Long Beach Island
Jul 15th, 2000, 04:24 PM
#1
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Long Beach Island
At last minute found a hotel in Beach Haven for Monday and Tuesday. We have never been to LBI, but have heard many positive things about the place. We are going down to look it over as a possible 2001 summer monthly vacation spot. Would appreciate any thoughts, information, places to see, things to do,(have kids 14,11,8) great places to eat, clean quiet beach, areas (towns) to focus on for rentals. Any thoughts from those who have been there are welcomed. Thanks!
Jul 15th, 2000, 05:56 PM
#2
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i just got back from LBI today...perfect timing for this question.
since 1991 i have gone there many times, always staying at a house on the opposite end of the island from Beach Haven. The side of the island that beach haven is on, to the right of the bridge, is much more developed than the left side. I prefer the left side. we always stay in barnegat light, which is the last town on LBI, and as a result is much more residential and less developed. the upside to that is that the beach is bigger, less crowded, much nicer. the downside is you have to drive a min. of 10-15 minutes to get to the main area with restaurants, stores, etc.
if you need to do grocery shopping, the best bet for a big shop is the pathmark on rt. 72, which is the main road off the Garden State to get to LBI. on island there are various food stores in surf city and in beach haven, but they are typical shore food stores, small selection and high prices. in general i would advise you to look in barnegat light, harvey cedars, north beach and loveladies. good restaurants at that end are The Owl Tree, Harvey Cedars Shellfish, and Mustache Bills Barnegat light Diner ( brfast and lunch only)
we primarily cook dinners, b/c the restaurants are always crowded and we dont' mind cooking. good luck and have fun.
since 1991 i have gone there many times, always staying at a house on the opposite end of the island from Beach Haven. The side of the island that beach haven is on, to the right of the bridge, is much more developed than the left side. I prefer the left side. we always stay in barnegat light, which is the last town on LBI, and as a result is much more residential and less developed. the upside to that is that the beach is bigger, less crowded, much nicer. the downside is you have to drive a min. of 10-15 minutes to get to the main area with restaurants, stores, etc.
if you need to do grocery shopping, the best bet for a big shop is the pathmark on rt. 72, which is the main road off the Garden State to get to LBI. on island there are various food stores in surf city and in beach haven, but they are typical shore food stores, small selection and high prices. in general i would advise you to look in barnegat light, harvey cedars, north beach and loveladies. good restaurants at that end are The Owl Tree, Harvey Cedars Shellfish, and Mustache Bills Barnegat light Diner ( brfast and lunch only)
we primarily cook dinners, b/c the restaurants are always crowded and we dont' mind cooking. good luck and have fun.
Jul 16th, 2000, 06:25 PM
#3
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Having lived in Manahawkin (the town right before the Causeway to the Island (locals don't call it LBI - we call it the Island)....I can confidentally say that there MUST be better places in NJ to vacation than the island. I have lived here for 22 years and I haven't been to the beach between memorial day and labor day in over six years. It's just TOO crowded. But, if you MUST vacation here....I agree with the last entry. Stay on the north end of the island. Your kids will hate you for it, but it will help you keep your sanity. Beach Haven is crazy in the summer. Barnegat Light is beautiful and quiet in the summer. As far as places to eat: Tucker's in Beach Haven is good. The Gateway has AMAZING clam chowder. On the mainland: The Mud City Crab House is GREAT....don't let the three hour wait scare you - if you hang out for a bit you'll get seated in less than an hour and it's worth the wait. The Cranberry Bog is always a favorite of mine. And for GOOD seafood and some real taste of the local Baymen's
culture...head on down to Allen's Clam Bar on route 9 in New Gretna!
Your kids will like Fantasy Island amusements in Beach Haven. The Tuckerton Seaport recently opened and is a good day trip for some local history. Don't forget to climb the lighthouse in Barnegat Light.
And above all, when you feel yourself wanting to scream because there are just TOO many people - take a deep breath and thank God that you don't have to deal with the traffic all summer long like us locals
Have a great time! If you have any questions
e-mail me whenever you want!
culture...head on down to Allen's Clam Bar on route 9 in New Gretna!
Your kids will like Fantasy Island amusements in Beach Haven. The Tuckerton Seaport recently opened and is a good day trip for some local history. Don't forget to climb the lighthouse in Barnegat Light.
And above all, when you feel yourself wanting to scream because there are just TOO many people - take a deep breath and thank God that you don't have to deal with the traffic all summer long like us locals
Have a great time! If you have any questions e-mail me whenever you want!
Dec 27th, 2000, 12:28 PM
#5
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This is a late posting if you haven't already booked your stay but thought I would share my experiences with you.
I rented a beach house in LBI for one summer so I can appreciate the previous response to the over-crowded restaurants and beaches.
But I must tell you. Our house was in North Beach, a very tiny little blip between Surf City and Harvey Cedars. There is no hotel or motel - no restaurants but walking distance to the little main stores in Surf City to get fresh ground beef for burgers or coffe and hot scones in the morning.
The best thing about this area was the beach. We were on the beach side but two houses were in front of us so it wasn't really considered beach front property. Since everyone goes to Beach Haven or even Surf City, there was no one on our beach! We were even able to sneak on a cooler with some drinks and were hardly, if ever, checked for badges. It was like we were in our own little world. Don't get me wrong - when August came around our little beach was no longer ours. But at least we had May, June and September of peace and quietness.
I would recommend North Beach for you. It's not far north at all so you don't feel like you're so far away. It probably took us about 30 mins to get down to Beach Haven where it might take an hour from Barnegat. Plus there's really nothing for your kids to do up there.
Enjoy your stay!
I rented a beach house in LBI for one summer so I can appreciate the previous response to the over-crowded restaurants and beaches.
But I must tell you. Our house was in North Beach, a very tiny little blip between Surf City and Harvey Cedars. There is no hotel or motel - no restaurants but walking distance to the little main stores in Surf City to get fresh ground beef for burgers or coffe and hot scones in the morning.
The best thing about this area was the beach. We were on the beach side but two houses were in front of us so it wasn't really considered beach front property. Since everyone goes to Beach Haven or even Surf City, there was no one on our beach! We were even able to sneak on a cooler with some drinks and were hardly, if ever, checked for badges. It was like we were in our own little world. Don't get me wrong - when August came around our little beach was no longer ours. But at least we had May, June and September of peace and quietness.
I would recommend North Beach for you. It's not far north at all so you don't feel like you're so far away. It probably took us about 30 mins to get down to Beach Haven where it might take an hour from Barnegat. Plus there's really nothing for your kids to do up there.
Enjoy your stay!
