Nice clean beaches near NYC?
 

We are planning a trip to NYC with our 2 teen aged kids. We would like to include a day at the beach in our itinerary but don't exactly know where to go.<BR><BR>Any suggestion? We will be staying near the NJ Turnpike in the Secaucus area and we don't mind up to 1 1/2 hour drive.<BR><BR>Also, is Free parking a possibility? <BR><BR>

In my opinion, you have two choices. Either head down to the Jersey shore or through the city and out to Long Island. I would bypass the city beaches for Jones Beach if you're heading out on the island. The beach parking for Jones Beach is $7 for the day, and there is pleny of parking most of the time. I'd head to the parking field 2 through 6, since that will be near more options. There are two pools [I believe parking lots 3 and 4] and the boarwalk goes the length between parking lot 1 and 6, with some interesting things to do along the way, including miniature golf and some sports courts and a putting range. I'd get there early and spend the day. There is a full service restaurant as well as fast food service, plenty of rest rooms, an ice cream/soda shop upstairs overlooking one of the pools, and a gift shop.

I agree with the prior post but would add that I would go to the jersey shore unless you are heading toward queens and Long Island. The drive from NJ to Jones beach is not worth it. To get to a town on the NJ shore take garden state pkwy...easy drive

Thanks to both of you, sound like Jones Beach would have all the convenience teens would enjoy. I did a little research and they also have concerts there.<BR><BR>My 16 yr old son was particularly interrested by the Jay Z concert on Aug.20th. This is a Rap concert but I wonder if it would be safe for a white 16 yr old to attend by himself?

Thanks to both of you, sound like Jones Beach would have all the convenience teens would enjoy. I did a little research and they also have concerts there.<BR><BR>My 16 yr old son was particularly interrested by the Jay Z concert on Aug.20th. This is a Rap concert but I wonder if it would be safe for a white 16 yr old to attend by himself?

Thanks to both of you, sound like Jones Beach would have all the convenience teens would enjoy. I did a little research and they also have concerts there.<BR><BR>My 16 yr old son was particularly interrested by the Jay Z concert on Aug.20th. This is a Rap concert but I wonder if it would be safe for a white 16 yr old to attend by himself?

i don't know how you came to decide on Jones Beach, but I agree with the previous post. If you are in NJ, stay there and go south...otherwise you are basically cutting across all of NYC...it's much farther,. In NJ there are many good beaches, cleaner waters, etc. Try Ocean County, As for the Rap concert...I don't know if I would send my out of town teenage boy there. It's not a matter of black or white...it's a matter of the crowd could get rowdy and he doesn't know anyone...check out the Jersey shore, there are clubs there as well. Seaside Heights has nice beaches and is about an hour down the turnpike. Good luck.

Also, there is free parking in NJ...but you do need a day badge, easily bought at the entrance to the beach, usually 5$ a head.

A drive from NJ to Jones Beach can be anywhere from 2-3 hrs that's why residents of LI Almost NEVER fly out from Newark,since, as other posters have stated, they only way from LI to NJ or visa Versa is to cross Manhattan.

Thanks for the info ra and Anthony. Seaside Heights is 80 miles from our hotel and Jones Beach is about 40 miles, are you sure that it can take up to 3 hours to get to Jones Beach? <BR><BR> My son really did not mind going by himself as he really loves this Rap group. I was more worried about the crowd there. I'll try to see if they are coming down here soon so he can go to their concert closer to home some other time :)<BR><BR>

Hey L:<BR><BR>There is a small city between New Jersey and Jones Beach!! You could make it in 1 hour (at 5 AM) or three hours during rush hour. Stay in New Jersey, go down and enjoy the beaches and maybe head to Seaside Heights for a "Coney Island" experience!<BR>JOHN

I make the trip from Long Island to NJ frequently, and from out further on the island. There is no way the trip should take two hours. The only time it would take that long is in holiday traffic. I also know of no one who goes through Manhattan, unless it is a really off hour, traffic wise. While I'm not sure [without getting out a map] exactly what exit you're starting at on the Jersey Tpke., you can head either to the Gothals Bridge and go across Staten Island to the Belt Pkwy. to Southern State [which is my preference], or head to the George Washington Bridge and take the Cross Bronx to the Throgs Neck Bridge to Cross Island to Southern State to Meadowbrook Pkwy, which goes to Jones Beach. I would leave early in the day, definitely before 9 a.m [preferably by 8]. Do the route on mapquest. Plan to spend the whole day. There is plenty to do. If your son does go to the concert, you can spend the evening right outside the gate for the concert, overlooking Zach's Bay. It is such an easy place to be able to meet up with him afterward. It's a pretty spot to tailgate with friends if anyone else is coming. And, if he should get tickets for the concert, I would plan to park in the Zach's Bay parking lot and use the under-the-road walkway to get to the boardwalk and beach. The beach is right across the road, with an underpass for beach and boardwalk access. The restaurant is right there as well, and is reasonably priced with beach views [but don't expect great food]. There is sometimes outdoor entertainment by the restaurant as well. I don't know where you're coming from, but in my opinion, Jones Beach State Park is not 'just' about going to a beach, and has so much more to offer, and is a whole different experience and definitely worth doing.

I may be making a wrong assumption that you are doing this trip on a weekend. If you are planning it for mid-week, which would involve rush hour traffic, then you would probably be better off heading to the Jersey shore. If you head out to Jones Beach during the week, you would need to leave before 6 a.m., OR deal with traffic till you crossed the Verranzano bridge, at which point you will be heading away from rush hour traffic] and under no circumstances consider driving through Manhattan.

Most rap fans are 16 year old white boys from the suburbs. Your son will be very safe.

Thanks Lois and Yes,<BR><BR>The concert is on a Tuesday so we would have to leave before 6 am. We are going to be in Secaucus, NJ close to exit 17 of the NJ Turnpike.<BR><BR>The closest way would be to take the Lincoln Tunnel then the Midtown Tunnel and up the 495 (Long Island Expressway) but it would also mean going thru Manhattan... Is it that bad?

L<BR><BR>Take the NJ tpk (rt 95, east spur up to the George Washington Bridge. This section will have the most traffic, but it is bettr than the Lincoln and thru city. After GWB get on the cross Bronx Expy and headd to the Throggs Neck Bridge. Go over bridge and head to the Southern State Pkwy and to Jones Beach<BR><BR>JOHN

Okay, we've had a family discussion on how you should handle this. Another option, since it is during the week, is to leave after 9 a.m., since you will be there all day anyway, and during the week, the beaches won't fill up as early. Leaving after rush hour is no guarantee of no traffic, just that it won't be as bad.<BR> You will have no problem getting parking at one of the lots, since parking is so plentiful there. And, Zach's Bay parking lot is huge. If you choose to park at one of the other beaches and move later, admission to Zach's Bay parking is free at night for the concerts. You will see when you get there, just how easy it will be to arrange for a spot to meet up with your son after the concert, and you will be right there to know yourself when it's over.<BR>The directions on the previous post are what I would also advise. Once on Southern State [exit for this road is from the left lane], take that to Meadowbrook Pkwy. south. You can purchase parking at the toll gate and then drive straight to Jones Beach, just a few minutes further. When you go over the bridge, stay to the left. You don't want the West End beaches [no boardwalk or other activities].<BR>Hope you have a great visit!

There are several NJ beah towns you might be interested in, each with it's own flavor: <BR>Point Pleasant - Nice beach, boardwalk, rides, games, etc, etc. Family oriented.<BR>Manasquan - More quiet than Point Pleasant, just across the inlet. Nice beach. Seaside Heights and Seaside Park - another peninsula, very busy, long boardwalk, tons of rides, nice beaches. A New Jersey teen mecca. Seaside Park is more quiet however. Avoid Asbury Park, Neptune, Bradley Beach, as they are somewhat run down.Other towns, such as Spring Lake, have beautiful beaches, but are not geared towards day trippers. With most NJ beachs, parking can be tricky, you will probably have to pay about $8 or so, and there is a small fee to get on the beach.

I currently live in New Jersey, in the Secaucus area, and face the problem of which beach to go to every week it's sunny. I either head south to Sea Bright (near Sandy Hook), the closest beach on the Jersey shore, or head out to Jones Beach. Travel time is virtually the same.<BR><BR>Just my opinion but I prefer Jones Beach hands down to the Jersey shore. Jones Beach is miles and miles of beach. The Jersey shore are towns with beaches. The concept of a "boardwalk" is very big in Jersey. Knock down the milk bottles and win a cheap stuffed animal for your gal, that type of thing. The Jersey shore beaches charge $5-$7 PER PERSON, Jones Beach charges $7 for a carload. The sand is nicer and beach is wider on Long Island. The theatre has been there for years and is a great venue and is professionally run and very safe, even at a rap concert.<BR><BR>To sum up, I've been to both Jones Beach and the Jersey shore many many times and believe that the Jersey shore is overrated, but it's all really just a matter of taste. The parents may prefer Jones but the kids might like the shore because there's a little more to do.<BR><BR>To Jones from Secaucus: Lincoln Tunnel through Manhattan (35th 34th Street) to Queens-Midtown Tunnel, to the LIE to Northern State Pkwy exit (exit 38 or thereabouts) to Meadowbrook Pkwy (see signs for Jones Beach) to Jones Beach. Very easy.<BR><BR>To Jersey shore from Secaucus: NJ Turnpike south to Garden State Pkwy (exit 11 or thereabouts). Continue to exit of beach town you want to go to, get off and head east.

Lois:<BR>Your instructions from NJ to Jones Bech take you truough some of the Metro area's busiest roads; The Belt Parkway and Southern State are ALWAYS jammed; and your advice to head ALL the way North to the George Washington bidge to Cross Bronx is rediculous, making no sense whatsoever.<BR>The trip from Secaucus to Jones Beach at the LEAST would be 1.5 hrs, closer to 2. I live in Manhattan, and reglarly out to Westbury, LI to shop. The avg. driving time is one hr. Secaucus is west of Manhattan and Jones Beach is further south of Westbury.

Regarding directions to Jones Beach, my recommendation was only NOT to go through Manhattan. To me, driving through there any time during the week, and especially rush hour, is crazy. I live south of Southern State [and have all my life], and if the family leaves after rush hour during the week, the traffic should not be bad at all. The way I'd choose would be to go across Staten Island to the Verranzano Bridge and then to the Belt Pkwy. This road should not be bad either, provided you are not driving during rush hour. Of course, saying roads are 'not bad' is all relative. In this case, it is relative to what is normal for a metropolitan area, but I mean it should be moving. Going through Manhattan almost always means backups at tunnel entrances, even in off hours, unless very early a.m. or very late. I would say that going home that way after the concert would be okay. And, I do make frequent trips to Manhattan because my daughter has lived there for the past 5 years. From Long Island, some people prefer going the GW Bridge, some prefer Staten Island, but I know of no one who prefers driving through Manhattan other than VERY off hours. I agree driving into Manhattan will take an hour from Jones Beach, and maybe just over an hour. However, the drive takes us about one hr. and 20 min. to get to the Jersey Tpke. from Long Island when going across the Verranzano Bridge and across Staten Island. I do this trip frequently because my mother-in-law lives in south Jersey. I believe though, that the Secaucus exit is further north, and that is why the GW bridge may work out better.

L,<BR>Jones beach is great and so is the Jersey shore but since you are in NJ stay there. Go to PT. Pleasant. Don't listen to the others the drive thru/around NYC is not easy and not fun. Odds are you will hit traffic

This is my second post and again I will say that to drive straight down the NJ turnpike is MUCH easier than getting to Jones Beach. Going through Staten Island and the Belt Parkway you still have the chance of traffic...yes it is a different scene with the Jersey Boardwalk and such, but the kids might enjoy the amusement part, and the beaches are good. Nothing is more of a drag than getting stuck in traffic, missing an exit, , traffic from roadwork, and other problems inherent in traveling through and around the metro area. The jersey shore is a straight run down the turnpike at 65+ miles per hour.

So why not stop at a Brooklyn or Queens Beach.??<BR>Manhattan Beach or Riis Park are half the trip to Jones and its all the same ocean!

Pt. Pleasant is very nice and worth a trip, but from Secaucus will take as much time to get to as Jones Beach. Follow my directions above. Don't mess with Staten Island, the Belt Parkway or the Southern State. Trust me, I know. I go to Jones Beach every week. If I leave my home (close to Secaucus) at 10:15 on Sunday morning I'm on the beach in my chair at 11:30. Coming back obviously takes longer.

One more thing - from Secaucus it is insane to consider going any other way than through Manhattan.

grew up 20 minutes from the jersey shore, moved to NYC. been to just about all the jersey beaches and then long beach and jones beach on LI. i think pt pleasant is the place to go! yes, it all is the same water but always feel that the water is cleaner further south, away from the city. of course we are not talking about carribbean clean but every time ive been to LI beaches the water is brown and murky. pt. pleasant is far enough down that the "city funk" has had time to disappate. also bigger waves! and lots of teenagers trolling the boardwalk, and a few descent restaurants and bars for you.

OK I'll throw in my two cents..I live in NYC and go to beaches in both areas. The Jersey Shore will definately be easier to get to from your starting point and the beaches are beautiful. Contrary to a previous message I would avoid Seaside Heights though. A "Coney Island experience" would be nice 25 years ago but not today and unfortunately Seaside has become the same way..Point Pleasant is really nice. That being said if you are still intent on Jones Beach because of the concert avoid the NYC route if it is a weekday!! Even if you do you will be spending alot of time in your car because when rush hour ends construction delays begin (especially on the LIE). As long as you're prepared for a little traffic though it shouldn't be a nightmare and Jones Beach is actually worth the trip.

Wow, Thanks to all of you!<BR><BR>Beaches in NJ look easier to get to but more expensive for a family of 4. Jones Beach also sound nice although traveling to it might be more of a challenge.<BR><BR>Now I really don't know where to head to! Perhaps we should try both?<BR><BR>Thanks to all of you.

We ended up going to Jones Beach. We intended to go to Point Pleasant on Friday but it was cold and cloudy so we went shopping instead.<BR><BR>We left the hotel around 10 am. Took about 2 hours to get to Jones Beach. We followed John's suggestion and took the NJ tpk (rt 95, east spur up to the George Washington Bridge. After GWB we got on the cross Bronx Expy and headed to the Throngs Neck Bridge. Got over bridge and headed to the Southern State Pkwy and to Jones Beach. There was a lot of construction going on on the 495 which delayed us a bit but it was worth it.<BR><BR>My son went to the Rap concert and "yes" was right, the other kids attending were about my son's age and very well behaved. There was a lot of security and it was very well organized. I would not have let him go if I did not see for myself how well supervised it was. (I would not let him go to a concert by himself here)<BR><BR>Jones beach was beautiful, the weather was perfect and everybody enjoyed the day trip!<BR><BR>Thanks to all.<BR>

Why not see who is playing in the Atlantic City casinos and satify everyone. Beach, something for the kids to see and the adults can play or watch too.

Why not see who is playing in the Atlantic City casinos and satify everyone. Beach, something for the kids to see and the adults can play or watch too. You can try to get a train or bus so you don't have to drive if you don't want to.