Point Pleasant Beach – Since the 1870’s when farmers began taking in summer boarders, Point Pleasant Beach has been a popular summer vacation spot. Today, Point Pleasant Beach continues to draw summer visitors. Some come for a day at the beach while others come for a more extended stay.
If you are not one of the lucky few to own a vacation home on Point Pleasant Beach, there are still plenty of options for you. There are a number of hotels, bed and breakfasts and rental homes and condominiums. While it is not difficult to find accommodations, some – especially the beach front houses – tend to book well in advance. Some of the most desirable accommodations are booked a year or more in advance. In order to have the best choices, you should book early.
Some of the lodging options are pet friendly, but the beaches are not. There is a wonderful dog park, but if you plan to spend your days lounging on the beach, you will need to make other arrangements for your pets.
There is a fee to use the beaches at Point Pleasant Beach. You must purchase beach badges. One day badges are available for less than $10 and full season passes range from $50 to $90. If you drive to the beach, you may also need to pay for parking. If you are willing to park a good hike from the beach, you might find a free spot, but these fill up quickly. The average cost of parking is $2 per hour.
In addition to swimming and sunning, there are other activities at Point Pleasant Beach. There are several sites that are popular with SCUBA divers. This area is less well used for SCUBA diving than some others in the Jersey Shore, but there is a wreck off the shore and other good spots as well. If you have never dived before, there are lessons available and you can rent all of the needed equipment.
There is plenty to do at Point Pleasant Beach and, not surprisingly, much of it revolves around the beach and the boardwalk. The first boardwalk was built here in 1890. After washing away, it was replaced in 1915. Hurricanes have damaged the boardwalk many times over the years, but it continues to be repaired and to grow and change.
There is something on the boardwalk to interest visitors of every age. Amusement rides and arcade and carnival type games are popular. There is also all of the food that one would expect from a boardwalk such as funnel cakes, ice cream, French fries and corn dogs. Other dining options, such as restaurants serving fresh seafood, are also available.
Kids will love the Fun House, a long time staple of the boardwalk at Point Pleasant Beach as well as the aquarium. The aquarium is quite impressive and is accredited by the Associations of Zoos and Aquariums. In addition to hundreds of specimens, including mammals, fish and birds, visitors can also watch feeding time, enjoy the touch tank and explore the fossil room to learn about creatures that no longer exist.
If you would rather see marine life in a more natural environment, consider a dolphin watch or dinner cruise. Many such cruises are available in Point Pleasant Beach. The early settlers of Point Pleasant Beach included many devout Quakers, so they likely would not have approved of the thriving nightlife scene that now exists during the summer months on Point Pleasant Beach. Some of the most popular clubs, including the Tiki Bar and Jenks, have live entertainment during the summer. It is not uncommon for the party to spill onto the boardwalk although it is rare for the party to get out of hand. It’s just people having a great time on the Jersey Shore.
Another big draw to Point Pleasant Beach is the antiquing. There are well over a dozen antique stores including some that focus on niche items such as clocks, trains or coins.
Several special events are held at Point Pleasant Beach each year. The Classic Car Show takes place each August. The Jazz Festival and Wine Tasting, held in June, has become increasingly popular. One of the biggest events is the Festival of Sea Arts and Craft Show.
This event features some of the best seafood you’ll ever taste, fabulous crafts and live entertainment. This outdoor show draws about 60,000 visitors each year and is still growing.
Whatever draws you to Point Pleasant Beach, you won’t be disappointed. Lounge on the beach, participate in some adventure sports, take a cruise, and bring a blanket to the beach at night for some fireworks.
Point Pleasant Beach has it all, and it is sure to keep getting better.