Beyond Jones Beach: 3 must-see out-of-state concerts to add to your itinerary

When Taylor Swift performed on her "Eras Tour," there were fans who flew to Europe to see her - and to save money. The cost of the flight, hotel and a ticket combined in Dublin, for instance, was less than a single ticket in the United States.

While the prices of this season’s summer tours aren’t in Taylor Swift territory, some of them are still expensive . Select Jones Beach tickets, such as Jack Johnson, Pitbull and Chris Stapleton, have soared as demand outweighs supply.

You don't have to get shut out from seeing your favorite band, though. Go see these three acts where tickets are cheaper — and make a mini vacation out of it, too.

Jack Johnson

• Northwell at Jones Beach Theater show: June 28 (upper deck seats at Jones Beach went for about $173 and up to $726 for a resale seat in the orchestra section)
• See the show in West Palm Beach, Florida: Aug. 16
• Flight from ISP to PBI: About 2 hours and 52 minutes to Palm Beach International Airport

If you missed the June show, grab a $67 lawn seat at West Palm Beach’s iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre. You can take a direct, round-trip JetBlue flight from MacArthur  for around $270. If you’re willing to fly out of LaGuardia, there’s a nonstop JetBlue morning flight that costs $202 round trip. West Palm Beach itself, which is on the East Coast of South Florida, can be pricey. Arrive on Aug. 16 (that’s when it’s cheapest to fly) and spend the day at the waterfront. Head to the concert that night, keeping in mind the amphitheater is about 10 miles west of the city.

THINGS TO DO IN THE AREA

When you have a full day to spend in West Palm Beach, start at Clematis Street, the city’s main drag and central area for dining and shopping. Get breakfast at Salento Coffee where you can get a bacon, egg and cheese on a croissant, Cuban bread, bagel or arepa or an empanada filled with meats and cheeses.
Once you’re fueled up, hit the beach. Choose from Palm Beach Municipal Beach, Ocean Reef on Singer Island and Juno Beach, among others. No matter which you choose, entry is free and you’ll find clear blue water and soft sand beaches. Take in some rays or try snorkeling or surfing, popular sports in the area. 

Another water sports option is Shark Park, an outdoor water park for thrill-seekers. The park has a floating obstacle course and playground that lets you swoosh down giant slides, climb towers and bounce on the blow-ups (prices vary by activity). There’s also a cable park with wakeboarding, kneeboarding, water skiing, wakeskating and foil boarding for beginners and experts. 
Rapids Water Park offers a more conventional water park experience with 40 water slides including a new water coaster, a lazy river and wave pool (tickets for the park start at $49.95 per person).

When you’re done splashing around, check in to Courtyard by Marriott West Palm Beach (rates starting at $135 per night including breakfast) or The Belgrove Resort & Spa (rates starting at $184 per night).

Pitbull

• Northwell at Jones Beach Theater show: Aug. 25 
• See the show in Hershey, Pennsylvania: Aug. 22
• Driving distance from Melville: 3 hours and 30 minutes to Hersheypark Stadium

Mr. Worldwide, also known as Pitbull, is coming to Jones Beach in August.  Right now, the show is sold out aside from the $744 VIP orchestra packages. Resale sites aren’t much better. You’ll pay between $425 and $1,015 for tickets to hear him perform hits including "Give Me Everything" and "Timber.”
Michele Healy, of Lynbrook, wanted to see Pitbull but couldn’t justify the high price at Jones Beach. Instead, she’ll be headed west to Hersheypark Stadium where she was able to buy tickets for $90. “I wasn’t going to pay those prices,” Healy said.

THINGS TO DO IN THE AREA

Roller coasters aside, the Hershey area is home to attractions, shopping and natural diversions so there’s plenty to do if you don’t want to hit the theme park. Hershey Gardens started as a simple rose garden and has grown into a 23-acre attraction. The roses remain but they’ve been joined by a butterfly atrium, children’s garden and indoor Zoology Zone where you can see frogs, scorpions and other creatures and bugs ($17.50 for ages 13 to 61 and $13.50 for kids ages 3 to 12). 
If larger animals are more your jam, ZooAmerica ($16.50 ages 9-61, $14.50 ages 3-8) is a good place to spend an afternoon. The zoo, which is attached to Hershey Park via a walkway bridge, is free if you’ve already purchased a standard Hershey Amusement Park entry ticket. There are dozens of North American animals on site from gray wolves to Gila monsters.
Another outdoor option that’s perfect if it’s raining or sweltering – or both – is a cave tour of Indian Echo Caverns. The caves, which are 52 degrees all year, are open daily. Admission ($24.50 ages 12 and over, $14.50 ages 2-11) includes a 45-minute guided tour and access to the picnic area, playground and petting zoo.

If you’re looking for an affordable lodging option, The Inn at Westwynd Farm, an upscale bed and breakfast, is a good bet and it's about eight minutes from the stadium (rates starting at $209 per night and include complimentary wine, breakfast and use of the library and common areas). Best Western Premier The Central Hotel & Conference Center is cheaper albeit slightly farther away (about a 20 minute drive from the stadium; rates starting at $165 per night).

If you've saved some money and can splurge, consider a stay at The Hotel Hershey (prices start at $649 per night). The hotel is about three miles from the stadium and offers a theme park package, too, so you can round out your concert weekend with a trip on a Hersheypark Amusement Park roller coaster. A family of four will pay $1,029 and includes breakfast, theme park tickets and one night hotel lodging. There are also five food options right on site including The Circular, with plenty of vegetarian and American options and Trevi 5, an upscale modern Italian restaurant.

Chris Stapleton

• Northwell at Jones Beach Theater show: Aug. 26
• See the show in Camden, New Jersey: Aug. 28
• Driving distance from Melville: 2 hours and 30 minutes to Freedom Mortgage Pavilion

Grammy Award-winning singer, guitarist and songwriter Chris Stapleton is feeling the love from Long Islanders. His Jones Beach show is sold out and the cheapest resale price on Ticketmaster starts at $440. Head to Freedom Mortgage Pavilion in New Jersey and a ticket becomes much more manageable.
Tickets to see the singer at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion are still available and resale options in the lawn areas are as low as $111. You may not be familiar with Camden, which is “right across the [Delaware] river from Philadelphia,” as the locals say.

“Chris Stapleton's Jones Beach show is one of the most in-demand stops on his entire tour, as fans there are paying more than double what buyers just down the road in Camden. Hop across the river and the trip practically pays for itself,” said Jill Gonzalez, StubHub’s head of consumer communications.

THINGS TO DO IN THE AREA

History buffs will appreciate the Long Island connection at Walt Whitman House and Walt Whitman’s Tomb. Walt Whitman House is closed for renovations but you can still enjoy the gardens around the house. The tomb is close by, too. Set aside an hour or so to see both. Then, you can continue your daytime self-tour at The Battleship New Jersey, the most decorated ship in the U.S. Navy.
The ship ($30; $25 for kids) is open to the public dailyand you’ll find interactive exhibits and hands-on activities celebrating the ship’s long naval history. If you’re feeling brave and looking for a place to stay, book an overnight encampment for $85 per person. Sleep in a bunk and grab dinner and breakfast on the ship just like a sailor. There’s also a combined ticket-and-stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Camden Waterfront Philadelphia (rates start at $279) for those who like their quarters a little less spartan. You get an upgraded water view room, complimentary parking and breakfast for two and two self-guided tickets.

Another must-see is the Adventure Aquarium (admission starting at $32.99), which is located a short walk from the battleship. The five-acre site is home to more than 15,000 aquatic animals including sharks, penguins, sea turtles, and scores of different fish. It’s also the only aquarium in the world to house two Nile hippopotami and one of two that boasts a hammerhead shark.