Venture out to New Jersey, and you get rewarded with 14 blocks of beautiful white sand on a well-maintained beach. You avoid most tourists while getting access to more than enough nearby infrastructure to make this a comfortable trip. You have restaurants and public facilities conveniently located along the beach, so you’re never far from a bathroom or outdoor shower.

This New York beach gives you a quiet, off-the-beaten-path area for nature lovers to explore. Walk along the pristine shoreline, completely free of tourists, and observe wildlife in its natural environment. If you’re in the mood for more outdoor adventures, this beach is a small part of the Gateway National Recreation Area.

Yes, this is a major tourist destination, but it’s worth visiting at least once. You get a taste of the classic American boardwalk experience, have easy access to guilty pleasures, like deep-fried everything, and the Ferris Wheel is a sight to behold at night. Grab a hot dog and wander along the three-mile beach for a taste of historic New York.

NYC beaches aren’t exactly known for surfing, but the Rockaway Beach wants to prove everyone wrong in that respect. You also get a more low-key boardwalk than Coney Island, so if you’re looking for some cotton candy to go along with your road trip but you don’t want to swim through tourists to get to it, this is your best bet.

Are you an introvert looking for some peace and quiet from a hectic Upper East Side lifestyle? This beach has no-radio-allowed zones where it’s just you, the sounds of the ocean and the occasional seagull. Private showers, picnic tables and grills facilitate a rejuvenating picnic, and you can head to the lighthouse to get one of the most spectacular nature views around.

You don’t need to go far outside of the city to enjoy a fun afternoon on the beach. There’s a location to fit any of your preferences and even some accessible from the subway. Start planning a nearby getaway after a long work week.