May 19, 2013 by Chris F

Morey’s Piers & Beachfront Waterparks Kicks-Off Summer on the Memorial Day Weekend

Morey’s Piers & Beachfront Waterparks is starting summer 2013 with a splash. Located on the boardwalk in the Wildwoods, NJ, the classic shore side destination celebrates the official opening weekend on Saturday, May 25, 2013, of all three piers – Surfside Pier, Adventure Pier, and Raging Waters Waterpark at Mariner’s Landing.

Located on Mariner’s Landing Pier, Raging Waters features beloved water rides and slides such as the River Adventure, Shotgun Falls, and the 175,000 gallon interactive activity pool. Operated by a team of highly-trained, certified lifeguards, Morey’s Piers’ waterparks recently received the Decade of Aquatic Safety Excellence Award, a prestigious accolade presented by Ellis & Associates, International Aquatic Safety and Risk Management consultants that showcases Morey’s leadership in waterpark safety.

WHAT’S NEW: Guests visiting Morey’s Piers this summer will enjoy new and improved attractions including the complete makeover of the famed Zoom Phloom featuring hand carved seals and sea life out of the existing rockwork, and the freshly renovated Boat Tag ride on Adventure Pier. On Surfside Pier, guests will find solace from the sun under the new rooftop covering on the second floor of Joe’s Fish Co. and sample the menu at the new Soggy Dollar Beach Bar opening June 15 at the Ocean Oasis Waterpark. The Soggy Dollar Beach Bar is open to the public. Waterpark admission is not required to enjoy a variety of lively libations, great food and open-air ocean views.

During Memorial Day weekend visitors can get a sneak peek of Morey’s Piers’ new artistic venture, artBOX, the first-of-its kind, 10,000 square foot interactive artists village crafted from re-purposed shipping containers. Located on Adventure Pier, artBOX will make its grand opening debut on June 13^th and feature handpicked local and regional artists showcasing paintings, handmade crafts, and live demonstrations that include surf art, glass blowing, artisanal jewelry and speed painting. The shipping container colony also features an Exit Zero Museum Shop, carrying a collection of merchandise and nostalgic Wildwood and Jersey Cape memorabilia and Café 4B serving fresh sushi.

About Morey’s Piers

Morey’s Piers, located on the boardwalk in the Wildwoods, New Jersey is a classic seaside amusement park, family owned and operated since 1969. Voted the third best seaside amusement park in the world by Amusement Today, Morey’s Piers has over 100 rides and attractions spanning over eighteen acres along six beach blocks and includes three amusement piers and two beachfront waterparks. Convenient to the major population centers of the Northeast, yet a world apart, Morey’s Piers along with Morey Resorts combines the pure joy of an amusement park, the sights and sounds of a classic boardwalk, outstanding accommodations, together with the rhythm of beach life. Visit them at Surfside Pier, featuring the Ocean Oasis Waterpark and Beach Club at 25th Avenue, Mariner’s Landing Pier, featuring Raging Waters Waterpark at Schellenger Avenue, and Adventure Pier at Spencer Avenue. For more information, visit www.moreyspiers.com or phone (609) 522-3900 or like us on Facebook. You can also follow us on Twitter and YouTube.

If you’re looking to rent a house at the shore, check out ShoreVacations.com, Jersey Shore’s biggest vacation rentals resource. It lists hundreds of rental homes and condos from Sandy Hook all the way down to Cape May (including Belmar, Point Pleasant, Seaside Heights, Ocean City, Long Beach Island, Atlantic City or the Wildwoods). It’s a one-stop website for planning your Jersey Shore vacation, featuring beach information, weather updates and more! And of course, it has a full list of all the Jersey Shore events this year.

May 17, 2013 by Chris F

Jersey Shore Events During the Memorial Day Weekend of 2013

If you come to the Jersey Shore on the 2013 Memorial Weekend, here are some fun events you can enjoy.

To get things started, Thursday, May 23rd, the Molly Pitcher Inn in Red Bank hosts Party on the Promenade a culinary event featuring 20 local eateries and benefiting Friends of Monmouth County Parks, hosted by Red Bank Flavour.

The big events and festivals of the weekend are:

Saturday-Sunday: Jersey Shore Food Truck Wars at the Monmouth Park Racetrack. Sample delights from the most popular Food Trucks, including our friend Empanada Guy! This event will also feature crafters, vendors, and live music.
Also Saturday and Sunday it’s the Bradley Beach Arts & Crafts Fair with food, craft vendors and activities for everyone on the Boardwalk.
Sunday, Highlands has its Seaport Craft Show, 10am-5pm in Huddy Park. You can see delightful collections of various handmade crafts from more than 60 crafters and artisans.
Finally, Friday through Monday runs the Wildwoods International Kite Festival on the Beach at Rio Grande Ave.

Saturday your kids can pick some amusement parks fun!

Breakwater Beach Waterpark Opening Day in Seaside Heights, a state-of-the-art water park with the largest interactive play area on the North Atlantic Coast, opening for the season 10am-6pm.
River Adventure Cardboard Boat Race at Morey’s Piers in Wildwood. Design a boat, build a boat and race a boat at the second annual cardboard boat race at Raging Waters Waterpark. FREE!

And now for some Memorial Day celebrations:

Bradley Beach Memorial Day Parade on Saturday, 10am. Starts at Bradley Boulevard and proceeds east to Ocean Ave. Ends at the north end of Ocean Ave.
Fireworks On the Beach in Asbury Park, Sunday at dusk.
Atlantic Highlands Memorial Day Parade. Starts Monday 11am at the Municipal Harbor.
Stone Harbor Memorial Day Parade Monday, on 96th Street.
Beach Haven Memorial Day Parade, Monday 10am at the Bicentennial Park

There are also a few sports events on Saturday for our active readers:

Spring Lake 5-Mile Run, a fast USATF certified course attended by thousands of people. 8:30am start.
Sea Isle City hosts the Tri for Our Veterans a triathlon starting at Excursion Park at 7am. 1/4 mile ocean swim, 8.3 mile bike – flat and fast, and 3.1 mile boardwalk run.
In Ocean City it’s StandUp4SEALs. 1st Annual Beach Adventure Race begins 7:30am at 4th St beach. Race includes a sand obstacle course for adults and a fun sand challenge run for kids under 10.

May 13, 2013 by Chris F

Party on the Promenade Marks First Flavour Event of 2013

Red Bank Flavour Culinary Alliance and Molly Pitcher Inn Announce May Event in Support of Friends of the Monmouth County Parks

More than six months after Hurricane Sandy, the Red Bank Flavour Culinary Alliance and the Molly Pitcher Inn announced a May 23 fundraiser and culinary event, “Party on the Promenade,” in support of the non-profit organization Friends of the Monmouth County Parks.

With the Monmouth County Park System having sustained an estimated $9 million worth of damage from Hurricane Sandy, Red Bank Flavour and the Molly Pitcher Inn are eager to show their support of the non-profit organization through the “Party on the Promenade” event. Friends of the Monmouth County Parks, whose initiatives and goals include the preservation of historical and natural resources, as well as access to recreational opportunities for urban youth and activities for individuals with disabilities within the community, will be in attendance.

In distinct Flavour fashion, Red Bank’s chefs, restaurateurs and proprietors, will welcome culinary enthusiasts and wine aficionados from around the state to sample the town’s unique flavors and finest cocktails, including exclusive offerings from Hendrick’s Gin. In addition to culinary and cocktail tastings, “Party on the Promenade” will take advantage of the Molly Pitcher Inn’s recently expanded promenade to offer live steel drum music and riverfront views. Prize giveaways and dancing will round out the affair.

“For a tight-knit community, Red Bank offers an excellent selection of restaurants, bars, cafes, gourmet shops and bakeries. Visiting gourmands are always pleasantly surprised by the reach of culinary options available,” commented Valerie Aufiero of the Front Street Trattoria. “Party on the Promenade’ will showcase the talents of Red Bank’s culinary community in a gorgeous setting, while giving the community yet another reason to come together to support an important Monmouth County-based, non-profit organization.”

Party on the Promenade will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 23 at the Molly Pitcher Inn and feature samplings from 20 Red Bank eateries. Tickets for the event are $50 in advance and $60 at the door. A portion of proceeds from the event will benefit Monmouth County Friends of the Parks.

For more information about “Party on the Promenade,” including a list of restaurant participants, or to purchase tickets to the event, please visit www.RedBankFlavour.com.

About Red Bank Flavour

Launched in the fall of 2011, Red Bank Flavour is a culinary-driven campaign that spotlights Red Bank’s bustling restaurant, bars, lounges and eateries. It encourages everyone from bar and restaurant-goers, foodies, wine enthusiasts and farmers market fans to get a taste of Red Bank’s one-of-a-kind Flavour. The campaign features nightly specials and promotions, special events, fundraisers and more. Red Bank Flavour is part of the Red Bank RiverCenter, For additional information, please visit www.RedBankFlavour.com.

You can read our reviews of preview Flavour events here:

May 8, 2013 by Chris F

Jersey Shore Events on the Week of May 13-19, 2013

Memorial Day is fast approaching and the Jersey Shore is getting busy. Here are some things to do during the week of May 13-19, 2013.

There are plenty of events on Saturday, May 18:

Toms River hosts the NJ State Chili & Salsa Cook 0ff, NJ’s original and hottest cook-off! The International Chili Society-sanctioned State competition runs 11am-5pm on Washington St.
North Wildwood celebrates Captain Kidd Pirate Day. A pirate costume parade begins on 26th & the Boardwalk at 11am. Treasure hunt will follow at 19th & Beach, for children ages 12 and under.
It’s also the Kick Off to Summer Family Fun Day in Pier Village (Long Branch), 10am-2:30pm. There are many activities, demonstrations, live entertainment, giveaways and prizes.
And don’t miss the Ocean Grove Vintage Car Show with over 90 cars on display and live music on Main Avenue between 10am-4pm.

Then on Sunday, May 19, you can choose between:

The 7th Annual Bluegrass & Barbecue Festival: Kick-off the summer at the Tuckerton Seaport with the down home sounds of bluegrass and the sweet smell of barbecue. There will be crafters, vendors, food, refreshments, family activities, demonstrations, decoy carvers, boat building and boat rides.
Taste of Manasquan will give you the opportunity to visit about 25 eateries & sample Manasquan’s finest cuisines, 12-4pm.

Upcoming concerts at the Jersey Shore include:

May 14: Soundgarden at MAC presented by 95.9 The Rat, 8pm at the MAC at Monmouth University in Long Branch.
May 17: Trace Adkins at Caesar’s in Atlantic City, 9pm.
May 22: Buckcherry @ Jenkinsons in Point Pleasant Beach, 6:30pm.

Finally here are some sporting events:

Sunday, May 19, it’s the Ocean City Triathlon/Duathlon. 1/4 mile Swim/16M Bike/2M run, plus a kids course. Triathlon swim starts at 6am-8am. Run/Bike/Run duathlon starts at 9am.
May 17-19 you can watch or attend the Northeast Regional Surfing Championships at the 40th St. Beach, in Sea Isle City, starting at 7am every day.

May 7, 2013 by Chris F

June Series Brings Street-Party Fun to Asbury Park’s Downtown

“Vibe in the Streets” Offers Music, Open-Air Dining, Art Demos and More Every Thursday in June

AP Vibe, Asbury Park’s Downtown Business Alliance, is celebrating the return of summer with its “Vibe in the Streets” series. Slated for every Thursday in June, the free all-ages event will take place in the heart of Asbury Park’s downtown business district and feature open-air dining, happy hour specials, and promotions at the city’s popular retailers. Outdoor concerts and interactive art demonstrations will round out the weekly event.

“’Vibe in the Streets’ is a result of Asbury Park’s downtown business community uniting to produce an action-packed roster of weekly events and promotions to celebrate the season,” commented Rosemary Crean, co-founder of AP Vibe. “The city’s downtown business district offers a plethora of amenities that make it an appealing destination for people of all ages. Through this cooperative effort, retailers, restaurants and entertainment destinations have banded together to create a memorable evening out on the town.” In celebratory fashion, the city will close off street traffic to Bangs and Cookman Avenue between Emory Street and Grand Avenue from 5 to 9 p.m. every Thursday. Attendees are invited to peruse the “Vibe in the Streets” event area, as well as explore the storefronts, art galleries and dining destinations that extend throughout Asbury Park’s eclectic downtown.

Restaurants like Ivan & Andy’s Prime, Old Man Rafferty’s and Baca will extend their dining rooms out to the roadway, creating a piazza-style streetscape with savory samplings from their popular menus. Confections of a Rock$tar and Casa di Dolce Gelataria will tempt palates with sweet treats, and Hot Sand Glass Studio will invite guests to explore their creative side with interactive glass-art activities. An on-site beer truck promises to complement an expansive stage where event-goers can take-in live music and art demonstrations.

“Vibe in the Streets” will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. on June 6, 13, 20 and 27. Entrance is free and open to the public. For additional details on music performances, art demonstrations, and restaurant and retailer promotions, please visit www.APVibeDowntown.com for more information.

About AP Vibe: Launched in January 2013, AP Vibe is a grassroots, community-driven alliance whose mission is to support local businesses in downtown Asbury Park. Through collaborative marketing, events and community outreach efforts, the mission-driven organization supports business development and growth in Asbury Park’s downtown district. The alliance is supported by more than 70 businesses, including restaurants, retailers and entertainment destinations, cooperating to create a unified voice for downtown Asbury Park.

May 3, 2013 by Chris F

Jersey Shore 2013 Spring Rental Deals

Spring is finally here, and before the summer season begins you can find some great deals on Jersey Shore vacation rentals. Go away for a weekend or even a week and enjoy the shore while it’s still quiet and unspoiled, before the summer crowds arrive. The post-Sandy recovery process is on schedule in most towns, and most of the beach-area businesses, as well as the boardwalks, are open. So here are some deals for 2013 spring rentals from ShoreVacations.com:

Seaside Heights Brand New House – Gorgeous 2BR Apt / 3 Blocks to Beach: June is $1,250.00 per week (regularly $1,500) / up to 4 people. Memorial Day weekend is $1,000.
North Wildwood Beach Block Duplex – 3rd Property from the Beach: Memorial Day Weekend 3 night stay for only $650.
Diamond Beach/Wildwood Crest/Oceanfront Resort 2&3BRs on Beach: June specials for 8 people, $2,400.
Wildwood 3 Bed / 2 Bath Condo Near Beach: Monday to Friday in May $1,000. June 6 to 8 for $999.
Seaside Heights 2BR Beach Suites with Inground Pool: Young adult special now for $80/person per night, 2 nights minimum, on Bay Blvd.
Seaside Heights Gorgeous Beach House 1/2 a Block from the Boardwalk: Weekends in May & June Friday to Sunday for $699.
Beach Haven West Cottage on Lagoon: Special rental price of $1,000/week from May to the end of July.
Ocean City Beach & Boardwalk Front Condo with Large Heated Pool: Weekly specials June 1st $1,000, June 8th $1,300.
Cape May Baybreeze Bayfront Cottage: May weeks only $1,000 (save $400). Short stay May 18-21 $600.

May 1, 2013 by Chris F

Field Station Dinosaurs: Jersey’s Jurassic Park

Whether you’ve grown up with the Jurassic Park movies or you have a kid who loves dinosaurs, visiting Field Station Dinosaurs in Secaucus is a must! This relatively new park, almost on the banks of the Hudson River, exhibits almost 40 life-size, very realistic animatronic dinosaurs. They move, turn their heads, wag their tails, and of course ROAAARRRR. The trails through lush green forests weave among every type of dinosaur: Apatosaurus, Stegosaurus, Argentinosaurus, Velociraptors and more. They are really impressive: huge ones with long necks and big tails, predators on two-feet with menacing fangs, quirky spiked ones, or flying pterodactyls.

The entire park has a camp/expedition feel. There are tents among the trees, 4x4s parked by the roadside (one of them carrying cooing baby dinosaurs), yurts and other improvised buildings (that host various exhibits and shows). The roaring of the dinosaurs is ubiquitous, and it could really scare some little kids.

I visited with my 2-and-a-half year-old son and he had a blast (we both had, actually). He only got scared by the first dinosaur, and then he got used to it and loved everything else (I understand sometimes they lower the sound volume when there are many young children in the park). There are several stations around the park where children can engage in lots of activities. Most of them are geared towards 5 and up, but my kid kept busy too. There’s puzzle building available, he examined a real dinosaur head, played with a real turtle, touched lizards and a big snake, etc. Every half hour there’s a music and dance shows in the main amphitheater, which engage the children, and there are musicians playing at various other locations too.

One of the most loved kid activities is the fossil dig site: a big sandy area where kids of all ages get shovels and brushes, and dig in the sand to find dinosaur bones. In between the dig site and the amphitheater is the food court, where you can get everything from burgers and hot dogs to popcorn and icecream. There’s a covered picnic tent, and there’s also a special area for birthday parties.

As you come back from that central show/food area, there are even more threatening dinosaurs (including two fighting ones), and then you go up to “The Lookout”, which is dominated by a T-Rex and one of the biggest ones in the park (something like 80-100 feet long). Heading back towards the exit, there’s a big tent that hosts the Dinosaur Alive 3D movie. I was surprised that my son lasted through the entire 25 minutes in his seat, it was actually the first time he sat at a movie, so it must’ve been good!

We went on a Saturday, around 10:30 and it wasn’t that busy at first. It only got crowded after noon, so it’s a good idea to go early, and beat the heat and the crowds. To get there, taking the train is also an option, since there’s less than a half-mile walk from the Secaucus station to the park entrance. Don’t forget your camera since there are tons of great photo opportunities, with the dinosaurs being so realistically recreated (and, hmmmm if they’re 100% accurate, the park actually explains how dinosaurs became extinct).

Field Station Dinosaurs is a great destination for a half-day trip, and it’s less than an hour away from the Northern part of the Jersey Shore. The walk through the park is easy and you could probably finish it in an hour, but if you go to the 3D movie, watch the shows and let your kids engage in activities, you can easily spend 3 hours (like we did). It could be a bit pricey, but buy your tickets online the night before to get some nice savings. I’m looking forward to visiting again in a year or two! More photos are available on our Facebook page.

Jersey Shore Vacations

News, events, happenings, rentals