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Message |
    
Wilkanoid
Citizen
Username: Cseleosida
Post Number: 369
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, June 9, 2005 - 11:36 am: |     |
We're looking to finish off a vacation week with a couple of days at the beach with the kids. We love LBI, but it seems a bit far to drive for an overnight trip. Which of the other (marginally) closer towns would you recommend for families/kids? I looked at Spring Lake, but the B&Bs don't seem to be kid-friendly at all. |
SoOrLady
Citizen
Username: Soorlady
Post Number: 2204
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, June 9, 2005 - 1:18 pm: | |
Ocean Grove is very kid friendly. If you're looking for boardwalk activities, Pt. Pleasant is the place to go. |
redY67
Citizen
Username: Redy67
Post Number: 2176
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, June 9, 2005 - 2:59 pm: | |
We love Pt Pleasant with the boardwalk and rides, although we have never spent the night there with the children... |
Wilkanoid
Citizen
Username: Cseleosida
Post Number: 372
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Friday, June 10, 2005 - 1:39 pm: | |
SoOrLady --
Do you have any recommendations for a place to stay in Ocean Grove? I looked it up, and the ambience seems to be very similar to Spring Lake. Sent out a bunch of emails to inquire, and hope to get at least one favorable response.
W |
mjc
Citizen
Username: Mjc
Post Number: 669
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Friday, June 10, 2005 - 1:56 pm: | |
Wilkanoid, about Ocean Grove, I think you're right about lodgings, it's mostly (all?) rentals (minimum of a week and probably booked up) and B&B's that may not be kid appropriate.
BUT, if you're looking at weekdays, it's an easy 1 hour drive from Mpl for a day trip. Drive down at your convenience and stay over supper (wide range of choices) to avoid traffic on the way home.
It's really a charming spot, usually easy parking, OK beach with attentive guards, and if the kids get tired of sand and water you can buy a can of peanuts at the little grocery and feed birds and squirrels in the park, or walk down to Bradley Beach for miniature golf.
If the kids are school-age, they might also enjoy stopping off in Keansburg, maybe 1/2 hr north of OG, for a small water park and some oldtime carnival games. (still open?? it's been a couple of years since we went there) |
Wilkanoid
Citizen
Username: Cseleosida
Post Number: 373
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Friday, June 10, 2005 - 2:11 pm: | |
Thanks, mjc. If it's just an hour, then I may go with your suggestion. Do you park in a specific spot?
Kids are school-age, so we may check out Bradley beach. What else is there to explore out there? |
Hank Zona
Supporter
Username: Hankzona
Post Number: 3516
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Friday, June 10, 2005 - 2:22 pm: | |
We like a beach in Manasquan called Seawatch Beach. Family beach...small diner on the beach...rides and arcade for small kids a few blocks away...nice little center of town...East Main St. Trattoria, patterned after the Village Trattoria and owned and operated by a Maplewood native. If youre down the shore and want some non-beach activities, Allaire State Forest is a good spot...down into the Pinelands, there is the American Museum of Glass. Cool museum tracing the history of glassmaking (major in that region at one time)...artisans on weekends including glass blowing demonstrations. Pine Barrens are cool too...worth looking into.
The state has lots of lakes and state parks and forests in the Northwest corner. First or second week of August is the NJ State Fair, formerly the Sussex County Fair. Its a great fair. Not far from some great parks, some of NJ's natural wonders (no joke). Old mine areas up there too with mine tours. Not far from the Delaware Water Gap and the Land of Make Believe. |
Pizzaz
Citizen
Username: Pizzaz
Post Number: 1917
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 10, 2005 - 2:50 pm: | |
I like Manasquan for swimming and sun bathing too. Afterwards, hit Point Pleasant with the kids for the rides. Another pleasant beach close by is Sea Girt. |
BGS
Citizen
Username: Bgs
Post Number: 69
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, June 10, 2005 - 5:00 pm: | |
Avon by the Sea...at the end of the beach just before the bridge over the inlet...perfect spot for children to play...the jetty creates a wonderful little pool for children to play in...great family beach. |
lizzyr
Citizen
Username: Lizzyr
Post Number: 185
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 10, 2005 - 9:54 pm: | |
Try Belmar - it's wide & they have swings & climbing forts on the sand by the boardwalk. |
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