Sandy Who? How to Get Back to the Beach in New Jersey

Photo courtesy of Thinkstock

Hurricane Sandy took front stage in the 2012 Hurricane Season, wreaking havoc on the Jersey Shore and helping us all to forget Snooki and the gang. But has the area recovered fully? NJ Spotlight had a great article this week about the way the impact from the storm is still being felt. The really good news is that the shore is open for business and raring to go. Here are some of the spots you don't want to miss:

Seaside Heights

PHOTO: The famed swing chair ride at Seaside Heights. (Courtesy of New Jersey Tourism)

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Probably one of the more well known spots on the Shore, Seaside Heights boasts it all. The Beach, mini golf, a water park and probably my favorite boardwalk. If you have never been to a boardwalk, think Mardi Gras meets Disney's Main St. USA meets the State Fair Midway.

Sidenote: Every trip I make to the Jersey Shore is for two things, to drink a shot to my family and its heritage of Jersey Shore Visits and to eat my way down the boardwalk till I am sick. Pizza Slices as big as your head, Cheese Steaks hot off the griddle, and foot-long hot dogs are normally how I start off. Then I move on to the Elephant Ears, Sausage, Peppers & Onion Subs, and a huge bucket of fries. I am probably going to have to get a shake or ice cream in there as well. If all goes according to plan, we will be stopping at White Castle on the way home, too. I know it sounds like a Pepcid commercial, but that is exactly what makes the boardwalk great. If you want it, they got it. There are clams, crabs, doughnuts, onion stacks, homemade lemonade, cookies, and sticky buns available. If you want to sit down and relax, there are open-air and air conditioned sit-down restaurants up and down most of the boardwalks, too.

The place to stay in Seaside (and as is the case for most of the Jersey Shore) is definitely in a motel. Yes, a motel. Remember them? The Jersey shore is chock full of them and you don't want to miss them. These are not the motels of the '80s and '90s where you could rent by the hour and there were more stray cats than customers at most of them. These are fully renovated, deluxe five-star accommodations with upgrades, amenities and very short walks to the beach. In Seaside Heights you want to try to get in at the Bay Breeze Motel or the Sunburst Motel. Both motels are less than two blocks from the beach and offer up a fair share of amenities. The Bay Breeze even offers free beach passes (Normally $6 a day) with a two-day stay or more in the summer and free complimentary breakfast (go easy, you have a whole boardwalk to eat at). The Colony Motel is another great choice, too.

The Casino Pier is where the fun is, and Moms and Dads should be prepared to have the kids not want to have anything to do with the boring beach when they could be here. This is where you will find all the rides, the famous skyride, an antique carousel, a fantastic arcade and Wacky Rooftop Golf. Breakwater Beach is their water park and has something for everyone. All of it sits right on the boardwalk and is totally a way to spend the day.

Wildwood

PHOTO: Some of the amazing amusements at the Wildwoods. (Courtesy of New Jersey Tourism)

Heading South in NJ, almost all the way to Cape May, is the four towns that make up the Wildwoods. Wildwood Crest, West Wildwood, North Wildwood, and Diamond Beach all have something to offer but we will concentrate on the beach area here. The beach is deep here, especially at low tide. Because of that distance, they host many sporting events and concerts on the beach in view of the boardwalk. Morey's Piers is by far the most renowned part of the boardwalk here and for good reason: there are three huge piers with two water parks and numerous amusements including three roller coasters. There are also miniature golf courses and all the accoutrements that go along with a typical boardwalk. If you want to get off the boardwalk and grab a non-deep-fried bite, the burgers and pancakes (not together) are really good at the Surfside West Diner, but the seafood at the Crab & Seafood Shack is awesome. Isn't everything served at a place with 'Shack' in the name great?

Staying in Wildwood, I am all about the motels again. The Marlane Motel is one block from the beach, offers clean rooms and efficiencies, and even boasts free ice on their brochure. The Sunflower Motel always finishes with top marks as well and is equally as close.

The Point

PHOTO: Games and food - what else do you need? - at Seaside Heights. (Courtesy of Thinkstock)

Point Pleasant has had a permanent boardwalk since 1915 and is still going strong today. The beach here is well known and has both private and public sessions. If you are interested in private sunbathing you will more than likely have to be staying at one of the beachfront resorts. The White Sands Oceanfront Resort and Spa is a full service beach resort with private beach access. If you are OK with the public beach, and if people-watching is your thing you will be more than OK, head to the Surfside Motel, Sand Pebble Motor Lodge or the Driftwood Motel. The Driftwood sits on its own private beach and the Surfside and Sand Pebble are close by. They have all the full amenities of any Jersey Shore Motel and most are family owned and operated.

When you are out on the boardwalk, head to the South end for all of the fun. Arcades, clubs, games of chance, food and rides await the eager. To the North end you have Jenkinson's Aquarium, and if you take the walk to the end, you have a great fishing area and can even see the fishing boats doming in with today's catch.

There are also boardwalks at Asbury Park, Ocean City, Keansburg, and Atlantic City to visit as well. Everyone seems to have their favorite. I gave you my top three. Keep in mind that there are many more than this, but the smaller boardwalks are without amusements and more for a relaxing stroll than an all-out good time.

One Last Thing

PHOTO: People walk through the arcade area on the newly rebuilt boardwalk in May 2013, six months after Superstorm Sandy. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

OK, so there are a bunch of arcades on the boardwalks and they have all the new, highfalutin first person shooters that everyone wants to play. For me, Skee-ball is where it is at. The good news is if you are like me and can't stop trying to hit that 50 ring with that wooden ball (plastic in some places now-boo!), there are Ski-Ball machines in almost every arcade. For the families out there, get your kids to the arcade and explain to them that this is all we had back in the day. No Halo; no headset communication; no technology. Just fun. Now I sound old.

So there is something to fist pump about, you can go back to the beach. Once you've had your first trip, you will be hooked for life. What do you like at the Jersey Shore? Tell me what I missed.

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