Natural Areas of the South Shore of Long Island

Lawrence to Atlantic Beach Bikeway

The paved Bikeway from Lawrence to Atlantic Beach is one of only three places on Nassau County’s South Shore where pedestrians or bicyclists can get a 360-degree panorama view over the estuary. From the top of the Atlantic Beach Bridge (the mid-point of the Bikeway), you have the unique opportunity to see a broad overview of the westernmost end of the South Shore Estuary.

From the bridge near the western tip of Long Beach Island, you can see the Estuary’s westernmost connection to the ocean, East Rockaway Inlet. To the east, the saltmarsh islands of East Bay stretch out like so many puzzle pieces. To the north is the endless suburbia from Lawrence to Valley Stream. JFK Airport is to the northwest, an international hub for transportation. Behind it is the New York City borough of Queens, with an incredible population of 2.5 million!

The Bikeway is 3.1 miles long each way. One mile of that is Atlantic Beach Boardwalk, which allows bicyclists all year-round.

How to Get There: To get to the starting point in Lawrence, take Sunrise Highway to Broadway in Lynbrook. Drive south on Broadway for about 4 miles. Turn left on Causeway Drive. Turn right on Meadow Lane where the Bikeway starts.

After two miles of bicycling, the Bikeway crosses Atlantic Beach Bridge. Stop here to admire the panorama and identify what you can see. It then descends into the community of Atlantic Beach. Head south a few blocks on residential streets and re-connect onto the boardwalk part of the Bikeway.

You might want to continue on to the two-mile Long Beach Boardwalk, which also allows biking. To get to it from the Atlantic Beach Boardwalk, bike back to Park Street. Take this east into Long Beach. (Park Street changes names to Beech Street.) Turn right onto New York Street and take it south to the start of the Long Beach Boardwalk.

Access Guide Introduction :: Map and Guide :: More Estuary Site Information
	Lawrence to Atlantic Beach Bikeway The paved Bikeway from Lawrence to Atlantic Beach is one of only three places on Nassau County’s South Shore where pedestrians or bicyclists can get a 360-degree panorama view over the estuary. From the top of the Atlantic Beach Bridge (the mid-point of the Bikeway), you have the unique opportunity to see a broad overview of the westernmost end of the South Shore Estuary. From the bridge near the western tip of Long Beach Island, you can see the Estuary’s westernmost connection to the ocean, East Rockaway Inlet. To the east, the saltmarsh islands of East Bay stretch out like so many puzzle pieces. To the north is the endless suburbia from Lawrence to Valley Stream. JFK Airport is to the northwest, an international hub for transportation. Behind it is the New York City borough of Queens, with an incredible population of 2.5 million! The Bikeway is 3.1 miles long each way. One mile of that is Atlantic Beach Boardwalk, which allows bicyclists all year-round. How to Get There: To get to the starting point in Lawrence, take Sunrise Highway to Broadway in Lynbrook. Drive south on Broadway for about 4 miles. Turn left on Causeway Drive. Turn right on Meadow Lane where the Bikeway starts. After two miles of bicycling, the Bikeway crosses Atlantic Beach Bridge. Stop here to admire the panorama and identify what you can see. It then descends into the community of Atlantic Beach. Head south a few blocks on residential streets and re-connect onto the boardwalk part of the Bikeway. You might want to continue on to the two-mile Long Beach Boardwalk, which also allows biking. To get to it from the Atlantic Beach Boardwalk, bike back to Park Street. Take this east into Long Beach. (Park Street changes names to Beech Street.) Turn right onto New York Street and take it south to the start of the Long Beach Boardwalk.