Beach Vacation suggestions ... New Jersey - North

[DMickey28]

Hi! I am looking for beach vacation suggestions for this summer. Just a quick mid-week getaway ... two little kids, hubby and I.

I looked in Atlantic City and don't know if that would be ok for us. The prices seem ridiculously cheap ... $99 for the Sheraton, $129 for the Taj Mahal. I don't know if those are cheesy or what. We are looking to go Tuesday through Friday or so.

Any suggestions? I honestly have no idea. We live in New Hampshire and don't want to do Hampton Beach or the Cape. I'd rather go south so that we have a chance of going in the water vs. up to Maine. We wouldn't mind a lake either, just something with a nice hotel and stuff to do with the kids. We want to be within 6-8 hours driving of New England.

Thanks!!

 

[babyrich]

Wildwood, Wildwood Crest, Cape May are very nice. You have the boardwalk for entertainment and there are plenty of motels to choose from.

I havent been down there in a few years; but I always liked it when we went.

 

[marcyinPA]

I wouldn't do Atlantic City with little kids, but that's just me.

We never stay at the Jersey Shore (only day trips), but Ocean City NJ is probably a good place for your family. In all fairness, I've never been, but I have friends who go there all the time and love it for it's family friendliness.

Seaside Heights is a dump and known for it's party atmosphere.

We go to Spring Lake for day trips, and it is BEAUTIFUL, but expensive. They don't have a boardwalk in the traditional sense. They have boards, for walking/bike riding, but no rides/games.

Point Pleasant is a little bit south of there, and they have a boardwalk. We went once for the day, and didn't love it.

 

[ckay87]

I'm partial to Ocean City, NJ. Really REALLY great if you have little kids and are looking for a family atmosphere. It's a dry town which can be something of a bummer (for us) but it eliminates virtually all rowdiness. Very nice boardwalk, again, especially if your kids are little (few thrill rides, but fun centers that appeal to little ones). Lots of mini-golf and AMAZING pizza!

 

[Poohforyou]

Ocean City NJ is a lot of fun with kids. The Beach Club there is a nice place to stay and right on the beach with a pool as well. It's also towards the end of the board walk which makes it a little quieter.

 

[916chipndale]

I would suggest wildwood crest because it is more peaceful then wildwood. the beaches are less croweded but the wildwood boardwalk is still very close, which has a lot of things to do with kids. I've never been to ocean city, but i deffinately wouldnt recommend A.C and seaside for kids.

 

[Arkansan]

I recommend the Stone Harbor/Avalon area. It is just a little further on the NJ Turnpike than Ocean City. It is a very family friendly area! There is a great community park, many mini-golf places, and the BEST ice cream--Springer's. There is a very small boardwalk in Avalon, but we would take day trips to Ocean City when we wanted the rides. Many hotels offer beach tags with a deposit--return the tags at the end of your stay and get all your money back--so free. Stone Harbor also has the Cape May Zoo. It is a GREAT (FREE--at least used to be a couple of years ago) zoo that your kids would really like. They have a great African area with giraffes, elephants, etc. You must try Mack and Manco's Pizza on the OC Boardwalk--amazing. Also you can rent the big bikes and ride on the boardwalk early in the morning. (I think they kick bikes off around noon, but can't be exactly sure on the time.) We have enjoyed many vacations on the Jersey Shore and they can be quite reasonable and very fun. Have a great trip!

 

[LBIJim]

Ocean City is probably the best place for a family with young kids. Nice beach, plenty of attractions on the Boardwalk, no rowdy bar scene (it's a dry town), good family type restaurants. Enough to keep everyone interested from sunrise till midnight. The beach isn't free for adults ($5 for one day or $10 for the week; I think kids under 12 are free), but overall I think it's the best beach in New Jersey. And the water is warm NOW.....70 degrees yesterday. Usually it doesn't get that warm until mid or late July.

As for those $129 rates at the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City....yes, most casino hotels are that cheap or even cheaper Monday to Thursday. They have 1000s of rooms to fill and a lot of rooms are offered free to steady gamblers, even those with relatively modest levels of game play. Cheesy? Depends on your taste. The rooms are perfectly good (they're not fleabags) but some are admitedly tacky in decor.

Jim

 

[LBIJim]

Ocean City NJ is a lot of fun with kids. The Beach Club there is a nice place to stay and right on the beach with a pool as well. It's also towards the end of the board walk which makes it a little quieter.

The beach in front of the Beach Club hotel (13th street) is my favorite place in Ocean City. It's the start of the quiet section on town. Just a block away at 12th street, it's much more crowded.

Jim

 

[luvmy3]

We stay in Lavallette which is south of Point Pleasant. There isn't a ton to do there, but it has a nice beach, and we travel up to PP for the Boardwalk. Its closer to Seaside, but I avoid that place like the plague.
I love Long Beach Island, and we don't go to Lavallette, we go there.

We have family and friends that sty in Wildwood Crest every year. They really love it there.

 

[mjkacmom]

Just want to add that all of the advice of the pp's is excellent. We're doing Wildwood Crest this year, and have done OC, Avalon, Cape May, LBI, and Avon, and enjoyed them all. I'd never take my family to Slea Side Heights or A/C, but have been there myself.

 

[sweet angel]

North Wildwood or Wildwood Crest get my vote. Cape May is nice too. Never been to Ocean City. Cape May County Zoo is great -- the Wildwood boardwalk is fantastic.

DO NOT STAY IN AC WITH LITTLE KIDS! They have one cheesy boardwalk pier and a ton of homeless. It's like inner city meets the beach.

Long Beach Island is nice, but not a whole lot to do -- although there is one amusement area.

 

[HeatherC]

If you want to stay a little closer, I would suggest the South County of Rhode Island. Gorgeous beaches and no traffic! Watch Hill, Blue Shutters, etc..

Another option would be Block Island. So beautiful!!!! And so close! Ferry is an hour and the island is really so pretty. Check it out on blockisland.com.

 

[shinysparklybubbles]

I'm partial to Ocean City, NJ. Really REALLY great if you have little kids and are looking for a family atmosphere. It's a dry town which can be something of a bummer (for us) but it eliminates virtually all rowdiness. Very nice boardwalk, again, especially if your kids are little (few thrill rides, but fun centers that appeal to little ones). Lots of mini-golf and AMAZING pizza!

Totally agree! Mack and mankos and don't forget johnsons popcorn! We love ocean city!

 

[FredinFL]

I highly recommend Cape May over AC, AC is full of the dregs of society. I lived there for 3 long, miserable, depressing years. Unless you plan on carting the kids thru the casinos, which I don't think is allowed. Not a good choice.

Cape May has lovely beaches and a nice little zoo.