Need Jersey Shore Recommendations

[KelNottAt]

I'm thinking about taking a long weekend to the Jersey Shore next summer (August 2007). It would be me, DH, DS15 and DD13. Any recommendations? I'd like a nice, safe, clean beach town...preferrably in the lower half of the state.

We love Cape May, but that's a little too mellow. (Our opinion may be skewed since our only visit was at Thanksgiving-time.)

Also, since we're just looking for a long weekend visit (Thurs night - Monday afternoon), a place with hotels or B&Bs may be more suitable than a town full of week-long rentals.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

 

[Cantw8]

Not a huge fan of Jersey shores, I would rather go to Delaware or Maryland beaches but for the last few years we have vacationed with the neighbors who LOVE Sea Isle. It is very clean, family orientated and lot's of nightlife

 

[PamOKW]

Been awhile since I've been there but Ocean City, NJ has always been family oriented -- boardwalk with activities

 

[Melrosgirl]

Ocean City, NJ. I like the Biscayne Suites (about 3 blocks from the beach). Kitchenette, housekeeping service, too.

 

[sweet angel]

Personally, I love Wildwood...Crest or North.

Long Beach Island has lots of B&Bs.

 

[Horseshoes]

Wildwood is great

Boardwalk with amusement park and water slides

 

[Kath816]

Wildwood Crest gets my vote. You can get motels right on the beach, then if you want to go to a busier area, either drive or take trolley to the boardwalk. There's plenty to do, or not.

 

[poohbears5]

My vote is Wildwood

 

[XYSRUS]

Long Beach Island-all the way. Enough to do to keep you busy and quiet enough to get some sleep when needed?

 

[Judge Smails]

There is no place on Gods green earth like Long Beach Island.

Rent a house or stay at one of the Victorian B&B's. Bike, swim,lay out on the beautiful beaches (very clean and well maintained) pub hop, deep sea fishing, antiques shop, EAT! (OMG the seafood!!!), and enjoy many adult beverages.

It has been a family tradition to spend a week on LBI each summer. I wish we could be there year round. To give you an idea as to how wonderful our time is on the island, I asked my 9 year old DD if she had to choose between WDW and LBI which would she pick....?

LBI.

 

[I Love Pluto]

Wildwood Crest
Attache motel is right on the ocean. It's been refurbished, and it's quite nice.

 

[aprilgail2]

Wildwood is great! Montego Bay hotel is really nice!

 

[njzieglers]

stone harbor is very nice.
great beaches, quaint town, great restaurants and shops.
it's only minutes from wildwood.

 

[Tiffer]

Ocean City, NJ. I like the Biscayne Suites (about 3 blocks from the beach). Kitchenette, housekeeping service, too.

Very nice, we stayed at Port o call.
Kelly Ripa had mentioned staying there with her family, but be aware that it is dry. No alcohol sold there.

Not a fan of Wildwood. I'll put on my flamesuit here, but I think it's kind of cheesy....

We used to go to Long Beach Island when we lived in NY. In or around Ship Bottom.

 

[Dopey Sharon]

North Wildwood.

 

[pfishgirl]

i vote wildwood too...

cape may is the best.. but it is a sleepy town.. B&Bs are extra nice for adult get a ways although there is the cape may zoo which is really nice..

jackson has six flags great adventure...

i live 10 minutes from seaside heights and seaside park.. or island beach state park..

LBI is ok too..

atlantic city has alot of nice concerts, rain forest cafe, very nice beach and of course the boardwalk..

 

[Hillbeans]

Lavallette is a really cute town, but it's not as far south as some of the other towns mentioned here (it's at exit 82 off the GSP). There are lots of cute motels and the beach is clean. There are the Seaside and Point Pleasant Boardwalks within a short drive. There are also a few mini-golf places, ice cream places, and some great restaurants (our favorite being the Crabs Claw).

I do have to admit though that i'm partial to Ocean City NJ - we've been going there now for the last 4 years and you can't beat the cleanliness and friendliness of that town (besides the fact we noticed that no one uses a turn signal at all but I digress....)

Ocean City NJ has a great boardwalk with lots of Go Karts, Mini Golf, Rides, bikes, surrey's, etc. It is a dry town as previously mentioned, and there are no "wheels" or "games of chance" on the boardwalk either. There are lots of concerts and things that go on every weekend at the Music Pier - it was voted the Best Family Beach in the US in 2005.

There are a few hotels on the boardwalk and right off as previously mentioned. While I don't think it may be as exciting for teenagers as some other areas (like Seaside or Wildwood) there is plenty to see and do in OC!

 

[TIGGER'SFRIEND]

OCEAN CITY has my vote,been going there for 21 yrs. Great family atmosphere--can't miss

 

[sweet angel]

Another vote for Montego Bay in North Wildwood! I've also stayed at a lot of Wildcrest Crest motels over the years.