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Readers' Choice: Favorite 'Staycation' Spots

Why travel when there are fun places nearby?

 

Summer comes and goes. But, at the Jersey Shore, the beach, the sand, the sea and some of the amusement attractions never leave.

Patch would like you to pick your favorite Jersey Shore "staycation" spot - a place to bring the boyfriend or girlfriend, or the family and grandparents - when cash and time are too short for the plane trip to Florida or Mexico.

Voting for your favorite places is easy. All you have to do is:

  • Please review the choices below, and then cast your ballot at the bottom of this page.
  • Tell your friends, family, acquaintances, co-workers, doctors, letter carriers and anyone else you know to do the same.
  • Use our comment tool to tell us what makes your favorite the best.
  • If you think we left one out, tell us in the comments section as well.

The voting goes until 9 a.m. Friday with the winner being announced at noon so there is plenty of time to cast your vote.

Jersey Shore "Staycation" Spots:

Fantasy Island
Family-fun amusement park in Beach Haven on Long Beach Island.

Jenkinson's Boardwalk
An aquarium, rides, food and other seaside pleasures in Point Pleasant Beach.

Seven Presidents' Beach
Where the presidents once vacationed, in Long Branch, before they shifted to Florida, Hawaii and Kennebunkport, Maine.

Asbury Park Boardwalk
The famous boardwalk that was once part of a Bruce Springsteen album title.

Ocean Grove
The unique Victorian community in Monmouth County with the classic downtown.

Gee Gee's
Old fashioned arcade, restaurant and grill on the Manasquan beach.

FunTown Pier and Casino Pier
Family-fun games and rides on the Seaside Heights boardwalk.

Island Beach State Park
Only natural beach on the Jersey Shore, other than Sandy Hook.

Sandy Hook
Only natural beach on the Jersey Shore, other than Island Beach State Park.

Atlantic City
Casinos and amusement rides on the world-famous boardwalk that was once home to the Miss America Pageant.

Ocean City Boardwalk
One of the most authentic and old-fashioned boardwalks on the Jersey Shore.

Six Flags Great Adventure
Large, nationally known amusement park known for its roller coasters and many other rides.

Morey's Piers
Wildwood's family friendly waterparks.

Cape May
Bastion of Victorian homes and beach.

Bemar beaches
Favorite place for many vacationing college students and twentysomethings.

Keansburg
Water parks and amusement attractions in Monmouth County.

Editor's Note: Because this poll is not scientific, it is not the sole consideration in choosing a winner. The winner will be determined by the Patch editor, based on poll results and reviews on Patch Places. Please vote only once per survey, per Patch. Official rules for the Readers' Choice Poll are attached to this story.

  • What is your favorite Jersey Shore "Staycation" spot?

    (Voting has been closed for this question)
    • Fantasy Island in Beach Haven (Long Beach Island)
        24 (3%)
    • Jenkinson's Boardwalk (Point Pleasant Beach)
        77 (12%)
    • Seven Presidents' Beach (Long Branch)
        16 (2%)
    • Asbury Park Boardwalk
        17 (2%)
    • Ocean Grove
        39 (6%)
    • Gee Gee's (Manasquan)
        24 (3%)
    • FunTown Pier and Casino Pier (Seaside Heights)
        25 (4%)
    • Island Beach State Park (Berkeley Township)
        82 (13%)
    • Sandy Hook
        18 (2%)
    • Atlantic City
        43 (6%)
    • Ocean City Boardwalk
        24 (3%)
    • Six Flags Great Adventure
        22 (3%)
    • Morey's Piers (Wildwood)
        20 (3%)
    • Cape May
        59 (9%)
    • Belmar beaches
        113 (18%)
    • Keansburg
        14 (2%)
    Total votes: 617
  • Your vote will only count once. This is not a scientific poll. View Results Vote!
Related Topics: BEACH GUIDE

Lee

3:28 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012

Island Beach SP is #1 on my list of staycation spots because not only is the ocean beach beautiful, the Barnegat Bay shoreline and water are magnificent.
I can play on my pwc, sailboats and kayaks. I get the opportunity to clam in the secret locations. Tice's Shoal, along IBSP bayside, is a boater's dream. You'll meet and see quality people boating on the majestic waters behind IBSP. Fishing is wonderful on IBSP, especialy near the Barnegat Inlet. Island Beach State Park is the "real" Jersey Shore, in my opinion.

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Catherine Galioto

3:58 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012

Don't forget you can add your pictures of your favorite Jersey Shore vacation haunts to the gallery of this post. Memorial Day is coming, I can't wait.

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g

5:37 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012

Cant wait for the traffic

tr

8:45 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012

Tices shoals????? Does anyone still go there???

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Mimi Neuhaus

8:49 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012

Ocean City Boardwalk, handsdown. You have to experience it to appreciate it. Worth a staycation day!

Reply

Deb

11:06 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012

Do not see where to cast vote.

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smart1

8:58 am on Tuesday, May 8, 2012

This will be very diffrent answers if people that are answering are locals/ all year residents are not. Personally The last place I want to be near on a summer weekend is Sleeside OR Point IF ( BIG IF I go) for my kids Its May or Sept.

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max

4:35 pm on Wednesday, May 9, 2012

so you never go to the beach over the summer.....go to Belmar i like it there its clean and its not bad at all

Beach_N8iv

8:10 am on Wednesday, May 9, 2012

My OWN back yard. It's quiet, it has shade and I'm surrounded with my favorite people.

Reply

SC

4:13 pm on Wednesday, May 9, 2012

TICES AND IBSP HANDS DOWN THE BEST PLACE ON THE JERSEY SHORE!!

Reply

get out of jersey asap

12:07 pm on Thursday, May 10, 2012

I heard that F cove was closed. I dont know for sure. Just heard that.

Reply

bookingu

8:20 pm on Thursday, May 10, 2012

Belmar is without a doubt the best!! Not only a great place to party but also a great place to take the family!! So much to do!!

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1stcav

11:20 pm on Thursday, May 10, 2012

SZM; I don't think he will stalk you...somehow... especially in the nude ! Lmao

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Erika

12:14 am on Friday, May 11, 2012

Love Belmar, great place to hang out, love sunday and Monday nites at djais. Great town to stroll down the boardwalk lots of play areas for kids

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