When people think of Jersey Shore they usually think of the MTV Show by the same name, but the Jersey Shore, especially areas in southern New Jersey, are nothing like what you see on TV. Today we will look at visiting Ocean City, NJ, a family-friendly town located about 30 miles north of the southern tip of New Jersey.
Where to stay
Ocean City offers a wide selection of hotels and motels to choose from. However, the most popular way to stay in Ocean City is by renting a vacation home for a week. Rentals typically run from Saturday to Saturday. The best way to find a rental is to work with a real estate company. Many home owners use these companies to rent their homes out for them, and one the most popular in Ocean City is Berger Realty.
Prices vary widely depending on location. If you want a large house directly on the beach you may spend upwards of $5,000 for the week, while a smaller two or three bedroom home several blocks away from the beach could be found for under $2,000.
If you are looking to avoid the crowds, stay on the southern end, away from the boardwalk. The boardwalk and its popular shops run from 3rd street through 16th street. There will be a lot less foot traffic and noise on the south end of the island and the beaches will be less crowded. The only disadvantage is you will need to drive to the boardwalk, but parking is free on many streets and lots are available for reasonable fees.
Getting There
The best way to get to Ocean City is by car. If you are flying from far away you will either want to fly into Philadelphia International Airport and rent a car for the 90 minute drive to Ocean City, or depending on where you are coming from you may be able to find a flight into Atlantic City International Airport, which is less than 30 minutes from Ocean City. If you are flying, you should definitely plan to rent a car for the week, as you will need to get to some of the many attractions that surround Ocean City.
Things to Do
Ocean City offers a wide range of activities for everyone. If you are just looking to relax and plan on spending a lot of time on the beach you will need to purchase a beach tag to gain access.
After a day at the beach, head up to the famous Ocean City Boardwalk. There you will find many places to grab dinner. Afterwards, visit the many shops along the boardwalk. If you are looking for fun things to do with children there are arcades, mini golf courses and amusement parks. If gambling is your thing, Atlantic City and the casinos are a 20 minute ride north of Ocean City.
If you enjoy a good round of golf, check out Twisted Dunes Golf Club in Egg Harbor, about 15 minutes outside of Ocean City. One thing to keep in mind is that Ocean City is a dry town. There are no bars and you cannot even bring a bottle of wine with you to dinner.
If you enjoy having a drink with dinner, head over the 9th Street Bridge into Somers Point. There you will find many restaurants that have full service bars. One of the best is The Crab Trap, grab a drink outside on the water and then head into the main restaurant for a great seafood dinner.
If you are looking for nightlife excitement head about 15 minutes south into Sea Isle City. There you will find several nightclubs featuring DJ’s, live bands and great drink specials. One of the most popular clubs is Ocean Drive, located right on Landis Ave in the heart of Sea Isle.
Whether you are looking for some quiet time on the beach, a good round of golf, or the excitement of Atlantic City and Sea Isle, you will find it all within a 20 minute drive of family-friendly Ocean City.
