The Jackson center point is approximately 6 miles north of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and 6 miles east of Six Flags Great Adventure.
Six Flags is open year-round for several days a week, but the most popular time to visit Jackson is during the summer when Six Flags Great Adventure and the nearby Hurricane Harbor water park are open every day of the week. The weather is perfect for enjoying the water slides and wave pool, and most children are free from school on summer vacation and ready for some fun! This is also when hotel prices are at their highest. If you want to visit Jackson during this busy period, be sure to book your hotel well in advance.
Spring is a great time to visit Jackson. Hotel prices are lower, and the theme parks are open most days of the week, especially if you plan to come in April or May. You can expect temperatures of 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, but be sure to pack plenty of layers because it can cool down to 40 degrees Fahrenheit at night.
Fall is also a nice time to explore Jackson and all of the parks. Hotel prices begin to drop off at the end of September, but the temperatures remain about 60 degrees Fahrenheit during the day until mid-November. You may not be able to enjoy splashing around at Hurricane Harbor, but you can still ride the roller coasters at Six Flags Great Adventure or go on safari at Safari Off Road Adventure.
Winter is the quietest time of year for visitors in Jackson. Six Flags is still open on weekends, and with weather permitting, you can still go on most of the rides in the park. There are often special events over the holidays which make it fun to celebrate at the park. Temperatures in Jackson can drop as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit during January and February, so bundle up and don't forget your hat. Hotel prices are at their lowest during the winter months, so you can get a great deal on your stay.
AAA members should check out the discount available at the Days Hotel Toms River. Present your AAA or CAA membership ID when you check-in to receive up to 10 percent off the regular room rate. It's a great place to base yourself if you want an affordable hotel that's still close to the beach. You're only a short drive to the shore where you can choose from over a dozen different beaches. Days Hotel also has great amenities like an indoor pool, a fitness center, a restaurant, and an on-site bar.
The Freehold Motel offers a great 10 percent discount to members of the military. Bring your military ID with you when you check-in to receive the discount. The Freehold Motel is just north of Jackson and is located just off Route 9, making it easy to drive straight to Six Flags. The motel has free Wi-Fi and ample free parking, and for a small fee, you can bring your pet with you.
If you're coming to Jackson with a group, check out the group discount available at the Howard Johnson Hotel Toms River. If you are flexible with dates, you can get up to 49 percent off of the individual room rate with a group booking. Toms River is about 20 miles from Six Flags and less than five miles from the beach, making it a great place if you want to enjoy both destinations during your trip to Jackson. The hotel has an indoor pool, a fitness center, two restaurants, and a bar. Your stay also includes a complimentary continental breakfast.
For a great value hotel near Jackson, book a stay at the Best Western Leisure Inn. At a great price, it's close to both Jackson and the beach and has tons of amenities that the whole family will love. Go for a swim in the outdoor pool or workout at the nearby fitness facilities. Each morning guests can enjoy a continental breakfast buffet and bottomless cups of coffee.
The Radisson Hotel Freehold is also a great value hotel. Every room at the Radisson has air conditioning, a refrigerator, wireless internet, an LCD television with satellite programming, and a video game console for your entertainment. There is an outdoor pool, a 24-hour fitness center, a restaurant, and a bar.
There are so many wonderful restaurants to experience when you visit Jackson. Whether you're looking for a pizza place, a great burger, or a diner so that you can enjoy a big breakfast, you'll find a little bit of everything in Jackson.
For the best local pizza, take the family to Mangia. They have a brick pizza oven where they cook all of the pizzas to order. It's not just about the pizza, though. They also have excellent baked pasta dishes, seafood options, and specialty pasta. They make everything fresh, and they also have options for whole wheat pasta and gluten-free pasta. Be sure to save room for their homemade cannoli. If you're in a rush or you have a group of tired kids after a day at the theme park, call ahead and order everything for takeaway.
Adults will love the Cornerstone Kitchen and Tap. Try some local craft beers and dive into a perfectly cooked burger. Pair your IPA or stout with a beef burger, a pork burger, a chicken burger, or something else entirely. In addition to excellent burgers, you can also have soup, pasta, salad, or fish and chips. If craft beer isn't your thing, that's okay too, their cocktail menu is unique and extensive, and they have several local wines available as well.
For a hearty breakfast, head to the Jackson Diner. It has a fun 1950s decor that the family is sure to love. Pull up a stool at the counter or grab a booth. The regular menu includes everything from French toast and omelets to breakfast burritos and bagels. They also have a weekly breakfast specials menu that you'll definitely want to check out. You're likely to see a unique waffle flavor, a delicious croissant sandwich, and an overflowing omelet on there every week.
Jackson is the perfect place to stay if you want to spend time at Six Flags as well as at the Jersey Shore. Whether you're looking for an affordable hotel nearby Six Flags or you want a luxury hotel room with a view of the Jersey Shore, there are so many options to choose from near Jackson. Just be sure to book your accommodation well in advance so that you get the best hotel for a great price.
Below are reviews of the city of Jackson, NJ from an actual visitor's perspective.
In Jackson, it was very convenient to have a few fast food restaurants just before Great Adventure. You can go to one of them and save some money eating there instead of eating at the park.