***Disney Steve***

[riverwed070707]

As a NJ native, I'm wondering if you have any recs for a family-friendly beach location on the NJ coast? We're kind of leaning toward Atlantic City because they have a couple Marriott properties and our stay would be free but are open to looking at other areas as well. Only requirement is that there is an Ocean nearby!

We are traveling to DC to see family but its considerably cheaper for all of us to fly to Newark than it is to DC so we thought we'd detour to the coast for a couple days before heading down to DC and then back up to Newark to fly out.

TIA!!

[kv968]

You might want to try Belmar. Although the closest Mariott is about 5 miles away.

[disneysteve]

I'm actually a native of PA but close enough .

It is funny that you posted this today. Just yesterday, a thread was started on the AC board at Trip Advisor asking why so many people seem to be bringing their children to AC.

AC has thing to do with kids but overall it isn't the most family-friendly place on the Jersey shore. For that, I'd have to point you elsewhere like Seaside Heights, Ocean City or Wildwood.

That said, AC works too. It really depends on what you want to do, how old the kids are, etc. A great resource (although some of the regulars can get rather snarky at times) is the Atlantic City forum at Trip Advisor (Atlantic City Forum, Travel Discussion for Atlantic City - TripAdvisor. It tends to be mainly focused on the casinos but there are some good links there for attractions, dining, hotels, etc.

I'd be happy to answer any specific questions. Just PM me. My wife and I just spent last weekend in AC so we've been there recently and are pretty familiar with the place.

[EEinNJ]

Somers Point, right across the bridge from Ocean City, I think there's a Marriot suite hotel there. I stayed there many years ago, my cousin was just there with her mom. Ocean City is very family friendly, has a boardwalk.

[riverwed070707]

I feel like I looked into Ocean City and the hotel category was higher than what my free nights qualify for but I'll double check. Thanks for the recs!

DS - Not sure why I thought you were from Jersey but thanks for the input!

[disneysteve]

DS - Not sure why I thought you were from Jersey but thanks for the input!

I live in NJ but I'm not from NJ.

[disneysteve]

I feel like I looked into Ocean City and the hotel category was higher than what my free nights qualify for

There is a Fairfield Inn in Absecon which is about 10-15 minutes from AC. We just stayed right down the street at the Holiday Inn Express last weekend. There is a Courtyard in AC but that is probably higher category.

[maat55]

I've been in AC once and would not go again. Can't speak for the beaches, but the areas around the casinos are scary.

[disneysteve]

I've been in AC once and would not go again. Can't speak for the beaches, but the areas around the casinos are scary.

I would agree that there are many places in AC once you get off the Boardwalk that you probably don't want to be walking around. Of course, the exact same thing is true in Las Vegas once you get off the strip.

In AC, the Boardwalk is fine (though maybe not very late at night). The outlet mall area (The Walk) is great for shopping. Honestly, other than those two things, there really isn't anywhere else in AC that you would want to be walking with the possible exception of visiting the Absecon Lighthouse, something I'd highly recommend if you don't mind climbing 225 steps. That is located a block behind the new Revel casino resort.

[kv968]

I'm actually a native of PA but close enough .

AC has thing to do with kids but overall it isn't the most family-friendly place on the Jersey shore. For that, I'd have to point you elsewhere like Seaside Heights, Ocean City or Wildwood.

I am a native of NJ and Wildwood would be a good place to look but I'm not so sure about Seaside Heights. They've got a boardwalk and rides and all but it can get a little crazy around there especially at night.

[riverwed070707]

Is it true that you have to pay for a lot of the beaches in NJ? Are there areas where the beaches are free? If you do pay, is it expensive and what are you getting for the money? Just the permission to put your feet in the sand?

[EEinNJ]

Yes, you have to buy "beach tags" for Ocean City and I think most other beaches. That is seasonal, though. You can buy daily or multi-day tags.
Check into flying into ACY, Spirit Airlines is very cheap, and save a 2 hr. drive, too.

[riverwed070707]

Yes, you have to buy "beach tags" for Ocean City and I think most other beaches. That is seasonal, though. You can buy daily or multi-day tags.
Check into flying into ACY, Spirit Airlines is very cheap, and save a 2 hr. drive, too.

Ohhh. I can't fly there from here, but you're right -- super cheap out of Chicago! Only $150/person for a roundtrip ticket. Our flights to Newark were going to be about $230/person. I probably should check out the cost of parking in Chicago though and it won't necessarily save driving time because I'm 2.5 hours from Chicago...basically just switching where we drive to/from.

Do they charge to check baggage on Spirit? We're going to need to bring a carseat and it was going to be $50 to check it on Delta.

[disneysteve]

[QUOTE=riverwed070707;324035]Is it true that you have to pay for a lot of the beaches in NJ?
Both Atlantic City and Wildwood have free beaches. Pretty much every other place that I know of does not. Wildwood has the most humongous beach you will ever find. The hike from the Boardwalk to water's edge is significant compared to other Jersey shore towns. We've gone to Wildwood and gone on to the beach and pitched our site only partway down because we weren't planning on going in the water and didn't see the point in walking all the way there. And it's free!

[elessar78]

Us and our extended family LOVE Cape May, NJ. It's very wholesome and lots to do for families with younger kids. Nonexistent party scene. Highly recommend it.