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,
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.??
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!

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.

Now I really don't know where to head to! Perhaps we should try both?

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.

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.

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)

Jones beach was beautiful, the weather was perfect and everybody enjoyed the day trip!

Thanks to all.

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.