New Jersey Beach Comparison
If you are looking for a northern shore, you may want to try Point Pleasant or Seaside. Point Pleasant offers a small boardwalk and well maintained beaches. The boardwalk is ideal for families with young children. It is not the size of Wildwood’s boardwalks, but offers a pleasant array of entertainment and establishments to cater to its crowds. There are small rides for younger children and arcades for gaming.
Seaside offers two beach areas. Seaside Heights offers a boardwalk with traditional skill games such as water balloon popping, dart throwing and the spinning wheel games. Cranes and games of chance of this nature are also very popular here. There are two large carousels on this boardwalk, one on each end. They are both indoor carousels and offer arcades around them as well. Seaside offers rides for the older crowd on both ends of the boardwalk as well. The beach requires you to pay, but if you go on Wednesday or Thursday it is free, as it is sponsored by Coca-Cola.
Island State Park is a beach in Seaside that is not connected to the boardwalk. It is just a little bit farther than the boardwalk but offers large beach areas with bathroom and dressing areas. There is a charge to use this beach.
If you are looking for a day at the beach with no boardwalk involved you might want to try Long Beach Island. The beaches are soft, white and sandy and offer plenty of room to spread out with your friends and family. Free public parking is available at different locations, and you may park in front of houses on public streets as long as you don’t block driveways. There are no large parking lots created for public beach access. The parking is scattered throughout the area. Charming shops line the island and there are numerous places for miniature golf playing. It is truly a great family location. One of the special features of Long Beach Island is that you won’t find any fast food establishments on the island. The townships work at providing a family atmosphere that isn’t littered with franchised hamburger joints.
Atlantic City offers beaches and casinos. If you are looking for some sun and fun in the day time and casino action at night, Atlantic City just may be the perfect location for you. Casinos line the long boardwalk, while a few stores dot the walk as well. Ripley’s Believe it or Not can also be found along the boardwalk. The beaches are clean and free and the casinos are ready for action.
Ocean City is a family favorite with its long boardwalk and games of chance. Their giant Ferris Wheel can be seen while driving from the main highway! It’s sure to excite the kids. Plenty of parking and hotels are available whether you choose to make it a day trip or an overnighter.
Wildwood is a hopping place. Hundreds of hotels and motels fill the roads surrounding the massive boardwalk. Many are located directly on the boardwalk. There is a tram that will take you from one end of the walk to the other. The beaches are long and free. Wildwood offers extremely large beaches. Piers full of exhilarating rides and carnival games take up almost the entire length of this boardwalk. Wildwood is also known for events that happen all year round, whether it’s classic car shows, Irish Week or The Fireman’s parade. This is the Wildwood that Bobby Rydell sang about in “Wildwood Days”!
