We would like to take a long weekend (Wed -Monday) to visit Philadelphia and the Jersey Shore. Two children (15 & 12) - any suggestions on places to stay on the shore close to Philly but preferably not Atlantic City

There have been a couple of posts on the JErsey Shore lately so you might want to do a search. We are staying at Aqua Beach Resort in Wildwood Crest in August. Their website is aquabeach.com

Atlantic City is 1 hr from Phila. other shore points are further. My advice would be to stay in the city for 2 days and then pick a place at the beach for one overnite - you can go to the shore for the day, but it is driving on both ends. Brigantine, Ocean City is great for kids (boardwalk/rides/family fun) and the other end of the same island as AC is Margate and Ventnor - very nice beaches

Check out Long Beach Island. Its an easy drive from Philly, great beaches, not nearly as honkey tonk as some other areas of the shore.

If you are looking for an old-fashioned beach & boardwalk place, I recommend Ocean City, esp. with kids. OC is "dry", so it doesn't attract young rowdies. Can't help with accom.-we do this as a day-trip.

If possible, do the shore on weekdays and city on weekends, to avoid the crowds.

I like Brigantine and Long Beach Island.
Both were wonderful when I was a kid in the 50's and early 60's, lol!
M

Check out Stone Harbor -- its great for families!

We've always liked Ocean City--nice wholesome family-oriented place with lots to do.

At any of the shore towns, you're going to have a hard time finding a place that will rent to you for less than a week. When we want to spend an overnight or long weekend at Ocean City/Margate/Ventnor/Brigantine area, we stay in one of the motels in the Pleasantville NJ area. There's a whole string of chain motels on Black Horse Pike: Hampton Inn, Quality Suites, Days Inn, etc. For the sake of a short drive, the rates are much lower than in the shore towns, and you're much more likely to find rooms available.

oc is great for families but very crowded, long beach island has better beaches and is less hectic, a good compromise would be avalon or capemay.