Trip Report - Jersey Shore, Cherry Hill, Philly, back to the roots...
Jul 31st, 2014, 10:47 AM
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Trip Report - Jersey Shore, Cherry Hill, Philly, back to the roots...
Greetings!
I am in the midst of a lovely trip back east with my husband to see family, friends and tag along on his business trip. Thought I would share about it as I don't see too much posted on this area.
We took off from LAX (groan) We live :10 minutes from Orange County Airport but there is not a direct flight so we made the haul up to LAX - which over all wasn't too bad - Virgin America is a great way to fly and we landed no issues into Newark by 4:30 pm. Picked up our rental car and headed to families house in Howell NJ. It is a lovely little community where we were greeted with open arms by his big Italian family with food, wine and more food! Mangia! Mangia!
Up early and hubby grabbed some good back east lox and bagel for the family and we headed on our trek to Long Beach Island to SeaShell Resort http://www.seashellresortandbeachclub.com/
It has been at least 15 years since I have been to the Jersey Shore - I grew up going to Margate and Ocean CIty and we made a family trip about 15 years ago renting a house. The area looked great - we were not sure what to expect after Sandy - the hotel was what you might expect :-? It was clean, nice, beachy and frankly pricey... (around 300.00 a night for a standard room). We had to pay $25.00 each as a deposit for a "beach badge" - put on our suits and hit the beach. The weather was perfect - we had about 25 people there plus kiddos and spent the day enjoy company and the beach. Lunch was had on site - and it was tasty. The band came on and things heated up by the Tiki bar - it was jumpin! Very busy place - very party, party, party!
It was quiet down by the beach where we were but it was not a great family environment up by the pool/band.
The sun went down and we had a wonderful dinner at their restaurant THE PALM TREE - they have a special on Sunday/Monday for Lobster and I thought - why not - it was only 20.00 and was great! Glad I tried it!
More laughs with the family and headed to bed! Great first few days!
Up early the next day - To be continued!
I am in the midst of a lovely trip back east with my husband to see family, friends and tag along on his business trip. Thought I would share about it as I don't see too much posted on this area.
We took off from LAX (groan) We live :10 minutes from Orange County Airport but there is not a direct flight so we made the haul up to LAX - which over all wasn't too bad - Virgin America is a great way to fly and we landed no issues into Newark by 4:30 pm. Picked up our rental car and headed to families house in Howell NJ. It is a lovely little community where we were greeted with open arms by his big Italian family with food, wine and more food! Mangia! Mangia!
Up early and hubby grabbed some good back east lox and bagel for the family and we headed on our trek to Long Beach Island to SeaShell Resort http://www.seashellresortandbeachclub.com/
It has been at least 15 years since I have been to the Jersey Shore - I grew up going to Margate and Ocean CIty and we made a family trip about 15 years ago renting a house. The area looked great - we were not sure what to expect after Sandy - the hotel was what you might expect :-? It was clean, nice, beachy and frankly pricey... (around 300.00 a night for a standard room). We had to pay $25.00 each as a deposit for a "beach badge" - put on our suits and hit the beach. The weather was perfect - we had about 25 people there plus kiddos and spent the day enjoy company and the beach. Lunch was had on site - and it was tasty. The band came on and things heated up by the Tiki bar - it was jumpin! Very busy place - very party, party, party!
It was quiet down by the beach where we were but it was not a great family environment up by the pool/band.
The sun went down and we had a wonderful dinner at their restaurant THE PALM TREE - they have a special on Sunday/Monday for Lobster and I thought - why not - it was only 20.00 and was great! Glad I tried it!
More laughs with the family and headed to bed! Great first few days!
Up early the next day - To be continued!
Aug 1st, 2014, 05:05 AM
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On the "resort" the room was very spacious and had two queen beds as well as a fridge and microwave if a family was wanting to stock up a little. You can bring a cooler to the beach so with everyone in his family we all had a few coolers and drinks and snacks. Worked well.
Ackislander - I lived in Cherry Hill when I was little and again for about a year when I was around 17. It was weird to go back
Monday morning we walked to breakfast at the Chicken or Egg - it was about a block or so up from the hotel. (the hotel does not serve breakfast)
http://www.492fowl.com/
It was good
Headed for a walk with my husband - it appears that a lot of the homes have been redone after Sandy in the area - and some look like they made it without too much damage. One of my BIL did construction there after the storm and filled us in. The area is really pretty, I don't remember it looking as lovely back 16 years ago :-? Very pretty homes with porches, lots of people riding beach cruisers or going for walks. It was very nice.
We headed down to the beach for the rest of the day - which was slipping away - his family is so fun, very Italian and from Brooklyn but now live all over the area (Staten Island, NJ, PA). Fun was had by all.
Dinner was in the same place as some of his family had not tried it the night before - good food. We did not feel like exploring for dinner as we were leaving after to head to Cherry Hill/Mt Laurel area.
The drive was easier than I thought - it took us less than an hour to get to the hotel
Courtyard Marriott - Mt. Laurel NJ
https://www.marriott.com/hotels/trav...ard-mt-laurel/
It was easy to find and a good location for my husband's work for the next few days....
Ackislander - I lived in Cherry Hill when I was little and again for about a year when I was around 17. It was weird to go back
Monday morning we walked to breakfast at the Chicken or Egg - it was about a block or so up from the hotel. (the hotel does not serve breakfast)
http://www.492fowl.com/
It was good
Headed for a walk with my husband - it appears that a lot of the homes have been redone after Sandy in the area - and some look like they made it without too much damage. One of my BIL did construction there after the storm and filled us in. The area is really pretty, I don't remember it looking as lovely back 16 years ago :-? Very pretty homes with porches, lots of people riding beach cruisers or going for walks. It was very nice.
We headed down to the beach for the rest of the day - which was slipping away - his family is so fun, very Italian and from Brooklyn but now live all over the area (Staten Island, NJ, PA). Fun was had by all.
Dinner was in the same place as some of his family had not tried it the night before - good food. We did not feel like exploring for dinner as we were leaving after to head to Cherry Hill/Mt Laurel area.
The drive was easier than I thought - it took us less than an hour to get to the hotel
Courtyard Marriott - Mt. Laurel NJ
https://www.marriott.com/hotels/trav...ard-mt-laurel/
It was easy to find and a good location for my husband's work for the next few days....
Aug 1st, 2014, 07:06 AM
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We checked in no issues and Tuesday my husband was up early and off to work.
The hotel was clean and fine - there is a full service starbucks (always a plus for me!) across the way - I did a little local exploring - going down memory lane - I attended Cherry Hill East High School for my junior year, saw my grandparents old house with many memories by taking a ride to Turnersville. It was only about 25-30 minute ride.
I headed back to the hotel to clean up and head over to Philly to explore a little and meet up with some friends (fodorites!) and my husband.
The hotel was clean and fine - there is a full service starbucks (always a plus for me!) across the way - I did a little local exploring - going down memory lane - I attended Cherry Hill East High School for my junior year, saw my grandparents old house with many memories by taking a ride to Turnersville. It was only about 25-30 minute ride.
I headed back to the hotel to clean up and head over to Philly to explore a little and meet up with some friends (fodorites!) and my husband.
Aug 1st, 2014, 07:31 AM
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Philadelphia!
Here we go - (or me ) off to my birth place (sort of... I was born in Chester PA)
I admit I was timid about driving into Philadelphia. I have respect for driving in any city and after my time in Spain driving it only increased ;-).
We had 7 pm reservations and I wanted to have a little time in Rittenhouse square as I don't recall ever being there. I had not been to Philadelphia since around 2008 or so :-?
Have I mentioned the weather is amazing? Not a typical July in NJ - mild temps and low humidity - truly lovely. ... To be continued
Here we go - (or me
) off to my birth place (sort of... I was born in Chester PA) I admit I was timid about driving into Philadelphia. I have respect for driving in any city and after my time in Spain driving it only increased ;-).
We had 7 pm reservations and I wanted to have a little time in Rittenhouse square as I don't recall ever being there. I had not been to Philadelphia since around 2008 or so :-?
Have I mentioned the weather is amazing? Not a typical July in NJ - mild temps and low humidity - truly lovely. ... To be continued
Aug 1st, 2014, 09:20 AM
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I found parking (not without some challenges) in rittenhouse square area on 20th street in a garage.
I walked around and shopped a little for a few hours- it is really a nice area - it was very relaxing and the park is very nice.
Around 6:30 I met up with a Fodorite in the Park (sounds funny right??? ) and we walked over to meet up with my husband who was having a drink at Twenty Manning http://www.twentymanning.com/home.html
We walked to where we were having dinner @ Audrey Claire - http://www.audreyclaire.com/index.html
We sat outside it is a BYOB place and our other friend (fodor! ) joined us and we had great conversations, food and wine. Very lovely evening! My hometown did not disappoint with friendship or food and the weather was perfect! My husband commented on how lovely the two women were and thinks it is "cute" when I connect with my "travel friends"
We headed back to Mt. Laurel with no issues - took only about 20 minutes tops? I really enjoyed my day. Tomorrow... Bangor Pa? (I bet you have no idea where that is! ha!)
I walked around and shopped a little for a few hours- it is really a nice area - it was very relaxing and the park is very nice.
Around 6:30 I met up with a Fodorite in the Park (sounds funny right??? ) and we walked over to meet up with my husband who was having a drink at Twenty Manning http://www.twentymanning.com/home.html
We walked to where we were having dinner @ Audrey Claire - http://www.audreyclaire.com/index.html
We sat outside it is a BYOB place and our other friend (fodor!
) joined us and we had great conversations, food and wine. Very lovely evening! My hometown did not disappoint with friendship or food and the weather was perfect! My husband commented on how lovely the two women were and thinks it is "cute" when I connect with my "travel friends" We headed back to Mt. Laurel with no issues - took only about 20 minutes tops? I really enjoyed my day. Tomorrow... Bangor Pa? (I bet you have no idea where that is! ha!)
not philly - bit two other fab philly fodorites!
Aug 1st, 2014, 12:12 PM
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"New Jersey is ugly?" Obviously those people have never been outside of Newark. I woke up on Wed and headed to an area of PA - about two hours away from Cherry Hill - called Bangor or upper mt. bethel township. I drove there along back roads - my Maps on my Iphone seemed to be taking me off the beaten path... but man it was LOVELY - so many beautiful trees and the weather could not have been more spectacular.
I was going to visit some of my husband's family - I treasure them and have not seen some in a number of years now. And the food! Holy mother of God ;-) It was an Italian feast! Wow.
We went to a family member's house on Echo Lake... I felt like I was on Golden Pond, sparkling water - beautiful family time, children laughing as they played together. It was a very special day and I am glad that I was able to go.
I had to leave as I had to my husband was meeting me back in Mt. Laurel and it was a good 2 hours - and we needed to head to Edison NJ that evening which was another hour away...
The drive back to the hotel was easy - and my hubby was waiting so off we went on our next stop Edison NJ.
I was going to visit some of my husband's family - I treasure them and have not seen some in a number of years now. And the food! Holy mother of God ;-) It was an Italian feast! Wow.
We went to a family member's house on Echo Lake... I felt like I was on Golden Pond, sparkling water - beautiful family time, children laughing as they played together. It was a very special day and I am glad that I was able to go.
I had to leave as I had to my husband was meeting me back in Mt. Laurel and it was a good 2 hours - and we needed to head to Edison NJ that evening which was another hour away...
The drive back to the hotel was easy - and my hubby was waiting so off we went on our next stop Edison NJ.
Aug 1st, 2014, 03:35 PM
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Our drive was easy - we really did not hit too much traffic in all the times we were out driving. I think we just got lucky in general. My husband was out in the field for his days and he also said he was able to avoid traffic.
The hotel was the Woodbridge Marriott. http://www.marriott.com/hotels/trave...on-woodbridge/ right off the 95. It was a clean good hotel, nice workout and pool area. Both courtyards we stayed at appeared to have been redone recently and were very nice.
Slept in and worked out - I was going to meet a friend that day but she had a last minute change of plans which left me a little stumped. I was going to take the train into NYC - It appeared I could get there in about 45 minutes but I had promised my husband we would see a movie that night so I caught up on homework, enjoyed the quiet at the hotel and went out and got an HUGE corn-beef sandwich at Harold's New York Deli - it was enough for at least 4 people! http://www.haroldsfamousdeli.com/
I wandered over the woodbridge mall which was not too great as far as malls go
http://www.woodbridgecenter.com/
and then over to Menlo Park Mall which was MUCH nicer. It was about time to meet up with my husband so headed back to the hotel.
We went back to Menlo Park Mall as we were going to see Get on Up. We are both fans of the God Father of Soul and he needed some down time after a busy work week while I was off running around having fun. It was a "dine-in" theater which are not our favorites for a variety of reasons but we loved the film! It was a very relaxing evening.
The hotel was the Woodbridge Marriott. http://www.marriott.com/hotels/trave...on-woodbridge/ right off the 95. It was a clean good hotel, nice workout and pool area. Both courtyards we stayed at appeared to have been redone recently and were very nice.
Slept in and worked out - I was going to meet a friend that day but she had a last minute change of plans which left me a little stumped. I was going to take the train into NYC - It appeared I could get there in about 45 minutes but I had promised my husband we would see a movie that night so I caught up on homework, enjoyed the quiet at the hotel and went out and got an HUGE corn-beef sandwich at Harold's New York Deli - it was enough for at least 4 people! http://www.haroldsfamousdeli.com/
I wandered over the woodbridge mall which was not too great as far as malls go
http://www.woodbridgecenter.com/
and then over to Menlo Park Mall which was MUCH nicer. It was about time to meet up with my husband so headed back to the hotel.
We went back to Menlo Park Mall as we were going to see Get on Up. We are both fans of the God Father of Soul and he needed some down time after a busy work week while I was off running around having fun. It was a "dine-in" theater which are not our favorites for a variety of reasons but we loved the film! It was a very relaxing evening.
Aug 2nd, 2014, 04:45 PM
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Finishing up from back in beautiful Southern California.
Nothing much more to report. On Friday my husband worked most of the day and I hung out at the hotel and grabbed us lunch - we had a late check out and headed to Newark from the hotel - no traffic no issues - dropped off the car at Enterprise and got through security no issues - went to the AA lounge and hung out there - flight was an hour late and we landed in LAX tired and decided that having a lay over and landing in Orange County would be better
It was a WONDERFUL week back East and NJ and PA treated us very well.
Nothing much more to report. On Friday my husband worked most of the day and I hung out at the hotel and grabbed us lunch - we had a late check out and headed to Newark from the hotel - no traffic no issues - dropped off the car at Enterprise and got through security no issues - went to the AA lounge and hung out there - flight was an hour late and we landed in LAX tired and decided that having a lay over and landing in Orange County would be better
It was a WONDERFUL week back East and NJ and PA treated us very well.
