New Jersey Shore

[Logiola]

Hey guys,

Looking for some advice here.

I am a person living in dead central Canada as far away from the ocean as one can be. We are going to be taking our yearly trip to new york city soon and would like to do something a bit differnt with a bit of our time.

We are thinking of renting a car, and doing a day trip along the NJ shore.

I would love any suggestions of what might be a good place to visit, where to eat, maybe even stay a night.

I know nothing about the Jersey shore, and want to keep the drive under 3 hours each way. From what i see on google earth, it looks like it could be an interesting drive.

i would love to go to a good sea food restaurant, something quaint with lots of character.

any suggestions would be lovely.

Thanks,
Logiola

[biermeister]

1. nice place in nj?

Logiola,
Take the NJ Parkway south to exit 63 and go East until you go over the bridge. You'll be in the Long Beach Island area (there are a bunch of little towns). It's a nice area with plenty of restaurants. There is no boardwalk which is why we like it there.

It's about 100 miles or so door to door from where we live and we're just outside of NYC.

Good luck & enjoy!
Fran

[Logiola]

2. thanks

for the suggestion, will look into it..

that is a good distance, and we will probably go midweek so we are not stuck in traffic. We are actually staying in the Secaucus area, so it is a good start. Just a bit cheaper then new york, and we have done it before and don't mind the small commute into the city for the price we safe at the hotel.

[disunderestimated]

3. If you want to see the shore...

Go down to Point Pleasant. Really nice beaches. You'll find plenty of authentic quaint Italian spots. Get a real seafood linguine - where the seafood covers the dish 2 inches or more. It's about 1.5 hr drive from Secaucus.

http://www.pointpleasantbeach.com/

As for NYC, if you want to get in and out of the city you, but don't want to stay in Manhattan and pay manhattan prices, I highly recommend staying in a hotel in Jersey City. The PATH gets you into lower manhattan (Greenwich Village, Soho, Little Italy, China Town, Union Square, etc) in 15 minutes or it takes you up to Midtown at 33rd street right next to Penn Station, near the theater district.

http://www.panynj.gov/CommutingTravel/path/html/

Enjoy your trip.

[lisa58]

4. Sandy Hook or Seven President's Park...

...probably only about an hour from where you are staying and closer than Point Pleasant (which I agree is worth the trip) and much closer than Long Beach Island.

For history, Seven President's Park (which is a beach) is called that because 7 presidents spent summers there including John Garfield after he was shot. Monmouth University in West Long Branch used to be Woodrow Wilson's estate and worth a look - especially in the summer when there are fewer students.

My husband used to live in Canada and still has family there - I don't know how you do it in the winter.

Have a great trip.

[Logiola]

5. wow, thanks guys

those are both great suggestions.. hehe, will have to program the gps and maybe do some geocaching out that way as well, it is amazing what kind of treasure spots you find doing that.

[ramapo]

6. Geocache away

Sandy Hook has a couple of virtuals. You get a fantastic view of NYC and it is an interesting combo of nice beach, wildlife refuge, and history. The place is absolutely mobbed on weekends but go early in the day during the week and it should be ok. There's even a nude beach if you are so inclined.

There are a few more caches to be found between Sandy Hook and Seven Presidents. I've biked it. Seven Presidents is also a very nice beach although not as interesting an area but it is next to Long Branch and its many shops, etc. You might also check out The Twin Lights just before Sandy Hook (old lighthouse) and a nice park (more caches!). More than enough to keep you busy for a day...Enjoy!

[Logiola]

7. sounds cool.

wow, so many choices, I am really looking forward to this trip.. only a little over a week to go..

[rusty charly]

8. Try

to drive through Red Bank on your way. It couldn't be cooler.

http://www.visit.redbank.com/