Leave West Milford, NJ around 8:00 AM and take I-80 down to the Garden State Parkway for Asbury Park; on a Saturday morning you’re usually looking at about 2 hr 15 min to 2 hr 45 min depending on traffic, and it’s worth getting there early so parking is painless. Aim for one of the public lots near the boardwalk or a metered spot a few blocks inland off Cookman Ave—expect beach parking to run roughly $10–25 for the day, more on busy warm weekends. Once you’re parked, walk straight to the waterfront and make Asbury Park Beach your first stop while it’s still calmer and the sun’s not brutal yet.
Plan on a lazy, no-rush beach block here: towels, sunscreen, a drink from the boardwalk, and time in the water before the crowds really thicken. Asbury Park Beach is easy to enjoy without overthinking it because everything is walkable from the sand—restrooms, snack stops, and the boardwalk are all close by. When you’re ready for lunch, head a short walk inland to Porta on Cookman Ave; it’s one of the easiest casual lunch spots in town, with pizza, salads, and drinks, and you’ll usually spend about $20–30 per person. Go simple, keep it relaxed, and don’t linger too long—this day works best when you leave room for wandering.
After lunch, stroll the Asbury Park Boardwalk for an hour or so: ocean views, people-watching, and the usual mix of beach-town energy without needing to move the car. Then head back toward Cookman Ave for The ShowRoom Cinema and your screening of Project Hail Mary; it’s an easy late-afternoon or early-evening stop, and because it’s downtown you won’t be fighting extra traffic between the beach and the theater. After the movie, finish with Cookman Creamery nearby—perfect for a slow cone or cup on the walk back to the car, and usually a nice low-key way to end the date before the drive home.
Leave Asbury Park around 9:00–9:30 PM after dessert and take NJ-18 back toward I-287 and I-80 for West Milford; that’s usually the cleanest return route from downtown/boardwalk, and at night you’ll typically be looking at about 2 hr 15 min to 2 hr 45 min. If you want one last easy stop on the way out, grab water or snacks before leaving the downtown area so you can just cruise home once you’re back on the highway.
Leave West Milford around 10:00 AM and head to Paramus via Garden State Parkway N → I-287 N / Route 17 N. In normal traffic it’s about 1 hr 15 min to 1 hr 45 min, and on a Sunday you’ll usually have an easier time than a weekday. Once you’re in the Route 17 corridor, the move is to park once and keep the car put for the rest of the day — that whole stretch can be a bit of a maze, so don’t overthink hopping around.
Start with Van Saun County Park, which is a nice reset before the movie. It’s low-key, green, and easy to enjoy without planning much: walk the paths, sit for a bit, and just get some fresh air. Parking is typically free or inexpensive depending on the lot and season, and the park is usually open from early morning until dusk. If you want a simple, relaxed first stop, this is the one — especially before sitting in a theater for a few hours.
From Van Saun County Park, make your way over to Balthazar Bakery in the Fashion Center / Route 17 area for a pastry-and-coffee stop before the film. Think $12–22 per person if you do coffee plus something light like a croissant, tart, or sandwich. It’s the kind of place where you can keep it quick or linger a little depending on how early you arrive, and it pairs really well with a movie day because it doesn’t overdo lunch. If you’re both hungry, split a couple of pastries and save room for dessert later.
Head over to AMC Dine-In Theatres Garden State 16 for Project Hail Mary. This is the main event, so I’d aim for an early afternoon show — that gives you time to settle in, order food if you want, and still leave room for ice cream afterward. Tickets usually run about $14–22 each depending on format and time, and the dine-in setup is convenient if you want snacks without rushing out to eat somewhere else. Since you’re already on Route 17, the transition is easy: just a short drive or rideshare hop, then park once and stay put. After the movie, head out with enough daylight left to keep the day feeling relaxed rather than packed.
Finish at Sook Pastry for dessert — this is the sweet ending to the day. Go for gelato, pastry, or a cold treat, usually around $8–18 per person, and it’s a good place to sit for a bit and debrief the movie before heading home. If you’re leaving in the early evening, you’ll still avoid the worst of the late-night traffic back toward West Milford; just get on Route 17 N / I-287 N and then back to Garden State Parkway N when you’re ready. If you want, you can also grab a quick coffee there for the drive home and keep the return simple and easy.