Jason, I am jealous of you! You got to go already this spring.
When I was growing up, my uncle had a house in Lakewood that my father would help him fix up. So we'd go to that house for the weekend and drive to Seaside via Route 549. 549 was a two-lane road paved into the sand back then. (Now it's highway packed with shopping and malls, etc. That's progress!) We'd go to the beach during the day and boardwalk at night.
My family and I went a bunch of times last summer, thanks to our finding the wonderful Mark III hotel where we can bring our 120 pound mutt. Loved it! Every single restaurant or food court or arcade we went to had some kind of live entertainment. I swear you see better performers there than you do on American Idol.
We discovered the Crab's Claw Inn in Lavalette last year. Excellent restaurant and another place that offers fine entertainment every night.
I am crazy for Maruca's pizza and we like the Sawmill too. Also enjoy the Spicy Food Court (another place that has great bands including Rich Meyer every Sunday night). Our son likes the Coin Castle arcade next door to it quite bit.
I can hardly wait until we can go back! Won't be at least for another 3 weeks since we have parties to attend the next 2 weekends.
Thanks for posting! I love to rave about my favorite place. It draws a lot of negative comments because of all the teenagers that go there, but you know what? I like seeing the kids! It brings back so many memories. Yes, I was once a teen who hung out there too.