Jersey Shore Attractions

No family guide to the Jersey Shore is complete without mentioning Atlantic City. And while most would agree it's not the family destination it was in its heyday, there is still plenty for kids, beyond the shadows of the towering casinos.

The Steel Pier, a long-time attraction on the boardwalk, was rebuilt in 1993 after a fire destroyed it a decade earlier. The pier has dozens of rides, a roller coaster, rock-climbing wall, go-karts and live thrill shows (often involving motorcycles and tightropes) put on by the Nocks family of daredevils.

Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum will appeal to older kids with its wacky collection of artifacts, housed in a building with a crack down the middle. Check out, among other freaky treasures, the Fiji Island "mermaid" and a life-sized statue of Michael Jordan, made of bits of plastic and broken glass.

Be sure to take a tour inside the six-story wooden elephant, Lucy the Margate Elephant, which was built in 1881.

For some low-cost fun in Atlantic City, visit the tallest lighthouse in New Jersey, the Absecon Lighthouse (free to enter the museum and gift shop but a small fee applies to climb to the top) or Gardner's Basin park, which has boat rides, lots of shopping and a small aquarium. For a minimal cost, rent a bike and "bike the boards," or take a rolling chair ride.

About 20 minutes from Atlantic City is Story Book Land, a quaint little theme park that, although showing its age, has some cute rides and attractions for young children. Families can visit the homes of Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood and Alice in Wonderland and ride the J&J railroad. Save a few bucks by packing a picnic lunch; you can carry in food. And, if you're visiting in the off-season, there are Halloween events, and Santa visit at Christmas time.

Cape May's rich and storied history, beautiful Victorian mansions (many of which are now bed-and-breakfasts) and adorable town center with shops and restaurants make it a popular destination for families. Kids will love the beaches, mini-golf and arcades, while mom and dad will appreciate the antique shops, terrific restaurants and local farmer's market.

The beaches in Cape May are wide with white sand and generally gentle waves. Just off Sunset Beach, in Cape May Point, kids will enjoy looking for the remains of the U.S.S. Atlantus, which went down during a storm in the 1920's and sank just offshore.

The Cape May Zoo, about a five-minute drive from town, is a must-see for families. First of all, it's free. And for a free zoo, it has an amazing variety of animals, including tigers, bears, zebras and even giraffes. There is a snack stand and a small playground; but if possible, try to eat before or after your visit, and avoid the bathrooms if you can.

Families who have their sea legs should book a whale-watching trip in Cape May. Kids will enjoy watching humpback whales and bottlenose dolphins from the deck of the 80-foot M/V Whale Watcher. The Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center offer trips starting around $25 per adult and $18 per child. They often run specials where kids are free, especially in the off -season.

Cape May is a bike town. Try to stay in a hotel that offers bikes on loan or for rent -- it's the best way to get around.

A trip to Wildwood isn't complete without a more in-depth look at the area's famous Doo Wop architecture! Wildwood has the largest concentration of Doo Wop construction in the United States; the colorful Doo Wop Experience museum pays homage to this fact with its fun, vintage exhibits. Families can get lost in nostalgia while peering at cool artifacts, neon lights, funky signs, 50's-era vintage furniture and other crazy mid-century stuff within the museum. During summer on Tuesday and Thursday nights, the museum hosts a "Back to the 50s" trolley tour that takes guests past the whimsical, space-age motels on the streets of Wildwood. Tickets cost $11 for adults and $5 for children.

Families can experience Wildwood's fascinating history at Hereford Inlet Lighthouse, an 18th-century landmark that recently underwent a painstaking restoration. When I initially pulled up to the grounds, I wondered, "Where's the lighthouse?" At first glance, Hereford Inlet looks like an exceptionally pretty Victorian mansion. But take a closer look and you'll notice a stately rectangular tower rising above the structure's pointed roof, which housed powerful lights that guided ships sailing off New Jersey's Coast to safe harbor for generations. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this lighthouse is open for tours, which are a fun way to spend an afternoon if you're seeking a break from the beach. Tours take visitors through the lighthouse's many period rooms, and guests are encouraged to explore the surrounding gardens (which are immaculately manicured and, frankly, quite impressive). Tours cost $9 for adults and $3 for children under the age of 11.

Long Beach Island, or "LBI" to which it is commonly referred, is an 18-mile-long barrier island that's accessible by a causeway, located off the coast about mid-way down Jersey Shore, a short drive north of Atlantic City. Ocean-loving families visit LBI for its low-key atmosphere, natural beaches and distinction from the high-speed pace of nearby Atlantic City and Wildwood. The southern end of the island is more lively and populated and is often the choice for families with children. LBI has no boardwalks, and you will need to purchase a beach badge to visit the beaches on the island. Fees vary, but expect to pay about $20 per person per week (at the most), but kids younger than 12 are free. There are also beaches on the bay side of the island, which offer calmer, shallower water for swimming.

You won't find any glitzy amusements, with the exception of the Fantasy Island Amusement Park -- a tiny park in Beach Haven, which has small rides and a handful of games for the kids. If they tire of quiet days on the beach, visit Barnegat Lighthouse on the northern end of the island, where you can also bird-watch, or take them to the gigantic Ron Jon Surf Shop, which is full of fun and funky trinkets and surf gear.

Morey's Piers is a massive system of amusement and water parks spread out on different points of the Wildwood boardwalk. The parks are chock-full of family-friendly attractions and rides, including arcades, carousels, carnival games, tea cups, bumper cars, paddle boats, roller coasters, waterslides and plenty more. Morey's most visible attraction is the Giant Wheel, one of the largest Ferris wheels on the East Coast.

Morey's Piers consists of five separate parks: Mariner's Landing Pier, Surfside Pier and Adventure Pier, which are amusement parks (Surfside Pier also has water rides), and Ocean Oasis and Raging Waters Waterparks. There are quite a few ways to pay for access to the parks, from multi-park passes to ticket packages.

Point Pleasant Beach is a great choice for families because it is small enough to walk just about everywhere, yet there is plenty to do. There is a large public beach (badges required), which stretches in front of Jenkinson's boardwalk. The boardwalk has rides and games, as well as a wonderful little aquarium and great mini-golf, all within walking distance to the borough of Point Pleasant. The borough itself is a great place to window shop, with its eclectic and charming array of restaurants, shops and antiques.

Jenkinson's Aquarium, located right on the boardwalk overlooking the ocean, will be a highlight for younger children. The two-story, dimly-lit attraction is a great place to seek solace from the sun and crowds on a hot day. You'll find a wide variety of fish, sharks, penguins, seals and even crocodiles in this modest aquarium. Try to visit during feeding times; there is a schedule out front. Older kids will enjoy the roller coasters at the boardwalk amusement park, several arcades or a round of mini-golf at Castaway Cove, a giant pirate-themed course with waterfalls and several stories.

At the end of each season, Point Pleasant hosts the Festival of the Sea, a very popular event that combines local vendors and a delicious assortment of seafood. There is also a fireworks show once a week during the summer months.

The Shore town of Seaside Heights in located north of LBI and a short drive south of Point Pleasant. It's sort of like a smaller, tamer version of Wildwood. The boardwalk is about half the size of Wildwood's Boardwalk, but with the same assortment of rides, arcades, games and confections. Casino Pier in Seaside has rides open from noon until 6 p.m. daily, as well as a huge water park, Breakwater Beach. The water park is one of the highlights of a trip to Seaside Heights. It has water slides and water play for kids of all ages and abilities, as well as a lazy river and the Zero-Gravity Race, a six-lane racing slide that's perfect for older daredevils.

The beaches in Seaside are all public but require purchase of a wristband. If your kids are interested in surfing, the northern end of Seaside Heights Beach is a great spot to catch some waves.

There is a weekly fireworks show all summer. Parts of Seaside have become a bit run-down over the years, but it's still a popular choice for families looking for an "old-school" Jersey Shore experience.

A great day trip from Seaside is Cattus Island County Park in Toms River, which has a small nature center with snakes, turtles and fish, as well as a jungle gym and boardwalk trails that snake through the property.

The five vintage tram cars that carry people up and down the boardwalk (while broadcasting that famous phrase, "Watch the tram car please!") were originally built in 1939 for the New York World's Fair. The cars run from 11 a.m. to midnight, and they're a great way to get back in the direction of your hotel after you've been walking all day (and have had a few too many slices of Sam's pizza!). Tram car tickets cost $2.50 per person, and children ages 3 and under ride free.

Wildwood's beaches are some of Jersey's best. Sandwiched between a classic American boardwalk and the seemingly endless Atlantic Ocean, these white-sand beaches are impeccably clean and rarely overcrowded. There are five miles of beaches in Wildwood, which regularly accommodate fun events from volleyball tournaments to fireworks on the beach. Best of all, access to the beaches is free, and beach tags are not required. Wildwood's beaches are lifeguard-protected from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Lifeguard hours vary based on the beach, but generally, lifeguards are stationed from 10 a.m. to 5 or 5:30 p.m.

You're likely to get pangs of nostalgia while strolling along Wildwood's two-mile boardwalk, where carnival games, arcades, amusement park rides, junk food and souvenir shops abound. One day is certainly not enough time to explore everything on the Wildwood boardwalk -- it has more than 100 rides and attractions! Boardwalk activities range from a morning bike ride along the wooden planks to an evening shopping spree for souvenir T-shirts, hermit crabs and saltwater taffy. A dinner or lunch of Sam's world-famous pizza and Curley's fries (Sam's Pizza and Curley's Fries are across from each other at 26th street) is an absolute must, as is a ride on the boardwalk Sightseer Tram Car.

Families visiting Wildwood during the summer can take advantage of a myriad of seasonal local events, most of which are free. Scheduling several visits to these events is an excellent way to save money while vacationing in Wildwood. Replace an afternoon of spending at amusement parks and arcades with an excursion to a complimentary outdoor concert or festival. During summer, Thursday nights are "Family Fun Nights" on the boardwalk, which means clowns, puppeteers and other kid-friendly entertainers will be out and about on the boardwalk between 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. On Friday nights during summer, families can watch colorful fireworks thundering in the sky -- for free -- at 10 p.m. on any beach in Wildwood.

The cape towns of Wildwood, which include Wildwood, Wildwood Crest and North Wildwood, are located just north of Cape May in southern New Jersey and are a great choice for families that love high-energy, hopping beach towns with humming rides, shops and crowds. The Wildwood beaches are wide, soft and great for swimming; and, unlike in many Jersey Shore towns, access to these beaches is free. They aren't just a place to take the kids on a nice day; they're also home to loads of sporting events and games throughout the summer. You're bound to catch a volleyball tournament, Hobie Cat race or some other light-hearted competition during your visit.

But it's the Wildwoods' Boardwalk that has become the area's claim to fame. Nearly two miles long, the boardwalk has more rides, games, arcades and fried food than any thrill-seeking family could dream of. Roller coasters, ferris wheels, water slides and thrill rides shape the landscape. The boardwalk has a beachfront water park, mini-golf and plenty of great, inexpensive restaurants and snack joints. For families with little legs, try the Sightseer Tram Car; it takes you from one end of the boardwalk to the other.

When you want to take it down a notch, go on a whale-watch or on one of dozens of charter boats that offer deep-sea fishing, or visit the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse, which has a small museum and beautiful gardens.