The Easy Way
From a central meeting point like Grand Army Plaza in Prospect Heights, you can hop on the B or Q train on Flatbush Avenue and be walking under the Brighton Beach Avenue trestle in under 40 minutes. Or you could take …

The Fun Way
Biking takes twenty minutes longer if you’re hustling. From Grand Army Plaza, hurl through Prospect Park, hook a right at the Park Circle roundabout, and a left three blocks later. Then pedal five miles to the beach along Ocean Parkway’s lovely, wide, and safe bike path.

And Once You’re There
The Atlantic is freezing now, but in July when it’s 85 and humid, you’ll want a dunk in the ocean. There are no public locker rooms or showers: Rinse at the lifeguard towers on Brighton 2nd Street; buy sunscreen and towels at Duane Reade (101-5 Brighton Beach Ave.).

Related:

• Archive: “Guides”
• Table of Contents: Apr 20, 2009 issue of New York | Subscribe!