Both Jones and Long Beach are in Long Island, along its southern shores. Although you can visit both of them by private car, bus, and train, Long Beach has more bus services. You have slightly more options for hotels and dining scenes in Long Beach than in Jones Beach. But if you are looking for a park experience, Jones Beach is perfect.
To get a detailed idea between Jones Beach and Long Beach, let’s get started.
Jones Beach VS Long Beach: Quick Comparison
Let’s check the table below for a brief comparison between Jones Beach and Long Beach.
| Factors | Jones Beach | Long Beach |
| Location | South Shores of Long Island | Nassau County, Long Island |
| Accessibility | Private Car, Bus, Train | Private Car, Bus, Train |
| Best Time to Visit | Summer | Summer |
| Where to Stay | Hotels, Hostels, Inn | Hotels, Hostels, Inn |
| Things to do | Visit Jones Beach State Park, Get through the Jones Beach Zipline | Learn surfing, Enjoy the boardwalk, Experience cinema |
| Restaurant | Gatsby on the Ocean, Boardwalk Cafe, Nautilus Cafe, Cara Mia | Lost At Sea, LB Social, Sherry Blossom, Roc & Olive, The Ugly Duckling |
| Price | Free But Parking Fee is required [$8 to $10] | $10 [for Residents] $15 [for Non-Residents] |
The table above shows the basic difference between Jones and Long Beach.
Jones Beach VS Long Beach: Detailed Comparison
Now let’s dive in and find the answer to which one to choose between Jones Beach and Long Beach.
Location
Both Jonas Beach and Long Beach are in Long Island. Jones Beach is located along the south shores of Long Island, notable for its Jones Beach State Park. On the other hand, Long Beach is in Nassau County inside Long Island.
Jonas Beach is linked to Long Island by the Meadowbrook State Parkway, Wantagh State Parkway, and Ocean Parkway. It is quite sparsely populated. However, Long Beach in the Long Island’s Barrier Island is quite densely populated. Jones Beach
Accessibility
Both Jones and Long Beach take less than an hour to get from New York City unless you live in Staten Island. You can visit both the beach towns by your private car, train, subway and bus. But Long Beach has more bus options to get there.
To get to both Jones and Long Beach, take the Long Island Expressway (LIE) or Southern State Parkway. Depending on where you start your journey from, it should take you about an hour to get there. Both places have plenty of parking options, however, keep in mind that finding a parking spot can be difficult during peak seasons.
If you are taking the train, just go for the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR). Go to any train station and get a ticket for the LIRR in the Freeport Station. Similarly, if you are taking the subway, get to the Jamaica Station in Queens first and then transfer to the LIRR to Freeport station.
If you are traveling by bus, go to Long Island first and then take the N15, N33, N36, N71, and N72 bus lines to Long Beach. For Jones Beach, go to the Freeport station and just take the N88 bus line to the beach.
Where to Stay
In Jones Beach and Long Beach, New York, you’ll find a range of accommodations to suit different budgets. Due to their proximity, there is not much difference in the options, and the price range tends to be quite similar.
In Jones Beach, budget-friendly options include the Jones Beach Hotel, The Freeport Inn and Marina, and the Gateway Inn, with prices starting at $59 per night.
For mid-range choices, consider Ramada by Wyndham Rockville, Best Western Bar Harbour Inn, and Red Roof PLUS+ Long Island – Garden City, with rates ranging from $89 to $159 per night. For those seeking luxury, the Allegria Hotel is a top pick with rates starting at $219 per night.
In Long Beach, budget-conscious travelers can opt for the South Bay Motel, Inn at Jericho, and Deer Park Motor Inn, with prices beginning at $99 per night.
Mid-range accommodations include the Long Beach Hotel, Rodeway Inn Huntington Station – Melville, and Hampton Inn & Suites Rockville Centre, with prices ranging from $129 to $169 per night.
If you’re looking for a luxurious stay, consider the Allegria Hotel, starting at $219 per night.
Things to do
Both Jones Beach and Long Beach are not short of amazing things to do. In Jones Beach, you get to enjoy the amazing Jones Beach State Park. Long Beach also has Ocean Beach Park which is a wonderful place to spend a good time by the sea.
Apart from that, there is the boardwalk in Long Beach where you can get some great views. Jones Beach, however, has something for everyone. You can relax on the sandy shores, swim in the ocean, and try your hand at surfing. If you prefer land activities, enjoy the boardwalk, miniature golf, shuffleboard, basketball, and more.
For a unique experience, take a thrilling ride on the Jones Beach Zipline, which offers scenic views. The WildPlay Element Parks also provide ziplines and adventurous workouts. If you’re into fishing or boating, Captain Lou Fleet offers fishing trips and sunset cruises.
Long Beach, another beautiful destination, boasts a serene boardwalk stretching nearly half a mile. This boardwalk offers stunning views of the North Head Lighthouse, beach, and surf.
For those who prefer indoor entertainment, Long Beach Cinema 4 shows the latest movies. Art enthusiasts can explore their creativity at Earth Arts of Long Beach, offering pottery classes and more. Additionally, you can visit the stunning St. Mary Of The Isle Roman Catholic church for mass services.
Bonus: Find out which one to choose between Rockaway Beach and Long Beach.
Restaurant
Visitors to Jones Beach have a delectable array of dining options to choose from. Gatsby on the Ocean, situated at the historic West Bath House, serves American cuisine and seafood with picturesque ocean views.
For fresh seafood by the boardwalk, the Boardwalk Cafe is a popular choice. Anchor Down in South Merrick offers local seafood in a casual setting.
Long Beach also offers a delectable dining scene. At Lost At Sea, you can savor seafood and enjoy outdoor seating.
For Japanese delights, Sherry Blossom serves fresh sushi and ramen with outdoor seating. Roc & Olive specializes in Mediterranean dishes, and The Ugly Duckling provides a laid-back atmosphere along with American cuisine.
Pricing
In Jones Beach there is no entry fee however you need to pay a parking fee of around $8 to $10. However, in Long Beach, you need a beach pass, for non-residents which is around $15, and for residents, it is $10.
In Jones Beach, you don’t need to pay an entry fee if you are visiting the Jones Beach State Park however you need to pay a parking fee of $10 if you are visiting during peak time and $8 during non-peak time.
Whereas, in Long Beach, you need to have a beach pass to get access. If you are a resident then the daily beach pass is $12 but for non-residents, it is $15. You can also get a seasonal beach pass, the table below shows how much it costs.
| User Type | Resident or Non-resident | Cost |
| Individual | Resident | $85 |
| Family | Resident | $115 |
| Senior | Resident | $30 |
| Child | Resident | $30 |
| Individual | Non-resident | $170 |
| Family | Non-resident | $230 |
| Senior | Non-resident | $60 |
| Child | Non-resident | $60 |
The seasonal pass is required from May 29th to September 07th. From May 29th to June 26th the beach passes are required from 09 am to 06 pm only during the weekend. Whereas from June 26th to September 07th, beach passes are required every day.
Which One to Choose Between Jones Beach and Long Beach?
Just like choosing between Coney Island and Rockaway Beach, it is never an easy task to choose any option in Long Island. You just have so many places to go. However, what will be the best between Jones and Long Beach depends on your preference.
If you want to venture more into nature or parks, then Jones Beach is the place to go. With its Jones Beach State Park, you will be gifted with an amazing option. Apart from that with the Jones Beach Zipline, you are going to get breathtaking views.
Long Beach due to its size has more options when it comes to places to stay and dining scene. However, if you are into surfing then Long Beach also has the Skudin Surf School providing surfing lessons.
So, if you are more into nature and want to venture into the park go to Jones Beach. If you want a longer beach to yourself, go to Jones Beach.
But if your priority is to have more options of dining and entertainment then Long Beach is the perfect place for you. Along with this, you can also take surfing lessons in Long Beach.
Conclusion
In conclusion, between Jones Beach and Long Beach, you can get the best experience in both of these places. However, choosing the best hotel depends entirely on your preference. So, go and make a list, and head over to the best spot in Long Island.
