I love where I live. My childhood memories consist of summers building sand castles and boogie boarding at Ortley Beach. My dad was a lifeguard for countless years, therefore I became a junior lifeguard, and eventually a badge checker. Now I bring my kids to Ortley Beach and I can honestly say, there is nothing better than living at the Jersey Shore. Love where you live!
Summers at the Jersey Shore are the place to be. We know that for sure because of the long lines on the GSP and in the grocery stores. The winters seem longer and longer and we crave the lazy summer days of iced tea, fireworks, hotdogs, and Kohr's ice cream. At this point, after a virtual non-spring, we are grateful that summer weather has finally decided to show up. The best part of living here is we don’t have to travel very far for sand, surf, tans, and summer-living.
Truly, for those of us who live here, summers are awesome. Locals, take a step back and look around — the ocean and the bay area are a quick ride away and we can always find places for summer fun, summer activities, and summer staycations.
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Jersey Shore summers have so much to offer. The beach, Great Adventure, the Seaside Heights Boardwalk, Point Pleasant Boardwalk, and the Blue Claws Stadium are just a few options for families looking for activities. There is kite night, fireworks, outdoor dining, and every night you can take a drive and simply walk on the beach.
So what if there is traffic? On Fridays, stay off certain roads and time your travel — especially around the never-ending construction and traffic on Route 37 and Route 9. It’s not anything new, so work around it.
For every negative there is a positive. We. live. By. the. Beach! Most of us have lived here long enough to figure a way to work and live around the crowds and many people count on tourism for their livelihood. Embrace the crowds! They are happy vacationers. Who is more fun than people on vacation?
Jersey shore locals are known to complain about the “bennies”— look at it from a different perspective —tourists love it here! And, let’s be honest, we do too! As a mom of three young girls, I am always looking for fun activities to do in the summer. Summer is family time, catching up with friends, meeting up with old friends, sandy toes, and PB&J in beach coolers.
Here are my top summer activities for those in the Ocean and Monmouth County areas:
6: The BlueClaws: Who doesn’t love baseball? Even as a mom of three little princesses, a night at the ballpark is so fun. The vibe of the stadium and the proximity to home make this a fun summer night out. Check out: https://www.milb.com/lakewood
5: Stand up Paddling Boarding & Yoga on the Beach: Paddle boarding with the Jersey Shore Mermaids https://jerseyshoremermaids.com/
or yoga on the beach are some of my favorite outdoor activities. Challenge yourself to try different things this summer. There is something so peaceful and serene about being on the water with your paddle board (Rentals are available through Jersey Shore Mermaids). Don’t be discouraged by paddling, as it looks harder than it actually is. If you’re nervous to try stand up paddling (SUP), follow “The Jersey Shore Mermaids” and join us for a meet up. All levels are welcome. And yes, mermaids are real!
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 | 4: Farmer’s Markets: Toms River, Seaside Park, and Island Heights all host Farmer’s Markets. I love strolling through the markets and selecting fresh produce to put together a delicious summer salad. Visit Toms River Macaroni Kid's 2018 Local Farmers Market Guide. |
3: Kite Night & Movie Nights on the Beach: Seaside Park and Lavalette host “Kite Night”and movies on the beach. This is fun for both kids and adults, whether you actually fly a kite or not. Dinner on the beach and tiring your kids out, sounds like a win-win to me. Mom recommendation: Head over to the dollar store and stock up on glow sticks. After the sun sets, the beach gets dark fast—glow sticks help you keep an eye on your kiddos, while also making you the coolest parent ever when you whip out those glow sticks from the beach bag! Check out Toms River Macaroni Kid's 2018 Movies on the Beach Guide. |  |
2: Point Pleasant Boardwalk: Whether you hit up the rides, head to the aquarium, or just enjoy a stroll down the boardwalk, Point Pleasant is a nice family-friendly boardwalk. It can get crowded — anticipate crowds, especially on wristband nights. The best time to head over to the Pt. Pleasant boardwalk is local’s summer in September. https://jenkinsons.com/
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1: Ortley Beach: Ortley beach is a hidden gem of the Jersey Shore. The childhood memories I have of Ortley Beach are endless. Ortley holds a very special place in my heart. A small and family friendly beach, many of the lifeguards have been working at this beach for years and know beach-goers by first name. Bathrooms and restaurants are in walking distance of all streets in Ortley, which is essential with little ones. Although Ortley is a smaller beach, it’s clean, it’s safe, and it’s our favorite beach in the whole world. Daily, Weekly, Half Season, and Seasonal badges are available for purchase. Information on badges here:
http://tomsrivertownship.com/194-news/latest-news/2186-beach-badges-for-ortley-beach-shelter-cove-on-sale-now https://www.app.com/story/life/style/indulge/2016/07/23/6-outdoor-yoga-classes-you-dont-want-miss/87243780/
For more on Casey Daniel: Check out www.my3peasinapod.com or follow her on Instagram at my_3peasinapod
