WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – At the beginning of every summer, people tend to make up bucket list of things they want to do and see. Some people may have things like make this amount of money, get to the beach by ten o’clock every single day, catch up with old friends and even swim in the water at midnight. At the Jersey Shore, possibilities are endless. You may even run into Snooki; although, any true Shore kid knows there is much more to do around here than stalk the Jersey Shore cast.
The Jersey Shore has a lot to offer. There are countless adventures to be had and sights to see. Here are a few things to add to your summer bucket list.
Lighthouses
There are 11 lighthouses along the coast of New Jersey. Going to see the lighthouse at night is a must see; the gigantic lights are on full blast, spinning around and around as hey safely guide ships home. They are also very beautiful to see in the daylight, and some of them even have a trail you can hike around them if you are interested in getting some exercise during your lighthouse excursion. So take a trip to Cape May, Barnegat, Sandy Hook or the Highlands to check out the Twin Lights.
Cape May Zoo
While you are checking out the Cape May Lighthouse make a quick stop at the Cape May Zoo. There are mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, oh my! You can go and see your favorite animal, and you can even make an appointment to meet the animals with a program called ZOO 2 U. What can be better than enjoying a beautiful sunny day visiting your favorite animals?
Beaches & Boardwalks
If there is one thing that characterizes New Jersey, it is its beaches. The crashing waves, sand in your toes and salty hair define every Shore kid’s summer, its just not summer in Jersey without it.
Mix up your beach routine this summer and make a point to visit Long Beach Island, Sandy Hook, Wildwood, Point Pleasant Beach, Seaside, Bay Head, Pier Village, and Atlantic City. Almost every single one of these beaches has a boardwalk with arcades, food, sweets, and bars to hit up while you spend the day, or weekend, on the beach.
Borgata Casino
Spending the day at the Atlantic City boardwalk? Why not spend the night and stay in a room, hit the casino or even go and see some shows. The Borgata casino is one of the top casinos in Atlantic City. You can sit on the beach during the day and go gamble or hit the club at night. Staying during the week may save you some cash, but if you are good at gambling then you will pay for your room in just one night at the casino.
PNC Bank Arts Center
Are concerts your thing? Then PNC Bank Arts Center should definitely be on your bucket list. All summer long, they hold incredible concerts with big name stars. Country music is a big hit at PNC, and they offer a country mega ticket where you can get a ticket to go to all the country concerts all summer long.
Aquariums
New Jersey is home to some amazing sea life. If scuba diving isn’t your thing, then the aquarium is the next best thing. The Camden Adventure Aquarium and Jenkinson’s Aquarium are probably the best known on the New Jersey Coast and are a must see this summer. Jenkinson’s is home to adorable penguins, precocious seals, and even sharks. Be sure to add these amazing aquariums to your bucket list this summer.
Manasquan Firemen’s Fair
Every year Manasquan hosts a Firemen’s Fair, a week long carnival . There are about 10 rides for all ages; the most popular by the kids is the Zipper and if you like spinning around and getting shot up in the air at the same time, that’s the ride for you. There is also some entertainment some nights. Classic carnival foods, like funnel cake and hot dogs are served up all week long, and for the 21 and older crowd there is a beer tent set up on the grounds. On the last day fireworks are set off to end the fair with a bang. This year the Fair will be held July 28th-August 1st, so mark you calendars!
Six Flags Great Adventure
This amusement park is a little off the beaten path of the coast, but it is definitely a place to hit. Jackson is just a few miles in from the beaches, but Six Flags has an amusement park, safari, and a water park. So those really hot days when you are sick of the flies on the beach you can hit up Hurricane Harbor to have fun, but also stay cool at the same time. Six Flags is known for their highest roller coaster called Kingda Ka. If you feel like going 128 mph up 456 feet you should definitely scratch this down on your own summer bucket list.
Accomplishing all this may be tricky, but it is going to be well worth the planning. So get your notepad out and get writing; summer is going to be here and gone before you know it, so don’t wait one second to slack off!
