swalter518

We're thinking about taking a road trip this summer driving from Chicago to NYC and possibility the Jersey shore for a few days. We've never been to the Jersey shore-is it worth a visit or are we better off stopping off somewhere else along the coast-we're looking for a few days of beach time. What about Atlantic City? Is it worth a stop?

swalter518

Anyone, anyone?

swalter518

ttt

SusieQQ

The coast of New Jersey is 130 miles long and has every possible kind of town along it. There are also a few state parks. If you are in NYC and interested in a beautiful town with a nice beachfront, I suggest Spring Lake, which is about an hour drive south. Or,if you want to see a Jersey Shore phenomenon, you can go to Pt. Pleasant Beach and walk the "boards", eat typical boardwalk food, go on rides and play games of chance and relax on the sand. Then, you could always go to Ocean Grove, which started as a Methodist Camp Ground and now is a National Historical site of Victorian houses and The Great Auditorium (surrounded with tenters) which has family entertainment and religious service. Or, how about the city of Asbury Park which is in extreme decay but has great night clubs (including the famous Stone Pony) and a beautiful, uncrowded beach. Forget Atlantic City unless you want to gamble. It is a slum. My point being, the Jersey Shore is extremely varied. If you have never experienced it, you should.

swalter518

Thanks SusieQQ, that's exactly the type of info I was looking for. I read an article on Ocean Grove not too long ago and couldn't remember the name of it. Unfortunately my husband wants to see AC so I think we're going to end up there at least one night and it sounds as cheesy as I expected, if not worse. Any suggestions on where to stay there?

SusieQQ

Atlantic City is pretty bad. I think you will be disappointed in it. You could always try to get a deal at one of the casinos or stay at a motel on Rt.30 in Absecon.
www.pressofatlanticcity.com/casinos/ has everything you need to know about the casinos. Every motel chain has a place there. Why don't you spend one night in Spring Lake at the Hewitt Wellington Hotel (www.hewittwellington.com) and then drive to A.C. the next night? That would give you two completely different views of the Shore.

J_Correa

I was just in NJ over the weekend. Obviously it was the off season, so I wasn't there for the beach, but I did wander around a little bit.

Ocean Grove looked like it would be a great place to vacation - great victorian houses, a mainstreet with shops and restaurants, the beach.

Other places that looked interesting - Seabright, Avon, Monmouth Beach, Rumson. I drove through a lot of little places along there, and these are the names I remember.

swalter518

SusieQQ, that's a good idea-I'm actually going to try to convince him to just spend a day in A.C. I was in the Dr.s office last month and picked up a magazine with an article about the Jersey Shore and all the little towns, did anyone else see that article. Since it was the dr.s office I didn't even pay attention to what I was reading but it sparked my interest in planning this trip and I'd love to read it again.

Robinsen

I think that SusieQQ's assessment of Atlantic City is overstated. Okay, it's not Las Vegas, but it is definitely NOT a dump. The boardwalk is always crowded with people in the summmer. i can't imagine that many people wanting to congregate in a "dump."

One thing you should know is that there are casinos on the boardwalk (Showboat, Trump Taj Mahal, Ballys, Caesars, etc... as well as several at the Marina (Harrahs, Trump Marina, and the newest one and by far the closest to a Las Vegas style casino: The Borgata. If you are looking for luxury the Borata is the place to stay.

http://www.theborgata.com/

Otherwise, most any of the big hotels along the boardwalk or Marina will be fine. I certainly would not recommend staying in Absecon only to have to drive in to Atlantic City and look for parking. I believe that you have to pay for parking if you do not stay at the hotel.

SusieQQ

Robinsen: I didn't say that Atlantic City is a "dump". It is a dangersous slum. I worked there for six years (not in the tourist industry). If you stay in the casinos and on the boardwalk you are safe.

swalter518: You haven't said what your budget is, that is why I suggested either a "deal" at a casino or an inexpensive motel in Absecon. If you stay outside of town you will have to pay for parking. The cheapest private lot is Praise The Lord Parking.

j correa: Glad you enjoyed "my" part of the Jersey Shore. All of the towns you mentioned are nice. A good drive is along the ocean from Sandy Hook to Pt. Pleasant. Each small town you go through has a unique personality. The problem is that for a tourist, many of them don't have hotels.

swalter518

SusieQQ, Well, my husband has his heart set on spending one night at the Trump Taj Mahal-Don't ask why, I can't explain it. Other than that though, I convinced him to spend the other night we had alotted for the shore in another town closer to NYC. Our budget is about $150 a night. Any suggestions?

amp322

If you stay in AC on a Monday through Thursday night, you will get a discount at almost every hotel in town. Maybe even on a Sunday, as well. Time your trip so that you stay during the week. Look on the internet for a room (ace-net.com ,or something like that, has deals, as well as expedia, etc). Borgata is an awesome place, also. There is a new shopping outlet area in AC, near the convention center. Since NJ does not have sales tax on clothes, you can shop! AC is a good place to spend a day or two. Then you can work your way up to NYC, and visit Ocean Grove, etc.. Enjoy!!

Haflinger1

staying in Atlantic City, ask where the Rams Horn is (outside the city) for some primo dining. elegant, get to Cape May for more victorian houses and to experience the Jersey shore to its primo tactlessness there is always Seaside Heights, rides, food, tee shirts, but do the beach at Seaside Park (right below) or Long Beach Island. Eat Pizza! Much better than Chicago, and of course you need to have those greasy sausage sandwiches on the board walk. Take the rides and have a blast....do a day only at AC, for the gambling and to have "been there" but then move on. Much nicer places to stay and see.

J_Correa

SusieQQ - I definitely enjoyed NJ. I'd been there once before, but that was only driving through northern NJ. This trip I was able to go further south and it was wonderful. I'd like to go back later in the year to experience the shore in full swing. Everything was pretty deserted when I went through.

I grew up on the California coast and I love to see the coastline in other parts of the country.

Seeing Asbury park made me sad though. It looks like it used to be such a fun place and to see it all closed up like that - it's just too bad, you know?

swalter518

Haflinger-don't get me started on Chicago v. NY pizza!!Two totally different beasts! Nonetheless, thanks for the advice. I think we're going to hit AC before heading into NYC to take advantage of a midweek deal on a hotel. Is Borgata centrally located?

amp322

Haflinger - do you mean the Ram's HEAD Inn??? Ram's Head is a fine restaurant, which my friends rave about.

No, Borgata is not centrally located on the boardwalk. You need a car to drive to the main area of casinos & boardwalk activity. You should be able to find a map on the internet with ALL the casino & hotel locations. Borgata is the classiest place to stay, and it has the best ammenities in AC.

SusieQQ

swalter518:
The only rec. I have for a place to stay along the northern coast is in Spring Lake: the one gave you previously, the Hewitt Wellington, but don't know the rates.
When in Atlantic City, have lunch at The White House Sub Shop on Arctic Ave. and breakfast or lunch at Gilchrist's on Maryland Ave. (a real "Jersey Shore" place where the local politicians, cops, teachers, etc. go). By the way, The Rams Head Inn is on Rt. #30 in Absecon.

Abi

Definitely stay at the Borgata if you can. You really do not need a car to get to the boardwalk from the Borgata, you can just take the jitney for $2.00 per person each way. THey come about every 10 minutes and have multiple stops along Pacific Avenue.