OT: Jersey shore destinations?

[sorcerermick]

We stay every year for 1 week in North Wildwood, on the beach, by 16th street. This is right at the evry start of the boardwalk. I've been going since I was a child, and now I bring my family every year. We do the beach thing by day, and then stroll the boardwalk doing rides and playing games every night. I have not seen any public drunkenness or trouble as a previous poster said, but I'm sure it does happen. There are police cars and scooters [patrolling the boardwalk all evening (and a 4x4 beach patrol by the water too!). We personally love to play the games and stop in arcades, although it can get costly.

As far as beaches go, North Wildwood has the widest beach, while is gradually narrows as you head south to Cape May. You can drive from North Wildwood to Cape May in about 20 minutes, and we usually do drive down for a day to stroll. it is a quaint Victorian town.

No matter where you stay, I'm sure you'll have a blast.

Enjoy!

 

[HoneyPooh]

Wildwood itself if kind of wild for me but my kids have always loved it and I loved it when I was younger. There are LOTS of bars, lots of places to eat, lots of shops and of course the boardwalk. At this point, I don't enjoy the boardwalk at night because of the "rowdies", but during the day it's fun and you have the water parks up there as well. It's not cheap so be prepared. The beaches in Wildwood are free and HUGE which can cause a problem with hauling your stuff to the water line. Sometimes it's like crossing the Sahara and that sand is pretty darned hot! Don't drink to much, because it's a haul to the bathroom!

North Wildwood has a lot more condos and it's a little quieter with more year round residents.

Wildwood crest is what I call "green". You will see more green grassy yards and less rocks because there are more year rounders that do yard work and aren't looking for less maintenance and therefore the dreaded rock/seashell yards. It's quieter than North Wildwood or Wildwood Crest and has less business and more residences.

If you go to Wildwood, visit the Harley Davidson shop and say hi to my son!

 

[kelleigh1]

Can anyone tell me about Seaside Park?

Please don't try to talk me into going somewhere else. The decision wasn't made by me. In-laws are renting the place and we're just going down to visit for a few days. I'd just like to know what I can expect since I don't know the area at all.

 

[PURTYPAT1]

My girlfriend rents every year at Seaside Park. She loves it. As a young girl, I use to rent in next town Lafayette, or Ortley Beach which is very close to Seaside Park. Loved it.

Seaside Park, is quiet, if you want action, they you can go over to Seaside Heights Board Walk, where it is wild & full of teens. By the way, Seaside Heights has the best "Sausage & Peppers" sandwich & home made lemonade I have ever had. I think better than Little Italy in NYC. Just my thought.

I am sure you will enjoy your time in Seaside Park

Hope this helps

Patricia

 

[hollyb]

Another vote for LBI we LOVE it there. Can't wait to go again this summer.

 

[kelleigh1]

Thanks Patricia! MIL said that the day pretty much consists of getting up, going down to the beach and staying there all day, then off to the boardwalk at night to eat. Personally, I can't sit on the beach all day. First because I'll be bored out of my mind and second because my pale skin will not be happy. And since both of my parents went through skin cancer treatment last year, I think I'd rather not spend all day in the sun.

I just found a website and some photos so it does look like we'll have other things to do in the area. I'm more likely to hang out at the beach at night and find other things to do during the day.

 

[ncbyrne]

Almost every beach posted on this thread are south Jersey beaches. Funny that I should spot this thread just now because I just got back from a day trip to Sandy Hook about an hour ago. I much prefer the northern Jersey beaches - say from Sea Bright down to Point Pleasant. However, I do like Cape May, but that's in a class by itself, and certainly never a budget trip!

 

[ncbyrne]

Almost every beach posted on this thread are south Jersey beaches. Funny that I should spot this thread just now because I just got back from a day trip to Sandy Hook about an hour ago. We enjoyed the cool, lonely beach all to ourselves and loved walking around the historic fort and light house. In the summer, I much prefer the northern Jersey beaches - say from Sea Bright down to Point Pleasant. However, I do like Cape May, but that's in a class by itself, and certainly not a budget trip!

 

[PatMcDuck]

I also thought it was funny there were so many south jersey posts. Point Pleasant, Avon-by-the-Sea, and Manasquan are also quite nice.

If you are at Seaside Park you may enjoy visiting Island Beach State Park. BEAUTIFUL beaches there, non-commercial.

 

[barblue]

We like to go to Stone Harbor & Avalon- nice family -oriented places & close to Wildwood for the rides & Cape May for the shops. LBI is nice but I found in recent years more college kids going there.

Here's a second for Stone Harbor and Avalon - my family has been going there for years (my mom started going when she was a little girl). While it's on the more expensive end of Jersey shore vacation areas, it's also on the quiter end as well; it's a small, very family-oriented island is absolutely lovely. There are several great playgrounds/play areas and the cute "downtown" shopping area is a wonderful place to stroll. Plus, the whole island is only about 5 blocks wide. So no matter where you stay you can basically walk out your door to the beach or the bay. (If you do make it, make sure to try the blueberry pancakes at the Windrift for breakfast! )

Also, a great way to cut lodging costs at the Jersey shore is to go in the first several weeks of September. The ocean and air temps are still warm enough to swim (I believe the ocean is actually generally the warmest in the first few weeks of Sept) and the crowds are limited because school is back in session. Of course, kids' schedules dictate if you can or can't do this, but if you can, I'd highly recommend it. It's my favorite time to visit.

No matter where/when you go, enjoy your trip!

 

[Hillbeans]

Years ago I used to live in Bradley Beach, NJ - which is just north of Avon-by-the-sea and Belmar.

That town really only has beach - there is no nightlife around there at all. Unfortunately there are not a lot of rentals around the northern NJ shore - most of the short-term rentals start around Point Pleasant down.

PurtyPat1 pretty much summed up Seaside. We went there every summer for about 20 years but we stayed a little north in Ocean Beach NJ which was near Lavallette. It's a fun town, and the boardwalk is nice at night (and they have the best food - cheesesteaks, sausage and peppers, etc) but there are a lot of kids and LOTS of teens in tiny bathing suits and/or Goth. The Boardwalk has lots of rides, games of chance and shopping.

 

[kimbac3]

Hello
Born and raised in Cape May County...I just wanted to mention that Wildwood hosts alot of conventions and events go here to check out whats going on when
http://www.wildwoodsnj.com/calendar.cfm

It's has gotten alot nicer and pricey-ier over the years.
How bad am I...my kids have been to the ocean beach once (DD is 14!) and to the boardwalk maybe twice. We have taken them to Cape May but only in the winter! (To do the shops..MIL works in Cape May Point so we do visit the area.) I guess from growing up there and dealing with the crowds I avoid it like the plague now!! Both my parents and DH's live down there and I make them come up to see us in the summer. We live in Cumberland County now - less hetic.
Have Fun!!
Kimba

 

[BigTiggerGuy]

As a lifelong resident of the South Jersey Shore I had to throw my opinion into the mix(for what it's worth
I live just over the bridge from Ocean City and would have to put that as my top pick. I have been to Wildwood many times(my company has it's annual employe picnic at Moreys Piers every year) and I think for families Ocean City is a much better choice. You have the boardwalk and beaches as well as a bunch of nice restaurants and shops. Somers Point is just a quick drive over the bridge and offers some great bars(if the adults need a night out) and also some great dining options(try Charlies Restaurant for the BEST chicken wings you will ever have). Also, from Ocean City you are only about 15 minutes from Atlantic City which has changed quite dramatically in the past few years. In the "new" Atlantic City you will find outlet shopping(The Walk), an IMAX movie theater(Tropicana Casino), Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum on the Boardwalk, plus tons of other interesting attractions.
Just my two cents worth, but I think Ocean City is a great vacation spot. It's quiet and centrally located to alot of different attractions.

 

[Karel]

It all depends where you are coming from. When I was growing up in Central NJ, everyone went to Seaside and LBI.

Now that I live in S. Jersey, no one thinks of going any where north of AC. I would never pick Sandy Hook as a vacation spot.

Almost every beach posted on this thread are south Jersey beaches. Funny that I should spot this thread just now because I just got back from a day trip to Sandy Hook about an hour ago. We enjoyed the cool, lonely beach all to ourselves and loved walking around the historic fort and light house. In the summer, I much prefer the northern Jersey beaches - say from Sea Bright down to Point Pleasant. However, I do like Cape May, but that's in a class by itself, and certainly not a budget trip!

 

[LakeAriel]

I returned to Seaside Heights this past summer after a two year hiatus. I have been going there for 21 years. My children are seven years apart and there is something for the teens down to the tots. We always rent a 2 bedroom/2 bath condo on the ocean block across the street from Ortley Beach. They have an indoor pool which is convenient if it is raining!
There is nothing like the ocean there! Clean and not so rough that they need to close it down several times a season. We have also often seen the dolphins swim by which is an awesome treat!
Bayhead is beautiful, more upscale as is Spring Lake Heights, but the water is rougher.

 

[maddhatir]

i used to hang out in wildwood when i was a teen and in my 20s- then it seemed to go "down hill"- i have not been back in about 15 years because of that. maybe it is getting better- however, the boardwalk is a very nice size- but you might need to hitch a ride to the ocean-- the beach is huge!

with that said.......

i would vote for Ocean City NJ-- it is very family orietned- even though i dont have kids- it is just a nice place. the boardwalk is clean and has nice shops. i also like the beaches- i tend to go down to 30th and above for the beach- it is much quieter than down towards the boardwalk.

stone harbor, sea isle, avalon they are all driving distance from ocean city

cape may is beautiful, but it gets a bit boring. i think anywhere that does not have a boardwalk can be a bit boring if you have kiddies!

 

[moopdog]

Hey ZIZZYX - any interest in renting your place out for a week? PM if so. Thanks!

 

[airplane]

As a lifelong resident of the South Jersey Shore I had to throw my opinion into the mix(for what it's worth
I live just over the bridge from Ocean City and would have to put that as my top pick. I have been to Wildwood many times(my company has it's annual employe picnic at Moreys Piers every year) and I think for families Ocean City is a much better choice. You have the boardwalk and beaches as well as a bunch of nice restaurants and shops. Somers Point is just a quick drive over the bridge and offers some great bars(if the adults need a night out) and also some great dining options(try Charlies Restaurant for the BEST chicken wings you will ever have). Also, from Ocean City you are only about 15 minutes from Atlantic City which has changed quite dramatically in the past few years. In the "new" Atlantic City you will find outlet shopping(The Walk), an IMAX movie theater(Tropicana Casino), Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum on the Boardwalk, plus tons of other interesting attractions.
Just my two cents worth, but I think Ocean City is a great vacation spot. It's quiet and centrally located to alot of different attractions.

I agree 100% w/ this post. I could not have said it better myself
You can not go wrong w/ Ocean City. There is something for everyone and it is very close to Atlantic City for a different kind of day/night out. And if your thirsty , Somers Point is right across the bridge w/ fantastic bar/restaraunts.

 

[DKx3]

while the piers w/ rides and waterparks are nice in wildwood, i find the boardwalk to be an obnoxious carnival type atmosphere with merchants begging and harassing you to play their games

as for ocean city - the best imo. we live about one hour west of Ocean City NJ and love it for adults, teens and families

 

[nuttylawprofessor]

There are only 3 letters you need to know: L B I

(Not that I'm biased or anything. )

Seriously, I grew up next to LBI and it's the best. Something for everyone. Eighteen glorious miles of surf and sand.