A Jersey Shore Thing

BY REGINA VITTI-LYONS

Billy Joel sang about spending his weekends here. In the movie Beaches, Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey started a lifelong friendship here. And in real life, regular folks from all over the country have made their own memories here. The Jersey Shore. The name conjures up visions of children playing in the waves, the smell of salt commingling with coconut-scented sunscreen, and the sound of seagulls hovering in the hopes that an errant French fry will hit the soft, hot sand. Lazy days at the beach may be the draw, but the shore has so much more to offer than sand and surf.

OUTDOOR FUN
You don’t need to go to the beach to have fun in the sun. People who haven’t ridden a bike in years are magically inspired to get pedaling when they come here. There are bicycle rentals available every few blocks from Sandy Hook to Cape May and they offer more than just the traditional bikes. Grab your sweetie and take a ride down the Ocean City Boardwalk on a bicycle built for two. Or pile the whole family in a surrey and take in the Victorian beauty of the colorful old Queen Anne style homes in Cape May. For more serious cycling, check out one of the many bike trails, like the Barnegat Branch Bike Trail or the Monmouth Heritage Trail. Most of the trails are also great for walkers, some allow inline skating and a few, including the Freehold and James Railroad Trail and the Henry Hudson Trail, also have horseback riding.

Prefer the greens to the trails? The shore has some of the country’s premier golf courses. Pub Links Golf Magazine wrote that playing at Cape May National Golf Club “Is like going back to see an old girlfriend, perhaps the one you should have married. It might be the most beautiful golf course in the state.” Golf Digest named Shore Gate Golf Club just outside of Sea Isle City “One of America’s Best New Courses.” And those are just two of many. If you and the family want a different kind of golfing challenge, you can hit a slightly easier green. There are miniature golf courses on practically every other corner in almost every shore town.

When you’re ready to move from land to sea, hop on a boat and enjoy some of the best fishing around. You’ll find a huge array of different species and you can spend a few hours, a full-day, or even an over-night out at sea. Party boats launch throughout the day from the shore’s many marinas, or you can rent your own vessel.

Not an angler? There’s more to do on the open sea than fish. If it floats, you can find it at the shore. Row a kayak over the gentle waves or feel the salty, wet wind hit your face as you make your own wake on a waverunner. You can find everything you need for these and other water sports, like waterskiing, tubing and windsurfing, at one of several Island Watersports locations or many other water sports rental companies.

For a great view of the coast, you can soar through the sky in a helicopter. Or for a birds-eye view and a jolt of adrenaline, try parasailing.

And speaking of birds, there are more than just those pesky seagulls. The Jersey Shore is a birdwatcher’s paradise. If you aren’t sure where to start, or can’t tell a heron from a snipe, you can visit the Cape May Bird Observatory for binoculars and guides, and even take a bird watching or other nature course. There’s also The Wetlands Institute in Stone Harbor which “promotes the conservation and preservation of coastal ecosystems by providing a fun and educational experience for families, school groups and vacationers of all ages.”

RAINY DAY FUN
When it’s raining outside, there’s plenty to do inside. The Monmouth Museum has something for everyone. Changing exhibitions showcase all artistic styles and there’s interactive learning for children of all ages, including a trip through the human body.

For a different kind of exhibit, you can visit Jenkinson’s Aquarium on the Point Pleasant boardwalk where you’ll get a birds-eye view of our aquatic friends. Actually, the boardwalk itself is a great place to go when it’s raining. There are boardwalks in most shore towns and they have indoor shopping, arcades, dining and rides.

You don’t have to miss out on the ocean just because it’s raining. See it the way lighthouse keepers did hundreds of years ago. Lighthouses dot the entire Jersey coast. The Sandy Hook lighthouse is the oldest in the country. Or check out “Ole Barney”, the lighthouse in Barnegat, or Heretofore Lighthouse just outside Atlantic City, which was used as a church for several years. Fascinating stories of the beautiful structures and the characters who manned them abound.

When you need a break from all the fun, what better way to relax than to be pampered at one of the shore’s spas? The Cape May Day Spa and Holistic Center offers a wide menu of a la carte services as well as week-end getaway packages at historic accommodations. For a more contemporary experience, visit The White Sands Oceanfront Resort and Spa in Point Pleasant. Of course there are spas up and down the coast, but it’s doubtful there’s a town with more spas than Atlantic City. After all, the place just screams indulgence.

OVER 21 FUN
Speaking of Atlantic City, is there any town in the East with more “over 21” fun? The casinos are open 24-7, the shopping is decadent, the food is divine, and the clubs are bumping. Start your evening with a unique martini at Red Square’s ice bar, located in the Tropicana. Stop for a gourmet meal at Jonathan’s on the West End. Then dance off that rich dessert at Mur Mur in the Borgata.

The choices in Atlantic City are endless, but there is hopping nightlife in almost all the shore towns. The famous Stone Pony in Asbury Park, is one of the hottest rock clubs around and the place where many famous rockers, including Springsteen and Bon Jovi, got started. Wildwood is infamous for its great bars and clubs. It wouldn’t be a shore vacation without stopping at a beach front club or restaurant.

For the less boisterous, there is another kind of “over 21” fun near the shore. New Jersey is home to some 28 wineries across the state and three of them are a short jaunt from the sand. Cape May Winery and Vineyard, Turdo Vineyards and Winery and the newest, Natali Vineyards, each offer distinctly different vibes and vines. Like the rest of your shore vacation, the experience is laid back. Drop by any of these wineries for tours, a picnic (some allow it right in the vineyard), tastings, and of course a bottle, or a case, to bring back home.

FAMILY NIGHTLIFE
If the kids still aren’t worn out, head back over to the boardwalks and miniature golf courses in the evening. The amusement park rides seem faster, the 18th hole seems a little more difficult, and the mood seems a bit more upbeat. In addition to the everyday (and night) activities, keep your eyes open for the many special events like concerts on the boardwalk, movies on the beach, fireworks, festivals, craft shows and more.

As cliché as it sounds, there’s really no other way to say it. The Jersey Shore has something for everyone.

Send us your favorite Jersey Shore stories and pics and we’ll post them at www.unioncountyvoice.com on our new Photo Blog all summer long!

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