Is there a boardwalk with rides and games that isn't loaded with trashy people in the country? (1 Viewer)

[Righetti]

Delaware beaches are the only NE beaches worth visiting. NJ beaches attract one type of trashiness while OCMD attracts a different type of trashiness. Pick your poison.

You see more bad tattoos at the jersey shore than you see sand 

 

[Politician Spock]

Have you tried Coney island?

Just went to Lafayette last week.

Better than American. 

 

[Steed]

http://www.app.com/story/news/local/communitychange/2017/06/06/coolest-town-asbury-park/371091001/

 

[belljr]

Watch the tram car please

    We stay in North Wildwood right on the beach every year (friend of the family condo)  -

We usually go the week before Labor Day.  We are also by the part of the boardwalk that no one actually goes down to visit

That being said.  We high tail it out of there on Saturday.........  Monday - Thursday is down right pleasant  

My parents used to have a house in Cape May and while we love it there it's a little over priced and the beach is too small imo.

I've been to pretty much every beach - there is no boardwalk but Brigantine is my favorite.

 

[RUSF18]

From that far away it's tough to justify the extra travel time especially when the traffic starts in earnest. If you can afford a stop over, OC NJ is really, really nice for the kids and I can't recommend the place enough. Two smallish ride parks, lots of shops and food, clean as hell, and pretty much no riff raff after dark (they're all in Somers Point). I don't think there's any hawker Carney games at all either. Keeping the booze out is likely the key to it's charm, but it seems like I hear about a referendum every year to ditch the No Booze thing, so it's probably only a matter of time.

You can likely score a week's rental for ~$1,500 not too far from the Boardwalk.

Any particular restaurants you can recommend? Wife and I are heading there with the kid in mid July for 5 days ($1100ish I think, so in line). She'll only be about 5.5 months at that point so we don't need anything specifically for her. I assume most places around there are stroller friendly. 

 

[Evilgrin 72]

http://www.app.com/story/news/local/communitychange/2017/06/06/coolest-town-asbury-park/371091001/

This is stupefying.  Glad to hear it - always wished it was a better place to hang out, it was so close to me.

 

[fantasycurse42]

    We stay in North Wildwood right on the beach every year (friend of the family condo)  -

We usually go the week before Labor Day.  We are also by the part of the boardwalk that no one actually goes down to visit

That being said.  We high tail it out of there on Saturday.........  Monday - Thursday is down right pleasant  

My parents used to have a house in Cape May and while we love it there it's a little over priced and the beach is too small imo.

I've been to pretty much every beach - there is no boardwalk but Brigantine is my favorite.

Yea, we spend about 2 weeks in Cape May every summer. Congress Hall is so expensive, I mean $600 a night is nuts, but people pay it, so they can charge it. Last summer one of the weeks we spent down there was a last minute trip, I was able to grab a room for $400 a night and felt like it was a steal, until we got to the room... Tiny room with one queen bed and I had to sleep on a cot. I just book in advance and pay the extra money moving forward for a better room. 

Without question IMO, Cape May is the best family destination in the Northeast over the summer, so they've got us and we'll just suck it up.

 

[E-Z Glider]

Here's the rub for any of these places (NY, NJ, DE, MD). For $4k (including airfare), I can take my family of 4 on an insanely beautiful tropical island vacation where you have an entire white sand beach at your doorstep and crystal clear waters all to yourself. There are no lines, no ridiculous rules, and no elbow-to-elbow throngs of obnoxious, self-centered people. That same $4k will get you a dumpy ocean block (not front) 2BR condo that smells like a frat-house, 2-hour waits for dinner every night, a beach that is so crowded you can barely find room to put a blanket, and roped-off swimming areas where you are herded in like cattle to float over the waves. And the cherry on top? You're not allowed to drink beer on the beach. WTF. 

 

[shadyridr]

Yea, we spend about 2 weeks in Cape May every summer. Congress Hall is so expensive, I mean $600 a night is nuts, but people pay it, so they can charge it. Last summer one of the weeks we spent down there was a last minute trip, I was able to grab a room for $400 a night and felt like it was a steal, until we got to the room... Tiny room with one queen bed and I had to sleep on a cot. I just book in advance and pay the extra money moving forward for a better room. 

Without question IMO, Cape May is the best family destination in the Northeast over the summer, so they've got us and we'll just suck it up.

This is why I dont like Cape May. If Im gonna spend that type of money Id rather it be on an island in an All-Inclusive.

 

[E-Z Glider]

We really liked old orchard beach. But you have to really like French Canadians as well. 

It's funny you mention OOB. To me, it was like they were trying to imitate the trashy NJ boardwalk scene that you find "down the shore". It's really the first town you come to that's like that when heading South from Canada. In fact, I think its the first man-made white sand beach you come to? I did like the town though and the Canucks we met were super nice. Much friendlier vibe than the NY/NJ beach scene. Water sure was cold though.  

 

[AcerFC]

I have never been more scared than walking around Asbury Park waiting for bands to play the Stone Pony. 

 

[belljr]

Here's the rub for any of these places (NY, NJ, DE, MD). For $4k (including airfare), I can take my family of 4 on an insanely beautiful tropical island vacation where you have an entire white sand beach at your doorstep and crystal clear waters all to yourself. There are no lines, no ridiculous rules, and no elbow-to-elbow throngs of obnoxious, self-centered people. That same $4k will get you a dumpy ocean block (not front) 2BR condo that smells like a frat-house, 2-hour waits for dinner every night, a beach that is so crowded you can barely find room to put a blanket, and roped-off swimming areas where you are herded in like cattle to float over the waves. And the cherry on top? You're not allowed to drink beer on the beach. WTF. 

I drink on the beach all the time.  Don't flaunt it and act like a jack ### and you won't have an issue

 

[Steed]

Here's the rub for any of these places (NY, NJ, DE, MD). For $4k (including airfare), I can take my family of 4 on an insanely beautiful tropical island vacation where you have an entire white sand beach at your doorstep and crystal clear waters all to yourself. There are no lines, no ridiculous rules, and no elbow-to-elbow throngs of obnoxious, self-centered people. That same $4k will get you a dumpy ocean block (not front) 2BR condo that smells like a frat-house, 2-hour waits for dinner every night, a beach that is so crowded you can barely find room to put a blanket, and roped-off swimming areas where you are herded in like cattle to float over the waves. And the cherry on top? You're not allowed to drink beer on the beach. WTF. 

Or you could just spend 6k and join a beach club, have access to all their amenities like cabanas, pool, tennis, bar, volley ball courts, private beach etc and have access for an entire summer instead of a couple weeks.  

To each their own

 

[fantasycurse42]

Here's the rub for any of these places (NY, NJ, DE, MD). For $4k (including airfare), I can take my family of 4 on an insanely beautiful tropical island vacation where you have an entire white sand beach at your doorstep and crystal clear waters all to yourself. There are no lines, no ridiculous rules, and no elbow-to-elbow throngs of obnoxious, self-centered people. That same $4k will get you a dumpy ocean block (not front) 2BR condo that smells like a frat-house, 2-hour waits for dinner every night, a beach that is so crowded you can barely find room to put a blanket, and roped-off swimming areas where you are herded in like cattle to float over the waves. And the cherry on top? You're not allowed to drink beer on the beach. WTF. 

What you describe is nothing like the Cape May I go to.

Have you ever been to Congress Hall? The beach is spacious and has concierge service, towel/chair service, etc. I pack a cooler and drink with no issues for 4 years now on the beach. Nice resort pool, big lawn to play, American flags everywhere, and good food all around. 

The town in Cape May is cobblestone streets littered with ice cream shops and candy stores. Tons of boardwalks within 15 minutes, so all of the trashy people are nowhere close, nor can they afford to be. 

Place is amazing! 

 

[fantasycurse42]

@Evilgrin 72

Stone Pony was around when I was growing up, assume it was there when you were growing up too. I like that place, but yea, Asbury park is a different world now. 

 

[Coeur de Lion]

Here's the rub for any of these places (NY, NJ, DE, MD). For $4k (including airfare), I can take my family of 4 on an insanely beautiful tropical island vacation where you have an entire white sand beach at your doorstep and crystal clear waters all to yourself. There are no lines, no ridiculous rules, and no elbow-to-elbow throngs of obnoxious, self-centered people. That same $4k will get you a dumpy ocean block (not front) 2BR condo that smells like a frat-house, 2-hour waits for dinner every night, a beach that is so crowded you can barely find room to put a blanket, and roped-off swimming areas where you are herded in like cattle to float over the waves. And the cherry on top? You're not allowed to drink beer on the beach. WTF. 

Again, you're just completely talking out of your a$$ here. $4K / week will get you a really nice new house maybe a block off of the beach. Go in with another family and you can get a ridiculous beach block mansion with a pool for less than $4K for each family. And the beaches aren't over-crowded, we never wait for dinner anywhere, and nothing is roped off in the water. Talking about Avalon, Stone Harbor, Cape May here.

And no drinking on the beach is a good thing for anyone that has younger kids -- keeps the obnoxious drunks away.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

@Evilgrin 72

Stone Pony was around when I was growing up, assume it was there when you were growing up too. I like that place, but yea, Asbury park is a different world now. 

Hell yes.  Saw many, many shows there and at the Big Top.  I'm shocked (in a good way) that Asbury seems to have turned things around at least to some extent.  I thought that town was dead and beyond repair.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

I have never been more scared than walking around Asbury Park waiting for bands to play the Stone Pony. 

Pull up, park, into the venue, watch show, out of venue into car, drive home.  Every time.  That place was a hell-hole.

 

[E-Z Glider]

Again, you're just completely talking out of your a$$ here. $4K / week will get you a really nice new house maybe a block off of the beach. Go in with another family and you can get a ridiculous beach block mansion with a pool for less than $4K for each family. And the beaches aren't over-crowded, we never wait for dinner anywhere, and nothing is roped off in the water. Talking about Avalon, Stone Harbor, Cape May here.

And no drinking on the beach is a good thing for anyone that has younger kids -- keeps the obnoxious drunks away.

link? 

eta - and you are officially the only person in history I have ever heard say that the NJ beaches are not overcrowded and they've never waited for dinner anywhere.

 

[Osaurus]

I can't think of a good one, but plenty of bad ones.  I grew up in Philly and Wildwood and Sea Isle City were two of the crappiest places I was ever at.  I hope they've changed.

 

[RUSF18]

link? 

Anything like that has been booked for months. Maybe that's your problem. 

I agree that spending $4K for a week at a typical Jersey shore town is insane. But think most people would be spending maybe $2K for that. 

 

[Evilgrin 72]

link? 

My buddies and I used to rent shore houses every summer on LBI and in Bradley Beach/Manasquan area and they would maybe run us $8k for the entire summer.  Not palaces, but very acceptable, large houses a block or two from the sand.  Of course, this was the early 90s, so I'm sure prices have gone up from there, but seems like you'd still be able to find a wholly decent place for $4k a week. 

 

[Don Quixote]

It's funny you mention OOB. To me, it was like they were trying to imitate the trashy NJ boardwalk scene that you find "down the shore". It's really the first town you come to that's like that when heading South from Canada. In fact, I think its the first man-made white sand beach you come to? I did like the town though and the Canucks we met were super nice. Much friendlier vibe than the NY/NJ beach scene. Water sure was cold though.  

I haven't been to OOB, but, as a lover of the Maine coast, spending a lot of time on the beach in Maine seems kind of a waste.  Great sailing and hiking, with beautiful scenery and nice towns to explore, but I don't really think of it for the beach scene.  I stayed in a resort in Kennebunkport a few years back with beach access, but, given the cold water that you mentioned, we spent most of our down time by the heated pool on-site.

Waiting for Maine until FC's kids are past the rides/games age, and can enjoy Kennebunkport, Camden, Bar Harbor/Acadia, etc. would probably be the approach that I'd go.

 

[fantasycurse42]

Anything like that has been booked for months. Maybe that's your problem. 

I agree that spending $4K for a week at a typical Jersey shore town is insane. But think most people would be spending maybe $2K for that. 

You have one little kid right now? 

Wait until he/she is a little older or you have a second. Do you want to spend a week by a beach/pool in a very family friendly environment and don't feel like heading to an airport, spending misery traveling for 6-12 hours each way in total, etc. Pack your bags and drive on to South Jersey, which is nothing like the majority of shore in Ocean/Monmouth Counties. Each week in Cape May is roughly the same cost as a week in the Grand Caymans, so I understand the logic against Cape May (and the other nice surrounding areas), but I like the convenience as well as how awesome it is in the summer and instead we do the airplane stuff in the winter. 

My older son asks me when we're going to Cape May almost daily now that it is getting nicer, think it is his favorite place in the world.

 

[fantasycurse42]

Hell yes.  Saw many, many shows there and at the Big Top.  I'm shocked (in a good way) that Asbury seems to have turned things around at least to some extent.  I thought that town was dead and beyond repair.

Same here, and I'm about a decade behind you, amazing what they did there... Long Branch too.

 

[fantasycurse42]

And no drinking on the beach is a good thing for anyone that has younger kids -- keeps the obnoxious drunks away.

I agree with the no drinking on the beach. I pack a cooler with a few Coronas, a few slices of lime, and a red cup. Not to get drunk (which might be impossible on Coronas to begin with), just to enjoy it while I'm hanging on the beach. I see a bunch of other dads doing the same, actually once had another ask me for one, which I begrudgingly gave him (even though I only usually pack 6 for the wife & I over a 3 hour stretch). I don't think I've ever noticed an obnoxiously drunk parent where we stay and I've been going there for years.  

 

[RUSF18]

You have one little kid right now? 

Wait until he/she is a little older or you have a second. Do you want to spend a week by a beach/pool in a very family friendly environment and don't feel like heading to an airport, spending misery traveling for 6-12 hours each way in total, etc. Pack your bags and drive on to South Jersey, which is nothing like the majority of shore in Ocean/Monmouth Counties. Each week in Cape May is roughly the same cost as a week in the Grand Caymans, so I understand the logic against Cape May (and the other nice surrounding areas), but I like the convenience as well as how awesome it is in the summer and instead we do the airplane stuff in the winter. 

My older son asks me when we're going to Cape May almost daily now that it is getting nicer, think it is his favorite place in the world.

Yeah, when I said "typical shore" I meant Seaside/Wildwood, aka the places no sane person would spend premium money for. We actually looked into Cape May for this summer before booking OC NJ but we started looking kind of late so the best Cape May spots were booked. 

And thankfully we can swing NJ beach vacation in the summer and somewhere else in the winter. That's already booked for us this year. Don't see the point in flying to somewhere also warm (or even hotter) when the temp is nice here. Back when my wife and I were first dating, she got two weeks of vacation a year...always the week of July 4th, and Christmas week. So we went away in July...totally pointless. 

 

[Lehigh98]

My rankings, of major boardwalks (at least one amusement pier and more than a few blocks long) living in the tri-state area my whole life:

1) Ocean City, MD

2) Ocean City, NJ

3) Rehoboth Beach, DE

99) Wildwood, NJ

9999) Myrtle Beach, SC - yikes, I was honestly scared for my safety there

Dammit.  Going to Myrtle Beach for the first time the week of July 10th.

I grew up in South Jersey going to OC, Avalon, Wildwood, Sea Isle, Seaside Heights in the 80's / early 90's.

Once I was out of college we also started going to OCMD.  (Seacrets, etc) early 00's.

Kept going to OCMD with our young kids in the late 00's because this place is great for families with young kids...

http://sunsetisland.net/

My parents got a place in Broadkill Beach near Rehoboth so we've spent alot of time in DE too.

The last few years we've also been moving further south for a week each year renting big houses near the beach with friends and/or family: Virginia Beach x 2, Outer Banks (Nags Head x2 then Duck)

This year we are going to Myrtle Beach for the first time so family from GA (transplants from PA) has a shorter drive.

We'll be staying in this place: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g54371-d1542141-Reviews-North_Beach_Plantation-North_Myrtle_Beach_South_Carolina.html

Resort looks nice, maybe we just won't venture to far away.  Any suggestions for things to do down there (besides meth) with kids 9, 10, 11 & 12?

 

[fantasycurse42]

Don't see the point in flying to somewhere also warm (or even hotter) when the temp is nice here. 

This is where I am when it comes to summer vacations.

There are some great family spots down in South Jersey, no need to go through the logistical nightmare of an airport/airplane/leaving car behind while traveling with little kids when I can just take a 3 hour ride to a place that caters to families and has everything we need. I can go through that in the winter when it is cold here. 

I always think it is stupid expensive, but I pay it and everyone else does too, otherwise it would obviously be cheaper. They charge what they charge and people pay it bc it really is worth it.

 

[fightingillini]

My buddies and I used to rent shore houses every summer on LBI and in Bradley Beach/Manasquan area and they would maybe run us $8k for the entire summer.  Not palaces, but very acceptable, large houses a block or two from the sand.  Of course, this was the early 90s, so I'm sure prices have gone up from there, but seems like you'd still be able to find a wholly decent place for $4k a week. 

Did the same in the mid 90s when I lived in NJ.  I paid about $1500 for a full share at houses in near Beach Haven on LBI.  Great place.  I believe they rented for about 12K for the whole summer.  They were not on the beach, but you just walk a block or two.

But on LBI, I can see the prices pretty steep if you go to the north side of the island near Barnegat, where you're away from the younger partying crowd.

 

[In The Zone]

Myrtle Beach is the vacation spot for lower income people... higher incomes go to Charleston or my personal favorite, Hilton Head.

I somewhat agree with this but disclaimer:

I haven't been to any of them in over a decade so things could have changed from my perspective. 

Also, I don't consider any of the three a boardwalk. 

 

[AcerFC]

Dammit.  Going to Myrtle Beach for the first time the week of July 10th.

I grew up in South Jersey going to OC, Avalon, Wildwood, Sea Isle, Seaside Heights in the 80's / early 90's.

Once I was out of college we also started going to OCMD.  (Seacrets, etc) early 00's.

Kept going to OCMD with our young kids in the late 00's because this place is great for families with young kids...

http://sunsetisland.net/

My parents got a place in Broadkill Beach near Rehoboth so we've spent alot of time in DE too.

The last few years we've also been moving further south for a week each year renting big houses near the beach with friends and/or family: Virginia Beach x 2, Outer Banks (Nags Head x2 then Duck)

This year we are going to Myrtle Beach for the first time so family from GA (transplants from PA) has a shorter drive.

We'll be staying in this place: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g54371-d1542141-Reviews-North_Beach_Plantation-North_Myrtle_Beach_South_Carolina.html

Resort looks nice, maybe we just won't venture to far away.  Any suggestions for things to do down there (besides meth) with kids 9, 10, 11 & 12?

lol, I hated sunset island when we stayed there. So much in fact that when we were looking to buy, we specifically told the realtor to forget anything in there. 

Still landed an indoor pool and sauna, outdoor pool, tennis courts in Heron Harbor on 120th and dont have to deal with the stupid rules like no swimming in the indoor pool if it is raining

 

[In The Zone]

OC Maryland will only reaffirm your feelings about the kind of people boardwalks draw.  Was down there for spring break and the number of loud, obnoxious, likely drunk teens, bikers, etc was off the hook.  Here's one fine gal I managed to snap a picture of since was the white trashiest of the white trash I've ever seen.

OC Maryland's Finest

Damn, I thought that was the "General Lee" for a second. 

 

[RUSF18]

Did the same in the mid 90s when I lived in NJ.  I paid about $1500 for a full share at houses in near Beach Haven on LBI.  Great place.  I believe they rented for about 12K for the whole summer.  They were not on the beach, but you just walk a block or two.

But on LBI, I can see the prices pretty steep if you go to the north side of the island near Barnegat, where you're away from the younger partying crowd.

Have to also remember that in the party towns, people are pricing in the risk to their house from having 8 guys living there (officially) and another 12 in there unofficially. That and, again, they know they can charge a premium. 

One of the issues I found when I was looking for places this summer, partially because I was late in looking, was finding a place that wasn't too big. Not a lot of shore houses are setup for husband/wife/one kid, so we booked a 3 BR out of necessity. Next year we're already planning on sharing a house with some friends. We can get about 3x the house for less what I'm paying this summer, once we split the cost. 

 

[Ned]

OCMD Boardwalk is a haven for the Elkton, MD crowd.  Think Jesse Pinkman and his friends from Breaking Bad running around hanging with the Winter's Bone cast and extras from The Wire.

 friggin Elkton is the worst.

 

[Coeur de Lion]

Anything like that has been booked for months. Maybe that's your problem. 

I agree that spending $4K for a week at a typical Jersey shore town is insane. But think most people would be spending maybe $2K for that. 

Agree -- I only mentioned $4K d/t the other guy saying that that amount would only get you a crappy 2 BR condo, which is far from the truth. Last three years I've been between $4800 - $5600 / week for a great, huge house (split with my brother, so about $2500 for me) -- we actually tend to prioritize proximity to downtown Stone Harbor over actually being on the beach itself, as I'd rather walk a block and a half to the beach than worry about walking 10+ blocks at the end of the night when everyone is full and half drunk after dinner.

 

[In The Zone]

I will add - we always do at least one day in Ockracoke Island.  It is one of our favorite places to spend a day.

The island is only accessible by ferry boat - for everything.  Deliveries to the island for the business and everything else come by auto-ferry.  So you drive down the main strip south all the way to the launching dock and there will be vacationers, residents, people getting to work and trucks delivering everything that you need to live on the island.  Load up on the ferry and take a 35-45 minute boat ride to the island.

Island is about 18 miles long.  The first 16.5 miles are federally protected beaches that look like mankind has never set foot on.  You can pull your car over and walk up the dunes to the beach to see them and they are something out of a fantasy book.  The amount of living things crawling on the white untouched sand is just amazing.  There is a 90% chance that wherever you step on the sand you are the first one to do it once you get to the beach.  Just a beautiful place.

When you finally get to the main part of the island - the last 1.5 square miles - it is a tiny little town.  You park your car at very tip near the marine welcome center.  It is the location of a British invasion of America during the revolution - there are signs for it all over the place.  You park your car and you can either walk the entire area if you want or, you rent a golf cart to drive around.  The speed limit is 10 MPH for everything that moves.  So you are driving your golf cart with the cars and trucks that are delivering stuff.  There are a bunch of diners/drive ins/dives type places, there are several waterfun rental places, and there are houses and shops that you can check out.  And a lighthouse.

It's pretty perfect.

I may have to check this out for next year. Sounds like my speed and style. 

 

[shadyridr]

Dammit.  Going to Myrtle Beach for the first time the week of July 10th.

I grew up in South Jersey going to OC, Avalon, Wildwood, Sea Isle, Seaside Heights in the 80's / early 90's.

Once I was out of college we also started going to OCMD.  (Seacrets, etc) early 00's.

Kept going to OCMD with our young kids in the late 00's because this place is great for families with young kids...

http://sunsetisland.net/

My parents got a place in Broadkill Beach near Rehoboth so we've spent alot of time in DE too.

The last few years we've also been moving further south for a week each year renting big houses near the beach with friends and/or family: Virginia Beach x 2, Outer Banks (Nags Head x2 then Duck)

This year we are going to Myrtle Beach for the first time so family from GA (transplants from PA) has a shorter drive.

We'll be staying in this place: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g54371-d1542141-Reviews-North_Beach_Plantation-North_Myrtle_Beach_South_Carolina.html

Resort looks nice, maybe we just won't venture to far away.  Any suggestions for things to do down there (besides meth) with kids 9, 10, 11 & 12?

Thats where we stayed. Its awesome and is in North Myrtle Beach which is far away from the Myrtle Beach boardwalk so no worries there. Although be careful, a house keeper stole money from my SIL room when we were there (she admitted it after and my SIL got her money back) and there was a shady person in the garage. But otherwise the place is beautiful.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Did the same in the mid 90s when I lived in NJ.  I paid about $1500 for a full share at houses in near Beach Haven on LBI.  Great place.  I believe they rented for about 12K for the whole summer.  They were not on the beach, but you just walk a block or two.

But on LBI, I can see the prices pretty steep if you go to the north side of the island near Barnegat, where you're away from the younger partying crowd.

We usually rented in Beach Haven.  The first summer in LBI, we were in Ship Bottom but we took heat from night one, literally.  Cops arrived at our house at 9 AM the second day we were there to run down the laundry list of complaint calls they received about us on night one.  Didn't help that I answered the door holding a beer in my hand at breakfast-time.

I couldn't hold in my laughter anymore when the cop said (and this is verbatim) : "And we had one call that said someone was hanging off the balcony at 4 AM while screaming about nipples."  I  just started cracking up, I couldn't stop it.  The cop was looking at me with disdain when at that exact moment, my buddy (who had no idea the cops were at the door) walked into the room wearing elbow-high dish gloves and carrying a faux-cast iron skillet that was about 3 feet in diameter - it was a decorative wall-hanging in the kitchen.  He yells out at the top of his lungs and in an exaggerated Brooklyn accent: "Hey guy - I'm about to make a big ####in' OMELETTE !"  Just as he finishes the sentence, he spots the uniformed officer standing there.  Not knowing what to say, he just mutters : "What, are there laws about big ####in' omelettes here?"  I completely lost it.  Literally hit the floor laughing.

From that point on, we saw the cops damn near every weekend night all summer long.  That was it for us in Ship Bottom.

 

[Lehigh98]

 there was a shady person in the garage.

You sure it wasn't just a mirror? 

   |

 

[shadyridr]

You sure it wasn't just a mirror? 

   |

lol

Since its not a hotel, you basically have to do everything yourself. The parking garage is desolate and my SIL used her key card to access the elevators and someone followed her up to the room. Instead of going in the room, she made believe she was on the wrong floor and went back downstairs.

 

[Redwes25]

I don't see the enjoyment of going on a plane on a beach vacation in the summer when I can drive an hour and a half to the beach.  I get the trip in the winter but who wants to be in the Caribbean in August.   

As I have said, I own a house in nicer shore town and spend most weekends down there during the summer as well as our week long summer break.  Really great way to enjoy the summer especially if you have young kids like I do.  

 

[shadyridr]

I don't see the enjoyment of going on a plane on a beach vacation in the summer when I can drive an hour and a half to the beach.  I get the trip in the winter but who wants to be in the Caribbean in August.   

As I have said, I own a house in nicer shore town and spend most weekends down there during the summer as well as our week long summer break.  Really great way to enjoy the summer especially if you have young kids like I do.  

I always vacation in the summer. The beautiful blue warm water is one draw. 

 

[E-Z Glider]

To each their own

If there's one thing I learn from these vacation threads, its that I have a totally different idea of vacation than most people. I'm always on the lookout for a new adventure. I want cheap, funky, laid-back places that are off-the-beaten-path. Others prefer the familiarity of places like Disney and the NJ Beaches. As long as you enjoy where you're at, that's all that matters.   

 

[Redwes25]

I always vacation in the summer. The beautiful blue warm water is one draw. 

Ok, I have always done that trip in the winter when i am escaping the NYC winter.  Guess I think in the Summer the drive to the beach is the way to go but I am probably biased as I have done it that way my whole life.  

 

[NutterButter]

Ok, I have always done that trip in the winter when i am escaping the NYC winter.  Guess I think in the Summer the drive to the beach is the way to go.  

I'm with you.  So many things to do in the summer besides going to the beach as well.   In the winter, options are so limited so that's when I prefer to do my beach vacas.  

 

[Koya]

I've never done OC in Maryland. Heard very mixed reviews, but in this thread it has been mostly positive.

Late to this thread - grew up going to the various eastern shore sports, including multiple times as a child and now adult in Seaside Heights (Joisey trash), Ocean City MD (Mid Atlantic Trash but better than Seaside, more family oriented less total debauchery on the weekends especially) and...

REHOBETH BEACH.  My clear favorite.

Much smaller and more intimate scale, with the boardwalk seemlessley integrated in the town/village fabric. Great for families, quaint shops in the downtown and minutes away from tax free outlets as its in DE. Plus you are a half hour from Ocean City so easy to make a trip or two to the larger boardwalk for fireworks or just the larger experience.

I love rehobeth - fun, classy, more diverse (happens to have been a bastion of gay rights as long as I can remember) and less white trashy than the other options. 

 

[shadyridr]

Ok, I have always done that trip in the winter when i am escaping the NYC winter.  Guess I think in the Summer the drive to the beach is the way to go but I am probably biased as I have done it that way my whole life.  

I'm with you.  So many things to do in the summer besides going to the beach as well.   In the winter, options are so limited so that's when I prefer to do my beach vacas.  

Its hard for us to afford two vacations in a year so we generally take one in the summer. Also, hard to take one in the winter when our son is in school unless we go during winter break when everything costs a million bucks.

 

[E-Z Glider]

Its hard for us to afford two vacations in a year so we generally take one in the summer. 

This is backwards thinking. Winter is the time when you need a vacation the most and summer is the time when things are most expensive.

You wouldn't believe the places you could stay in this world for the money you will spend down the shore this summer.

 

[shadyridr]

This is backwards thinking. Winter is the time when you need a vacation the most and summer is the time when things are most expensive.

You wouldn't believe the places you could stay in this world for the money you will spend down the shore this summer.

Its not backwards thinking at all. Most vacation destinations know the only time people can vacation with their kids during the winter is during winter break or spring break. Those are the most expensive weeks of the year often. Last year, I told my wife we should goto Camelback for a day with our son during Winter break. The rooms were almost $600 a night when normally they are $200-$300