Which Shore Town To Visit?? (Atlantic City, Point Pleasant: for rent, hotels, live)

[Nick10]

Im looking to head to the Jersey Shore for a week in mid-August and need advice on which town would best suit what were looking for.

About 6-8 people are in my group, mostly couples and were all around mid to upper 20's. I have been to the Shore before but when I was much younger and have been researching the towns but figured this would be the best way to go.

Were looking for less of a family (young children) atmosphere but also not a bunch off teens running the town rampid. Basically a nice good size town, fun boardwalk, entertaining nightlife, good shopping and restaurants with quality beaches.

I know this is fairly broad but any advice would be very appreciated.

Thanks!

[tahiti]

Originally Posted by Nick10

Im looking to head to the Jersey Shore for a week in mid-August and need advice on which town would best suit what were looking for.

About 6-8 people are in my group, mostly couples and were all around mid to upper 20's. I have been to the Shore before but when I was much younger and have been researching the towns but figured this would be the best way to go.

Were looking for less of a family (young children) atmosphere but also not a bunch off teens running the town rampid. Basically a nice good size town, fun boardwalk, entertaining nightlife, good shopping and restaurants with quality beaches.

I know this is fairly broad but any advice would be very appreciated.

Thanks!

well, "fun boardwalk" and young children/teens kind of go hand in hand, ya know? if you can forgo the boardwalk, I'd recommend Long Beach Island or Cape May. Cape May has a boardwalk but I wouldn't call it "fun" - it's basically a walk made of boards, LOL . LBI has no boardwalk at all.

[emanon]

If your looking for some entertainment you might want to checkout the TIKI BAR on the boardwalk at Point Pleasant. Not sure of the ages in the crowd but it is a popular summer nightspot.

E

[bubblekat]

I like LBI too. Ocean City is pretty nice, and some of the towns nearby are even nicer, like Margate, but quiet. You could stay in one of the quieter towns and then take to drive to Ocean City or Atlantic City at night for some fun. Most of the towns with the fun boardwalks are kind of trashy, and definitely teen ridden.

[Nick10]

Were basically looking for a town with a nice beach, fun nightlife and good atmosphere, mainly catering more towards the young adult to adult range.

We all like to have a good time and want to on this Vacation, were not crazy 18 yr olds, maybe once in our lives but want to have a classier type town to visit for a week, definitely not on the trashy side with some good restaurants, maybe decent shopping. Most the time we'd probably spend on the beach during the day, few nights go out on the town and enjoy the nightlife, enjoy some good food, things like that.

What recommendations would you have that would fit?

[Badfish740]

Based on the fact that you're looking for a variety of experiences (night life, boardwalk, not too trashy, etc...) I would recommend Point Pleasant. My parents always took us to Point Pleasant when we were kids because they hated Seaside. I didn't visit Seaside for the first time until I was 17 because I drove there myself with some friends-it didn't take long before I hated it too. Point Pleasant has the boardwalk but its not as big, its a little more family oriented but not totally vanilla a'la Ocean City which is even a dry town. I would say the next step up for a more "adult" experience would be Cape May. It's quiet, nice restaurants, quaint shops, and there are plenty of elegant B&B's/hotels. It comes off more as a New England type shore town than "Jersey." For that go a few miles away to Wildwood

[Nick10]

Originally Posted by Badfish740

Based on the fact that you're looking for a variety of experiences (night life, boardwalk, not too trashy, etc...) I would recommend Point Pleasant. My parents always took us to Point Pleasant when we were kids because they hated Seaside. I didn't visit Seaside for the first time until I was 17 because I drove there myself with some friends-it didn't take long before I hated it too. Point Pleasant has the boardwalk but its not as big, its a little more family oriented but not totally vanilla a'la Ocean City which is even a dry town. I would say the next step up for a more "adult" experience would be Cape May. It's quiet, nice restaurants, quaint shops, and there are plenty of elegant B&B's/hotels. It comes off more as a New England type shore town than "Jersey." For that go a few miles away to Wildwood

From researching a bit I think Cape May be a bit too laid back.....So far I was thinking Point Pleasant or Belmar. Wildwood I dont know too much about but will definitely look into it...

How is the Beach and nightlife aspect of Point Pleasant?

[Badfish740]

Originally Posted by Nick10

How is the Beach and nightlife aspect of Point Pleasant?

The beach is beautiful-very clean. The hot spots during the day and at night are Martell's Tiki Bar which is sort of in the middle of the boardwalk, and Jenk's which is at the north end of the boardwalk toward the causeway into the bay. Typically my fiancee and I go down, sit on the beach in the morning, and around mid-day we'll migrate to either Jenk's or Martell's (depending on which part of the beach we're at) and have some lunch and a few drinks. Then we'll head back to our spot and grab some more sun. Both bars are very large and have live music throughout the summer at night and the crowd ranges from about 21-40. It can get very busy and crowded at night as well as loud, but both places are large enough so that you can find a spot to chill out away from the action for a bit.

[Nick10]

Originally Posted by Badfish740

The beach is beautiful-very clean. The hot spots during the day and at night are Martell's Tiki Bar which is sort of in the middle of the boardwalk, and Jenk's which is at the north end of the boardwalk toward the causeway into the bay. Typically my fiancee and I go down, sit on the beach in the morning, and around mid-day we'll migrate to either Jenk's or Martell's (depending on which part of the beach we're at) and have some lunch and a few drinks. Then we'll head back to our spot and grab some more sun. Both bars are very large and have live music throughout the summer at night and the crowd ranges from about 21-40. It can get very busy and crowded at night as well as loud, but both places are large enough so that you can find a spot to chill out away from the action for a bit.

Sounds good, thanks for the info

I know I have to get booking soon, just checking around thus far it seems alot has already been rented so I need to make a decision here pretty quickly. Point Pleasant sounds like a good fit, other than the two bars how's the restaurant's and shopping?

[JERSEY MAN]

Originally Posted by Nick10

Sounds good, thanks for the info

I know I have to get booking soon, just checking around thus far it seems alot has already been rented so I need to make a decision here pretty quickly. Point Pleasant sounds like a good fit, other than the two bars how's the restaurant's and shopping?

I'll add to what Badfish said. The rest. are good. Along the north part of town the have 3 rest. along the Manasquan River.Jack Bakers Lobster Shack is one. They just built a dynamite outdoor bar next to Bakers holds 300-400 people with live bands. A new Irish Pub opened names Farrells on the same street. Next to the boardwalk is the Offshore Bar and Grill, great food,nice place. As for shopping PPBeach has a small downtown area, Arnold Avenue w/ 4 or 5 rest. and about 50 stores. A must stop rest. is Spanos. Try PPBeach website. They have a marina also w/ 5 or 6 party boats and charters. For takeout food Joe Leones Italian Deli is well known in the area and the food is pricey but the best. My friends alway wait and get terrific last minute deals. I drove thru this area yesterday and they still had hundreds of for rent signs out. Good luck and maybe I'll see you bar hopping this summer.