After reading the Hamptons thread, kylewest has me thoroughly convinced that the best place for a vacation is on his deck grilling steaks. That said, he probably would have baby JuiceMan on eBay before I had my first glass of Zin, so looking for other suggestions. I have never been to the Jersey Shore or LI (open to either). Criteria is: 1) within 4 hour drive 2) beach not mountains 3) one week... [more]
After reading the Hamptons thread, kylewest has me thoroughly convinced that the best place for a vacation is on his deck grilling steaks. That said, he probably would have baby JuiceMan on eBay before I had my first glass of Zin, so looking for other suggestions. I have never been to the Jersey Shore or LI (open to either). Criteria is:
1) within 4 hour drive
2) beach not mountains
3) one week towards end of Aug
4) good local restaurants (not stuffy and no chains)
5) a few kid friendly spots to eat and most activities can be navigated with a stroller
6) rental stock includes houses big enough for extended family (nieces and nephews) within walking distance to the beach
7) as little attitude as possible
8) as little cheesyness as possible
9) a little partying is ok, just don't want to be within the MTV crowd
Don't beat me up for waiting till the last minute, I realize lots of things are already sold out. What beaches / areas should I focus on? Does this exist?
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Response by bjw2103
over 15 years ago
Posts: 6236
Member since: Jul 2007
Juice, this may stretch your 4 hour limit ever so slightly, but I think it hits the rest of your list comfortably.
When our kids were younger we always spent a week in Ocean City NJ--definitely kid/family friendly--great big houses on the beach--we used to rent a brand new five bedroom/five bath right across from the beach--no street to cross--there is no partying, no attitude but there is a serious lack of good restaurants (there are no chains though) and it is a dry town so no BYOB either. My kids loved it though because there was so much for them to do; small amusement park (made just for young kids), a huge water park at one end of the beach, more miniature golf than you could ever play in your lifetime, etc etc (my kids have the best memories of that week)--we went with two other families and we would grill at home or cook and enjoy our cocktails on the deck overlooking the beach. We would venture out for dinner but would usually need to drive to another town.It is about a two hour drive. Lots of good deals to be had at the end of the season! email me off line if you want specifics: jweinreb@comcast.net
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Response by 11201
over 15 years ago
Posts: 100
Member since: May 2008
Cape May,NJ nice large Victorian Houses for rent by the week. It's very family friendly.
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Response by glamma
over 15 years ago
Posts: 830
Member since: Jun 2009
montauk, or the north shore
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Response by corozeng5
over 15 years ago
Posts: 36
Member since: Nov 2009
Have u considered the various ferries across the Hudson ? They go to various shore places in NJ and some of them are about 45 minute rides.
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Response by front_porch
over 15 years ago
Posts: 5320
Member since: Mar 2008
So you want to go to Cape Cod? Seriously, your list doesn't really work for the NY Metro area -- but as above posters have noted, Jersey Shore towns (which will probably be light on your restaurants) are probably your best bet. I'd add Spring Lake to the list above. Try Westhampton, LI, too -- check with someone about the stroller-friendliness first.
Finally, I love Long Beach, NY and used to own a house there. There is a partying crowd in the West End, but if you got a house in Atlantic Beach or Lido Beach (both neighboring beaches) you would have access to the Long Beach restaurants, which include a really good sushi place and of course lobster, and -- essential for little Juice -- lifeguarded beaches.
ali r
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Response by Truth
over 15 years ago
Posts: 5641
Member since: Dec 2009
Spring Lake.
Enjoy, JuiceMan; you and yours.
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Response by KeithB
over 15 years ago
Posts: 976
Member since: Aug 2009
I second Cape May, it has just about everything you are looking for. For the kids you can do one "cheesy" night out at the wildwood Boardwalk as well, good breakfast at the "Mad Batter".
We are heading there tomorrow to visit my Dad.
We always spend at least one week on Cape Cod, really a magical place. WellFleet has a little bit of everything from good links style golf nearby, great "fish/lobster shacks and a few restaurants for a speacial night out. Plent of houses to rent check homeaway.com and VRBO.com-finding better stuff on homeaway these days.
If you stay in Wellfleet you can drive into Provincetown for some "fun" shopping around town and a great time out whale watching(plenty of whales to see that time of year).
Only draw back is the Ocean is cold, but there are plenty of isolated bay beaches with calm, warm waters and amazing sunsets.
Avoid long Beach for anything other than a quick day get away, although if you surf Gilgos is da place!
Ali do you still own property there? (;
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Response by lucillebluth
over 15 years ago
Posts: 2631
Member since: May 2010
margate, nj has what you seek
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Response by nyc10023
over 15 years ago
Posts: 7614
Member since: Nov 2008
Rye, Westchester :)
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Response by lucillebluth
over 15 years ago
Posts: 2631
Member since: May 2010
hi 10023,
i don't suppose you know what happened to yb? i swear, i don't play with the internet for a while and it goes and breaks
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Response by front_porch
over 15 years ago
Posts: 5320
Member since: Mar 2008
No Keith I sold the beach house to buy the West 90s place, but I have clients who belong to one of the Atlantic Beach beach clubs and really like it. You can buy a nicer beach experience next door to Long Beach if you spend a few more $$$.
BTW we are going to Falmouth this year, you?
ali
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Response by nyc10023
over 15 years ago
Posts: 7614
Member since: Nov 2008
Lucille: I am way more addicted to SE now:). It is up right now.
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Response by Tallisman
over 15 years ago
Posts: 121
Member since: May 2009
I concur with Lucille, Margate NJ is the right place. It's 3 or 4 miles south from AC, so you can pop down there with the Lady or the Mr. on an evening drink dance gamble, see a show and back to Margate for idyllic beach time with the kids. Lots or ice cream parlors, lazy afternoons, restaurants are fine, beach is very good, and Margate is light on the cheesy factor. And south of Margate 6 or 7 miles is Ocean City, boardwalk with rides for the kids, no drinking dry family town. Drive time with no traffic, 2 1/2 to 2 3/4 hours from Manhattan. Once you've mastered Margate, jedi warrior, you'll be ready for your next test, The Vineyard.
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Response by alanhart
over 15 years ago
Posts: 12397
Member since: Feb 2007
Ytterbium?
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Response by Tapdance42
over 15 years ago
Posts: 52
Member since: May 2010
I vote for Rehoboth Beach, DE. My extended family (aunts, uncles, cousins, everybody) has been going there every summer since before I was born, and I'm in my early 30s. My goal is to someday own a beach house there. It's extremely family-friendly, has tons of locally owned restaurants and businesses, and is definitely low on attitude. Great local shops, too, as well as fantastic outlets on the outskirts of town. My family has stayed in lots of different rental houses, so I know there are plenty that can accommodate a big group.
Also, I checked on Google Maps, and their estimate for travel? 4 hours, 1 minute. Can't beat that!
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Response by uwsmom
over 15 years ago
Posts: 1945
Member since: Dec 2008
Cape May is great. We used to vacation there regularly. beautiful. very walkable. very Norman Rockwell. awesome for bike rides. not sure if there's much of a party scene though, but as keithb said, you could just head north if you want to rough it up a bit.
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Response by skeptical
over 15 years ago
Posts: 101
Member since: May 2007
Fire Island.Family friendly towns of Saltaire, Seaview, Corneille, etc.
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Response by malthus
over 15 years ago
Posts: 1333
Member since: Feb 2009
It depends on your price point as well. In NJ places on the train line tend to be more expensive and more difficult to rent by the week (they are close enough for people to make the journey every week). The places farther down (Lavallette, LBI) tend to be more geared toward weekly renters and are comparatively cheaper. On vrbo.com you can search by the available weeks.
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Response by JuiceMan
over 15 years ago
Posts: 3578
Member since: Aug 2007
Thanks for all of the tips, I knew the SE community would be helpful. What's interesting is that I haven't considered Cape Ann, Cape Cod, or the Vineyard. I am from New England and have visited those places often. Maybe I have taken them for granted?
Juice, this may stretch your 4 hour limit ever so slightly, but I think it hits the rest of your list comfortably.
http://www.rockportusa.com/Vacation.cfm?ck=7
When our kids were younger we always spent a week in Ocean City NJ--definitely kid/family friendly--great big houses on the beach--we used to rent a brand new five bedroom/five bath right across from the beach--no street to cross--there is no partying, no attitude but there is a serious lack of good restaurants (there are no chains though) and it is a dry town so no BYOB either. My kids loved it though because there was so much for them to do; small amusement park (made just for young kids), a huge water park at one end of the beach, more miniature golf than you could ever play in your lifetime, etc etc (my kids have the best memories of that week)--we went with two other families and we would grill at home or cook and enjoy our cocktails on the deck overlooking the beach. We would venture out for dinner but would usually need to drive to another town.It is about a two hour drive. Lots of good deals to be had at the end of the season! email me off line if you want specifics: jweinreb@comcast.net
Cape May,NJ nice large Victorian Houses for rent by the week. It's very family friendly.
montauk, or the north shore
Have u considered the various ferries across the Hudson ? They go to various shore places in NJ and some of them are about 45 minute rides.
So you want to go to Cape Cod? Seriously, your list doesn't really work for the NY Metro area -- but as above posters have noted, Jersey Shore towns (which will probably be light on your restaurants) are probably your best bet. I'd add Spring Lake to the list above. Try Westhampton, LI, too -- check with someone about the stroller-friendliness first.
Finally, I love Long Beach, NY and used to own a house there. There is a partying crowd in the West End, but if you got a house in Atlantic Beach or Lido Beach (both neighboring beaches) you would have access to the Long Beach restaurants, which include a really good sushi place and of course lobster, and -- essential for little Juice -- lifeguarded beaches.
ali r
Spring Lake.
Enjoy, JuiceMan; you and yours.
I second Cape May, it has just about everything you are looking for. For the kids you can do one "cheesy" night out at the wildwood Boardwalk as well, good breakfast at the "Mad Batter".
We are heading there tomorrow to visit my Dad.
We always spend at least one week on Cape Cod, really a magical place. WellFleet has a little bit of everything from good links style golf nearby, great "fish/lobster shacks and a few restaurants for a speacial night out. Plent of houses to rent check homeaway.com and VRBO.com-finding better stuff on homeaway these days.
If you stay in Wellfleet you can drive into Provincetown for some "fun" shopping around town and a great time out whale watching(plenty of whales to see that time of year).
Only draw back is the Ocean is cold, but there are plenty of isolated bay beaches with calm, warm waters and amazing sunsets.
Avoid long Beach for anything other than a quick day get away, although if you surf Gilgos is da place!
Ali do you still own property there? (;
margate, nj has what you seek
Rye, Westchester :)
hi 10023,
i don't suppose you know what happened to yb? i swear, i don't play with the internet for a while and it goes and breaks
No Keith I sold the beach house to buy the West 90s place, but I have clients who belong to one of the Atlantic Beach beach clubs and really like it. You can buy a nicer beach experience next door to Long Beach if you spend a few more $$$.
BTW we are going to Falmouth this year, you?
ali
Lucille: I am way more addicted to SE now:). It is up right now.
I concur with Lucille, Margate NJ is the right place. It's 3 or 4 miles south from AC, so you can pop down there with the Lady or the Mr. on an evening drink dance gamble, see a show and back to Margate for idyllic beach time with the kids. Lots or ice cream parlors, lazy afternoons, restaurants are fine, beach is very good, and Margate is light on the cheesy factor. And south of Margate 6 or 7 miles is Ocean City, boardwalk with rides for the kids, no drinking dry family town. Drive time with no traffic, 2 1/2 to 2 3/4 hours from Manhattan. Once you've mastered Margate, jedi warrior, you'll be ready for your next test, The Vineyard.
Ytterbium?
I vote for Rehoboth Beach, DE. My extended family (aunts, uncles, cousins, everybody) has been going there every summer since before I was born, and I'm in my early 30s. My goal is to someday own a beach house there. It's extremely family-friendly, has tons of locally owned restaurants and businesses, and is definitely low on attitude. Great local shops, too, as well as fantastic outlets on the outskirts of town. My family has stayed in lots of different rental houses, so I know there are plenty that can accommodate a big group.
Also, I checked on Google Maps, and their estimate for travel? 4 hours, 1 minute. Can't beat that!
Cape May is great. We used to vacation there regularly. beautiful. very walkable. very Norman Rockwell. awesome for bike rides. not sure if there's much of a party scene though, but as keithb said, you could just head north if you want to rough it up a bit.
Fire Island.Family friendly towns of Saltaire, Seaview, Corneille, etc.
It depends on your price point as well. In NJ places on the train line tend to be more expensive and more difficult to rent by the week (they are close enough for people to make the journey every week). The places farther down (Lavallette, LBI) tend to be more geared toward weekly renters and are comparatively cheaper. On vrbo.com you can search by the available weeks.
Thanks for all of the tips, I knew the SE community would be helpful. What's interesting is that I haven't considered Cape Ann, Cape Cod, or the Vineyard. I am from New England and have visited those places often. Maybe I have taken them for granted?
Decisions, Decisions....