2) 6 p.m. Sunset drink

Tucked behind a dilapidated Gulf gas station, on a pothole-plastered bayside stretch of Beach Channel Drive, is one of the best sunset views in New York City: The Wharf Bar & Grill. Nearly invisible from the road, it sits to the west of Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge, offering an uninterrupted panoramic view across Jamaica Bay. Walk through the back bar to the floating dock, where you can dip your toes in the water while sipping a beer and watching the sun fade out and the lights of Manhattan’s skyline blink on.

3) 7:30 p.m. Boardwalk eats

The three concrete bunkers that line the boardwalk date back to Robert Moses, the New York City power broker and shaper, but the modern buzzing Rockaway concession scene is barely a decade old. At the 86th Street hub, Rippers offers the “hardbody” burger for $9: two salty patties fused with smelted American cheese, topped with snappy lettuce, tomato, onion and an orange-tinted, immaculate “sauce.” At 106th Street concessions, an outpost of Caracas griddles the same protein-stuffed arepas ($6 to $10) that drive lines around its East Village location. There are many different vendors that share the long, curving counter at the Beach 97th Street station, though La Cevicheria , serving Peruvian ceviches (ceviche mixto, $13, is a top seller), remains a favorite, both on Instagram and on the plate.

4) 9 p.m. Boardwalk beats

Bonfires on the beach are prohibited, so there are no idyllic acoustic guitar singalongs to join on a nighttime sandy stroll. But this is New York City’s beach, and each concession stand bumps some beats on Friday and Saturday nights. Check out a salsa band or local rock band playing in the corner of the Caracas patio at 106th Street concessions. More rock and punk rips near Rippers, and the Low Tide Bar at the 97th Street concessions has both live bands and a D.J. spinning eclectically unpredictable sets. A malleable curfew agreement cuts the boardwalk thumps to the low hum of conversation around 10 p.m.