While a nanny in Pennsylvania I had the opportunity to stay for two weeks on the Jersey Shore. We stayed in a cute 3 story beach house only feet from the beach in Sea Isle City. I had a blast. I was responsible for 6 children most of the day but I still had a awesome time. Sea Isle City is a small inlet strip off the coast of New Jersey just an hour south of Atlantic City. The small city is only Aprroximently 70 blocks long and no more than 3 blocks wide at its widest points, this vacation hot spot is loaded with stuff for the whole family to do.
Most of the tourism here is by beach house rental all though there is a few hotels up on the boardwalk. If you make a trip here skip the hotel and find a reasonably priced house at the opposite end of the boardwalk.
The Beach
The entire strip of the city is covered by clean sandy beaches. All protected by lifeguards and appropriately marked for different types of use. For those of us who want to go Boogie Boarding there are a ton of Protected Bathing Beaches. For the more athletic there are beaches for Kayaking, Rafting, Surfing, and even Volleyball. A great bonus is the ice cream trucks that come by on a regular basis throughout the day. these little freezers on wheels come stocked and are a good value as far as ice cream from a cart go. On a few of the beaches you will also find $1.50 hotdog stands with soda on the connecting roadway. Get out with your umbrellas and chairs early, many of the bathing beaches fill up fast.
Walking The Boardwalk
Along the boardwalk strip you will find quick eat restaurants, arcades, and candy stores, but mostly you’ll find the nick-knack stores throughout the entire walk. These little shops are priced affordable, probably because of the competition with the other stores. Surprisingly, I found a ton of great gifts for my family. Unlike stuff found at the Atlantic city boardwalk nick-knack shops, this stuff is worth buying.
Getting Around
There are many places up and down the beach that have bike rentals. The best way to get around and see the city on your own without being stuck in traffic. These go for about $5 to $6 an hour or you can rent for the entire day. Driving is ok or just jog the beach for a great workout.
Places to Eat
Sunset Pier
86th & Bay Sea Isle City, NJ 08243 Telephone: (609) 263-5200
A cute little restaurant with awesome strawberry Belgian waffles. This casual dine-in is at the very end of the city and is connected to a bait store. Runs in the under $10 per meal. Good family restaurant
Blitz's Market
86th & Landis Ave. Sea Isle City, NJ 08243 Telephone: (609)-263-3149
Just blocks away from Sunset Pier you’ll find Blitz’s Market. An over priced general store good for one thing. The take-out. They have awesome Cheese steaks as well as Jo Jo’s, sandwiches, and other quick cook foods to take home to your beach house rental. Runs under $10 per meal
Garrity's Restaurant
85th & Landis Ave. Sea Isle City, NJ 08243 Telephone: (609)-263-3164
By mistake I found myself and 3 children dressed in bathing suits here. MY boss gave me $60 and told me to take the kids here. She had meant a restaurant that was no longer in operation (they had gone the year before) but we were in for a treat. A fine-dining experience with the expensive menu and all. We were able to stay under budget and my meal was excellent but this is more for the leave the kids with grandma for a nice night out kind of dining. They do have a children’s menu if needed. Runs $15 to $35 per meal.
Fourth of July Celebration
I grew up lighting fireworks myself. Here, because of state law, it's done by professionals only. So even though there was thousands of people on the beach, it was a safe adventure. There were colorful lights, thousands of them visible all across the beach, but not from fireworks. Those were from glowing light necklaces sold all up and down the beach.
Our beach house was located just off the beach and we could see for blocks and blocks. But in the sky, we could see the fireworks for miles. It was the best fireworks show I'd seen since there was 3 or 4 going off at the same time in ajoining cities. This is a busy and popular time for the city but fun for everyone and worth paying extra for your vacation stay to see.
The One Thing You Must Do Here.
If you have never done it before you have got to try parasailing. $55 for 500 feet lasting about 7 to 8 minutes is well worth it. At the end of the strip, connected to Sunset PIer restaurant you’ll find this little booth on the docks. Here you can sign up to see the whole city all at once. It’s completely safe and a experience you’ll never forget. I went up with my 10 year old charge and the and 9 year old went up after us. Bring you’re own camera. When your done, buy the $10 t-shrit to show everyone what you had the guts to do (just don‘t tell them it‘s not scary at all.) They even do free dips in the water.
