After collecting your rental car at Newark Liberty International Airport, take the Garden State Parkway south toward Exit 58, then follow local roads toward Mystic Island. The drive is roughly 2–2½ hours in light traffic, but Thanksgiving traffic and rental-car pickup can add time, so leave a generous buffer. Head first to Bass River State Forest in Bass River Township for an easy woodland walk and a breath of pine-scented air. Give yourself about 1–1½ hours, and check the forest’s current trail and facility notices before setting out; stick to marked trails and bring water, since visitor services may be limited on the holiday.
Continue to Tuckerton Beach for a quiet 45-minute shoreline stroll and views across the bay. Late November days are short—the sun sets around 4:30 p.m.—so aim to arrive with daylight to spare, and bring a windproof layer. Then drive to The Old Causeway Steak & Oyster House in Manahawkin for dinner. Budget about $30–$60 per person, but do not assume it will be open on Thanksgiving: call well ahead to confirm holiday hours, menu, and reservations before making the drive. If it is serving, reserve a table; holiday service can be limited.
After dinner, return to Newark Liberty International Airport via the Garden State Parkway north. Allow about 2–2½ hours in ordinary conditions, plus extra time for holiday traffic, refueling, and rental-car return. If you have a flight, work backward from its departure time and leave a substantial buffer; the drive estimate does not include airport check-in or security.
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