newyork.localmean.com/the-rockaways
The Rockaways
thuh ROK-uh-wayz
Local meaning
The communities on the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens, often discussed collectively in relation to beaches, neighborhoods, transit, and coastal life.
The Rockaways include distinct communities rather than one uniform neighborhood. People may mean Rockaway Beach, Far Rockaway, Arverne, Belle Harbor, Breezy Point, or the peninsula more broadly. Beach access, local residence, public housing, surfing, storm risk, and long travel times all shape the term’s context.
Example in context
- “They took the train to the Rockaways for the afternoon.”
How it is used
A collective New York place label for communities on the Rockaway Peninsula.
neutral, place-specific, sometimes recreational
beach plans, commuting, weather, Queens identity
A collective New York place label for communities on the Rockaway Peninsula.
Do not treat the Rockaways only as a summer destination; the peninsula contains year-round communities with different histories and needs.
Spelling and scope
A collective New York place label for communities on the Rockaway Peninsula.
- Search forms
the Rockaways meaning NYCRockaway Queens neighborhoodgoing to the Rockaways
LocalMean keeps common search spellings discoverable without claiming that every borough, community, or generation uses one written form.
Frequently asked questions
Are the Rockaways one neighborhood?
No. The phrase covers several distinct communities along the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens.
Can you reach the Rockaways by subway?
Yes, parts of the peninsula are served by subway, while buses, ferries, cars, and local connections also matter.
Read next
All words →Evidence and further reading
These sources support the regional association, dictionary sense, or broader spread. The entry remains open to correction from New York speakers and qualified reviewers.
- Rockaway Beach and BoardwalkNYC Parks
Official city context for the Rockaway Peninsula’s beach, boardwalk, access, and year-round community setting.
- Community District ProfilesNew York City Department of City Planning
Official city neighborhood, community-district, demographic, land-use, and geographic context across the five boroughs.