Orchard Beach

A lovely broad stretch of clean sand, Orchard Beach edges Pelham Bay for a length of well over a mile. Brought to a definitive stop at either end of the bay by stone seawalls, it faces out towards Long Island from the East Bronx on Long Island Sound.

Part of Pelham Bay Park, the beach is subdivided into 13 sections backed by a paved promenade spotted with food stores and other shops. There’s a good amount of local parking, as well as two children’s playgrounds, picnic areas and good sports facilities including no less than 26 basketball courts.

The Bronx’s only public beach, Orchard Beach took its present form in the 1930s when the promenade was first constructed and the beach was extended through land reclamation and the importation of sand.

Also sometimes known as Hood Beach, the beach is open from 10 am until 6 pm between mid-May and mid-September (Memorial Day to Labor Day). Swimming is only permitted when lifeguards are on duty, and in areas which have not been closed off by flags.