Long Beach Island, New Jersey

[minniebeth]

Ok all shore fans, I know there's a lot of you out there, and I would so appreciate your help!
I grew up in NJ and vacationed at the shore every summer, but we would go to Pt. Pleasant, Belmar, etc. (I vacationed in Harvey Cedars when I was little, but don't really remember it...)
My family is vacationing next week with friends and we are so excited we just can't wait! We are staying in LBI and it is the first time in 17 years DH and I will be back to the shore. We want to show our kids a summer vacation like we used to have.
What I am looking for help with is some things to do ON LBI with my kids who like to explore and do fun things. My two DDs really love the pool a lot more than the beach, so I'm thinking we will need to break some of our days up with activities. Does anyone have any info on visiting the Barnegat Lighthouse and Tucker's Island Light? My DD found Thundering Surf, a waterpark, any thoughts on that? Also, shopping is always good for us. We will be eating at the house, so not needing restaurant info., just things for the kids.
Please help! Thanks so much!

 

[Cindy B]

Thundering Surf is EXPENSIVE... We checked out prices last week and it was $22.95 per person for 2 hours and if you were a parent/chaperone you still had to pay it-- even if you didn't ride rides.

The lighthouse is either a $1 or $2 to go up. It is free to go up in the off season. There is a nature trail right before you get to the lighthouse so you can have a little adventure there.

There are all kinds of things to do.. such as mini golf, check out arts festivals and such like that. You can spend time looking at all the shops/restaurants as well.

There are boats you can charter if you want to and if the kids are big enough you can also do some waverunner rentals. If the kids are little there are a ton of playgrounds on the bayside all up and down the island that would keep them entertained.

 

[java]

I don't know how old your kids are but if they are little
http://storybookland.com/
is an oldie but a goodie. My kids all had fun. It's a small gentle park- not a ton of rides- but it's a like a 2 -3 hour time kill. I would say under 10 crowd though. (even though my older kids had fun if it was JUST them I wouldn't have gone)

Have fun and I hope you have some sunshine!

 

[FormrCastMbr]

My son just got back from LBI...he went with my sister, her husband and nephew. All the boys wanted to do was swim in the ocean. Other things they did was mini golf, lighthouse, crabbing, fishing, bike riding.

There is an amusement park there called Fantasy Island but they did not want to do that...they were happy with the beach.

Have fun!

 

[XYSRUS]

Literally just back from LBI with my 4 boys 13,11 7 and 5. We stay in Barnegat Light. Stuff we do. Go to the beach. They all love to boogie board and mom loves to sit on the edge of the ocean and relax! Walk up the lighthouse. It's $1 for ages 12 and up. younger ones are free. Great views and fun stories to tell about the trip up and down! They relit the light so check it out at night too. It shines just like the movies. We go crabbing too. Rented a boat at Van's Boat Rental and took the kids out for half day crabbing. Too fun. We have contests for 1st crab caught, biggest, last, most....you name it. The kids come up with a contest! We go to Fantasy Island on Friday's for the POP (pay one price) It was $15 from 2pm til 7pm. We never pay for the tokens during the week b/c they're way too expensive. While the 2 little ones are at Fantasy Island, the big ones go to Thundering Surf. They round up the time on the half hour so if you get there at x hour :31, you'll get 2.5 hours which is sufficient. Even the little kids like the water park but b/c we got a day of rain last week they had to pick either the rides or the waterpark and they chose fantasy island. Also we go few nights to the arcade at Fantasy Island.. Everyone loves that place. It's like gamlbing for tickets and then getting prizes. This year I got a hot chocolate maker, a Lenox Fantasmic Mickey, a Bakugan key chain and some army men. Plus 5000 pts left over for next year.
Check out Surflight theatre for kids' productions. Usually they're sold out but weren't this year. General admission for $9pp and get there at 6pm for good seats. That's what we do there. We love it and stay every year. Have fun!
Any questions? Ask away.

 

[minniebeth]

Thanks everyone, my kids are: DS14, I think he will be happy to be at the beach all day every day, DDs 11 and 7...these are the ones that will not want to be on the beach all day every day, they are beach minimalists! Even though they will have friends to play with, they will want to be doing something I'm sure.
My DMIL/DFIL live in Hilton Head so they are used to going to the beach just for a little while and then swimming in a pool. We did a family reunion last year in the OBX, the house had a pool, where they spent most of the time.

The lighthouse sounds great, and Thundering Surf is expensive, but if we split up, I might still take DD11 who is definately not a fan of the beach to satisfy her one day, but even though it is expensive, is it clean? (That's my biggest worry) If we gave her this as a choice over miniature golf, etc. I'm sure that's what she would pick.
The crabbing sounds fun too! I like the idea of the "contests", I think my kids would like that. DS also likes to fish, so we'll look into options.
I know our friends said we do a "boardwalk" night one night, but not sure where they go. Maybe it's Fantasy Island, I know it's not Seaside Heights.
I also like the idea of the children's theater!
Thanks so much! If anyone else has any ideas, feel free to offer!

 

[njprincess601]

If I'm thinking of the right place, Thundering Surf is very small. There are only 4 or 5 slides. But there is Bay Village which is a fun little shopping center. I'm sure your DD11 would love it.

 

[PammyK]

Check out Surflight theatre for kids' productions. Usually they're sold out but weren't this year. General admission for $9pp and get there at 6pm for good seats. That's what we do there. We love it and stay every year. Have fun!
Any questions? Ask away.

Is the Showplace still open around the corner from Surflight? The girls would probably enjoy going there for ice cream and entertainment. Anybody remember their old ice cream flavors song?

We haave...
Butter pecan
Chocolate chip mint
peanut butter, peanut butter, peanut butter, peanut butter

Orange sherbet
Lemon sherbet
peanut butter, peanut butter, peanut butter, peanut butter

...etc

 

[XYSRUS]

Is the Showplace still open around the corner from Surflight? The girls would probably enjoy going there for ice cream and entertainment. Anybody remember their old ice cream flavors song?

We haave...
Butter pecan
Chocolate chip mint
peanut butter, peanut butter, peanut butter, peanut butter

Orange sherbet
Lemon sherbet
peanut butter, peanut butter, peanut butter, peanut butter

...etc

Absolutely! Lines out the door at all hours of the night! I think they have a cute youtube clip too.

 

[JerseyMamaBear]

pleanty to do. When did you say you were going? The week of august 4-9th is the festival of the sea at st francis church in brant beach. It is a pretty big carnival that they will love. BAy village is great for shopping and lunch. Fantsy Island in Beach Haven is fun too. With all of the rides and arcade you can easily kill 3 or 4 hours. its right next to thundering surf water park but like the pp said it is small. You can also take a boat ride on the Black Whale. Its a decent size charter boat that runs daily to different locations. You can also rent small boats from several of the marinas and take the kids fishing and crabbing. Surflight theater puts on great shows and should not be missed. There are mini-golfing spots all up and down the blvd so you should have no problems finding them. And on 15th street in ship bottom is my favorite candy shop on earth. We are always in there picking up choc. covered pretzels.
As far as dinner locations go, Daddy O's on the blvd in Brant BEach (across the street from St Francis church, im thinking 48th st) has great food. Can be a bit pricey and its more of casual neat attire but its a nice break from hot dogs and burgers.

I live right over the bridge and go to the island quite a bit so if I think of anything else I will post it.

 

[JerseyMamaBear]

looks like you may be there for the festival of the sea. Your kids will like it