SPOTLIGHT Fun on

JERSEY WE LOVE THE SHORE

BEST FAMILY BEACH SPOTS IN THE GARDEN STATE

CONTRIBUTORS: Leslie Garisto Pfaff Jeff Wagenheim Kathy Shiels Tully Fiamma Horvath Moira Greto Melissa Klurman Winnie Yu

PHOTOGRAPHS BY Ball & Albanese

Ocean City classics include Johnson’s Popcorn, left, and Gillian’s Wonderland Pier, right. Bottom: Cape May “diamonds,” left, and Island Beach State Park. Facing page: Seaside Park Beach.

Hold the Jersey jokes, forget the MTV series, and set aside the memory of Hurricane Sandy. The Jersey Shore is so much more than all of those. To get the real scoop on this venerable 127-mile oceanfront mecca, we asked some true insiders— parents who’ve vacationed “down the shore” for years (and, in some cases, generations)—to share their favorite family classics, from midway rides to nature strolls to those irresistible boardwalk treats.

Clockwise from above: Tent Community, kites fl ying high at Seaside Park Beach, a heaping dish of Kohr’s Frozen Custard, and Lucy the Elephant.

BEST NEIGHBORHOOD STROLL

Tent Community

OCEAN GROVE

You’ll fi nd more Victorian architecture in this historic onesquare-mile beach town than anywhere else in the country, but for a true marvel of living history, just follow Pilgrim Pathway north until you reach the soaring Great Auditorium and the colorful “city” of 114 canvas tent homes that surrounds it. The fi rst tents were erected in 1869 when the town was founded as a Methodist camp meeting ground, and they’ve been occupied (and added to) every summer since. Your kids will marvel at the colorful awnings, tiny front porches, and personal touches, such as picket fences and clipped boxwood hedges, just a few blocks from the Atlantic Ocean. oceangrove.org > LGP

BEST BEACH ESCAPE

Island Beach State Park

While most of the shore is famous for its crowds, boardwalks, surf shops, and eateries, Island

Beach is beloved for its lack of any of those things. The pristine barrier island is home to dense forests, rolling dunes, ever-changing tidal marshes, and 10 miles of beautiful beach perfect for crabbing and surf casting. It also off ers many guided nature programs for kids and families (islandbeachnature programs.org). Pack a lunch and leave early; the number of cars allowed on the island is limited. Don’t miss the selfguided hike, the bird blind—a small cabin with slots for spying on the abundant avian life—and the camera-ready view of Barnegat Lighthouse at the southern tip. njparksandforests.org

> LGP

BEST ICY DELIGHT

Kohr’s Frozen Custard

For those of us who grew up vacationing at Seaside, Kohr’s sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline. But it’s the history that makes it truly unique. At Fort Hancock, visitors can climb the 95 steps of the oldest active lighthouse in the country (Sandy Hook Light celebrated its 250th anniversary last year); tour the remains of numerous gun batteries, some dating back to the late 1800s; and visit a Cold War–era Nike missile site. All this, and admission is free ($15 beach parking). nps.gov/gate > KST

is a time machine to childhood refreshment. You can buy servings of the nearly century-old, heat-defying recipe (an extra-smooth softserve stiff ened with egg yolks) from stands up and down the Jersey Shore owned by Kohr descendants. kohrstheoriginal.com

> JW

BEST PLACE TO EXPLORE HISTORY

Sandy Hook

Part of the Gateway National Recreation Area, this 2,044acre barrier beach peninsula has plenty to recommend it, including fi ve lifeguarded beaches, a 7-mile paved multiuse path, bike rentals, walking trails, fi shing and boating areas, a campground, more than 325 species of birds, and

BEST KITE FLYING

Seaside Park Beach

We generally spend our mornings on the bay side, where the calm, waist-deep water is perfect for young kids. But late afternoons are for hanging by the ocean and watching the kite fl iers at Seaside Park Beach. Over the years, we’ve seen some awesome creations, including giant birds,

NEW JERSEY

1. SANDY HOOK 2. OCEAN GROVE 3. SEASIDE PARK 4. ISLAND BEACH

STATE PARK 5. MARGATE CITY 6. OCEAN CITY 7. STONE HARBOR 8. CAPE MAY 5

6

8 7

dragons, and even a shark kite that took an amusing nose-dive into the sea. They’re beautiful fl oating against the colors of the setting sun. seasideparknj.org > FH

BEST ROADSIDE ATTRACTION

Lucy the Elephant

MARGATE CITY

One look at this gargantuan woodand-metal pachyderm, and you just know it’s got a crazy history. Built in 1881 to lure buyers to a new seaside development, over the decades it has served as an offi ce, cottage, and tavern; been moved several Ocean City’s vast, alcohol-free boardwalk is tailormade for families. Inset: Sandy Hook Lighthouse and Keepers Quarters.

blocks; and been rescued more than once from disrepair. It’s now open to visitors, who can climb steps inside Lucy’s massive legs, peer out at the Atlantic from her torso—or even rent the whole kit and caboodle for special events. lucytheelephant.org

> MG

Left, a surrey rental along the Ocean City boardwalk. Right, The Wetlands Institute. Inset: Browns’ doughnuts.

BEST BOARDWALK Ocean City Boardwalk

It may not be New Jersey’s most famous boardwalk (that honor goes to MTV’s Jersey Shore-ified Seaside Heights), but Ocean City is where families rule the rides. A “dry” town—meaning no alcohol is sold—OC calls itself America’s Greatest Family Resort and fills every week with kid-focused entertainment on top of the games, rides, and food that already pack its 2.5-mile, 8-block stretch of bustling beachside planks. There are rides for every size, from our original favorite, a putt-putting train that goes in circles around Castaway Cove, to the new Runaway Roller Coaster at Gillian’s Wonderland Pier. And we never leave without a few of our only-here foods: pullapart Monkey Bread, Johnson’s Popcorn, and more-saucethan-cheese Manco & Manco Pizza (the best in New Jersey, in our opinion). oceancity vacation.com > MK

BEST DOUGHNUTS

Browns Restaurant

OCEAN CITY

You’d be excused for forgetting that this landmark eatery at the northern end of Ocean City’s famous boardwalk features a full breakfast menu because the real draw is the spectacular doughnuts. Cakey-soft inside and lightly crisp on the outside, they come in six varieties (plain, powdered, cinnamon, and glazed with honey, vanilla, or chocolate), though the staff will happily make a hybrid if you ask. And through the front window you can watch the automated machines whip up batch after fragrant batch. brownsocnj.com

> LGP

BEST NATURE OUTING

The Wetlands Institute

STONE HARBOR

“It’s a muddy garden of delights,” quips the tour guide as our pontoon boat skims the salt marsh, sidling up to nests of baby gulls, idling quietly by terns and ospreys, and searching out the quick flashes of red-winged blackbirds. Just a few miles from the bustling beaches and a half-mile from the shops of Stone Harbor, The Wetlands Institute offers a host of programs, including live creature encounters, catchand-release fishing and crabbing, exploratory hikes, and our favorite: the Back-Bay Birding and Wildlife boat tour, designed to teach visitors about coastal ecosystems. wetlandsinstitute.org

> MK

BEST CLASSIC TREAT Johnson’s Popcorn

You’ll smell the toasty caramel cloud well before you catch sight of the lines at the counter or the workers hand-mixing real butter, sugar, and freshly popped corn in giant copper kettles. Johnson’s (with three shops in Ocean City and one in Wildwood) has been a boardwalk favorite since 1940. Newbies take note: The answer to the question “Lid on or off?” is

»CONTINUED ON PAGE 79

Moisturize & define your curls. Achieve shiny, healthy hair with Kinky-Curly Hair Products. Lightweight & non-greasy. Made with all natural ingredients & great for all hair types. Available nationwide at Whole Foods Market & Target. Kinky-Curly.com

Join The Ponies For Cutie Mark Quests!

Twilight Sparkle and her best friends are on a mission to save Cutie Marks! My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic: Cutie Mark Quests features five new adventures. DVD available at ShoutKids.com.

Featured are: Storm Navy & Ann Oxblood

Off To School In Comfort, Quality & Style!

With over 130 styles for newborn to Youth 6, pediped® is the obvious choice to prepare your little ones for back to school. You can feel relief knowing each pair is specifically engineered to promote healthy foot development. pediped.com

The Ultimate Boost For Thinning Strands

Pura d’or Organic Hair Loss Prevention Shampoo helps thicken hair with natural ingredients, Argan oil, vitamins & extracts, for a fuller, healthier look. No parabens, sulfates or gluten. Available at purador.com & amazon.com/purador

Promo Code For A FREE Carseat Canopy!

While supplies last, get the Carseat Canopy of your choice FREE ($49.95) when you use promo code: FUN815 at carseatcanopy.com Get all specials & promotions:

tipsntrends.com

Reed’s Ginger Love

Ginger is so good for you! Enjoy Reed’s Ginger Brews that use a unique non-alcoholic brewing process from long ago, using fresh ginger root, fruit juices, spices & herbs. Also try Reed’s Original or Peanut Butter Ginger Chews. REEDSinc.com

Promo Code For A FREE Baby Carrier!

While supplies last, get the Seven Sling™ baby carrier of your choice FREE (Reg. $40) when you use promo code: FF815 at SevenSlings.com

Super Summer Fun For The Whole Family…

on the world’s safest outdoor trampoline! This innovative bed, spring & net enclosure makes AlleyOOP simply the best bounce ever. Get a Free Trampoline Basketball Hoop with purchase! Code: FamilyHoop at jumpsport.com or 888-567-5867

Fight Sugar Over Consumption

Like a multivitamin but Fizziliciously better. Packed with 11 nutrients, calcium and vitamins, Fizzilicous™ fizzy drink tablets is made just for kids with natural flavors and colors. Sweetened with Stevia, tastes like soda. ⇒zzilicious.com