New York City: Surrounded by Water

The premise of the question contains a misconception: New York City is not "far away" from large bodies of water—it is literally defined by them.

NYC is an archipelago situated at the confluence of major waterways:

• Atlantic Ocean: The city’s southern edge (Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, Rockaways) opens directly onto the Atlantic.
• Hudson River: Forms the western border of Manhattan and separates the city from New Jersey.
• East River: A tidal strait (not a true river) separating Manhattan from Brooklyn and Queens, connecting Long Island Sound to New York Harbor.
• Long Island Sound: Borders the north shore of Queens and the Bronx.
• New York Harbor / Upper Bay: One of the world's largest natural harbors, enclosed by the Verrazzano Narrows.

With 520 miles of coastline, water is the city's front yard, not a distant destination. This aquatic geography made NYC the continent's premier port and continues to define its economy, recreation, and vulnerability to climate change.