Two Days for Aug. 22, Pete’s (Jersey) shore pick

star ledger ^ | 08.22.09 | Peter Genovese

[Coleus]

In the firmament of Jersey Shore boardwalks, Seaside would rank a very dead last. Tacky, seedy, dumpy -- these are some of the nicer things people have said about the Shore's most-maligned destination.

But Seaside Heights and its somewhat better-behaved cousin, Seaside Park, make for the second best Jersey boardwalk experience. Only Wildwood -- livelier boardwalk, more rides and that incomparable, and free, beach -- tops Seaside.

You can spend a day on the Seaside boardwalk and have enough material for a major motion picture, or novel. And enough food to last all summer. Start with a cheesesteak at Midway Steak House (on the boardwalk at Webster Avenue, Seaside Heights) or Steaks Unlimited (a block off the boardwalk, at 21 Ocean Terrace, Seaside Heights). You can partake of the "world's largest slice of pizza'' at the redoubtable Sawmill Cafe (1807 Boardwalk, Seaside Park) -- no other "cafe'' in the world is less deserving of the title. But the best boardwalk slice, or pie, can be found at just one place -- Maruca's (boardwalk at Porter Avenue, Seaside Park).

Pick up a Jersey-proud T-shirt at one of the souvenir shops, then wander over to Funtown Amusement Pier for the rides. The Ferris wheel in Wildwood is bigger, but the one at Funtown is more intimate. If you don't flip over Ferris wheels, try the HipHop, Arctic Circle, Loop Roller Coaster or the ultimate in Jersey Shore cheap thrills, the Tower of Fear, which plummets passengers 200 feet to the ground and does not care whether you just had a big drippy cheesesteak or a couple slices of pizza.

Play video and other games at Lucky Leo's (311 Boardwalk, Seaside Heights) or the Coin Castle (500 Boardwalk, Seaside Heights), enjoy a near-perfect soft serve at one of the Kohrs stands,

[Coleus]

I like seaside heights the best and go there every year. I win at the wheels, the food is good, the arcades are great to play some ski ball and to cool off and the rides are fun.

[Tanniker Smith]

Didn’t make it there this year, but we’ve gone down for the day once per year for most of the past 10 years.

[JoeProBono]

AVELON

[teg_76]

I’m a west coaster, but I spent the last year in Philly, and loved going to Ocean City NJ.

[divine_moment_of_facts]

Spring Lake boardwalk is the best.. Nothing there but beach and boards! :)

[Mase]

Spring Lake boardwalk is the best..

Not to mention that D'Jais is just up the street.

[OL Hickory]

I too like seaside but when I have company over I have to give a class to the out of towners..

#1 under age girls dress like hookers...Locals call them “Pros-ti-tots”

#2—Guido’s....most Guido’s are recognized by the bronze tanned muscled up bodies, a tattoo of Italy or an Italian crest somewhere on their bodies and for this year the hair that stands straight up on the sides due to 15lbs of hair gel...
Followed by some christian/catholic medallion made of gold

Seaside Rocks!

[divine_moment_of_facts]

.. And Holme plays on Monday nights!

[Mase]

I wish I was still young enough to hang at D'Jais on a Monday night. Back when, you could get five beers for a dollar at D'Jais and the glasses would be grabbed as fast as the bartenders could fill them. We always began our nights there before heading off to one of the big clubs like The Osprey, The Royal Manor or Jimmy Byrnes. Lots of great, but hazy, memories.

[peeps36]

I use to love going to the beach in Connecticut but not anymore. The kids had go to the hospital two times over the last five years because of a terrible rash. The doctor prescribed ointment both times for what he said was a bacteria infection. The water has high levels of bacteria from bird dropping and other pollutants. I ended up getting the rash all over my legs and feet. Thank God I only went in the water up to my knees or I would have been in big trouble. This is the last time I go to a beach in Long Island Sound. You could see the difference in the water as you move farther away from the Sound.

[hifidelity]

I’ve lived in this area for most of my life...sorry but I can’t stand Seaside or as we refer to it..Sleazeside. Tacky, seedy, dumpy is an accurate description of what it has become. I used to hang out at the clubs there back in the 80s/early 90s when your social worth in the area was judged by how many VIP cards you had in your wallet but not anymore. Even though it is much smaller, I prefer Jenkinsons and Pt Pleasant Beach...much cleaner, good for families, nicer people.

[divine_moment_of_facts]

LOL.. Sounds like you had more “fun” than I did back then!

[Coleus]

The water has high levels of bacteria from bird dropping and other pollutants. >>>

I would say it's more from bird, animal and pet droppings, most states have mandated waste-water treatment plants and the droppings are a result from hysterical democrats who worship animals, the geese should be shot dead and not listed as an endangered species, we are endangered by the e coli bacteria from their crap.

[jocon307]

I like seaside too, I like it that the beach is close to the boardwalk. And I think i still have a voucher for one fren mini golf game for the silly place on the roof

[Tamzee]

It was great reading your post, brought back some memories. I lived in Pt. Pleasant for a year, that was my favorite beach in NJ. You’re right, a much nicer family beach. I remember when Jenkinson’s burned down.

I also agree with your assessment of Seaside. For one wild and wasted summer, I worked in Seaside at a place called Silver Apple Surf Shop and hung out at the clubs. I had forgotten all about my old VIP card collection until your post reminded me... my roommate had grown up in Brielle and had quite the pile LOL

Fun times and then I grew up and had to get all responsible ;-)