I know absolutely nothing about New Jersey

Greenhorn · Aug 2, 2011

Hey 3BF

I went to high school in TR. If you like pizza you definitely have to check out the Saw Mill on the boardwalk in Seaside. Enjoy your stay.

three_bags_full · Aug 3, 2011

Sweet. Thanks, guys.

I'm trying to find one of those "I did it all for the Snooki" shirts to wear onto the boardwalk. Guess I need to check the "best towns for an asswhipping" thread first, though.

Ben_Hecht · Aug 3, 2011

The Big Ragu said:

Are you going to be at Fort Monmouth? I think that is north of Toms River.

It's pretty hopping around there this time of year, because that is the Jersey Shore. The beaches are really nice and the traffic can be nuts along the shore.

If you are in Toms River, you should be able to easily drive to Seaside Heights, which I believe is just a matter of crossing a bridge that runs over the water. It's pretty nice around there during the summer, and there is a lot to do. There is a boardwalk with an amusement park and a lot of bars and restaurants. The downside of Seaside Heights is that it is a lot like the Jersey Shore of the TV show, if I am not mistaken, and that is really annoying.

If you want to drive north a bit (talking 30 to 45 minutes), there are some more sedate beaches, I think, with more normal crowds. It depends on how far north you want to drive, but starting from north to south, Asbury Park is the place made famous by Springsteen and Southside Johnny. It's crowded during the summer and has had a bit of a revival over the last 20 years, but I don't know a ton about what to expect there. Some decent bars, for sure. If you go even farther north, Sea Bright doesn't get the worst crowds in the area, has a nice beach and you can walk endlessly down to Monmouth Beach or up into the Highlands and to the north end of the beaches, which is Sandy Hook. We once did that walk and were surprised when we passed through this sparsely used nude beach -- and they were ALL people you don't want to see nude. So be prepared.

Bradley Beach and Belmar, below, is more of an older place, I think. It might be a bit geriatric. I am not sure. I think they will each be more sedate than Seaside Heights, which is close to Toms River, but still nice. Another possibility, also a bit closer to Toms River is Sea Girt, which is a nice beach and has some expensive housing nearby. Bill Parcells lives there.

Hope that helps a little. I have been around there, but don't know the Jersey Shore inside out.

One possibility, if you are at Fort Monmouth, which is north of Toms River, and you like the ponies, is a trip over to Monmouth Park, which is a pretty race track and has racing during the weekends. From Toms River, that will be maybe a half hour drive. From Fort Monmouth, it is a skip.
Click to expand...

In decent weather, Monmouth is typically a good idea. Regrettably, they only run on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays this season, so an early-week visit is inoperative if you want live racing . . .

Ben_Hecht · Aug 3, 2011

The Big Ragu said:

Are you going to be at Fort Monmouth? I think that is north of Toms River.

It's pretty hopping around there this time of year, because that is the Jersey Shore. The beaches are really nice and the traffic can be nuts along the shore.

If you are in Toms River, you should be able to easily drive to Seaside Heights, which I believe is just a matter of crossing a bridge that runs over the water. It's pretty nice around there during the summer, and there is a lot to do. There is a boardwalk with an amusement park and a lot of bars and restaurants. The downside of Seaside Heights is that it is a lot like the Jersey Shore of the TV show, if I am not mistaken, and that is really annoying.

If you want to drive north a bit (talking 30 to 45 minutes), there are some more sedate beaches, I think, with more normal crowds. It depends on how far north you want to drive, but starting from north to south, Asbury Park is the place made famous by Springsteen and Southside Johnny. It's crowded during the summer and has had a bit of a revival over the last 20 years, but I don't know a ton about what to expect there. Some decent bars, for sure. If you go even farther north, Sea Bright doesn't get the worst crowds in the area, has a nice beach and you can walk endlessly down to Monmouth Beach or up into the Highlands and to the north end of the beaches, which is Sandy Hook. We once did that walk and were surprised when we passed through this sparsely used nude beach -- and they were ALL people you don't want to see nude. So be prepared.

Bradley Beach and Belmar, below, is more of an older place, I think. It might be a bit geriatric. I am not sure. I think they will each be more sedate than Seaside Heights, which is close to Toms River, but still nice. Another possibility, also a bit closer to Toms River is Sea Girt, which is a nice beach and has some expensive housing nearby. Bill Parcells lives there.

Hope that helps a little. I have been around there, but don't know the Jersey Shore inside out.

One possibility, if you are at Fort Monmouth, which is north of Toms River, and you like the ponies, is a trip over to Monmouth Park, which is a pretty race track and has racing during the weekends. From Toms River, that will be maybe a half hour drive. From Fort Monmouth, it is a skip.
Click to expand...

The character/demo of Asbury Park has changed in the last decade or so . . . it remains interesting as an historical site, but it's not the same town as it was during Bruce's developmental years . . .

Ben_Hecht · Aug 3, 2011

I'll ALWAYS recommend Cape May. It trends older, but it remains a spectacular Jersey landmark, with a great beach. Google for more.
Recommend the Peter Shields Inn for dinner.

Ben_Hecht · Aug 3, 2011

Frank_Ridgeway said:

Boom_70 said:

I think the best bar on the shore is Bar A which is up in Belmar- about 30 miles from Toms River.

http://www.bar-a.com/
Click to expand...

That is quite a contrast to Ragu's characterization of Belmar as "geriatric," lol.

Too bad TBF is going to just miss this show at Bar A:

http://www.bar-a.com/events/amish-outlaws-july-1

Not to mention Opie and Anthony just after he leaves.
Click to expand...

The Amish Outlaws are one of the consistent rotating attractions at one spot I hang out at -- which ISN'T in Jersey. Good show.

Baron Scicluna · Aug 3, 2011

Steak Snabler said:

It is against the law to pump your own gas there, I do know that.
Click to expand...

Strange, but true. I got yelled at by a gas station attendant once because I got out of my car and pumped my own gas.

On the bright side, gas is usually a little cheaper.

Long Branch has a pretty nice beach as well.

trifectarich · Aug 3, 2011

You have to pay to use most public beaches. If you're into horse racing, Monmouth Park is running. Make a U-turn if you're driving and you see a "Welcome to Camden" sign.

mjp1542 · Aug 3, 2011

It's been a good half-dozen years since I've gone to Bar-A, but unless things have changed greatly, it's not much of a place for anyone past their early-to-mid 20s. But, again, things may have changed.

Definitely check out Seaside to get a true taste of the Shore. I'm more familiar with the more southern beaches, so I can't really assist you much. But just know that if you're going anywhere, it's going to take longer than you think. Shore-area traffic can be awful all summer, although significantly worse on the weekends.

Like was mentioned before, you're really only about an hour drive to Atlantic City. Neat place to see, and the beaches there are free at least, although not as pretty as others.

Football_Bat · Aug 3, 2011

A good conversation-starter is to ask locals what exit they're from.

Boom_70 · Aug 3, 2011

trifectarich said:

You have to pay to use most public beaches. If you're into horse racing, Monmouth Park is running. Make a U-turn if you're driving and you see a "Welcome to Camden" sign.
Click to expand...

Camden is lovely this time of year.

Songbird · Aug 3, 2011

Lakehurst is on the peripheral of our coverage (McGuire, Fort Dix, Lakehurst). If you want a top-shelf dinner, Marsilio's in Ewing is a short drive away.

Log in or Sign up

I know absolutely nothing about New Jersey

Greenhorn Active Member

three_bags_full Well-Known Member

Ben_Hecht Active Member

Ben_Hecht Active Member

Ben_Hecht Active Member

Ben_Hecht Active Member

Baron Scicluna Well-Known Member

trifectarich Well-Known Member

mjp1542 Member

Football_Bat Well-Known Member

Boom_70 Well-Known Member

Songbird Well-Known Member

Share This Page

Log in or Sign up

I know absolutely nothing about New Jersey

Greenhorn Active Member

three_bags_full Well-Known Member

Ben_Hecht Active Member

Ben_Hecht Active Member

Ben_Hecht Active Member

Ben_Hecht Active Member

Baron Scicluna Well-Known Member

trifectarich Well-Known Member

mjp1542 Member

Football_Bat Well-Known Member

Boom_70 Well-Known Member

Songbird Well-Known Member

Share This Page

Useful Searches