OT: Sandy Hook, NJ? Is it nice?

[moopdog]

We want a weekend getaway to the shore, and won't be going to our usual Ocean City, MD because the drive is a little too long. I went to Sandy Hook as a kid but don't remember much. I am just looking at the map & it seems to be the closest beach to us (NEPA)... is it reasonable for hotels, crowds, and cleanliness?

 

[mjkacmom]

I haven't been in years (it's about 45 minutes south of me), but it's not a resort area. I think of it as a day trip for those who prefer things more "campy" - I remember it being kind of cool, with tidal pools, but run down. If you're thinking destination, go south - Long Branch now has a beautiful restored hotel, Avon, Spring Lake, etc. have some nice B & B's, Point Pleasant has a good boardwalk (I believe PP, Seaside, Wildwood, and OC are the only areas with "real" boardwalks), Long Beach Island has great home rentals and hotels, then there are SS and WW (I prefer WW), and Cape May or Avalon. I know I must have missed some, but I've never heard of Sandy Hook as a place to spend a few days.

I like 7 Presidents in Long Branch for a day trip - very nice facilities and beaches!

 

[TangaroaTiki]

If you're thinking destination, go south - Long Branch now has a beautiful restored hotel, Avon, Spring Lake, etc. have some nice B & B's, Point Pleasant has a good boardwalk (I believe PP, Seaside, Wildwood, and OC are the only areas with "real" boardwalks), Long Beach Island has great home rentals and hotels, then there are SS and WW (I prefer WW), and Cape May or Avalon. I know I must have missed some, but I've never heard of Sandy Hook as a place to spend a few days.

Agreed I wouldn't recommend Sandy Hook either

 

[kab407]

Honestly, I would not consider Sandy Hook a weekend getaway. It's more of a day trip and tends to get very crowded during the summer. (they have closed the entrance because the parking lots are full.) I cannot think of any nearby hotels. Also with children you need to watch what beach you visit. Gunnison Beach is a famous nude beach in the Park

For a day trip look into Spring Lake, Pt. Pleasant or Island Beach State Park. For a weekend, Wildwood or Ocean City, NJ are more appealing and family friendly.

 

[moopdog]

Really?? I am a little bummed and surprised. I looked on-line and of course they really "talk it up". It sounds nice and also with a 45-minute ferry to NYC, I though my almost 16 year old and I could take in a Sunday Matinee... but you think not, huh? I want a CHEAP motel/hotel on the shore, anyone have a specific place in mind?

 

[grammynelliebelle]

Sandy Hook is a national seashore and very beautiful, but I would agree there is not much around as far as accommodations to stay. It is also very crowded if you go on a weekend and I would think with the gas prices it will probably get more crowded this season as it is not far from an number of more urban areas. Less crowded during the week. My dd and her family live in NE Philly and when they go they usually head for the Avalon area as it is the closest to her but $$. Grammy

 

[MyDizneyBoyz]

ITA with the previous posters.

We live 10 minutes from Sandy Hook and I think it's a great "rustic" day trip but I can't imagine spending more than a day or two there. There is a restaurant inside the park (Sea Gull's Nest) and a great bike / jogging trail that runs between the road and beach for a few miles, all the way up to Fort Hancock. The beach is generally quite clean and there is sufficient parking but it does fill up quickly. When we go, we aim to get there by 9 so we have our pick of parking. By 10:30, the most convenient lots are full and you'll have a bit of a hike. We go just to use the bike trail as it's a nice change of pace.

Aside from the beach and the one restaurant, there is not much else to do in Sandy Hook itself. A few miles south is Sea Girt which has a lot of shops and restaurants.

For straight "beaching", we go to Seven Presidents Park in Long Branch. Very family friendly with lots of picnic tables, a playground, and convenient bathrooms and outdoor rinsing areas. Uber-clean beach and what I love is that they run this mesh walkway halfway to the water from the access area to make it real easy to get strollers or wonder wheelers closer. This has become our beach of choice for day trips. Like any Jersey shore beach, plan to get there before 10am. There is also a new shopping area right up the beach road from Seven Presidents called Pier Village which has some great restaurants and shops (incl Rocky Mountain Chocolate Co. *drool*).

Point Pleasant has the best boardwalk around incl. clubs with adult beverages , rides, classic boardwalk food, etc.

 

[bnorm27]

There are no real hotels in the vicinity of Sandy Hook. You would have to travel south to Long Branch, east to Eatontown, or north to Middletown for any of the big chain hotels.

My sister tries to go there each weekend with her kids. They generally leave the house around 8AM to make sure they get into the park before it closes. Like some of the PP's stated, it gets VERY,VERY CROWDED! Combine that with a major bridge replacement project currently going on just outside the park entrance, and you can have a big mess on your hands. I just drove past the entrance yesterday on my way down to see some dolphins that are currently swimming in the Shrewsbury River near the park. I was shocked at the work that was going on.

I would recommened Pt. Pleasant Beach as a nice location. Some small local hotels there, plus B&B's. Don't know the policies on kids at the B&B's however. You will probably run into 2 night minimum requirements at any hotel you look into down the Jersey Shore at this time of year (3 on holiday weekends) . Nice boardwalk, amusement areas, and a small aquarium in Pt. Beach.

The Lavallette area is also very nice. Much quieter then Pt. Beach and Seaside. Very nice family beaches, there is a boardwalk, but there are no rides on it. It is truly boards that you walk on. I used to live in Lavallette, so I am a bit partial to it.

Seaside Heights can be a bit wild on the weekend nights. If you like people watching, there are planty of characters to see down there! The boardwalk does have a lot of things for the kids to do, and there is a water park as well. Personally, I would try to stay in Seaside Park area (much quieter), and go to the Heights for the Boardwalk.

Here is one last idea for a day trip, which may be even closer to home. Keansburg Amusement Park. They have an awesome water park, and a really nice amusement area for kids. The guy who currently owns the place bought it back after it was neglected for years by other owners. His grandfather was one of the original owners many, many moons ago. You can do the water park for a few hours, then head across the street to the amusement park. It is on the bay beach, but on a clear day there are great views of NYC !

 

[marcyinPA]

I know someone who talks up Spring Lake a lot. They used to go every summer...not sure if they still do. I got the impression that it's a bit more "upscale".

I've been to Pt. Pleasant once, and never again. My DS got a cut on his foot on the beach, and we went to a lifeguard for a bandaid (Lifeguard was right next to us). We had to wake him up!! He was sleeping on the job!!

We've also been to Seaside Heights and it was filthy. Yuck!!

We're OC Maryland folks, but I know that's not a daytrip destination if you are from PA.

 

[mom2aredhead]

I have to agree with everone here...Pt. Pleasant Beach would probably be better.

Here's a link to some of the hotels in the area

http://www.pointpleasantbeach.com/hotels.htm

Just keep in mind, these are typical Jersey Shore motels...not upscale resorts, though they tend to charge resort prices during July and August. Unfortunately, there is no longer any such thing as a "cheap" hotel down the shore. I have stayed at both the Colonial and the White Sands and they were both fine, (clean, convenient) but it was a few years ago, so I cannot offer a recent opinion.

I would avoid Seaside Heights - yuck! Pt. Pleasant is much more family friendly. We also like Wildwood Crest, but it's about another hour or so down the Parkway.

 

[NJMomma]

As for Sandy Hook, I agree with the other posters. Day Trip only. There is no boardwalk, and it's not so great there. Further south is Ocean City, NJ, They have a really nice boardwalk. PPB (Pt. Pleasant Beach) is nice enough, they have a good boardwalk, but really tourist-y. I haven't been to Seaside in years, it's more of a teen hang out. We used to called "Sleaze-side" . Ocean Beach State Park is near Seaside, it's very pretty but it's rustic. Long Beach Island (LBI) is really nice but again further down.

I know you are not looking to drive but Cape May is my personal favorite. It's far down as you can go, but it is beautiful.

 

[PURTYPAT1]

We are from Northern Jersey, we rent every year one week (3 houses from the beach) a 3 bedroom house for $1300.00 in Long Beach Island, which I happened to think, it's the Norman Rockwell of the Jersey Shore. Mellow, & very family oriented

We use Mary Allen Realtor eileen@maryallen.com

Have a great time