Jersey Shore, NJ Weekend Vacation Getaway
Things To Do
Too often people go away and stumble around trying to determine what there is to do and where to do it. What a waste of precious time! We tell you what there is to do and with whom to do it. Whether it is the best golf course, where to charter a boat, what museums not to miss, you’ll know what you want to do and where to do it before you ever get there.
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Beaches
All of the beaches at the Jersey Shore are clean and well maintained by the individual town's beach departments. Beach maintenance is supported by the sale of daily and seasonal beach badges. Cost is $4-7 per day. Manasquan and Point Pleasant beaches are more family oriented with snack bars, arcades and rides. Spring Lake and Sea Girt are more adult friendly and are quieter, fewer children. Our favorite has always been the south end of Sea Girt beach at Philadelphia Blvd.
Sea Watch, at the north end of Manasquan Beach, and Sea Girt, have changing facilities and showers. Good if you are staying farther north but want to stay down for dinner.
Sea Watch, at the north end of Manasquan Beach, and Sea Girt, have changing facilities and showers. Good if you are staying farther north but want to stay down for dinner.
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Golf
Monmouth County offers 6 public golf courses, two of which Howell and Hominy Hill, are consistently rated among the top public courses in the country. Our choice is Hominy Hill in Colts Neck, about a 15 minute drive from the Shore. Great layout, well maintained, well managed.
Zagat called it, ". Augusta of New Jersey."
Zagat called it, ". Augusta of New Jersey."
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Tennis
Manasquan (2nd Ave. Stockton Beach Park), Brielle (Union lane and South Street) and Spring Lake (Passaic Ave.) all offer outdoor public courts.
Walking/Running/Biking
The "boards" as the boardwalks are called are ideal and scenic for walking or running along the ocean. Spring Lake is the longest about 4 miles up and back, followed by Sea Girt at just under 2 miles both ways, Manasquan is a mile each way. Bikes are only allowed on the boardwalks before 9am in season, anytime out of season. The Manasquan Reservoir, located about 20 minutes away is a natural preserve and has a beautiful 5 mile trail through the woods and along the reservoir. Wonderful place to walk, run or bike. There is a lengthy bike path through the woods, starting on North Main Street in Manasquan and stretching out almost to Allaire State Park. See also the Manasquan Reservoir above. Bikes can be rented at Weekend Outfitters in Spring Lake. ($20/day)
Kayaking
Kayaking in and around the Manasquan River is both great exercise and wonderful way to spend an hour or two. Glide past the beautiful riverfront homes of Brielle or marvel at the wildlife in the small tributaries of the river. Now there's a place in Manasquan that rents kayaks by the hour or day. Manasquan Kayaks at 537 Main Street opens at 10am, but if you call the night before they'll meet you as early as 8am and there are special early bird rates. regular hourly rates are $20 single and $30 double. They have car top holders and also offer guided tours.
Gambling
Gambling and top notch shows are about an hour and fifteen to an hour and thirty minutes away in Atlantic City. Drive yourself or contact Concorde Limousine (see "Good to Know") for a car.
Theatre
Spring Lake Theatre Company 3rd Ave, Spring Lake For 26 years the Spring Lake Theatre Company has been producing quality theatrical productions like South Pacific, Man of LaMancha, Scrooge and more. Usually 5-6 plays a year.
Fishing
Surf fishing is very popular in the area with striped bass and blue fish the usual catch. Young guy recently caught a 52lb striper in the surf. You'll have to bring your own pole, but you can get everything else you need at Bogan's Basin in Brielle, on Higgins Ave. Brielle is the deep sea fishing capital of the East offering both charter boats and party boats. Charter boat fees run about $500 per half day and $1100 full day. The local's choice for charter boats is the Captain Kel and the Barb Gail IV, the Jamaica II for fluke and the Paramount for sea bass.
Horseracing
Monmouth Park Rt. 36, Long Branch No better way to spend a cloudy day than the beautiful Monmouth Park. Clean, well managed facility with manicured grounds, top horses and jockeys. Season runs late May to late September. Watch the races in the Clubhouse, less crowded than the grandstand and it has dining facilities.
Concerts
The PNC Bank Arts Center Located in Holmdel about a 30 minute drive north on the Garden State Parkway. This outdoor amphitheatre is a beautiful venue and hosts some of the top acts touring each summer. Tailgate early in the parking lot on grassy meridians and enjoy great sounds under the summer sky. Count Basie Theatre is on Monmouth Ave. in Red Bank This small indoor theatre offers interesting concert and theatre productions throughout the year. It's intimate setting gets you up close to the performers.
Shopping
There are many quaint and interesting shops in the towns of Spring Lake, Manasquan and Point Pleasant. Two full size malls in Eatontown and Toms River are within a 20 minute drive and there are 2 factory outlet malls one in Manasquan on Route 35 and a very large one in Jackson about 20 minutes away on Rt. 195. Click here The Marketplace and make your shopping plans before you leave home.