NJ Shores?

[GoingtoWDWagain]

Looking to go to the NJ shores this summer for a family of 5 with two little ones. Don't want to go to Wildwoods or Seaside Heights. Just looking for some nice shores, not too crowded and a broadwalk or area with shops to walk around after spending a day on the beach and some restaurants for dinner.

Anyone have information on Cape May, NJ?

Thanks a bunch!

 

[NemoMOm]

Well. I've been to Cape May several times so maybe I could answer a question?

 

[pha1226]

Every shore town in South Jersey will be crowded in the summer. Cape May is very nice with shops and restaurants. Stone Harbor is a very nice little town with nice shops but no boardwalk. Sea Isle City is crowded but has a boardwalk. Ocean City is very family friendly with restaurants and a nice boardwalk but crowded. Also wherever you go, rentals are expensive.

 

[dismom301930]

We love Ocean City, NJ. We go there every year and our children (ages 7, 5, and 3) love it. The beaches are great and not too crowded where we stay (we don't stay too close to the boardwalk since the beaches are much more crowded there). The boardwalk is great, although it does get very crowded in the evenings. There are lots of rides, live entertainment, shops, restaurants, etc.

 

[dana1003]

point pleasant is nice. its clean, seems to be more families and they have the aquaruim on the boardwalk. my toddlers loved it. we were in there for like 2 1/2 hours.

 

[Mkrop]

I like Ocean City but I love Avalon. It is so nice and quiet, Stone harbor is right there wiht the shops, and Cape May and OC are just a quick drive away. We go to OC for the boardwalk. I like it much better than Wildwood.

 

[lesliewitt]

Another vote for Pt. Pleasant-in fact we are headed there on Friday from Minnesota. It is more of a family atomosphere than Seaside Heights. In fact, the last four years we have stayed in Lavallette and driven to Point even though Seaside was only 5 minutes away.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

I am right by LBI. Nothing but sand here. I think that no matter where you go on the Jersey Shore it is crowded-the summer traffic on our roadways is just nuts come the weekends.

Since I was a kid Pt. Pleasant (I was born there) was always known to be very family oriented...while Seaside (often referred to as Sleazeside) was for singles on the prowl for a good time. Seaside has changed a bit over the years, but still has a long way to go to being what a lot of people consider to be a family atmosphere.

Cape May is nice. If you go there, I'd suggest a trip to the Cape May Zoo. Very cheap-they only ask that you make a donation...there is no actual fee though for entry. You can pay a few dollars to take the whole family and its a nice set up. We like Cape May for all the little shops and of course there are seafood restaurants galore. There is also the Cape May-Lewes ferry that you can take over to Delaware-you can also drive your car onto the ferry. We go on it a few times a year and hit all the outlet shops in Rehoboth, DE. Good way to spend the day also...side note...Disney outlet. LOL! Lots of cool bed and breakfasts in Cape May and the surrounding area. Ocean City has a pretty nice boardwalk.

 

[XYSRUS]

We go to Long Beach Island every year. No boardwalk there, though. We've never needed one. On LBI there's the awesome beach, the bay, Fantasy Island-cute little amusement park, crabbing, children's theatre, water park, great shopping, going out for ice cream every night...Can you tell I just love it there? We leave in 3 days!!!!!!

 

[surfgirl]

another avalon/stone harbor fan here. Like the family atmosphere, the less-crowded beachers. Less 'sleaze' here than others. Island is very narrow compared to other places so comparatively less people there.

Ocean City - never stayed there. we drive up to the boardwalk once for a change. While we enjoy our time there, we are always happy to go back to Avalon to the beaches. Don't like the crowds. (island is very deep compared to others)

Sea Isle City - beaches get too crowded here.

LBI - don't know it well, but there are many who seem to like the less crowded beaches.

Do you sense a theme ? We love going to the beach as a family and playing together (kids are 7,5,3). Don't a big fan of all the other kids coming and playing with our castle, caves, etc. and when its too crowded, parents are all too happy to let someone else supervise

good luck!

 

[magchavez]

Another vote for LBI here! We've been twice and my kids had a ball. The first year we went the kids were 12 months and 2, the second time they were 2 and 4. Both times they had a ball. It's nice because you have both the beach (with waves) and the bay (no waves). The pizza and ice cream were great. And you have to go to Fantasy Island Amusemnt Park. It doesn't open until 5:00pm and most of the rides are geared towards young kids. There were only a few my kids did not ride!!! Have fun!

 

[MaryKLady]

I know you said you didn't want Wildwood but...URL="http://www.vacationrentals.com/vacation-rentals/23505.html"]check this out.[/URL]

We've stayed here and enjoy it. It is just a block or two from the crest and free beach. There are great playgrounds nearby, we have a DD 3. The condo is beautiful and on a quiet block. The convention center end of the boardwalk is quiet, no crazy teenagers or boardwalk noise. It's on the second floor so the balcony/deck is raised with great views and off street. There is also a 2 car garage! The owners are very nice.

 

[MaryKLady]

Here it is.

Sorry for that

 

[beachgrl001]

I could tell you about wildwood or cape may. we have a house in north cape may, so pm me if you have any questions. like someone else said all the beach towns are crowded this time of year, cape may is very pretty and historic, wildwood has lots of rides for the kiddies! and 3 waterparks, I prefer the beach in wildwood crest/diamond beach to cape may beach(I like the sand better and I feel like the water is clearer JMHO) Diamond beach(the end of wildwood crest) is very nice and you could always take a ride over the bridge to historic cape may, stone harbor is also close. there is cape may point state park with a big light house and nature ctr,in west cape may.

 

[Benducci]

Stone Harbor/Avalon!! Itg is nice, quiet & within driving distance of Cape May, Wildwood, Ocean City.

 

[tinkandpan]

I am partial to the Point Pleasant Area. I usually like to stay in one of the surrounding towns like Normady Beach or Manteloken so I can drive to the boards but have a more private beach experience. LBI is also terrific (we're on our way there tomrrow actually!)

 

[tweedlemom]

Beach Haven on Long Beach Island is the best! Very family oriented with mini golf, water slides, shopping, beaches, ice cream and oodles of restaurants!

 

[mcqueengroupie]

I really like going to LBI, it just seems so laid back, but since I live 3 miles from the Pt. Pleasant Boardwalk, that gets my vote. The beach there is great and big, and there is just so much to do, games, restaurants, aquarium, and put-put. I stay away from Seaside unless we go early in the day. The boardwalk there is filfthy, and the vendors are rude and pushy. They do have the biggest slices of pizza ever though!

 

[mericletwins]

Hi
I live in Cape May County and can probably direct you to a nice town in this area if you can give a little more info about your needs. When do you want to go? How many and ages in your group? Do you have a price range that you want to spend for lodging? What level of activity do you want or activities that you are interested in doing?

 

[tedhowe]

I'll put in another vote for Sea Isle/Stone Harbor/Avalon or even Ocean City.

The key to beach crowding in any of these areas is NOT to rent right in the center of town where the boardwalk/shops are.

When I was growing up, we had weekly or (sometimes) monthly rentals in Avalon and Ocean City, always loved it.

We had friends that had a house a couple of blocks off the beach in Sea Isle City at about 68th street - the beach there was never too crowded (though it certainly gets busy). When my parents retired in 1994 they bought a house at the north end of Sea Isle City (near 14th street) and the beach never gets overcrowded there either.

Sea Isle has a decent small promenade with shops/pizza places/etc.

It wil be crowded on the beach between about 20th to 40th streets, but south of 40th will be okay and north of 20th will be very comfortable - there aren't a LOT of rental places north of 20th street, but you can find them.