Ocean City or LBI in NJ??
Apr 18th, 2007, 04:55 AM
#1
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Ocean City or LBI in NJ??
We are heading from NY to the Jersey shore for a few days with our 2 kids (3 and 5). We are deciding between Long Beach Island and Ocean City for the first half of the week. The second half we will be spending in Wildwood.
Also open to other ideas.
Can you give me pros and cons of each, things to do, hotel recommendations (under $300 a night.) Also, how are the beaches...calm enough for the 2 kids?
Thanks.
Also open to other ideas.
Can you give me pros and cons of each, things to do, hotel recommendations (under $300 a night.) Also, how are the beaches...calm enough for the 2 kids?
Thanks.
Apr 18th, 2007, 01:01 PM
#3
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depends on what you want. LBI no boardwalk but some shopping areas, Old Barney lighthouse.
beaches - good,
Ocean city, boardwalk, beaches - good, closer to AC, Closer to wildwood
but i have to say, i really like LBI LBI is more like the outerbanks,
(IMO i'd go to LBI and Ocean city rather than wildwood - the boardwalk experience is more family friendly in ocean city and let's not forget, it's the home of Johnson's popcorn! yum)
beaches - good,
Ocean city, boardwalk, beaches - good, closer to AC, Closer to wildwood
but i have to say, i really like LBI LBI is more like the outerbanks,
(IMO i'd go to LBI and Ocean city rather than wildwood - the boardwalk experience is more family friendly in ocean city and let's not forget, it's the home of Johnson's popcorn! yum)
May 22nd, 2007, 02:58 AM
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I agree with justme22 about skipping Wildwood and doing LBI and OC. But if that's not an option, I'd probably choose OC...
...very family friendly community
...boardwalk with 2 ride piers
...lots of restaurants to choose from
...only 25 minutes from the FREE Cape May Zoo
...close to Storybook Land if you get a cloudy day
...very nice downtown area with ample stores and boutiques
...awesome "Sand Castle Park"
...lots of great streets (with flat sidewalks) to take the little ones riding on bikes
..."make your own pottery" store in town is a lot of fun for the little ones
...Uncle Bill's Pancake House shouldn't be missed!
...Discovery Seashell Museum and the OC History Museum (at the "Y") are interesting places to kill an hour on a rainy day
...Corson's Inlet State Park is a nice place to take an easy hike on a sandy trail leading out to the beach
...2 movie theaters, both on the boardwalk
Don't get me wrong - LBI is very nice as well...has some great upscale stores, nice beaches, also family-oriented...I just prefer OC for all of the activities offered (this will be my 5th year going with my husband and 2 girls, now 6 and 4).
...very family friendly community
...boardwalk with 2 ride piers
...lots of restaurants to choose from
...only 25 minutes from the FREE Cape May Zoo
...close to Storybook Land if you get a cloudy day
...very nice downtown area with ample stores and boutiques
...awesome "Sand Castle Park"
...lots of great streets (with flat sidewalks) to take the little ones riding on bikes
..."make your own pottery" store in town is a lot of fun for the little ones
...Uncle Bill's Pancake House shouldn't be missed!
...Discovery Seashell Museum and the OC History Museum (at the "Y") are interesting places to kill an hour on a rainy day
...Corson's Inlet State Park is a nice place to take an easy hike on a sandy trail leading out to the beach
...2 movie theaters, both on the boardwalk
Don't get me wrong - LBI is very nice as well...has some great upscale stores, nice beaches, also family-oriented...I just prefer OC for all of the activities offered (this will be my 5th year going with my husband and 2 girls, now 6 and 4).
May 22nd, 2007, 04:49 AM
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Grew up on the Jersey shore, and I'd go with Ocean City and Wildwood -- with kids. My beach of choice is LBI, but OC is much more kid-friendly. LBI doesn't have public restrooms on any of their beaches, for starters. And the Ocean City Boardwalk has rides, water parks, etc. OC is also a dry town -- no bars, liquor stores, etc.
Also, not sure if those who vetoed Wildwood have been there recently, but it cleans up nicely. It used to be a dump, but recently they've gone with a kitschy doo-wop vibe and it's cute. Also, the beach there is huge.
Also, not sure if those who vetoed Wildwood have been there recently, but it cleans up nicely. It used to be a dump, but recently they've gone with a kitschy doo-wop vibe and it's cute. Also, the beach there is huge.
May 23rd, 2007, 05:42 PM
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I'll answer your question about the ocean first. The water at the Jersey Shore can range from very calm to very rough with dangerous rip tides. Most of the time it will be fine but I would not let even the older one out of my sight.
I would go with Ocean City and North Wildwood or Wildwood Crest. The kids will love the rides and waterparks in both towns.
You can get more Jersey Shore info on my Web site: MyJerseyShore.com. Send me an e-mail through the Web site if you have any specific questions.
I would go with Ocean City and North Wildwood or Wildwood Crest. The kids will love the rides and waterparks in both towns.
You can get more Jersey Shore info on my Web site: MyJerseyShore.com. Send me an e-mail through the Web site if you have any specific questions.
May 23rd, 2007, 07:53 PM
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If you are staying for a week and wish to rent a house then LBI is great. Wide, clean beaches, stuff to do evenings (Beach Haven), grocery stores, etc.
The problem with LBI for a shorter stay is a relative lack of hotels. The hotels that are there tend to be small, not a lot of room for family of 4.
The problem with LBI for a shorter stay is a relative lack of hotels. The hotels that are there tend to be small, not a lot of room for family of 4.
May 25th, 2007, 11:48 AM
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We live part of the year at the Jersey shore. With the kids in mind, I would pick OC and in agreement with notes above I would suggest North Wildwood or Wildwood Crest for that part of your trip. All of these locations are full of things to do and have nice kid-friendly beaches. Have a great trip.
