Overwhelmed with all there is to do at the Jersey Shore? Most of us flock to the beaches and boardwalks, but even those can get a little old halfway through the season.
Here's the skinny on five things to do with your kids before summer’s over. (Tip: Many of these can be enjoyed after Labor Day, too!)
- Arrgh..pirates! Head on board a ship in the Manasquan or Metedeconk rivers for an expedition with pirates! Jersey Shore Pirates is at the Pier 281 Marina, which is located at 281 Princeton Avenue in Brick. Pirates on the Manasquan has cruises out of the dock at the River Rock Restaurant.
- Paddle out. Paddle Out Manasquan and PaddleWorks let you rent kayaks and go through local channels and through Brielle into the Manasquan River. The Belmar Marina is another great spot to launch from, as is the Manasquan Reservoir. For more links on where to rent boats or launch, click here.
- Go downtown. Towns such as Belmar, Manasquan, Spring Lake, and Pt. Pleasant Beach are known for their great walking and shopping districts.
- Cool off with ice cream. A summer day or evening out isn’t complete without a trip for some great local ice cream. Check out Sundaes in Manasquan or Point Pleasant, Hoffman’s Ice Cream in Point Pleasant Beach or Spring Lake, Four Boys Ice Cream in Bradley Beach, or Coney Waffle in Asbury Park, Belmar and Long Branch.
- Hit up a summer fair. From the Manasquan Fireman’s Fair to the Monmouth County and Ocean County fairs, a traditional carnival-like atmosphere is never far away.
- See the whales. Get great views of marine mammals that you probably won’t catch on the shoreline. Check out Bill McKim’s whale watch tours on the weekends that run out of Belmar, or on the Queen Mary out of Point Pleasant Beach.
- Eat local. From Playa Bowls to Surf Taco, there are several eateries to indulge in that you'll only find here! Why not enter our giveaway for a gift card to Bubbakoo's Burritos, which also has locations throughout the Shore? It ends July 31!
Don’t forget to check Macaroni Kid Central Jersey Shore’s events calendar for family-friendly events in Northern Ocean County and Coastal Monmouth County. We keep the calendar updated daily. If you haven't already, sign up for your free weekly newsletter, which starts Aug. 2!
