Rockaway

Rockaway most often refers to the Rockaway Peninsula, a geographic region in the borough of Queens, New York City. The peninsula lies between Jamaica Bay to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the south and includes several neighborhoods such as Rockaway Beach, Far Rockaway, Arverne, Edgemere, Rockaway Park, and Breezy Point. It features miles of beaches and dunes, marshlands, and a prominent oceanfront boardwalk. The area is connected to the rest of Queens by subway, bus services, and road networks, with the Rockaway Boardwalk as a key coastal amenity.

Historically, the Rockaways developed as a seaside resort area in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, aided by rail access from Manhattan. Over the latter half of the 20th century, the peninsula faced economic and urban challenges, but several neighborhoods have experienced redevelopment and ongoing stabilization in the 21st century. Breezy Point represents a private residential community at the western tip of the peninsula, while Far Rockaway is a long-established urban neighborhood with a diverse population.

In 2012, Hurricane Sandy caused extensive flooding and damage to homes, transportation infrastructure, and the boardwalk, prompting significant rebuilding efforts that continued in subsequent years. The Rockaways have since seen investments aimed at coastal resilience, housing, and tourism, while retaining their identity as a beach-oriented part of New York City.

Other uses: the name Rockaway also designates places outside New York, including the borough of Rockaway in Morris County, New Jersey; the Rockaway River in New Jersey; and Rockaway Beach, Oregon.