skca

Hello - What's the best way to get to the Jones Beach theater from Manhattan before the summer season? I know I can take a train from Penn Station to the Freeport station, but the buses from there to Jones Beach don't seem to start until Memorial Day weekend.

I'm going to a concert at the Jones Beach theater in May before Memorial Day, and I'll be staying in Manhattan without a car. I thought maybe I'd be able to take the Long Island Railroad to Freeport, then maybe a taxi? I'd also be returning fairly late - will it be easy at that point to get a taxi from the theater back to the train station? Do the trains going back to Manhattan run late on weekends? Would this be dangerous for 2 women alone?

I've looked around at various sites, but didn't find any definitive answers. Anyone have advice? Thanks in advance!

mclaurie

Have checked the train schedule for you at

http://mta.info/lirr/html/ttn/freeport.htm

and there are plenty of trains to accomodate your trip. There's also a phone number for a taxi service at the Freeport station you can call to reserve a taxi in both directions and find out price. Have fun.

nytraveler

You can check the train schedule on-line - but the train should run until a reasonable hour - perhaps 1/2 am or so. Your problem will be to get back to the train station. Long Island is not exactly well -supplied with cabs - and unless you call and arrange one in advance the only real place to get one is a train station.

To get back you will either have to arrange with a cab in advance (and trust they turn up) or arrange for a car service all the way back to the city (pricey).

Frankly - I would rent a car for the night - for two people I doubt this would be much more than trains and cabs - and I'm sure it would be less than train/cab one way and car service the other.

Your other alternate is to go to the Jones Beach theater web site and see if the concert promoter offers any special transportation.

skca

Thanks for the replies! nytraveler - I would consider renting a car, but I'm nervous about driving in New York. I'm from LA, so driving in heavy traffic is not new, but NY traffic seems so intimidating. Plus I wouldn't know my way around.

LoriNY

You might want to try a car service from Manhattan to Jones Beach.

mp

My crazy husband and his sister have actually done this - big Neil Young fans, typical NYers who don't drive and live in Manhattan. He took a cab from JFK to Jones Beach (we were coming back from Italy the afternoon of the concert!). She took the LIRR to Freeport and there is a connecting bus to the Jones Beach Theatre. They met up, had a wonderful time, and came back by taking the bus and the train into Penn Station - they said it was painless - well co-ordinated and quite a few people did it - check the LIRR website for schedules - and have a great time!

Gekko

I've done the LIRR/bus thing several times over the years, and it is easy (just follow the crowd). The only trouble is the wait after the concert. Either leave early or just hang out until the crowd thins (I prefer the latter).

Enjoy!

skca

Thanks everyone for the advice! The only problem about the bus between the Freeport station and Jones Beach is that apparently they don't start running them until Memorial Day weekend.

I will look into the taxi situation from the station and perhaps a car service as suggested.