Day 26

Can't talk about the Jersey Shore and not discuss Lighthouses! We've already featured the Sea Girt Light, now we head south to Victorian Cape May for the:

CAPE MAY LIGHTHOUSE


Located just 2 miles from Cape May in Cape May Point State Park, Lower Township. Built in 1859.

Nearly 100,000 visitors a year now experience a visit to the top of the lighthouse, participating in a century old rite of a visit to the Jersey Shore. Climb 199 steps to the top for a breathtaking view of the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay. Open daily. Evening trolley tours. Museum shop.

For those who choose not to climb, the Oil House contains a fully-accessible visitors' orientation center and a Museum Shop stocked with maritime accessories and memorabilia.


In 1882, the Cape May Ocean Wave reported that "the gentleman superintendent in charge [of the lighthouse], Mr. Samuel Stillwell, takes pleasure in showing visitors who have the nerve and strength of limb to the top, the interior of the lantern, and explaining the interesting operations of the light. A very picturesque view of the sea, bay, and country may also be obtained from the giddy heights of the edifice."

In 1897, the newspaper made it clear that a visit to the lighthouse was a requisite part of one's vacation: "One of the interesting features to Cape May summer visitors is a journey to the top of the lighthouse."

Day 25

ARRRRRRRRRRR, time to test ye sea legs and pack up the kids or plan the next birthday party at:

JERSEY SHORE PIRATES


Come sail with Jersey Shore Pirates as we bring the most unique form of family entertainment to the NJ Shore area. Bring your young pirates aboard the Sea Gypsy for a swashbuckling Pirate Adventure on the Metedeconk River. Your mini mates will have the opportunity to dress-up like pirates, get face painted with pirate tattoos, and learn some pirate lingo before setting sail on an hour and fifteen minute long action packed adventure.

Once on board, the mates will participate in an interactive treasure hunt on the high seas. They will learn the rules of the Sea Gypsy pirate ship, read a treasure map, discover a secret message in a bottle, and work as a team to defeat the enemy pirate who has stolen the keys to their treasure. Prepare to man our famous water cannons to win back the keys from our nemesis Pirate Pete! Once we have won back the keys, we're off in search of the sunken treasure. X marks the spot for our crew's hard earned spoils. The mates will use all of their might to hoist the treasure from the seas below onto the Sea Gypsy. Their reward: each child takes with them a handful of loot and a lifetime of authentic pirate tales to tell.


The adventure continues when we discover the secret stash of Pete's Grog and celebrate by dancing the Pirate Limbo as we safely return to port.

While the adventure is the focus of our mates, SAFETY is the focus of our experienced captain and crew aboard our Coast Guard Certified Vessel. Jersey Shore Pirates is conveniently located in Riverfront Marina on Princeton Avenue in Brick NJ, next to the beautiful Windward Beach Park. This complete adventure lasts a total of an hour and forty five minutes from face paint and dress up to our triumphant return to the dock.

Day 24

"Jersey Shore Restaurant Week" is coming to a close this weekend, but make sure you find some time this saturday at one of 6 restaurants participating in:

BURGERS, BLOODYS, & BREWS


So popular at the November Restaurant Week, we’ve brought it back.
Enjoy a choice of 3 types of burgers, three kinds of Bloody Mary and three types of beer at a special price.

12-3pm

Hosts:

Harpoon Willy’s, Manasquan

Live Music from Noon to 4 with Chris Thomas

Burger & Bloody Mary or Brew $12

Burgers:
Pork Burger with Sliced Pineapple & Honey Mustard BBQ on Wheat Pita
Green Beef Burger
Grilled Veggie Beef Burger

Bloodies:
Clamato Bloody
Irish Bloody with Guinness Topper
Atomic Bloody
Old Faithful

Brews:
Lagunitas IPA
Sam Adams Summer Ale
Yuengling Lager

Colts Neck Inn, Colts Neck


St. Stephens Green, Spring Lake Heights
Kobe Beef Sliders with Brie and a Tomato Jam

Lamb Sliders with Fontina Cheese, Cured Tomato & Rosemary Garlic Aioli
Turkey Sliders with Swiss Cheese & Mango-Cranberry Chutney
Publick House Slider Sampler – One of each – $7.50

Boston’s, Toms River

Bloodies
Boston’s Classic Bloody Mary
Jerry’s Special Spice Blend with V-8 and Tomato Juice
7 Pepper Blend Bloody Mary

Burgers

Hot & Bleu Burger
New Yorker
Boston

Beers
Sam Adams Summer
Landshark
Leinekugel Summer Shandy

One Bloody. One Burger. One Beer $ 14.99

Brickwall Tavern, Asbury Park
$12
Select One
BRICKWALL Bloody Mary
Bloody Ceaser (Clamato Juice)
Bloody Bombay (Curry Spiked)
Palm Belgian Lager
Stone IPA
Purple Haze

Select One
Chef’s Burger – Boursin Cheese, Mushrooms, Onions
Turkey Burger – Red Onion, Green Apple, Chipotle Mayo
Veggie Burger Triple Decker – Avocado & Red Onion Salsa, Cumin Yogurt

Basil T’s, Red Bank

Choose a Burger made with Black Angus beef, an Award Winning Microbrewed Beer (made here) or a Bloody Mary of your choice. $12

Burgers:

“Big Vic Burger”
PLT Burger
Arugula Burger
Formaggio Burger


Our Beers:

Ms. Lucy’s Weimaraner Wheat
A filtered American-style wheat beer with a refreshingly clean character. Blond in color and lightly hopped with Saaz hops.
Rosie’s Tale Waggin’ Pale Ale
A classic American Pale Ale characteristically well-hopped with Cascade hops. Fermented cool for a dry, crisp quality.
Basil’s Rocket Red Ale
A medium-bodied amber ale with a nice malty flavor accented with caramel malts and well-balanced with Crystal hops. 5.0% abv.
Maxwell’s Dry Stout
A classic Stout with roasted barley bitterness and a dense, creamy head. A touch of coffee adds to the rich, complex character.

Our Seasonal Beers change accordingly and include a wide array of styles. Please ask your server or bartender about our current seasonal brew.

Bloody Marys:

The Standard
Vongole Mary
Diavlo Mary
“this one is spicy”

Wine Tasting featuring St. Francis Red and other wines from the Kick-Off Party:
Spirit of ’76, Manasquan
Egan’s Sea Girt and Spring Lake
Max’s, Neptune
4-6pm

After Hours at Chico’s House of Jazz, Lake Street, Asbury Park
Live jazz. $5

***Show a dinner receipt from Langosta Lounge, Moonstruck, Brickwall Tavern, McLoone’s Asbury Grill, Trinity and Pope and get FREE admission.***

More info: JERSEYSHORERESTAURANTWEEK.com

Day 23

On this gloomy wet day I could only think of indoor related activities so the next time you need to get out of the house or maybe plan a birthday party, don't forget about

AQUARIUM'S OF THE NJ SHORE


JENKINSON'S AQUARIUM: It doesn't have to be raining to enjoy Jenkinson's Aquarium in Point Pleasant Beach, but it is a great option in addition to the arcades & other attractions available. A public display aquarium open YEAR ROUND, housing African penguins, Harbor seals, sharks, reptiles, parrots, touch tanks, and a variety of fish. Located on a boardwalk with seasonal rides, arcades, shops, restaurants, fun house and miniature golf. Group rates, guided tours, kid's programs and birthday parties available!

ADVENTURE AQUARIUM: Located in Camden, this fun-filled aquarium features sea life and wildlife exhibits. There is a West African River experience with hippopotamuses, a shark realm with a walk-through tunnel, seal shores, and much more. There are areas available for private bookings, ideal for birthdays, anniversaries, or even weddings. Definitely a whole day trip here!

ATLANTIC CITY AQUARIUM: It isn't too much of a gamble to expect a good time here...try to make it for “Dive and Dine” which features the aquarium’s diver in the 25,000 gallon “Fish of the Mid-Atlantic” tank. Audiences can watch and interact with the diver as she hand-feeds cownose rays, swims with nurse sharks, and dives with dogfish in the tank. Participants also have the opportunity to interact with the diver asking questions during the show. This underwater picnic is included with paid admission to the aquarium. The feeding show lasts approximately 20 minutes with a question and answer session afterward.

Day 21 & Day 22

My apologies for missing yesterday...fear not though as I've made up for that today with 2 options both during the peak of "Jersey Shore Restaurant Week"!!!

TONIGHT, Tues April 21 - ST. FRANCIS "RED" NIGHT - 4 different locations, check it out!!!

Enjoy this succulent blend of 48% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Syrah, 3% Zinfandel and 6% Mixed Blacks (Cabernet Franc, Grenache, Alicante, Malbec) for only $5 and paired with delicious appetizers.


5-7pm

Hosts:

Rellas, Brielle – offering $1 buffalo shrimp skewers, $1 mini pizzas & $1 mini prime rib sliders

Avenue, Long Branch – offering $1.5o Malpeque Oysters and $0.75 little neck clams, in addition to their LeBar Menu

Mister C’s, Allenhurst – offering $1 stuffed mushrooms, clams oreganata, chicken-on-a-stick & beef kabobs

Danny’s Steakhouse, Red Bank

~~~~~~~~~

Later in the week on Thursday, get your James Bond on with some martinis...

Thursday, April 22, 2010
Tito’s ‘Tini Night

$5 TITO'S HANDMADE VODKA MARTINIS WITH HOST PREPARED APPETIZERS


5-7pm

Hosts:

Mahogany Grill, Manasquan

Trinity & the Pope, Asbury Park

Avenue, Long Branch

Buena Sera, Red Bank

Giamano’s, Bradley Beach

Day 20

If you don't have a chance to make it out for "Jersey Shore Restaurant Week", maybe this popular event is for you:

TASTE OF SEABRIGHT (restaurant tour/trolley hop)



Saturday May 1, from 12:00 noon to 5:30PM, RAIN OR SHINE!

$40 per ticket This event is truly a "pay one price" all-day event. What that means is EVERYTHING is included: all food, drinks, cocktails, event transportation, giveaways from many of the stops on the map, door prize drawings, a complimentary SBBA backpack - and free entry into the passport drawing if you complete the course. Tipping the bartenders, servers, and trolley/bus drivers, is of course, optional - but recommended.

The following are participating, and if you get your map stamped at every venue then you will have a chance to win a prize up to $1000:

Algarve Milano Restaurant
Anjelicas Restaurant
Bagel Cove
Bain's Hardware
Brooks Seafood/Something Fishy
The Cove
The Dockside
Donovan's Reef
Gracie & The Dudes Ice Cream
Ichabods Restaurant
Jersey Shore Skim Camp
Kotobuki Japanese Cuisine
Look Back Antiques

Mad Hatter
McLoone's Riverside Dining
Sea Bright Liquors
Sea Bright Pizza
Trattoria "G"
Yumi Neo-Asian Sushi

Reminder, rain or shine so make your plans now and get tickets asap as only 1000 are sold! Click Here for more INFO!

Day 19

Its April in Asbury! A week from today, why not plan to check out the vast changes this city has gone through while taking a tour of some truly spectacular homes from days gone by!

ASBURY PARK HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION VINTAGE HOUSE TOUR
Sunday, April 25, 2010 11:00AM to 4:00PM



The Asbury Park Homeowners Association is getting ready for its 12th annual April in Asbury house tour. This is the association's biggest event! Ticket price is $20, which includes a shuttle bus ride. The homes will be open from 11:00AM to 4:00PM

Visitors will purchase/pickup tickets and begin the tour at Langosta Lounge , located on the Asbury Park boardwalk (1000 Ocean Ave.), brochures and map available. Click here to purchase tickets online!

Day 18

Easily one of the high points of the "Jersey Shore Restaurant Week" is TODAY!...

THE CRAFT BEER & BBQ FESTIVAL

LOCATION: HEADLINER 12 noon - 4PM



Sample craft beers from around the country including some New Jersey brews and savor the Shore’s best BBQ. Live bluegrass music by The Glimmer Glass Band.

River Horse, Cricket Hill, Dogfish Head, Cisco Brewers, Smutty Nose, Troegs Craft Brewery, Stone Brewing Company, Yards Brewing Company, Lagunitas Brewing Company, Flying Dog Brewery and Allagash will each present multiple styles

Bar-B-Que from PRIME Market, Brasas Portuguese BBQ, Stubby’s Char Pit and D&L Bar-B-Que.

Tickets are $25 at the door, and sure to be well worth it!

For those making the most of the day and night, go get dinner and keep receipt from Langosta Lounge, Moonstruck, Brickwall Tavern, McLoone’s Asbury Grill, Trinity and the Pope or The Lake House and get FREE admission to:

AFTER HOURS at Chico’s House of Jazz, 631 Lake Street, Asbury Park


Live jazz. Specially priced Tito’s Handmade Vodka drinks

Day 17

Here is a great excuse to go dine out, and possibly WIN dinner out for a whole year!

JERSEY SHORE RESTAURANT WEEK



Jersey Shore Restaurant Week is a wonderful opportunity to re-visit your favorite restaurants and try new ones. Starts TODAY! Scheduled for April 16-25, 2010...after the Holidays and right before Summer...it's the perfect time to gather your friends and enjoy the Jersey Shore's great restaurants.

Participating restaurants will offer a three course prix fixe menu for $20.10 or $30.10 with three appetizers, three entrées and three dessert choices. Participating inns and hotels are offering special Restaurant Week rates for those living outside the area and participating wine/liquor stores will have special promotions on wine, liquor and beer. Perfect for BYOB restaurants...

Click Here for details/participating restaurants!

CONTEST TIP: go to a TD Bank to get entry form to win dinner out for a whole year!

Day 16

Great day to everyone! Yeah yeah its tax day, but consider this next event as a nice way to let some of that stress out!

JERSEY SHORE ROLLER GIRLS



That's right, Roller Derby is back. The Jersey Shore Roller Girls are an all woman flat-track roller derby league which is celebrating it’s second year after playing in front of sell out crowds in 2009. To learn more about roller derby and the Jersey Shore Roller Girls or to purchase tickets for their upcoming matches, please visit their website at http://www.jerseyshorerollergirls.net/

The 2010 season kicks off APRIL 24 at Convention Hall in Asbury Park, and make no mistake...it WILL sell out. Anchor Assassins vs. Murder Beach Militia! If you can't make this one then your next chance will be June 12!!

Day 15

In the mood for a festival this coming weekend? Why not make a day trip or plan a last minute get-a-way to

33rd ANNUAL CAPE MAY JAZZ FESTIVAL



...where you can Immerse yourself in jazz vocals from ballads to low-down blues, mellow sax, high pitch trumpet, Latin piano. Featured artists this year include Spyro Gyra, Mississippi Heat, Shemekia Copeland, Charles Walker, Tim Warfield, Chuchito Valdes.

The music begins Friday night, 8PM and will go on through to Sunday afternoon!

Day 14

Looking for a unique date idea? Well how about a "dinner date with Death!"

Murdery Mystery Cruise - "As Crime Goes By"



A Whodunit on the Waves
Statue Cruises plans springtime Murder Mystery Dinner Cruises filled with intrigue, entertainment, and dinner with sides of drama on the menu for three spring outings.

During each outing, guests aboard the John James Audubon will dine on a full buffet feast that includes salads and starters, several entrée options and delicious desserts. Upping the evening's excitement is a thrilling murder mystery production that mixes suspense and sinister schemes with a lethal dose of comic relief designed to slay guests and lighten the mood.

What you get:

•3 Hour Cruise
•Buffet Dinner
•Entertainment
•Includes soda, juice, water, coffee & tea service
•Cash Bar

When:
Saturday, April 24th
Saturday, May 8th

Boarding Times:
Liberty Landing Marina, New Jersey: 6:15pm - 6:30pm

Cruising Time: 7:00pm - 10:00pm

Tickets: $95

For Reservations, call 877-LADY-TIX (877-523-9849) or choose a location below:

Day 13

Congrats "Lefty" on your 3rd green jacket this weekend! With the phenomenal weather we are having this Spring and with golf season in "full swing" you'll see that nothing is left to be desired when you

Golf on the New Jersey Shore!



With more than 200 public & private golf courses, the Jersey Shore has something to offer every level of golfer! Always the perfect balance of relaxation, skill, exercise, competition & FUN, golf can be the short escape you need or fun for the whole family! Many driving ranges also offer miniature golf, arcades/games etc.

Some NJ Shore public golf courses of note are:

Hominy Hill Golf Course: Often rated as the #1 public golf course in NJ, you'll find this crown jewel of the Monmouth County Park system easy to get to in Colts Neck.

Sea Oaks Golf Course: Further down the Garden State Parkway in Little Egg Harbor, you'll find this spectacular design cut right into the natural pine barrens terrain.

Howell Park Golf Course: Howell Park Golf Course provides a golfing experience often associated with private clubs. Repeatedly ranked among the top 50 public golf courses in America by national golf publications!

Day 12

On this beautiful Sunday morning, I'd like to mention a local place that holds many fond memories (and sure to create many more!)

The Allenwood General Store



Its as if you walk through a time warp when you enter this building. Those of you who've been there before know what I mean. The General Store itself dates back to pre Civil War era as the area was still just getting settled! One of the last few true mom & pop shops! Not only could you spend hours just browsing all of the antiques (yes, for sale), but the Allenwood General Store just happens to have the best pork roll sandwich in the State. Yes, that is my opinion but judge for yourself! Nestled just off the Manasquan bike path, this quaint breakfast joint is a great way to start (or end) your family bike ride, or trip to Brice, Orchard or even Allaire State Park!

Day 11

Baseball is in the air! America's National Pastime! For a real family oriented experience and to avoid the long drive and traffic consider:

Minor League Lakewood Blueclaws!



You never know which players you see today will be in "the show" tomorrow! An affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, superstars Ryan Howard & Cole Hamels got their start right here in First Energy Park! Check the schedule for home games, super easy to get to, and great family fun. This state of the art baseball park has few differences from your typical major league stadium! Perhaps more with a tiki bar behind center field, rides/activities for children and its all right off the parkway. Home games start this next week!

Day 10

In the spirit of this weekends big event:

NATIONAL OPEN HOUSE WEEKEND - Sat 4/10 & Sun 4/11



Prudential Zack Shore Properties, Ward Division will be joining REALTOR organizations across the country for a nationwide Open House Weekend April 10-11, 2010.

All are strongly encouraged to take part in this "jump start" into the Spring market! For those considering selling this is a great way to see how your market is shaping up although I recommend you list your home to be ready BEFORE this event! For those looking to buy, especially 1st time buyers then call TODAY for detailed info! To those who qualify: the deadline for buyer tax credits is April 30!!

Open house times on BOTH DAYS will be from 12:00 to 2:00 and then 2:00 to 4:00!!!!

Looking forward to seeing you there! 732-892-2700 x2203

•The Following Homes will be available but please call to see when each house is scheduled!

•~305 Atlantic Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach
•~42 Harborhead, Point Pleasant Beach
•~605 Academy Drive, Point Pleasant Boro
•~508 13th Avenue, Belmar
•~1711 River Road, Belmar
•~2140 Baileys Corner Road, Wall
•~211 Brielle Road, Brielle
•~488 Birch Bark Drive, Brick
•~45 Blake Circle, Brick
•~378 Jarome Street, Brick
~409 Sandra Place, Brick

Day 9

The New Jersey Shore has LOTS to offer! Whether you set out on a full weekends worth of exploring or check out different sections with each visit, take the time to explore this trail of discovery:

The New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail

The Trail will show you roads less traveled where you can find historic villages, migrating eagles, and boardwalks on miles of sandy beaches. This auto-trail stretches nearly 300 miles along New Jersey’s shore and bays. Explore the Trail’s five regions and you’ll find the nation’s oldest operating lighthouse; the town where revolutionaries burned British tea; and the state’s official tall ship.

And much more really...always look out for the tell tale sign!!

Day 8

This next "thing to do" is for the whole family and hours of fun:

GO CRABBING!



Crabbing and fishing on the Jersey Shore are obviously very popular. However, many people who have not grown up at the shore often ask "how do you crab?" or "where do you go crabbing?" With very little equipment you and your family can be cooking your next meal at the Jersey Shore with some hand caught blue tip crabs! Find a local tackle shop to get some nets and maybe a trap or two. Whether its last nights leftovers or some bait from the shop, the crabs will bite! Ask around for where to go but anywhere there are boats and you know the water connects to the ocean will have crabs!

Day 7

Here is a unique idea for the adults at the shore!

BREWER'S APPRENTICE - BREW YOUR OWN BEER or WINE!



The Brewer's Apprentice is New Jersey's largest homebrew supply shop and the only "Brew On Premise" in the tri-state area. The Brewer's Apprentice offers a wide selection of beer and mead recipes as well as many wine kits. Their experienced staff (and sometimes even their customers) are constantly creating new recipes so that even the most fanatical beer and mead lovers will always have something fresh and exciting to brew.

Located in Freehold, NJ this is an easy destination from just about anywhere at the beach! For more info check out their website: BREWER'S APPRENTICE

Day 6

HAPPY EASTER!!! Hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful holiday weekend!

In the spirit of the day and because of the family oriented "Jersey Shore" I'd like to mention the:

ANNUAL EASTER EGG HUNT ON THE BEACH - JENKINSON'S in POINT PLEASANT BEACH



You can expect this event a week or two before the actual holiday, and what a great way to shake off the Winter and welcome Spring! Fun for the whole family! Check to see if the egg hunt corresponds with the 1/2 price boardwalk ticket sales too! Once again Happy Easter and see you tomorrow!

Day 5

I'm always surprised how many locals have never been here, but for this next installment I'd like to recommend what was the last "live-in" Lighthouse built in the USA:

SEA GIRT LIGHTHOUSE



The historic and unique two-story, L-shaped brick Sea Girt Lighthouse is located at Ocean Avenue and Beacon Boulevard in Sea Girt, New Jersey, along the awe-inspiring shores of the Atlantic Ocean.

To preserve the beautiful structure of the Sea Girt Lighthouse and share its fascinating history, the Sea Girt Lighthouse Citizens Committee conducts regular guided tours and presents annual special events and exhibits.

The Committee and staff of enthusiastic volunteers invite you to take a memorable Sunday tour to explore the building from the keeper's office to the tower lantern room. FREE!

Day 4

Wanna try something different? How about a day trip to:



ALLAIRE STATE PARK : Allaire Village & of course the Pine Creek Railroad!



Pack a cooler with some sandwiches, drinks and snacks and spend a few hours checking out the Historic Village full of re-enactments, concerts, markets & quaint shoppes! Plenty of "park" to explore, picnic tables all over...the most exciting feature would have to be the Pine Creek Railroad though! You can actually take a ride through the trees and open fields on a Industrial Revolution era steam train...the kids may liken it to the Hogwarts Express! Truly a fun and unique way to spend a few hours while good natured AND educational!

Day 3

Since I had the pleasure of dining here for the first time ever just last night, I 100% have to suggest the "Langosta Lounge" in Asbury Park. Whether it is a quick stop for a drink and app or for a full blown dinner out this place is sure to impress!

From the breathtaking location, front and center on the boardwalk & beach, to the modern yet welcoming decor, to the unique and delicious menu, I promise you will not be disappointed. Check the calendar for the Maracas Latin Quartet and relish doing something different! If there is a wait, just take a stroll out back on the boardwalk while taking in what remains from a grand era. Take a look out front and see that the very same era from days gone by may very well be back....soon.