Featured writer: Mark E. Randall
Just returned from our first family vacation to an ocean. We searched to find the closest warm beach to Rochester, NY that we could drive to in the shortest amount of time possible. Using Google Maps, we identified both Atlantic City, New Jersey and Ocean City, New Jersey as two options. 400 miles. Estimated 7 hours drive. Having never been to these two beaches, we decided to try both since they are so close to each other.
Atlantic City, NJ beach and casinosWe stayed at a hotel off the beach, on Lakes Bay, leaving us a 2 mile drive to Atlantic City beach and a 10 mile drive to Ocean City beach. The prices were much less than the hotels right on the beach. We got to our hotel at 3:30pm and headed directly to Atlantic City beach after checking in. Our boys had never seen the ocean so we were excited to get right to the beach. This photo is looking down the beach with the high-rise casinos in the background.
Soon it was dinner time and we got back into our car to drive down the strip looking for places to eat. What we very quickly realized is that there were not the typical fast food choices to be found. Driving past casino after casino, we observed that the restaurants were inside the casinos. Eventually we reached the end of the strip and decided to drive one block away from the strip and drive back to the main highway where we started. Again, not much in the way of fast food places. We did see a McDonald’s, but mostly we saw old run down housing and liquor stores on every other corner. Finally, we found a new shopping district that had a big Applebee’s with free parking. Phew. Dinner crisis avoided as the boys were getting hungry.
The next day we decided to check out Ocean City beach. Talk about night and day when compared to Atlantic City beach. There were not the high-rise casinos. Families were everywhere and the beach was packed. You had to pay $5 a person over 12 years of age to get a beach pass for the day or they sold weekly passes for $10. The water at the beach was cleaner and clearer. There were numerous places to eat right on the boardwalk. Most likely Atlantic City had such places on their boardwalk, but we did not venture down from where we were as all it looked like was casino after casino.
After packing up for the day, we headed back to the hotel. As we were driving away from the beach and heading over the bay bridges connecting to the beach, we noticed a lot of very nice houses, condos, and townhouses built right on the bay, each with boat docks. It looked very new and well-kept, especially compared to the housing we saw in Atlantic City.
The beach at Ocean City, New JerseyOur choice for the future? Ocean City beach by a landslide. Atlantic City would be nice if you wanted to spend a fortune staying at, eating at, and gambling at the casinos. But for a family wanting to spend time and not a lot of money at a nice beach, Ocean City, NJ is a better option. Of course, my wife and I have been to some pretty amazing tropical beaches which put either of these two New Jersey beaches to shame! But we did this vacation on less than $500 for a family of four and our boys loved it. So overall, we are very happy with Ocean City, New Jersey!
4 seat bike ride on Ocean City Boardwalk
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I’m from Drums PA, on the western edge of the Poconos. My family and I have vacationed at Ocean City, NJ every year for the past 21 years. Atlantic City is all about the casinos and the boardwalk is nothing special compared to OC. You mentioned the liquor stores but forgot the pawn shops and strip clubs.
Ocean City has many things to explore and enjoy as we always find something new. The town is a dry town but makes for a more family friendly atmosphere.
This year we had our son drive my motorcycle down by cargo van. My wife Kim and I did some cruising around Somers Point and had a drink and some munchies at Gregory’s Restaurant & Bar. They have great food in both a formal dining room or a gorgeous pub.
In OC my son and I discovered Corsons Inlet State Park. Took my daughter on a little cruise over the bridges and ended up at a nice marina.
For some free fun visit the Shell Museum on Asbury Ave, it’s a cool little spot to see some unusual shore items and other things. Corsons Park is free too! Bring a fishin pole, crab trap, camera or just a pair of comfortable shoes.
Our favorite breakfast spot is Cafe Beach Club on the boardwalk at 13th and we always stay at the Beach Club Hotel on 13th and Ocean. They run specials that include free daily breakfasts, free night stay and beach tags.
Definitely friendly, clean and affordable. Asbury Ave’s shopping district is fun too. Make some ceramics and have them fired, check out the antiques or have some ice cream.
Hi Robert,
Thanks for all the helpful information. Glad our family decided Ocean City, NJ was the better option! Sounds like we made a good call. Next time we visit, we’ll have to try the places you mentioned. Appreciate the tips!
Best regards,
Mark
Atlantic City would definitely not be the first place I’d take a family either. There are plenty of other gorgeous towns along the Jersey Shore as well–Bay Head is my favorite.
Thanks! I’ll have to look up Bay Head and check it out. We plan to go back next summer so it would be fun to try something new to us.