The Jersey Shore for the Fun of it!by Sandra ScottSandwiched between the East Coast Big Three - New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, New Jersey is more than a state to drive though to get to one of the Big Three. New Jersey is a place to discover great travel treasures. In Ocean and Monmouth Counties there are beaches galore, historical sites spanning hundreds of years, a plethora of destinations to get the blood racing, and places to shop for products from the earth. It is ready to be discovered and enjoyed. The Shore Surf and sun worshippers will love the miles of beautiful white sand beaches that stretch along the central coast of New Jersey from Sandy Hook in the north to Long Beach Island. It is the area referred to as the Jersey Shore. There are places to sink your umbrella in the sand and spend the day on the beach with refreshing splashes in the ocean. There are quiet beaches like those in Spring Lake and hopping beaches like Jenkinson’s Pavilion and Aquarium Point in Pleasant Beach with a mile-long boardwalk lined with shops, amusement rides, and a fun house. Their Aquarium is home to sharks, penguins, alligators and seals. With a double boardwalk, Jenkinson’s is an all-season destination but during the summer there are fireworks every Thursday night and movies every Sunday. It is like a mini Disneyland.
 For a bit of nostalgia the Floyd Moreland Historic Carousel at Casino Pier in Seaside Heights is a rare 90-year-old carousel with the colorful hand-carved horses beautifully restored with music provided by a Wurlitzer Military Band Organ. It is just one more place on the Jersey Shore that offers family fun.
The revitalization of the coastal area is probably best symbolized by what is going on in Asbury Park. After years of slow but steady decline the popular seaside destination is being reborn. Bruce Springsteen has a deep affection for the place where he started his career and often has concerts in Asbury Park. The revitalized boardwalk is coming alive with modern amenities creating places to play and stay. The Chamber of Commerce has a free walking tour map that starts on Main Street and continues to the boardwalk. History With an extensive coastline, New Jersey has many historic lighthouses. The Sandy Hook Lighthouse, the nation’s oldest, is still an aid to navigation. The Twin Light of Navesink has been operational since 1828 with the light of the south tower so bright it can be seen 22 miles at sea. Climb the 217 steps of the second tallest lighthouse in the U.S., Barnegat, which was commissioned in 1859.
 Over 100 Revolutionary War battles for America’s independence were fought in the Garden State. Glen, the guide, explained “The Battle of Monmouth was the graduation exercise for the troops that were trained in Valley Forge.” It was one of the largest battles of the Revolution. The Monmouth Battlefield State Park in Manalapan is also a tribute to Molly Pitcher, one of our country’s first heroines. With the temperature approaching 100 degrees, a gunner collapsed from heat exhaustion, and the wife of gunner William Hays stepped forward to help “man” the gun. Her heroism evolved into the myth of “Molly Pitcher.” Nearby is the Covenhoven House in Freehold, which served as the headquarters for British General Sir Henry Clinton before the Battle of Monmouth. The guide, explained that, “Clinton is considered a gentlemen first and a general second…”
 At Longstreet Farm in Holmdel experience how farming was before the days of mechanization. Sandra, the guide, explained, “Mother’s Day is the day for planting corn for animal use. And here sheep are sheared by hand. Everything is done in the traditional manner.” Longstreet is a living history farm restored to the 1890s. Interpreters in period dress show the daily and seasonal agricultural and domestic activities along with hands-on programs that include milking a cow and grinding corn for animal feed.
 During the mid-19th Century New Jersey bog ore was mined and refined for use in the production of tools, which do not rust like modern iron alloys. Because of the need for labor to work at the smelters and to perform other tasks, towns grew around the sources of bog iron. Some of these communities like Allaire in Farmingdale and Batsto in Hammonton became major "iron plantations" that are now restored villages frozen in time.
Thrilling Since 1870, when Monmouth Racetrack opened, visitors have thrilled to the fast-paced excitement of world-class thoroughbred racing. Today the beautifully landscaped racetrack is host to diverse events such as Sunday musicals along with great racing. Enjoy the free morning Dawn Patrol program when guides take visitors through morning training, a tour of the stables, and starting gates.
At Six Flags Great Adventure, there are thrills, spills, and chills galore with amusement rides and daredevil roller coasters. At Wild Safari see more than 1200 animals from six continents without leaving the car. Hurricane Harbor is a family water fun playground featuring an enormous wave pool and one of the country’s longest lazy rivers.  For those looking for more sublime thrills, Nelson Sailing Center in Island Heights, offers rental sailboats for a relaxing sail down the Toms River past picturesque Victorian towns. Don’t know how to sail. Not to worry, sailing lessons are available.
Of the Earth Spend a relaxing afternoon at one of the newest NJ wineries. Laurita Winery in New Egypt opened their wine tasting barn in 2008. They are dedicated to creating wines that derive as much character from the fruit as possible. They are very environmentally friendly. The vineyards overlook the paddocks that accommodate the horses of the Laurita Equestrian Center and are near their Dancer Farm B&B Inn.
Several farms such as Hallock’s U-Pick Farm and Greenhouse in New Egypt sell in-season produce and allow guests to pick their own. For natural sweets stop by the E &M Gold Beekeepers. They use natural and chemical-free bee-keeping techniques and breed their own queens. In addition to harvesting delicious honey, they sell honey soap, beeswax candles, beeswax hand cream, and beeswax lip balms. After dark When the sun goes down the curtain goes up at the Surflight Theater on Long Beach Island to present Broadway shows. The New Jersey Repertory Company in Long Branch presents premieres and script-in-hand readings. Rock ‘n roll fans will enjoy the Stone Pony, one of the world’s best-known music venues. Stone Pony is one of the great rock and roll venues. And, of course, the area is dotted with five-star restaurants like Bia in Ocean Grove, Salt Water Beach Café in Asbury Park, and Copper Canyon at Blue Bay Inn in Atlantic Highlands.
There is so much more to discover along the Jersey Shore including fishing, hiking in the state parks, golf, and shopping. The Jersey Shore has something that is “shore” to please every visitor – young and old. For more information check www.visitny.org, www.visitmanmouth.com/tourism, and/or www.oceancountytourism.com. | 