Memorial Day weekend in New Jersey extends beyond the beach.

Off Frank Sinatra Drive in Hoboken, residents celebrated on Saturday the unofficial start of summer their way: cornhole, biking, flying kites, cooling off at the splash pad or sunbathing.

“Great views, blue skies, nothing better than that,” said Dylan, of Hoboken.

“The weather is definitely cooperating,” said Elvi Guzman, of Hoboken. “It's probably one of the nicest weekends that we've had in a long time.”

Although many spend Memorial Day weekend down the shore, Pier A Park brought the best of the beach up north.

The real question for residents - where would you rather be?

“I definitely want to be down the shore if you ask me,” Guzman said.

“No, don’t go down the shore,” said Alyssa Minor, of Morristown. “You’ll just end up in hours of traffic. It’s ridiculous.”

According to AAA, New York City is one of three biggest Memorial Day weekend travel destinations in America.

For businesses old and new, it brought customers to town.

“This has been phenomenal,” said Shane Garrett, of 2nd Street USA Hoboken. “This has been, by far, our biggest grand opening day. The line went all the way around the corner.”

Although many in New Jersey are enjoying the long weekend in the sun, they aren’t forgetting the true meaning of Memorial Day.

“We appreciate you and your sacrifice,” said Xavier Cunningham, of Ellicott City, Maryland. “Thank you to your families. The veterans that aren't here to celebrate, we commemorate you and your memory, and just want to thank you for all that you do.”