Husband and I are deciding between our usual MD/Del. beach vacation or trying the Jersey Shore. We are going somewhere at the end of August thru Labor Day (8-10 days). Jersey Shore lovers, please give reommendations-Wildwoods (North, Crest. etc.) Ocean city, any other areas. We're looking for suite accomodations or 1-2 bedroom apartment/condo. We like a beach that has some life to it, but is not wall to wall people. We will be taking our two teen-age sons (13 & 15) who love the beach, pools, sports, boardwalks, food, etc. We need an area that has enough to do nearby (or within 30 minutes)after we leave the beach in the late afternoon. Thanks for your help

Don't know the jersey shore, just the hamptons but maybe you can help me out........What do you know about Ocean city MD? My friends want to go down there this
weekend and stay at some place called Park Place Hotel (a steep $275/night)
around 1st and 2nd street. I don't have too much interest since so far I've
been told it's mostly families, teenagers and college kids. I've also been
told it's more like AC without the casinos. They want to stay for three
nights and it sounds like it could get boring pretty quickly. Any input?
Thanks.

My friend booked it and I am not sure if I can even go yet. Also, We are few
single 32 year old guys looking to go down to Ocean City. I was informed
it's mostly a family/college age boardwalk/beach. Can someone or many of you
give feeback on the "Scene/age group". Thanks!!!

we've been to the wildwood crest last July 4th and it's very nice, it's quieter than the other neighboring towns. We checked in at the adventurer motor inn and it's clean, it has a gameroom suited for your kids and a swimming pool too. Boardwalk is very accessible too cause it's just across the street.
There's lot of things you can do, ex. you can bring the kids to fishing/crabbing, ride on a wave runner, parasailing, paddle boating, ride the helicopter (just right at the boardwalk where all the theme parks and water park is) and you could just ride the bike which you could rent either single or group in the morning and a lot more. And there's lot of seafood house and fastfood restaurant there too. Hope you'll try it cause it's worth. Wish you joyful vacation...

Many jerseyites prefer the less touristy beaches of Ventnor, Margate, Long Beach Island, Avalon, etc. Ocean City is nice and very family-oriented (think dry town), and Wildwood crest is ok but N. Wildwood gets a lot of wild teens and is known as huge party town.

Long Beach Island is a favorite amongst most Jersey-Pa. folks for vacations. Cape May is one of my favorites. Nice clean town, and a very short ride to Wildwood, which teens would love. Next closest to Wildwood is the Crest. I would opt for Cape May, or the Crest.

Thanks for the info, please keep it coming-esply places to stay. To the OC, MD fellow-we always stay much farther away from the "action" in OC, where your friends have a reservation. I do think there's something for everyone there, but i prefer to stay farther away from the maddening crowd-50s and above. We dont really get into the bar scene as we're with our kids but there seems to be plenty of nightlife. there's a neat loooking club/bar/restaurant on the bay side with dockside tables, etc. that seems to be very popular but I cant think of the name.

with 2 teenagers your best bet is either Ocean City or Wildwood. The beach at Wildwood is huge, so you'll have plenty of room...OC beach is small and crowded...both have boardwalks...OC you have to pay for the beach...Wildwood is free...if you're looking for quiet, stay in the Crest and the kids can always hit the boards...there are a ton of art-deco motels and condos...Wildwood has a couple of water parks on the boards that are fun...we usually do the one on 23rd st. in N.Wildwood...either place the boards are wild at nite...full of teens...there are probably more restaurants in Wildwood...either place is great...forget LBI...boring and not too close to any boards...have fun@!

I always have to warn against Wildwood. I understand that wildwood crest is different but the main area of wildwood is to be avoided. While it does provide cheap lodging, you need to know that it attracts an inner city juvenile delinquint crowd. I live in NYC and I was more nervous on their boadwalk than any place in Manhattan I can recall.
Absolutely do not consider Wildwood, I grew up in the area and it has always had this reputation. On our last trip we saw a lot of teens with tatoos, body piercing, smoking and loud swearing into the distance. Not to sound like a prude but it was very antisocial behavior something I know you have to be on the look out for in NYC . Anyone of these behaviors by themself save for swearing I would see in NYC. But in wildwood the combination is also attached with attitude and poverty making it more threatening.

Ocean City New Jersey in 50's near the beach. If you want cheaper lodging than book near the boardwalk but I find the area to commercial and trafficed.

PS if you get a condo you get beach passes with rental in Ocean City New Jersey

Rachel, I have to differ with Virginia. Your boys will love Wildwood. It is a very safe place. The police force is excellent. Sure there are some teens that are not so inviting, but the majority of the people are families having a wonderful time. These families have been coming to Wildwood for generation after generation. I would suggest you stay in Wildwood Crest where all of the families stay.
A note to Virgina there are also some of these teenagers in Ocean City, New Jersey and there is defintely not as much to do there. Have a great vacation and if you choose Wildwood I am sure you will be happy with your choice.

Suzie I grew up near here and I have family in the area that steer wide and clear from Wildwood for this reason. I saw this first hand when I went down for a Kite festival in Wildwood.

There are also other posts on this forum about Wildwood many advising against also for this reason. And no you don't have any of this element in O.C in 50's near the beach. No intimidating teens at all on the boards. There is no alcohol sold on the island. Yes you may have a pierced kid here or there but they are by and large returning home for the night to M&D’s beach house. Troubled kids just don't find a liquor free town exciting but in Wildwood they can fake I.D their way into a bar.

I was on the boardwalk with my elderly mother I did not feel that I could leave her alone on a bench for 10 minutes while I met my sister in a nearby location. We traveled to London together the same year I did not experience this kind of fear. I have traveled all over the world alone and this is how unsafe I felt in Wildwood. Look up other posts if you think I am exaggerating.

My family won't set foot in this town with their kids and we have a vacation home in Ocean City every summer. Also visit Stone Harbor, Cape May and Atlantic City of all places.

Just wanted to note that the beaches in Wildwood Crest are the most beautiful of all of the shore towns. The beach is extremely wide and the ocean is perfect for boogie boarding. It's a great place for all families.

I have been going to Wildwood ever year since I was little. I stay in the Crest, very quiet, very peacefull. At night we take the trolley (stops in front of most every hotel)up to the board walk which is a paradise for any child/teen. Miles of ocean front board walk with hundreds of rides, arcades, games etc.

However, three blocks or so OFF the boardwalk can be risky at night. Also, you would not want to be on the boards VERY late, after most everyone has left, it can be a little dangerous. All in all stay on the boards and don't linger after things start to close and you should not have any problems.

Not sure how the Wildwoods are now but they were alot of fun when I was younger. However, I would highly recommend Long Beach Island. Great for families and lots of nighlife for party people...and great places to eat too!

The Windrift Resort, Avalon, NJ. See it at windrifthotel.com

I doubt they have vacancies, however.

Rachel:

Why don't you try Cape May? You could take the Cape May/Lewes Ferry over to Delaware when you want quiet beaches. However, I'd avoid Rehoboth's beach, by 12N there is no place to sit on beach. However, go to the Delaware State Park (between Rehoboth and Dewey) and it will basically be empty. You may have to pay $5 to get in but it will be worth it.

I own 2 4 bdrm, 2 bath new condos in Ocean CIty, NJ directly across from the beach. I rent them out from June to October every year. I do have the week of 8/31/02 open at one condo if you are interested.

Ocean City is the place to be ---great activites and excellent location to the rest of the shore area - Cape May to Atlantic City.

The week of 8/31 is usually rented last minute for me in the past and I do have it open.

Mike

I have lived (about 15 minutes) outside of Wildwood all my life and I would not suggest letting your children roam the boardwalk at any time by themselfs. I don't care what some of these people say it scares me taking my children to the boardwalk for our once a year visit. Also I hope you have not booked a room at a hotel by the name of The Grand, in our local paper (The Cape May County Hearld which can be read online) people have complained and actually called the police about the pool, bathrooms and rooms being dirty, no air alot of people could not even stay the night. By the way this hotel is in Wildwood Crest. I would recommend staying in Cape May, Avalon or Stone Harbor it is only a short drive to Wildwood to go to the boardwalk and I would try and park as close as you can to the boardwalk even if you have to pay alittle more. If you need any more info. I would be glad to help you, but I'm sure you have maded your reservations by now.

I agree about the hotel the Grand from the previous post. It was a dump, and we checked out and got our money back and stayed at their sister hotel in Cape May which was much nicer.

I would stay in Avalon/Stone Harbour. We stayed at a hotel called The Concord. Very nice and clean. All rooms are efficiencies.

Say it isn't so!

I am booked at the Grand in Wildwood Crest for next week!! Is it really that bad!! Chose this location mostly because of the indoor pool, a rarity in Wildwood. We always seen to bring the rain when we go to the shore, so I thought this hotel would be perfect.

Anyone else stayed at this place who would like to comment?