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Travel Discussion
New Jersey beaches for summer
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Anonymous
| We want to do something other than the Delaware beaches this summer. We went for a week last year, and it was too crowded and DH spotted too many of his firm partners that he was trying to get a break from. We don't want to drive too far, and we don't want anything loud and tacky. Any suggestions for nice family beach towns in NJ? We have a 3 yo and a 5 yo. Does Cape May get very crowded? |
Anonymous
| Avalon, NJ was nice, although I cannot speak to how crowded it gets in the summer. |
Anonymous
|
Cape May is positively adorable. Extremely family friendly (they have horses and carriages, pedal bikes, a children's theater, etc), and not too crowded. You will want to book the hotel in advance, but you won't be dealing with swarms of people. It's definitely the best option for a family trip.
Having said that, you will want to take the ferry from Lewes Delaware, otherwise driving it is very long. You have to go all the way up the Turnpike and then go all the way back south to get to the Cape. The Ferry itself is a lovely adventure for the kids, and in fact they have some Pirate Mascot (furry and blue) that rides the ferry, and the kids love him. |
Anonymous
| If you're heading to the Jersey Shore be sure to look out for Snooki |
Anonymous
|
Agree that Cape May is the way to go. I went there in high school and college with my family and it was so nice. Lots of cute shops and restaurants and a nice family feel. As I recall it was not too crowded - the strip along the beach is long, so there are many hotels/motels to choose from.
I went to Avalon with girlfriends last summer and while it was nice, I didn't get the same family feel as I did with Cape May. Stone Harbor is also nice - and very close to Cape May and Avalon. |
Anonymous
Oh, and the drive is just about 4 hours to Cape May/Avalon/Stone Harbor. I looked into the ferry, but wanted more flexibility of when I would arrive/leave. But it did look fun! |
Anonymous
| We've been to Ocean City, NJ which is also nice, although a little more commercial than Stone Harbor. It's 3.5-4 hours and a pretty easy drive. It is a dry town so no bars which makes it a great family place. There is a nice boardwalk. If you stay away from the boardwalk area (we've stayed in the far north end of the town) you get the quiet neighborhood, the nice beaches and you can go to the boardwalk for a diversion. |
Anonymous
|
Seaside Hights! Goin' to Joisey Shore bitch!
...Couldn't resist... |
Anonymous
| I go to Stone Harbor every year and generally drive the whole way (not the ferry). Get off the first exit after going over the Delaware Bridge and take back roads. Don't get on the NJ turnpike at all. |
Anonymous
Definately! Its Route 40 that you want, and its absolutely charming. Lots of little places to stop that the kids will love, lots of farms, a fleamarket/rodeo at Cowtown Rodeo, & especially once you hit Atlantic County farmstands. I myself would second the Ocean City rec. |
Anonymous
| Cape May and Stone Harbor are both wonderful places to go. So relaxing and (especially Cape May) unpretentious and great to chill out. |
Anonymous
Yes, this. Comparable-length drive to the one taken to DE beaches, but less traffic IME. We love Stone Harbor and Avalon. Beautiful, quiet, family-friendly, and not too commercial. |
Anonymous
|
Cape May, Avalon, & Stone Harbor are nice.
Also Long Beach Island is nice and very quiet on the north end (Loveladies, Barnegat Light). When you first get onto the island you're in Ship Bottom, which is more crowded, and the south end is more commercial. Avoid Ocean City and especially Wildwood (unless you like seedy boardwalks). |
Anonymous
|
LBI... great family place.
Also might want to try Manasquan, small beach town, but close to Point Pleasant (boardwalk) and Belmar. I miss Jersey... 
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Anonymous
| Agree with pp about Point Pleasant. There is also an aquarium on the boardwalk. with penguins! Great for kids. |