Travel tips for visiting the Jersey Shore

Photo courtesy of m01229, Flickr

When many people think of summer they think about being together with loved ones, going down the shore, ice cream cones after a long day on the beach and even a walk down the boardwalk. There is something so exciting and fun about summer and the Jersey Shore is the perfect place to have the ultimate summer vacation.

There are boardwalks, arcades, bars, beaches everywhere, bike rides and great food. There are many different places and beaches to choose from. It depends on what you are looking for, but there is something for everyone.

Some areas are more laid back and relaxing while others are full of fun and people. You have Spring Lake which is a nice relaxing place to stay with beautiful beaches, but close enough to drive to the boardwalk if you are interested in going for a night or two with your friends or family. Belmar beach is a very popular spot for younger adults because they have amazing big beaches, very popular bars and great food. Many people rent a house for the summer months with their friends.

Seaside Heights is also a very popular location to go with family and friends, and I feel like the name just speaks for itself. It is full of great sports like mini golfing, an awesome boardwalk with arcade games and rides. Long Beach Island is another popular place to go, it is about 45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic from the Belmar-Seaside area.

Long Beach Island really is its own little island with lots to offer. It has 18 miles of perfect beach and it has the mix of it all: a great beach scene during the day and a fun bar and nightlife scene as well. There are family friendly towns, with parks and bay beaches for the younger kids to play in the water without having to worry about the big beach waves. They are not as populated, so it is much easier for you to keep an eye on your little ones.

Every area is child-friendly though, but it just depends on what you are looking for. There is some of the best mini golf on Long Beach Island with courses going on forever it seems like. They have a mini amusement park called Fantasy Island which is great for families and has so many games for younger and older children. They also have a wonderful water park with slides and lazy rivers for you to have a relaxing day if you want a break from the beach.

There really is nothing like a beach trip down to the Jersey Shore – whether it is for the day or a few nights or for the whole summer, it will not disappoint. There is always something to do and being with the right company makes it so much better. These are just a few of the top spots at the Jersey Shore, with many more spots to explore.

 

carthur@ramapo.edu