Ocean County, New Jersey, is home to some of the world’s best attractions (and one of the world's best people: me). From baseball to boardwalks, there’s something for everyone, as long as you're not a "benny." (Note: This is someone from Bergen, Essex, Newark, or New York). Let’s take a look.
Six Flags Great Adventure
Located in Jackson, this famous theme park is home to the tallest roller coaster in the world, Kingda Ka. Daredevil riders will reach over 450 feet in the air, while the speed demons among you will love your quick acceleration to 128 mph. With that speed, Kingda Ka is also the second fastest coaster on Earth. When you’re ready to cool off after a long day, hop on over to Hurricane Harbor, an awesome adjacent water park. Six Flags also runs Fright Fest in the build-up to Halloween. There are tons of haunted houses and zombies wandering the park, ready to give attendees with memorable experience.
While the park is closed from winter to the beginning of spring, there are events that take place at the park year-round. Avoid going on weekends, or you'll be waiting forever.
Lakewood BlueClaws
The Lakewood BlueClaws, the Phillies’ farm team, really make their games fun for fans. There are routinely all sorts of contests run by the stadium itself, as well as concert ticket giveaways hosted by 95.9 WRAT, a New Jersey radio station. Younger fans will love meeting the BlueClaws mascot, Buster, who goes out of his way to make sure they’re having a great time. The BlueClaws helped launch the careers of some big names in baseball, like Ryan Howard and Cole Hamels, whose jersey numbers the team has since retired. Time will tell which new stars will be playing in First Energy Park, but the BlueClaws give you a chance to say you saw them play before anyone else.
Jenkinson’s Boardwalk
The seaside town of Point Pleasant will forever be synonymous with Jenkinson’s. The boardwalk, approximately a mile long, sets itself apart with a variety of family-friendly attractions. Among them are a long strip of stands with tons of prizes, a few restaurants, an arcade, and of course the scenic beach. There are tons of rides for kids and families on one end of the boardwalk, while the other end has something a bit more unique: Jenkinson’s Aquarium. The aquarium is home to sea lions, sharks, and just about every type of fish you can imagine. Ever wanted to see crocodiles up close? Go to the aquarium. It’s a great place for kid’s parties and school trips, though families looking for a day out won’t find it too crowded. Don’t forget to hit up Jenkinson’s Sweet Shop before you go!
Seaside Heights Boardwalk
Despite being damaged during Hurricane Sandy and a subsequent fire, the Seaside Heights boardwalk is back and better than ever. The boardwalk is made up of three separate parts: Casino Pier and Breakwater Beach in Seaside Heights, and Funtown Pier in Seaside Park. Breakwater Beach is a water park with numerous safety awards. Casino Pier and Funtown Pier are full of arcades, stands, and rides for the whole family. You’ll find a lot more teenagers and young adults at Seaside than Jenkinson’s thanks to the abundance of bars and other nightlife spots. Check out the dune buggies, mechanical bull and caricatures as well.
