The Hamptons and Montauk are very far from Newark Airport. If you are interested in a beach area, then go somewhere in New Jersey such as Spring Lake.
But, IMHO 3 nights in NYC isn't nearly enough so I would turn in the car and take the train back into Manhattan and stay there.

Agree that Long Island is not realistic. the far side of NYC and from there to EWR could take you 5 hours in traffic.

NJ has a bunch of beach towns which while not near Newark (you do NOT want to stay there) are much closer. This is fine if you really want to go to the beach - and you're not talking a weekend - when getting a single night can be very difficult.

But - if you just want something to do - NYC has more than enough to last you a month - and if it were me I would do that.

hey thanks for quick replies!

We dont want to go back into NYC- we are happy with our 3 nights, we'd like to see somewhere different tha isnt too far away.

Had a quick look at Spring Lake, looks nice- any other areas people suggest in NJ? Accomodation recommendations??

Thanks

Although many of the NJ beach towns are nice, my concern is you will be faced with 3-night minimum stays in July, which is their high season. Especially if you are there on a weekend.

You might want to look into New Hope PA, a cute little town on the river with antique shops and such (about an hour's drive from the airport). Or somewhere in the Delaware Water Gap area. Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is beautiful to drive through, lots of scenery and nature.

You most likely will not get a one stay at the Jersey Shore. Not too mention the traffic there and back. I would not recommend it for a one night stay.

hello capxxx- thankc for your ideas!

we won't be in NJ on a weekend- our stay will be a tuesday night, i hadnt realised the length of stay would be an problem as over here in n.ireland thats never usually an issue- so thanks for the heads up!

ill have a look into the places which you have suggested thanks

any more suggesions much appreciated!

As New Jerseyans, our (my wife and I) first thought would be to direct you to the Jersey Shore. However, as others have have mentioned, you may encounter minimum-stay requirements in high season that would preclude your staying there. Also, having visited Cape Cod for five days, you might not want or need to see more seashore.

And, while the Delaware Valley is attractive (where New Hope and the Delaware Water Gap--widely separated--are located), there's another relatively nearby area that is, in my opinion, even more desirable--the Hudson Valley.

Either place is about a nine-hour drive, plus stops, from New Philadelphia, so you won't have a whole lot of time no matter where you stay. Your route eastward is mostly on Interstate 80, and about two-thirds of the way across Pennsylvania, you can take Interstate 84 towards the Beacon/Newburgh, New York area. I wouldn't necessary stay in either of those towns, but I believe there are a great many more choices for you in the Hudson Valley in the limited time you will have on July 13. You'll have about a one-and-a-half-hour trip back to EWR that day from any of the three areas mentioned--Delaware or Hudson Valley, or Jersey Shore.

Here's a link for information about the Hudson Valley: http://www.hudsonvalley.org/

How about Philadelphia? You could do some sightseeing in the morning and then go on to Newark. This is good if you like US history. Otherwise, I like the idea of New Hope.

I was also going to suggest Princeton NJ - a lot of attractive buildings, decent walking, and about an hour from EWR.

By chance you missed this comment on the other thread, try the area around Hershey, PA. Hershey is 10 miles to the east of Harrisburg and an easy drive of a bit over 2 hours on a direct line to Newark Airport via US 78.