I will be arriving in Newark around 7 pm on Friday July 28th for business. I have the weekend free before work starts on the 30th. I would like some recommendations of good weekend destinations within about 2 hours of Newark or Franklin Lakes, NJ (where my work is). I've been to NY last time so I was thinking of something different. Are the Appalachian Mountains within reasonable driving distance? I would also like a nice beach destination. thanks in advance.

For a beach I would recommend Spring Lake.
http://www.springlake.org/
The Appalachian Mountains are a large mountain range. The closest access to them from Franklin Lakes would probably be in the panhandle of West Virginia, which is at least a 4 hour drive. Berkeley Springs and Harper's Ferry are interesting towns in that area.

I might head to a beach in southern New Jersey - I just did a search here typing New Jersey beach and there is a fair amount of info on earlier posts.

Since you are asking about Appalachian Mountains would you consider Cold Spring, NY? You may stay in a charming town of Cold Spring and be near Appalachian Trail in Bear Mountain and across Hudson River from West Point. It is an easy and short drive from EWR. Palisade Parkway would take you to Bear Mountain. Do search here on Cold Spring and West Point

Based on your screen name, are you interested in Atlantic City?

Here's a map and info on the Appalachian Mountains.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appalachian_Mountains

While Spring Lake is a beautiful spot with lovely beach and Victorian Inns, it may be a bit more manicured than you'd like. Long Beach Island is another beach location that would be in shooting distance and has some motels.

The Bucks County Pa. area is also very pretty and pleasant for a weekend.

Here's a map of NJ that breaks out various areas of the state.
http://www.state.nj.us/travel/visitor_information.shtml

depends on your preference. if you are into hiking, the catskills (NY) are within your range, you've got some nice trails that take you to the low catskill peaks.

poconos ( PA)- lehigh river gorge, jim thorpe.

NJ beaches, best island beach state park. if you are into the shore scene rather than the beach scene, belmar, the seasides, are all within two hours.

you may have a tough time finding a place to stay most places at the beach will be booked, and pricey.... you can also hit atlantic city.

Philadelphia is also within two hours, lots of history and south street is an interesting place too. But if mountains are what you are looking for, catskills is what i recommend.