The Jersey Shore

Monmouth Race Track

Jenkinson's Boardwalk
Allair State Park

Over 100 miles of beaches

The Laurita Winery
Show Place Ice Cream Parlour

There are many great places along the New Jersey Shore. One of our favorites is Long Beach Island. Most people have heard of Long Beach on the southern coast of California and New York’s Long Island, but few are familiar with New Jersey’s Long Beach Island. Fondly referred to as LBI by those who live and visit there, it is a barrier island off the coast of Jersey’s Ocean County connected to the mainland by the Manahawkin Bay Bridge. Approximately 20 miles in length and only a half-mile wide at the widest point. It a beach-lovers dream. But it is more than beaches, it is New Jersey at its very best.

The Beaches: On LBI the beach is the draw. The beaches are the widest at the northern end where reclamation has put about half a mile of sand and dune between houses that used on the beachfront. But all the beaches are wonderful. Beach passes are not necessary for seniors. Others can purchase day or season passes at a variety of places. Daily passes range from $3 to $5 a day.

Old Barney: Located at the north end of LBI, the Barnegat Light, the second tallest lighthouse in the United States, was commissioned January 1, 1859. No longer active the lighthouse is now part of a state park with a barrier-free walkway on the jetty, an interpretive center, and a self-guided maritime forest trail. Visitors can climb the 217 steps to the top for a panoramic view of the area. Even though the lighthouse is no longer operational the essence of the fishing community still remains. Mike, the tour guide, explained, "Barnegat was and is a small, close-knit community. It is necessary in a fishing community as the fishing ships were at sea for days on end so everyone looked out for each other."

Historic Viking Village: Viking Village is one of the largest suppliers of fish and seafood on the eastern seaboard. Each year the scallopers, longliners, and gillnet boats catch over five million pounds of seafood that are packed at the commercial dock and shipped worldwide. Every Friday at 10 a.m., the Viking Village offers a free one-hour guided tour of the commercial fishing dock explaining how the different types of fish and scallops are caught, how the product is prepared for shipping, and the current fish management programs. Several tiny fishing shacks have been revitalized as unique shops offering clothing, antiques, toys, and take-out seafood.

Beach Haven: The island is dotted with small towns from Loveladies in the north to Beach Haven in the south. Beach Haven is the busiest beach town on the island during the summer. This community is a bustling tourist center with many fine hotels, motels, and B&Bs. The town also boasts a historical district with Victorian seaside houses on streets leading to the bay and some of the islands' best beaches. Step back in time and savor the character of a late 19th century coastal resort town by taking a tour of buildings constructed before 1900. Each is marked with a white plaque inscribed in blue, "Bicentennial, Pre-1900."

Learn respect: The Alliance for a Living Ocean offers several programs to help people learn about the ecology of the area. Learn how poor water quality can affect the health of the creatures in the bay, and what people can do to protect the bay’s eco-system. Then sein (using hand nets) the bay and experience the sea creatures up close. Learn how baby clams are raised first in land-based nurseries and then in water-based upwellers. On Mondays during the summer they offer special Stories-by-the-Sea featuring stories and crafts for children 3-6.

Try it: No need to cart your bike or kayak as there are many rental places where bikes, kayaks, jet skis, body boards, para-sailing and other fun "toys" are available. The land is flat for easy bike riding and the bay is often calm making it a perfect place for novice sea kayakers. Scuba divers can explore WW I and WW II wrecks along with an 1890s passenger ship known as the "Spanish Wreak." Those with an artistic flair can take lessons at Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts & Sciences in Loveladies. They offer a variety of workshops and classes for adults and children.

The big one: Visitors looking to hook the big one or those who just want to enjoy a day on the water L.B.I. Fishing Charters provides family fishing charters on the Pop's Pride and Sand Witch. They go offshore, inshore, or into the bays where it is possible to catch a wide variety of fish.

Live your fantasy: Fantasy Island Amusement Park is an old Victorian-style amusement park. Ride the turn-of-the-century carousel featuring the famous Bradley & Kaye molds of horses that date back to the early 1900's. There are children’s rides and clown shows. Adjacent is Thundering Surf, a large waterslide park. Fun for the young and young at heart.

Broadway at the Beach: They sing. They dance. They serve ice cream. At the Show Place Ice Cream Parlour the waitri belt out all 12 flavors to the tune of Handel's ''Hallelujah Chorus." Show Place entertains ice cream lovers with song, dance, and vaudeville comedy. The waitri are professional entertainers and any excuse is a good excuse for a cabaret performance. And it isn’t just the entertaining waitri that perform, customer participation is part of the show. Some of the entertainers also perform at the Surflight Theater where all the seats are "Isle" seats.

Dining: After a day at the beach nothing rounds out the day better than a relaxing dining experience. From fudge at Lucille’s to crab shacks to fine dining on the porch of The Gables - one of LBI’s beautiful "Painted Ladies." Or dine at trendy Daddy O’s or the for an island flavor – Caribbean Island, that is –check out Cinnamon Bay Caribbean Grill in Harvey Cedars.
For more information on fun things to do on New Jersey’s Long Beach Island check discoversouthernocean.org or visitnj.org.