Day Trip to Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey

Seven months after Superstorm Sandy pummeled the Jersey Shore in late 2012, the crowds are returning to Point Pleasant Beach, one of the Garden State’s favorite destinations for day trippers of all ages.

The southern end of the town’s famed boardwalk, including the South Beach arcade and one of the mini-golf courses, took the brunt of the storm, but the businesses further north on the planks apparently fared better. By Memorial Day weekend, the rebuilding of the southern portion of the boardwalk was expected to be complete, with further refurbishment of the northern end going to bid in the fall, making for a smooth and seamless stroll from end to end. The rides, arcades, and aquarium are all back in business, the mini-golf course is being redesigned, and music fills the air in the nightclubs at Jenk’s and Martell’s, right out to the newly refurbished tip of the popular tiki bar. Sun worshippers will be glad to know that all five of the town’s beaches have been sifted, cleaned, and are up and running as usual.

The “main drag” for entertainment in Point Pleasant Beach is, of course, Jenkinson’s Boardwalk, a roughly mile-long stretch along the beach that boasts a plethora of attractions, arcades, activities, and amusements, as well as a variety of eating and entertainment establishments. 

Jenkinson’s South Amusement Park offers rides for young and not-so-young alike, from kiddie rides for the littlest adventurers to more thrilling, sometimes dizzying, rides for teens and adults. Traditional favorites include the carousel, coasters, Crazy Bus, train, Ferris wheel, swings, bumper cars, Tilt-a-Whirl, and the Super Himalaya. Ride tickets can be purchased in person or online in advance, and pricing specials, such as wristbands for unlimited rides, are available for certain days and times throughout the season.  Go to www.jenkinsons.com/amusement-rides to order tickets or to check hours, ride descriptions, and more.

As long as you’re near the water, why not visit some special maritime creatures that actually live in the water? Since its opening in 1991, Jenkinson’s Aquarium, located right on the boardwalk, has become a valuable and popular educational and recreational resource for families, schools, scout groups, and other visitors. There are exhibits on Atlantic sharks, Pacific sharks, coral reefs, alligators, seals, all kinds of fish, and a beloved family of penguins. For an up-close-and-personal experience, a “touch tank” allow curious kids of all ages the chance to touch live animals such as sea starts and sting rays. A variety of tours, activities, and special programs are scheduled each day throughout the week, including the “awwww”-inspiring feedings of the penguins, seals, and other animals that guests enjoy watching. Open year-round except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day, the aquarium also offers a unique setting for birthday parties, corporate events, and even weddings, as well as providing a number of opportunities for internships and volunteers, plus a summer camp program. Immerse yourself at www.jenkinsons.com/aquarium.   

Feeling lucky? Then you may want to take a chance at winning a prize, or lots of prizes, at one of the large arcades that line the boardwalk or the many other freestanding game booths. Countless games of skill or luck can be found here and the arcades are always a popular hideout when summer storms threaten to dampen the day. Another indoor option is the old-fashioned Fun House, where guests must find their way through a maze of mirrors, glowing lights, twists, turns, and optical illusions. For the heavy hitters, there are batting cages where you can take a swing at some fast balls. Or, if you prefer swinging a golf club, you’ll want to check out the mini-golf courses. 

And certainly, no day at the beach is complete without going onto…the beach! If you enjoy the sensation of sand between your toes and the chance to jump waves in the Jersey surf, there are several options in Point Pleasant, depending on exactly which stretch of sand you’d like to lay down your beach blanket. They are Jenkinson’s Beach, Martell’s Beach, Risden’s Beach, Bradshaw’s Beach, and Maryland Avenue Beach. Fees apply for beach access, and vary by age and days of the week. As with other Jersey Shore beaches, badges are offered for daily, weekly, and seasonal visits. A worthwhile word to the wise here: stay safe, and only go into the water when you know that lifeguards are on duty, however tempting it may be to swim for free after hours! 

Let’s not overlook other options that beckon a bit further inland in Point Pleasant Beach, too. The quaint downtown area boasts antique shops, boutiques, fish and farmers’ markets, and an assortment of quality restaurants that serve up much more than just the usual (but still yummy) boardwalk fare. “Point Beach,” as it’s affectionately known by the locals, is also the site of numerous festivals and special events all year long, but particularly in the warm-weather months. They include weekly kiddie beach shows, movies on the beach, fireworks displays, Big Joe Henry (of radio fame) Talent Shows, and more. Popular seasonal events that draw huge crowds include several Car Cruise Nights, the two-day Rhythm at the Shore Music Festival, and the delectable Festival of the Sea seafood extravaganza, held in September and featuring more than 200 crafters and samplings from over 25 favorite restaurants. 

After looking at the endless ways that you can go all day at Point Pleasant Beach, one may be left wondering if there would even still be energy enough to go all night, too! But for those who linger longer to watch the sun go down and yearn to party to the festive sound of music on the beach, there are still plenty of go-to options, including Jenkinson’s, Martell’s Tiki Bar, and other popular live entertainment venues where you can get down and boogie to the band or sit back and sip a tropical drink while watching the crowd go by. 

Make it a “point” to plan a “pleasant” outing and help the continued effort to restore the shore! Find out everything there is to know by visiting www.pointchamber.com, www.pointpleasantbeach.com, and www.jenkinsons.com.