Summer is synonymous with the beach, and New York State has some of the best, with a perfect waterside escape for just about everyone.

The Atlantic coast is a natural choice for those who love fun in the sun, from the Coney Island Boardwalk and the pristine Fire Island National Seashore, to the ever-popular hot spots in the Hamptons, like Main Beach and Coopers Beach. Upstate, sun-seekers can relax on the shores of Lake George, Lake Ontario, and in the 1000 Islands, home to Sandy Island Beach State Park, where you'll find the only notable freshwater dune system in the northeast.

Beaches in New York aren't just for relaxing and building epic sand castles. You can fish, hike, boat, kayak, surf—on both the ocean and the Great Lakes—and so much more. So what are you waiting for? It's time to plan your family's next beach getaway in New York.

Find your perfect New York beach!