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I think that Smithville is worth a visit. My son liked it when he was about your son's age. He wanted to use the paddle boats and take the small train ride. He may have been indulging me, but it was a bit of fun. I really like that at least some buildings there were moved there rather than being destroyed.
We had a pretty long day out! We drove straight to Margate and started with Lucy. It was positively delightful! The gift shop was great and all the people were so nice. I couldn't believe how many people were there for the tour and everyone was truly enjoying themselves. I love the view from her eyes and I thought "her story" was great! Highly recommend a visit. There are some really beautiful houses there, just a gorgeous neighborhood. We did a couple of geocaches there and we got to see a nice war memorial. The water tower painted with the smiley face and has been repainted - no face! The scaffolding is still up so maybe it will come back. There is a tower painted with Lucy and you get a great view of it when you go up and stand outside on her back.
We then drove on to Ocean City and I'm so happy we did. We've never been and Point Pleasant really cannot compare! We were able to watch them make the taffy at Shrivers and we got to taste the chocolate-banana and it was still warm. Amazing! We didn't do any rides but we walked the boardwalk and got a bucket of french fries that were so delicious. Stopped for another geocache so we got to see another nice neighborhood. Then we drove to Little's Dairy and I learned that, of course, my 12 year old does not know who or what the California Raisins were and was dying laughing and mystified by that statue! The ice cream was delicious. We ended up getting "stuck in traffic" by the delivery of a prefab house. The house was on one truck and the roof on another. It was the perfect weird thing to delay us on our weird day! We stopped for another geocache in Barnegat and then headed home.
We didn't get to stop anywhere for wings because we're not eating meat on Fridays during Lent. I had originally planned to do this outing next week. When I was looking up the things posted here I knew we needed to go to the National Guard museum and that definitely needs to be its own outing. It was closed yesterday because of Good Friday, so I switched the days. I will let you know how that museum is next week! I have also discovered that you can visit the actual crash site of the Hindendberg. Definitely doing that, but you have to schedule and receive clearance in advance. I will report back when that happens.
Other things we didn't get to do - Smithville. I think also its own trip. I would love to explore the Pine Barrens and do some hiking in the area. I think we'll do a whole family day at Ocean City, but in Sept or Oct. I really loved it, but I cannot believe how many houses and buildings are there. I'm from NYC and even I think that is some densely packed construction! I might actually die of people if I went there on a Saturday in August! But we must play one of those awesome mini golf places. And have those fries again! (2nd only to Nathan's in Coney Island!!) My son was skeptical about the whole thing, but now he gets it and we really had a great time. Making the time to talk and laugh is the best way to spend vacation time. Still open to any other weird things or suggestions. LOL Thank you for all your help!
What a great thread.
I've often thought, when driving on highways to a specific destination, that there are so many cool attractions along the way it would be nice to stop at or make them the destination.
Glad you're doing that.
This weird NJ attraction is no longer there, but my husband and I passed it MANY times on the way to the Shore, and always talked about it when we saw it. We loved seeing how the display changed throughout the year. I'm sad it is gone. It was so... South Jersey. (Yes, I can say that!)
This weird NJ attraction is no longer there, but my husband and I passed it MANY times on the way to the Shore, and always talked about it when we saw it. We loved seeing how the display changed throughout the year. I'm sad it is gone. It was so... South Jersey. (Yes, I can say that!)
Easter break is coming to an end unfortunately. We went to the NJ National Guard Museum yesterday https://njmilitiamuseum.org/
Highly recommend!! Free admission and they have so many great things and so much information. It caught my eye because I read about The Intelligent Whale being there - a civil war era submarine. There was a lot to read and see in the museum. Then we were escorted by a retired military volunteer onto the base to see tanks, armed carriers, a helicopter from Vietnam - a Sherman tank! We went back to the museum and they showed us all the shells that went with each of the tanks outside. My son got to try on a flak jacket and helmet. They were so full of information and happy to share it with visitors. They have another location in Lawrenceville with all different things and vehicles and we're going to check that out when we can get there.
We did another Geocache that brought us to a place called Wreck Pond in Sea Girt. Pretty spot and we were able to view an osprey nest that you'd never know was there from the road.
Our last adventure today wasn't something new or weird - we went to Deep Cut Gardens. We go there a lot, especially every spring. I mention it because you should all make a trip there now. There are thousands of bulbs in bloom along with cherry blossoms and dogwoods. It's such a peaceful place.
Thanks for all the suggestions. I still have a few to check out and I hope this all will help others find something fun to do.
Last edited by Irish Eyes; 04-14-2023 at 01:50 PM..
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The scaffolding is still up so maybe it will come back. There is a tower painted with Lucy and you get a great view of it when you go up and stand outside on her back. 
