Nantucket vs. Jersey Shore

Old Aug 2nd, 2015, 05:37 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Nantucket vs. Jersey Shore

We just got back from a week in Nantucket. While we live in NJ, we haven't spent much time on the Jersey Shore. We have friends who go every year to Long Beach Island, Ocean City, Stone Harbor and Cape May and love it. We loved Nantucket, but is it worth the 8 hours to get there when the Jersey Shore is much closer to home?
dougchia is offline  
Old Aug 2nd, 2015, 06:36 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 7,584
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I have a house on Main Street in Nantucket. My family in Boston use it because I have a cottage in the Poconos that I prefer.

That being stated, I really like Spring Lake, NJ and Avalon. Also, Point Pleasant.

I also Love Rehoboth, Delaware


I do NOT like Seaside Heights!

Thin, Philadelphia
Pepper_von_snoot is offline  
Old Aug 3rd, 2015, 01:58 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 23,138
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If all you want to do is go to the beach, then no
gail is offline  
Old Aug 3rd, 2015, 03:18 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
As much as I love Nantucket, I think the beaches are over-rated, qua beaches. The great joy of Nantucket beaches is that if you avoid five of them, you can have the beach pretty much to yourself. Others love being able to drive on the beach.

The downside of Nantucket beaches is that many of the most popular have bands of sharp shells at water's edge, steep dropoffs and significant undertows.

I grew up on Gulf beaches and matured slightly on Long Beach Island in NJ back in the day. The Gulf lacked waves but had long shelving beaches with a soft bottom so that you could walk out forever in nice warm water. LBI had gentler slopes, more refreshing water, moderate waves, and sandy entry. Who knows what has happened since Sandy?

Would I drive eight hours and pay >$500 to take my car to Nantucket for the beach? Maybe not, but if I liked historic streets and houses, natural beauty and world-class restaurants, lots arts and so forth, that would (does) make me choose Nantucket.

When I read shelter magazines, people are always talking about a place at the beach where you could walk in wearing a wet bathing suit and just plop down. Well, we don't wear wet bathing suits into our house. I bet Thin's family doesn't either. I am certain that some houses at the beach encourage this, but in town it is a very different aesthetic, which may or may not be yours.

Nice to have choices!

So Thin, would it be too intrusive to ask what block on Main?
Ackislander is offline  
Old Aug 3rd, 2015, 03:21 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,693
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The Jersey Shore has many unique towns along it's 130 miles. Most of them are quite unlike the others. What did you like about Nantucket? Besides the beach what activities do you want?

Take a look at Ocean Grove, Spring Lake, Asbury Park, etc...Cape May is very popular and quite nice, but it is too, too crowded in the summer for me.
SusieQQ is offline  
Old Aug 3rd, 2015, 10:07 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 11,514
Received 7 Likes on 3 Posts
I have a house in Stone Harbor and just returned from a visit to Nantucket. You're comparing apples to oranges IMHO. I love the quaintness of the towns on Nantucket, the lobster rolls, the bike paths through the gorgeous open areas of the island, the beach views. In NJ, I love the flat, sandy beaches I can walk on for miles, the safe, lifeguarded swimming areas with great waves, the protected inlets and bays for water sports, the marshes and woods with some of the best bird watching in the country.

I believe that what you will prefer rests entirely on your opinion of what a good beach vacation is.
Birdie is offline  
Old Aug 3rd, 2015, 06:44 PM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 7,584
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Well, Ackislander, you are being intrusive, but I will say that I am toward Madaket Road.

Do you know the Quaker Graveyard?



Thin, Quaker
Pepper_von_snoot is offline  
Old Aug 4th, 2015, 02:16 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Indeed. I live about three blocks from there, near the Lily Pond.

No more intrusions. In the words of Eric Idle, "Say no more, say no more."
Ackislander is offline  
Old Aug 4th, 2015, 05:04 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I personally would not travel so far to go to Nantucket, although I have been there before. I agree it like comparing apples to oranges. Now that you have gone to Nantucket try the Jersey shore and you can make your own comparison would be my recommendation. Then of course each town varies significantly along the Jersey shore.

Cape May is quaint with Victorian homes great shops, but very crowded. I just returned from Longport in Somers Point I loved it there, Margate and great restaurants. I would avoid Seaside not my cup of tea. Ocean City is a dry town and popular with families and has a great boardwalk. Again each town is different. Upscale and gorgeous homes is Spring Lake but somewhat quiet. If you are a family not much to do.
diann24 is offline  
Old Aug 4th, 2015, 05:17 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,693
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Spring Lake may not have a lot to do in town, but it is very near towns that do.

Pt. Pleasant has all the rides, games, etc. that kids love....

Asbury Park has Swan Boats, Splash Park, Pinball Museum, adult music venues and lots of restaurants.

Ocean Grove is filled with Victorian homes and has family oriented Concerts in the Great Auditorium.

Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson...

All but Six Flags just a few miles from Spring Lake...
SusieQQ is offline  
Old Aug 4th, 2015, 05:38 AM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,048
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Your ancestral home is a Mausoleum in a Quaker Graveyard? Who woulda thunk?
Inakauaidavidababy is offline  
Old Aug 4th, 2015, 01:07 PM
  #12  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks to everyone who responded. This context is all very constructive and helpful. Based on the feedback, clearly there is no "right answer." Like almost all vacations, it's going to be based on personal preferences for what the ideal beach vacation looks like, how far you are willing to travel, and how much you are willing to spend. One thing I have noticed that wasn't mentioned is that all of the beaches in Nantucket are free, whereas you have to buy a daily or weekly badge for each beach on LBI. Plus, getting to the LBI beaches from your house/hotel by foot or bike can be a little dangerous if you have younger kids since you have to cross a major road. The great thing we found about Nantucket was that there are bike paths throughout the island and all of the beaches are free. Each beach is very different and none were crowded when we went (last week of July). The house we stayed at (near Dionis) felt very private. When we went to Cape May, it felt as crowded as Disney World and some of the other vacationers were on the rowdy side (let's just say there were a lot of Eagles fans). Spring Lake was quiet, but the small town feel was a bit too small. We may have to check out Stone Harbor and/or Ocean City. Thanks again. Enjoy the rest of summer.
dougchia is offline  
Old Aug 4th, 2015, 01:26 PM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,048
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
LBI was handsdown our worst travel experience of our lives. I can't speak for the rest of Jersey Shore. We spent 2 horrid very expensive for a stinky motel nights for family event. Really one for the record books. We still laugh about the horror of it all. Wild horses coudln't drag me back to LBI.

We do have many lovely memories on Nantucket. But it does come at a high tariff. Cost of admission and a privilege to have visited many times.
Inakauaidavidababy is offline  
Old Aug 4th, 2015, 02:24 PM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 11,514
Received 7 Likes on 3 Posts
Stone Harbor and Ocean City are very different from each other. SH is tiny compared to OC. SH shares Seven Mile Island with Avalon. Except for fingers that reach out into the bay, it's three blocks wide. They'll be more expensive but if you find a beach block house, you won't need to cross a street. Sometimes a rental house will provide seasonal tags for its renters. It won't be as crowded as Cape May but it will be more crowded than the Nantucket beaches. The plus side is that there is plenty of parking. If you can go in Sept., my favorite time of year there, the beaches will be empty. The rail to trail bike path is across the highway but there is a dedicated bike lane that runs most of the length of the island. Ride down to the point and hike out onto the beach and you'll feel like you're in Nantucket.
Birdie is offline  
Old Aug 4th, 2015, 02:52 PM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,693
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
dougchia, I hate to say this but you led us astray by implying that you knew very little about the Jersey Shore when you have obviously been to quite a few of it's beach areas and have already made up you mind which towns you were interested in....

I see why so many long time posters get completely frustrated and give up with trying to help. I've about reached that point!
SusieQQ is offline  
Old Aug 4th, 2015, 03:14 PM
  #16  
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 4,247
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I did a summer on Spring Lake with a friend who owned a house there (three blocks from the beach) and loved it. I enjoyed the quiet, it's very easy to find hurly burly in the neighboring towns. It was wonderful for walking, for riding a bicycle on the residential streets.

My friends in SE PA are evenly split on their preferences for Stone Harbor, Avalon and Cape May.

I grew up going to Rehoboth and Lewes. It was very different back then. At one point, my parents even talked about buying a small summer cottage in Rehoboth because property was so inexpensive. Oh, if only they had!
WeisserTee is online now  
Old Aug 5th, 2015, 05:55 AM
  #17  
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I think there are lots of confirming-my-feelings and am-I-missing-something posts on Fodor's. They are part if the landscape and serve a purpose.

However, I want to rant and rave when a poster asks, "What is there to do in XYZ?"
Someone is asking this morning what there is to do in Glacier National Park, for Pete's sake! I used to rant and rave; now I just close the post without responding.
Ackislander is offline  
Old Aug 5th, 2015, 06:35 AM
  #18  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
SusieQQ:

I am sorry if you felt I led the group astray on my knowledge of the Jersey shore. Certainly, that wasn't my intent.

Here is the extent of what I wrote about my own personal experiences at the Jersey shore in my two posts in this thread: "While we live in NJ, we haven't spent much time on the Jersey Shore." "When we went to Cape May, it felt as crowded as Disney World and some of the other vacationers were on the rowdy side (let's just say there were a lot of Eagles fans). Spring Lake was quiet, but the small town feel was a bit too small."

I sincerely believe I don't know much about the NJ shore since my knowledge is based on (1) those very brief visits to Spring Lake in 2006 and Cape May in 2012 (each less than 1 week); (2) what I have heard from our "friends who go every year to Long Beach Island, Ocean City, Stone Harbor and Cape May and love it"; and (3) the basic Internet research that I've done when evaluating vacation spots.

Based on the replies above, I now have much better context on the various NJ shore towns/beaches as they compare to one another and as they compare to Nantucket. It helps to hear about the experiences from people (including you) who have spent a great deal of time at each of these places. Reading what the guidebooks (including Fodor's) say help with mapping out logistics, but only the color provided by individuals with real opinions based on personal experience can provide what you need to make informed decisions.

While I mentioned that I "may have to check out Stone Harbor and/or Ocean City," that doesn't mean I have narrowed my decision down to those two. People above suggested Avalon, Point Pleasant, Ocean Grove, Margate and Asbury Park in NJ, and Rehoboth in DE, as other places to consider. My friends have also suggested checking out Ship Bottom, Beach Haven, Loveladies, Bradley Beach and Brigantine.

Again, SusieQQ, I am sorry if I inadvertently led you astray and soured your view of those (like me) who post questions on this chat site. The discussion above was rich with information and was very helpful.

dc
dougchia is offline  
Old Aug 5th, 2015, 06:41 AM
  #19  
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 11,514
Received 7 Likes on 3 Posts
I think we forget that these threads live on and are frequently helpful in the future to people doing searches. There is quite a bit of good info here about the two destinations. The OP correctly tagged and titled the thread so the information contained here will be easy to find. I have no problem with the questions the OP asked. Plus, Akislander and Thin found out they are neighbors. The small world of Fodorville.
Birdie is offline  
Old Aug 5th, 2015, 07:10 PM
  #20  
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,048
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thin,
Could we rent your Quaker Mausoleum for a week in early September?
g
Inakauaidavidababy is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
famof5
United States
8
Mar 26th, 2015 01:08 PM
Neal623
United States
27
Apr 23rd, 2012 08:57 PM
SeeHag
United States
12
Jul 10th, 2011 08:05 PM
MonaManuel
United States
17
Aug 4th, 2010 06:29 AM
shantai
United States
3
Sep 12th, 2009 11:54 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -