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Barrier island in Ocean County, New Jersey, US
Photo: Dendroica cerulea from United States, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Long Beach Island (LBI), famous Exit 63 off the Garden State Parkway, is an 18-mile-long barrier island in Ocean County, New Jersey. The island has evolved from an important fishing hub to a playground for well-to-do men and women. Nowadays, the numerous tourists attractions and white sandy beaches make LBI a huge tourist spot. The summer months are busiest, "the season" ranging from mid-May through Chowda Fest in October. The majority of the island shuts down during the winter months. Although evolved from the 1950s days of full-coverage bathingsuits, LBI is certainly still a playground of sorts.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Climb the famous lighthouse at the northern tip of LBI! There is also an Interpretive center to learn about the history of the lighthouse.
Visit the LBI part of the Refuge to see nature with minimal human interference. This area is designated as a wilderness area, which means no wheeled vehicles of any kind. There's a parking lot at the end of Long Beach Boulevard with a bathroom.
Explore the history of the Jersey Shore, with a focus on LBI. The museum has an extensive postcard collection to look at and many artifacts. Most notable is the exhibit featuring the SS Morro Castle disaster. You can also try out a real ship engine telegraph!
Lifeguards on duty during daylight until 4 or 5PM. Swim/surf/body board in-between designated flags.
Fantasy Island is a place for rides, games, arcades, food and ice cream. Fantasy Island is a more family orientated place so the rides aren't exactly "extreme thrillers". The amusement park offers rides such as a merry-go-round, bumper cars, the "Sea Dragon", tea cups, drop tower, and more. Although Fantasy Island is a fun and entertaining place, they do not offer large roller coasters.
A fun family water park that consists of many wet attractions. Thundering Surf includes eight giant water-slides, the "Cowabunga Beach" which is a kids play area, a giant water bucket, "Flowrider Double" which is a wave surfing stimulator and a lazy river. Thundering Surf also has mini-golf which customers find to be a great family activity.
Hosts many special events throughout the year.
Parasailing & Waverunners
You can rent watercraft ranging from pontoon boats to jet skis. The staff can be occasionally unhelpful though.
In a house-turned-restaurant, Scojo’s is possibly the most popular breakfast spot north of the Causeway, offering all the traditional breakfast fare ranging from eggs and omelets to pancakes, waffles, and French toast, though not recommended for the claustrophobics in the crowd. Reservations are not taken and waits tend to be over an hour on weekends. Indoor seating only. Scojo's is known for its delicious breakfast meals but they also serve a great lunch and dinner course. Once again, this restaurant is usually packed so they do offer a considerably quick take-out option to their costumers.
The only thing more famous than Uncle Will’s food is its around-the-block lines. Uncle Will’s serves traditional breakfast fare, and is particularly famous for its Daily Specials, especially the daily pancakes and French toast variations. Muffins and cinnamon buns made on the premises. Say “Hello!” to the giant ceramic pigs seating at some tables – the pig theme is abundant throughout the entire restaurant. Try to count them all! Parking on the boulevard gets full fast, so park up by the beach and walk down for a bite to eat. Reservations are not taken and Uncle Wills possibly as the longest waits on the island, so go early and spend time in the neighboring bookstore while you wait – the hostess will come find you in Atlantic Books!
Boasting “the biggest slices in town,” Bay Village Pizza really does serve up slices bigger than your head. The pizza has been voted best on the Island three years running by the local newspapers and the fresh-cut, seasoned French fries are a big hit, too. Bay Village Pizza offers take-out. Outdoor seating only, place orders at the counter. Parking is tough because it's in Bay Village – so park, shop, and then grab a bite.
Upstairs in Bay Village (the restaurant gets its name from the fourteen steps customers voyage up). The spacious restaurant has tons of windows and an outdoor balcony, all which offer great views of Bay Village and the water park. People watchers love sitting outside at Bistro 14. Burgers, salads, and seafood baskets complete with French fries and big hits. Complete raw bar, reasonably priced. The bistro is best for lunch, but also open for dinner and offers indoor and outdoor seating. Park in the Bay Village parking lots.
French fries, burgers, hotdogs, pizza and other grilled goodies.
Manhattan and New England style chowder (pronounced “chowda”), served in a sourdough bread bowl or not is the only thing on the menu, besides the daily soup option. Minimal outdoor seating is offered, among the shops in the Village.
Burgers and pizza, coffee and soft drinks offered. Full sushi bar, reasonably priced. Indoor and outdoor seating, The Gazebo is a great lunch option during a day of shopping. The restaurant is also open for dinner.
Take a seat at the giant, singular wrap-around counter in this small restaurant and talk up the other patrons! Home-style burgers, hot dogs, grilled cheese, fries, onion rings make up the menu. Portions run small, on account of the joint being a “Snack Bar,” but are very reasonably priced. Homemade cakes for dessert; they can be ordered a week in advance for parties, too. The Holiday is great for kids, but not to large parties of 6 or more.
Steps outside of Barnegat Light State Park, Inlet Deli offers casual deli fare and is very popular with locals and tourists alike. Inlet Deli has larger facilities than most other casual dining options and is air conditioned in the summer months. If you're on the far north end of the island, there is no better place to stop for lunch. If you're planning a day on the water, order a few sandwiches to pack in the cooler for later in the day.
A local Italian deli that serves pizza, baked goods, soups and salads.
Overlooking the bay, the Boathouse offers a large menu with a wide selection of surf and turf options. The wait tends to be long on the weekends, so weekdays are a better bet. Reservations are taken, which makes this restaurant a great options for large parties.
The Chegg
Situated near the southern end of Beach Haven, "The Chegg" is the only 24-hour joint around. Popular with families for the basic three meals, the restaurant has a huge menu with all the typical diner favorites. All meals served all day. The Chegg is also the most popular hangout for intoxicated partiers after-hours. Stop by if you’ve had a few for a good time after midnight. BYO.
Howard’s overlooks a marina and serves an array of seafood dishes in an up-scale setting. Business casual attire is best; great service. To avoid the crowds, try showing up closer to 5PM; the restaurant does not take reservations.
Notice Joey’s clever signs that change weekly while driving the boulevard – it’s nearly impossible to miss, as most traffic slows to read and have a laugh. Casual atmosphere with classic Italian favorites: Appetizers, pastas, and pizza. Enjoy watching the pizza slide through their unique oven on the conveyer belt. Avoid this joint after it has rained – its nicknamed “Joey’s Underwater Pizza” because the corner floods like not other place on the island after rain. Of course, the restaurant will still be open, so if you don’t mind wet feet, head on over! Joey’s also provides take-out, which is the more popular option.
Serving up typical grill fare, Oasis is famous for their burgers. Indoor and outdoor seating; order at the counter.
Styled like a Southern plantation home, The Plantation serves up unique, Southern inspired cuisine. The restaurant is two floors, with best seating downstairs. Reservations are a must-have for anyone who is not willing to wait hours to dine. This restaurant could be considered one of the higher class restaurants on the island. Although business casual attire is appropriate, many dress a bit fancier. The Plantation excels in their great service to their costumers. The restaurant offers a coat check and valet parking.
Authentic Italian food accompanied by great service. Business casual attire appropriate; reservations are not taken. Weekdays are best to avoid the crowds. Parking can be tough – parking on a side street near by is recommended. BYO.
This spacious restaurant by the bay in Beach Haven offers a wide variety of all-American cuisine. The chef’s specialty appetizer, fried tomatoes, has become a huge hit with locals and visitors. A kids' menu is available. Shuffleboard and popcorn are available near the bar during the summer season. Indoor and outdoor seating available – check out the Black Whale tour boat parked in the bay nearby if seated on the patio. Reservations are taken at Tuckers.
A small, upscale restaurant on the northern end of Surf City, Yellow Fin offers an array of specialty seafood dishes. Casual business attire appropriate.
Traditional Jersey atmosphere.
Largest bar on the island. Stylish and casual, upscale so the prices are higher.
Local bar, karaoke, Weird Al Yankovic impersonator comes on occasion
Tucked away on a residential street in Beach Haven, "The Hud" offers drinks of all kind and a great atmosphere.
Local bands every night, dance floor, pool tables, air hockey, shuffle board, darts, and video games.
18 to party 21 to drink, 2 levels: upper level is strictly for those who are 21 and the lower level is open to the 18 - 21. A teen night is hosted once a week for those who are under 21.
Dress up attire is preferred; pool tables, bar, live entertainment.
Has a pink drunk bus that picks up and drops off. Local & live bands.
Thursday nights: 'LBI's Best Original Band Night' $1 Miller Light pints and $3 cover. Friday: $2 shots and $1 Miller Light pints all night long. Saturday: $2 shots all night long
Drinks are served all day. There are 2 entrances; one is right off the beach or the main entrance. Shoes are optional. Live bands play throughout the day, drinks are served at the tiki bar, drinks can be taken to the pool, or drinks can be brought to the beach. At night the bar is outside and inside. The inside has a dance floor. Thursday nights are 'Thunder Thursdays' $1 shots and $1 Coors Lights.
'LBI's best kept secret' right off the beach with and indoor & outdoor bar. Friendly environment. Happy Hour M-F 3-7PM.
Sports bar, with 40 types of tequila.
Actually two adjacent motels, the Mariner Motel and Spray Beach Inn also has a pool.
In the heart of Beach Haven a few blocks from the ocean, this bed and breakfast is in a restored building that was built around 1900. Owners Mark and Joanne are helpful and provide a homemade breakfast every morning from 8:30-9:30AM. In the afternoon, there is iced tea and some home-baked treat. There are 15 rooms, some of which can be used as two-room suites, and an adjacent cottage that sleeps four. Free Wi-fi.
6 houses from the beach, this summer beach rental is a 4 bedroom, 2 bath home, that can sleep up to 13. Free WiFi. Great backyard patio, for grilling, dining, and relaxing.
Built in 1965, Bay Village is meant to look like a 19th-century village. It has several shops, restaurants, and the famous Country Kettle Fudge and Crust and Crumb Bakery.
B&B Department Store sells a wide variety of items. The store is mostly known for selling low priced yet stylish women's clothing but they also offer a selection of men's and children's clothing. B&B also sells Long Beach Island souvenirs and beach supplies. There are several locations of the B&B Department store on the island. They are usually crowded because the B&B chain is extremely popular.
Faria's offers many different rentals besides bikes, such as surfboards and other beach equipment.
Sells all sorts of goods like an old-fashioned general store. Everything from clothing, souvenirs, some foods, tools, beach supplies, and more. Think of Wal-Mart, but smaller and more expensive. Hand's has pretty much everything you will need while on LBI.
Island Sun sells mainly clothing, but also jewelry, souvenirs, postcards, beach supplies, and even hermit crabs.
The famous Ron Jon Surf Shop started in LBI, but only maintains one store here. Nonetheless, this huge store is full of surfing and other ocean equipment to ensure you have a great time at the beach. Ron Jon Surf Shop also includes laid back surf apparel for men, women and children. The prices are reasonable and the brand is popularly known on the island. The Ron Jon company not only sponsors professional surfers but also many events for causes on the island.
The Silver Sun Mall is a small agglomeration of shops in one building. They sell mainly clothing, souvenirs, toys, and beach supplies.
By car
Long Beach Island is the perfect embodiment of American car culture. So it is almost certain you will be driving your own car to the island.
By bus
TransportAzumah, a private bus service, will take you directly from New York City (9 Ave-42 St) or Newark Airport to various stops on the island.
By bike
Another way to get around the island is by renting bicycles.You can bring your own bike, or there are many places to rent them.
Other
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