The Best Beaches in New Jersey
Are you a bit older? Done with the crazy party lifestyle? Do you just want to relax? Do the words quant and getaway mean something to you? Then I think you might want to check out New Jersey’s Bradley Beach. This quant getaway is perfect for the older crowd who are done with the party lifestyle and just want to relax. Whether it’s strolling down the picturesque boardwalk or playing some bingo at the local community hall, there is always something fun to do at little known shore gem. You can go bowling at Brunswick Bradley Beach Bowl or buy a bagel at Beaches Bakery. If fishing’s your game, the nice folks at Scott’s Bait and Tackle will hook you up with some guppies.
4. LONG BEACH ISLAND (“LBI”)
New Jersey’s LBI has long been considered a haven for the elite, but let me tell you something: these guys know how to party! Don’t feel bad if your just a humble member of the working class; on Long Beach Island, vodka tonics are the great equalizer. And it’s not just a clever name either. LBI actually is a long island with a beach. There’s also plenty of good eats in LBI. Some of my personal faves include The Sushi Bar, Boulevard Clams, The Gables, Stewart’s, Roberto’s Dolce Vita and Fabian’s Bar & Restaurant (just to name a few- trust me, I could go on all day). There’s also plenty to do if you are a looking to party. Just scour the residential areas after 5 PM, and your sure to find a bunch of rich alcoholics who will have no problem giving you free booze (and maybe something more, if you what I mean). If you want to find a truly “legit” party atmosphere, look no further than The Sand Bar at the Engleside Inn. There’s always something going down there, but careful- they’re checking ID’s.
3. ATLANTIC CITY
Usually not considered a beach by New Jersey residents, AC is, of course, best known for their world renown casinos and soul sucking ability to crush the human spirit. But there is a fairly nice, if under-utilized, peice of shoreline. Ignore the freaks and homeless amputees and snuggle up on the seashell littered beach front while senior citizens start throwing away their change before lunch time. If you get hungry or have a craving to visit 100’s of dollar stores, just pop up onto the scenic AC boardwalk. There are plenty of all you can eat buffets starting at 5.99 and more chachka hawking stores than anywhere on the planet (except for maybe Las Vegas and probably Reno). And there’s another part of AC that I have neglected to mention: The Casinos! My favorites are the Tropicana and the Trump Taj Mahal. If you go there on the week days you can take advantage of the low minumum black jack tables starting at $10. This way you can watch your hard earn cash slip even slower. No, but seriously. Don’t go to AC thinking you are going to get rich. This never happens. Go there thinking you will lose all the money you have and then you will hit it big. I’m not sure why this is true, it just it. Good luck!
2. POINT PLEASANT
Whether you are a family man or just a teenager looking to burn through your allowance at some killer arcades, Point Pleasant is the place for you. There are plenty of batting cages, mini golf course and arcades for you to choose from, so you’ll never run out of fun things to do. The famous boardwalk is crawling with typical boardwalk activities like carnival games and, did I mention, arcades. They also have some of the best cheese steaks in the state. But if cheap meat and nacho cheese doesn’t sound appetizing, check out Captain Ed’s and Clark’s Landing for some awesome seafood and even better times. And, perhaps surprisingly enough, Point Pleasant is the perfect destination for the pretentious antique hunter. Choose from over a dozen antique shops while your bratty kids or grandkids spend hours at the arcade; some of the better shops include Wildflower Antiques and Point Pavillion. You can also get completely wasted while the little ones shoot through your wallet at the arcades. The nightlife is hopping at The Ark and Frankies Pub. But if you want the real NJ deal, you have don’t have to travel far to check out…
1. SEASIDE HEIGHTS
The much maligned Seaside Heights is a completely awesome NJ shore destination because of, and in spite of the fact, that it so maligned. It is seen as a haven for underage drinking and after prom partying and that is exactly why it is so awesome. Seaside combines the best and worst of all that every shore spot has to offer making it, by default, the #1 beach locale in the state. The town might be most famous for its motels, and there are plenty of them. They range from seedy to kind of nice, and I’m sure many of high school seniors will never forget their names for one special reason or another (you catch my drift). But Seaside Heights isn’t only for the underage crowd, as there are a bunch of establishments for the slightly older crowd (and by that I mean 21). If bass pumpin’ grooves and girls with way too much makeup are your thing, be sure to check out Club XS or Temptations for some MTV The Grind type action. But if you just like wasting away on the side of a bar as you wonder where your life went wrong, Riggers and The Saw Mill might be more your speed. Either way, Seaside Heights is the place for anyone. If you never want to forget or don’t want to remember, check out New Jersey’s premium beach destination this summer. Don’t forget to wear sun screen, tip your waitress, and watch out for the local heat (they’re all over the place).
