Beer and wine
Special events: Live music at outdoor venue The Beach
Open: June 5, 2010 through October 31, 2010, Friday-Sunday
