Jersey Shore with 14-15 month old

We are looking to go on a vacation this year with our DS.

What part of the Jersey shore do you recommend?

Any hotel recommendations?

Any attractions that a 1 year old would enjoy?

I would like to stay at a place that has easy access to the beach as well as a pool.

TIA.

Re: Jersey Shore with 14-15 month old

We just booked the Hotel Icona Diamond Beach.
I like it for kids because all rooms are suites so you have a separate bedroom for naps etc. Also, they have full kitchens which is priceless with kids.

Private beach, nice pool, brand new place- completely torn down and redone.

Great trip adviser reviews. It's much nicer than the old run down places you find on the shore.

It's a 3 minute drive to the Wild-wood boardwalk and also close to Cape May.

Yet it's off the beaten trail a bit so it's quieter..


Hotel Icona

Trip Advisor Reviews

Message edited 5/7/2015 9:10:56 AM.

Jersey Shore with 14-15 month old

That age, there is very little the child could ride on at the Pier at Wildwood (look at Moreyspiers.com), but if you are into the beach, that is an attraction in itself for a 1 year old. We go to Wildwood for the entertainment on the piers though, not the beach, since I think LI beaches are much nicer.

Re: Jersey Shore with 14-15 month old

Re: Jersey Shore with 14-15 month old

Posted by PitterPatter11

Posted by BargainMama

That age, there is very little the child could ride on at the Pier at Wildwood (look at Moreyspiers.com), but if you are into the beach, that is an attraction in itself for a 1 year old. We go to Wildwood for the entertainment on the piers though, not the beach, since I think LI beaches are much nicer.

I don't live on LI so any beach is an attraction for us.

Last year, we went to Hershey with a 3 month old and wound up just staying by the pool, exploring the gardens, and going to the Hershey museum - so a beach to me would be more slightly more exciting...

Any better ideas for a vacation with a one year would be appreciated. He doesn't watch any TV so he's not "into" anything yet.

Jersey Shore with 14-15 month old

Ocean City!

Re: Jersey Shore with 14-15 month old

Posted by BargainMama

Posted by PitterPatter11

Posted by BargainMama

That age, there is very little the child could ride on at the Pier at Wildwood (look at Moreyspiers.com), but if you are into the beach, that is an attraction in itself for a 1 year old. We go to Wildwood for the entertainment on the piers though, not the beach, since I think LI beaches are much nicer.

I don't live on LI so any beach is an attraction for us.

Last year, we went to Hershey with a 3 month old and wound up just staying by the pool, exploring the gardens, and going to the Hershey museum - so a beach to me would be more slightly more exciting...

Any better ideas for a vacation with a one year would be appreciated. He doesn't watch any TV so he's not "into" anything yet.

So then I think it's fine. I think there are probably nicer beaches in NJ than in the Wildwood area though if that is going to be your main focus. Maybe Long Beach Island, Ocean City NJ? I haven't been to either, but I see them mentioned a lot. I just wasn't overly impressed with the Wildwood beaches, but then again I'm comparing to Long Island Beaches, which we go to all the time in the Summer. If you don't, then I think it will be just fine at Wildwood :)

Jersey Shore with 14-15 month old

We did Point Pleasant last year and it was great for kids that age. The Boardwalk rides are geared toward that age. We loved it! And it is much closer than Wildwood.

Re: Jersey Shore with 14-15 month old

Cape May

Congress Hall

Took my son when he was eleven months.

AMAZING.

Can't wait to go back.


For that age they have a great zoo nearby, an aquarium, great shops and things to see, a horse-drawn carriage tour, the beach, Congress Hall has a gorgeous pool, tons of activities for kids that the staff do with them, etc. TONS to do. Nature preserves to see, boat tours to go on.

Message edited 5/8/2015 2:13:06 PM.

Re: Jersey Shore with 14-15 month old

Posted by NervousNell

Posted by BargainMama

Posted by PitterPatter11

Posted by BargainMama

That age, there is very little the child could ride on at the Pier at Wildwood (look at Moreyspiers.com), but if you are into the beach, that is an attraction in itself for a 1 year old. We go to Wildwood for the entertainment on the piers though, not the beach, since I think LI beaches are much nicer.

I don't live on LI so any beach is an attraction for us.

Last year, we went to Hershey with a 3 month old and wound up just staying by the pool, exploring the gardens, and going to the Hershey museum - so a beach to me would be more slightly more exciting...

Any better ideas for a vacation with a one year would be appreciated. He doesn't watch any TV so he's not "into" anything yet.

So then I think it's fine. I think there are probably nicer beaches in NJ than in the Wildwood area though if that is going to be your main focus. Maybe Long Beach Island, Ocean City NJ? I haven't been to either, but I see them mentioned a lot. I just wasn't overly impressed with the Wildwood beaches, but then again I'm comparing to Long Island Beaches, which we go to all the time in the Summer. If you don't, then I think it will be just fine at Wildwood :)

Yes this is why we chose Diamond Beach over Wildwood itself.
The beach in front of the hotel seems a lot nicer. It's private too so it's not as crowded.
Just seems like a good compromise since Wildwood is close enough to go visit (as is Cape May) but we are in a quieter, more private area of beach

Re: Jersey Shore with 14-15 month old

Posted by b2b777

Posted by NervousNell

Posted by BargainMama

Posted by PitterPatter11

Posted by BargainMama

That age, there is very little the child could ride on at the Pier at Wildwood (look at Moreyspiers.com), but if you are into the beach, that is an attraction in itself for a 1 year old. We go to Wildwood for the entertainment on the piers though, not the beach, since I think LI beaches are much nicer.

I don't live on LI so any beach is an attraction for us.

Last year, we went to Hershey with a 3 month old and wound up just staying by the pool, exploring the gardens, and going to the Hershey museum - so a beach to me would be more slightly more exciting...

Any better ideas for a vacation with a one year would be appreciated. He doesn't watch any TV so he's not "into" anything yet.

So then I think it's fine. I think there are probably nicer beaches in NJ than in the Wildwood area though if that is going to be your main focus. Maybe Long Beach Island, Ocean City NJ? I haven't been to either, but I see them mentioned a lot. I just wasn't overly impressed with the Wildwood beaches, but then again I'm comparing to Long Island Beaches, which we go to all the time in the Summer. If you don't, then I think it will be just fine at Wildwood :)

Yes this is why we chose Diamond Beach over Wildwood itself.
The beach in front of the hotel seems a lot nicer. It's private too so it's not as crowded.
Just seems like a good compromise since Wildwood is close enough to go visit (as is Cape May) but we are in a quieter, more private area of beach

I stayed at the Icona two years ago. Let me know if you have any questions :)

Jersey Shore with 14-15 month old

I think Ocean Beach in jersey is a dry town. I am not an alcoholic or anything, but I would never go there if it is.

Jersey Shore with 14-15 month old

i was born and raised in NJ, and still live here i would say either Long Beach Island or ocean city for a nice family trip.
LBI is very family friendly- theres a little amusement park there, good restaurants, its pretty quiet and clean...
Ocean City is great, too!! its a "dry" town- so there are no bars or liquor stores in the town itself- but that doesn't mean you can't drive 5-10 minutes away and pick some up, or bring some of your own in. For me, thats what makes it a nice spot for a family vacation- the no bars thing keeps the sketchy "Jersey Shore" type people away HAHA there is a really nice boardwalk with rides and stuff for the kids. not TOO far away is the free Cape May Zoo, which might be fun if you want a no beach day one day...

Re: Jersey Shore with 14-15 month old

Posted by ml110

i was born and raised in NJ, and still live here i would say either Long Beach Island or ocean city for a nice family trip.
LBI is very family friendly- theres a little amusement park there, good restaurants, its pretty quiet and clean...
Ocean City is great, too!! its a "dry" town- so there are no bars or liquor stores in the town itself- but that doesn't mean you can't drive 5-10 minutes away and pick some up, or bring some of your own in. For me, thats what makes it a nice spot for a family vacation- the no bars thing keeps the sketchy "Jersey Shore" type people away HAHA there is a really nice boardwalk with rides and stuff for the kids. not TOO far away is the free Cape May Zoo, which might be fun if you want a no beach day one day...

Re: Jersey Shore with 14-15 month old

Nope.. No alcohol sales anywhere in Ocean City, NJ. And you're not allowed to BYO to restaurants either. ??????

Re: Jersey Shore with 14-15 month old

Re: Jersey Shore with 14-15 month old