Winter Beach Day Down the Shore
As someone who grew up going down the shore, but rarely went to the beach, temperature never really affected my decision to take a day trip down the shore. My family now has plenty of summer beach days, but we especially love the beach in the winter.
We travel from northwest New Jersey, so we like our first stop to be at Sandy Hook, part of Gateway National Recreation Area. Sandy Hook has no fees from Labor Day through Memorial Day, and entrance into the park grants you access to ocean and bay beaches, as well as historic Fort Hancock. There are miles of biking paths which allow you to explore the entire park without having to move your car from lot to lot.
From approximately mid-February through mid-March, harbor seals migrate through the area and can usually be spotted on a jetty across from Officers Row at the north end of the park. The ideal viewing time is one hour before low tide to one hour after low tide. When you enter the park, proceed north until you reach the yellow buildings that are currently in various stages of repair on your right. On the left you will see the white chapel. Park in the chapel parking lot and follow the fencing south along the bay. The seals will be just off shore, and even on the coldest days, there are usually still a few people there taking photos and admiring these beautiful animals. Please remember these are wild animals and should be viewed from at least 150 feet away.
Once you have had your fill of the seals, set off on foot, bicycle or car to explore the rest of the park. You can check the NPS website for lighthouse tour schedules, hours for the small museum located in one of the buildings in Officer’s Row, and ranger-led programs. We love family bike rides through the park, flying our kites (September 16-March14 only), and scouring the beaches for shells and other treasures.
For a unique view of the NYC skyline, head to the northernmost parking lot and follow the walking path to the tip of Sandy Hook. There you have sweeping views of the city, while enjoying the solitude and quiet of a usually relatively empty beach. I can’t quite describe the feeling, but I highly recommend you try it.
On this particular winter day, the wind had gotten the best of us, and we hopped in the car to warm up, enjoy our picnic lunch without fighting the wind, and continue our day’s adventure. Our first stop was Tony’s Place, a fun playground located at Seven President’s State Park in Long Branch. There are no entrance fees in the off season and the park has some protection from wind since it is located just behind the sand dunes. The park features several play structures for toddlers through older children, as well as musical instruments, an accessible glider and some climbing rocks. There are two beach entrances located on either side of the playground.
After meeting a few new friends and getting our fill of the park, we were ready for some warmth and a snack. We drove down the coast, taking our time so our little one could get a nap in. We love driving through Deal to admire the coastal mansions, and Asbury Park always seems to have something new and exciting coming soon. We arrived in Bay Head ready to indulge at our favorite bakery, Mueller’s. They had just returned from their winter break on March 1st and we had missed them dearly. We stocked up on cookies, Irish soda bread and cupcakes for the kids. Next time we will be back for their signature crumb cake. If you haven’t had it, put that on your to-do list immediately. You will not regret it.
From Mueller’s we headed north to Point Pleasant for one of our favorite activities, Arcade Happy Hour! I don’t think there is a better deal on the boardwalk. From 3-5pm daily, Jenkinson’s South Arcade has half price games. Our family of 4 spent $40 and played for the full two hours. At times it felt a little crowded, especially for a winter afternoon, but there was always something available to play and everyone was having a great time. My kids left with armloads of prizes (which now litter the backseat of my car) and they look forward to coming back once the rides are open.
Budget Tip: For those who plan to visit Point Pleasant Boardwalk this summer, keep an eye out for their Easter ticket sale. They sell their ride tickets for 50% off on Easter weekend, in-person and online. I always stock up during this sale, and last year they even had a discounted book of tickets for the boardwalk games. It’s a great way to make a beach day a little more budget friendly.
Pro Tip: Head over to our downloads for the packing lists we use for both the car and diaper bag on winter beach days. Having packing lists for a day trip may feel like overkill, but it the only way I stay organized and sane. When my husband and I have the same clear goal, we work better as a team and getting out the door in the morning is so much easier.
Remember to check out our social media accounts for more details about our winter day down the shore and to discover new and exciting places for your family to enjoy.