• About
  • Blog
  • Working together
  • Testimonials
  • Contact

Girl Gone Travel

Girl Gone Travel

North America, Travel
/
June 17, 2013

Two NJ Beaches, Two NJ Experiences: From Belmar to Atlantic City

Enjoyed this post? Give it some love and share!
Share

This travel post is part of a host agreement.

A couple of weekends ago I headed out to join a group of fellow bloggers to give New Jersey beaches a shout out. Weather-wise it wasn’t the best weekend. We’ve been experiencing lots of rain lately, and though I was hoping for some serious beach time, Mother Nature had her own plans.

Nevertheless, I joined the group, made up of bloggers who are part of the Social Media Moms and New Jersey Digital Moms groups, and under the #JerseyLove hashtag shared information on Belmar, NJ, one of the areas affected by Hurricane Sandy, as well as Caesars Palace and Atlantic City, not as hard hit by Sandy, but affected by the media’s misrepresentation of the damage to their boardwalk area – which was close to none in comparison to other areas of the Jersey coast, affecting their tourism.

An afternoon in Belmar, NJ

I had never been to Belmar. This cute coastal town is in Monmouth County and has a mile long boardwalk and over a mile long beach. The boardwalk was recently rebuilt since Sandy and overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. A lot of homes and Mom and Pop businesses were hurt here, and there are a still areas under re-construction, still some displaced families, and lots of businesses looking forward for visitors to come back and help them get back on their feet. Our group was hosted by D’Jais, a fun restaurant and bar, which offers good food that can be enjoyed while at their outdoor seating overlooking the beach.

dejais

Belmar’s Mayor Matt Doherty came to greet and welcome us here, and accepted a $5,000 donation to help families displaced by Hurricane Sandy – a generous donation made by California-based business D6 SurfSkimmer, who was in town promoting their new beach product, the Surf Skimmer.

Soon after, a few of us decided to take on the waves formed by the tropical storm hitting outside, and with the help and guidance of the surfing instructors from Summer Time Surf, we hit the beach. I have to say, surfing was one of the most fun water activities I have ever participated in and was immediately addicted.

IMG_8288

The instructors were funny, patient, and excited to get us out there learning. Despite the strong winds, stronger waves, and cold water (which wasn’t too bad with the wetsuits on), we were able to experience a beach day at Belmar and see for ourselves why this is one of the most popular beaches in the area.

A Weekend in Atlantic City

Atlantic City’s biggest dilemma from Hurricane Sandy wasn’t so much due to damage from the storm, as it was due to damage from wrong information from the press. Reporters insisted on communicating to the public that the boardwalk there was damaged or destroyed – which was not the case. The family owned Steel Pier, a popular amusement park in Atlantic City, is still standing strong and open for business. The boardwalk is just as I left it since my last visit to the area.

atlantic

I also had fun checking out the Absecon Lighthouse, which was first lit in 1857. One of the oldest lighthouses in the country, it offers a great view of the area at the top of its 228 stair climb. It is New Jersey’s tallest lighthouse, and one of the third tallest in the country.

abseconWith Buddy, the volunteer lighthouse keeper

Or hotel hosts, Caesars Palace Atlantic City, is operating in full swing, with guests filling up their casinos and restaurants, as well as coming in to enjoy their many evening shows and events. They are currently in the final stages of preparation for the upcoming Atlantic Food & Wine Festival.

Though I am not into gambling at all, the nightlife and other events offered are the kind of fun I would enjoy with my husband or girlfriends. The resort is part of Caesars Entertainment Group and encompasses  Caesars Atlantic City, Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City, Showboat Atlantic City and Bally’s Atlantic City, which means being able to access all the fun these resorts have to offer as well. What spoke most to me were the cooking classes led by top chefs (sometimes hosted by celebrity chefs) at The Viking Cooking School at Harrah’s Resort. Now, that is sometime my foodie heart could get into.

I enjoyed my stay at Caesars. My most memorable moment there was my dining experience at the Atlantic Grill and the Sunday brunch at Nero’s, where Chef de Cuisine John Mejlak pulls out all the stops with everything from your traditional brunch flair of waffles, eggs Benedict, and pastries, to sushi, crab legs, and caviar on toast. It’s quite the experience, and one I thoroughly enjoyed. I recommend dining at the sit-down restaurants. Though the buffet may seem more budget-friendly, the customer service needs some work. Overall, it was a fun weekend, and I am glad I went out to see these areas for myself since Sandy. Both areas were affected in different ways, but both are ready to host visitors for the summer.

brunch at nero'sChef de Cuisine John Mejlak brings creativity, originality, and a variety of flavors to Nero’s Sunday brunch.

Two Beaches, Two Different Experiences

The experience is quite different in these locations. Belmar is more of a small beach town feel, wonderful for families looking for a calm, quite, family friendly beach vacation.

Caesars Palace and Atlantic City as a whole, is larger in scale, busier, more active, with more to do both inside and outside of the resort and at night. I am not sure this would be the vacation for my kids, but they are definitely working on making strides to gear some experiences to become more family friendly. The Steel Pier and Absecon Lighthouse can really offer that, as well as the brunch at Nero’s, which would be especially nice if you were wanting to celebrate a nice family event.

I hope you can check them out this summer!

As New Jersey is my new home, I would like to give it some love and thus I will be covering more New Jersey beach areas throughout the summer, highlighting places to visit and things to do there.

Thanks to the SMMS and the NJDM for allowing me to join their group for the weekend! Many thanks to the sponsors and partners for their hospitality during our visit. I received no monetary compensation. I appreciate the considerations offered and the freedom to express all opinions as my own.

My Ride

For this trip, Subaru lent me a new 2014 Subaru Forester, which I got to test out during the few hours that it took to get to these beach destinations and back. I was hoping to take some great videos and highlight some fab scenery along the way, but with a tropical storm on me the entire time, and the traffic that usually follows, it was nearly impossible.

#SubaruForester

However, I was still pretty excited to check out.

I will write more information about the vehicle in a separate post, but I will say it was a great ride. Some of the safety features took some getting used to, such as the notifications that light up when crossing over the lane dividers – which, if you every drive in NJ, you know is always just to get through. The technology features were easy to maneuver and  I am a huge fan of the push start buttons in cars.

It probably wouldn’t have fit my family of 5 very comfortably, but the trunk was spacious, and 4 adults, and a smaller family, would’ve traveled well. Lastly, I took advantage of the sky roof as often as I could and enjoyed how bright and spacious it made the car feel.

Related

Enjoyed this post? Give it some love and share!
Share
Pin this Post
Share this Post
Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, whether close to home or farther away. She is a small business owner and travel writer. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and Principal of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She lives, works, and plays in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of NY.

You May Also Like...

Christmas Tree Hunting in Long Island, NY

December 12, 2008

Fort Tryon Park, Washington Heights, NY

December 10, 2008

Winter afternoon in the Bronx Zoo, NY

December 16, 2008
3 Comments
  • shutterbuggeek
    June 17, 2013

    Nice recap! There's so much to see and do in AC, and there's really something for everyone!

    Reply
    • caincarol
      shutterbuggeek
      June 17, 2013

      Thank you! I agree : )

      Reply
  • India Visa
    June 23, 2013

    Sounds interesting. i would love to go there.

    Reply

Leave a Reply to caincarol Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Previous Post
Eating Your Way Through Richmond, VA
Next Post
A Weekend at Morey’s Piers, NJ

About me

Hi! I'm Carol! I am an award-winning travel blogger, a keynote speaker, and the Principal and owner of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. I a wife to a handsome Irish/Scot and a mom to 3 sons and 2 puppies. Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and professional public relations insights and advice. Thank you for reading and for your support!

Carol Cain

Categories

  • Asia5 Post(s)
  • Caribbean17 Post(s)
  • Central America4 Post(s)
  • Europe53 Post(s)
  • North America316 Post(s)
  • Oceana1 Post(s)

Contact

  • carol@girlgonetravel.com

Follow @girlgonetravel

I’ve been a mom for a really, really long time. I’ve been a mom for a really, really long time. As the oldest of all my many, many siblings, caring for littles started very early in my life. I have cared for, changed diapers for, fed, rocked to sleep, booboo-kissed, advised, reprimanded, worried for, been frustrated and given anxiety by more kids than I care to count. Because I started caring for children so young, I was convinced I wouldn’t have any of my own. But I had my three beautiful boys.

I miss the little babies they were, sometimes to the point where it aches, but I love seeing the men they are becoming. I am most grateful to them for the ways in which they continue to help me discover more about myself both as a mom and beyond motherhood. My identity was never fully in being a mom, I never wanted that for myself and they all have respected, accepted, and given me space for that. And I love them unconditionally for it. Because as they start to find their own paths in life, I am not left with an empty anything, instead I find myself with a life fulfilled. Of which being their mom has been the greatest adventure.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing mother figures, caregivers, and humans who have provided for another in loving, maternal ways regardless of biology and traditional roles and societal expectations. ♥️ May you find fulfillment, love, and joy in the ways you have tried to give to others who needed it most.
The Village of Monticello is located right off NYS The Village of Monticello is located right off NYS Route 17 (future I-86), mid-way between New York City and Binghamton. It is also the largest community of the Sullivan County Catskills. Like many rural downtowns across the U.S., Monticello has experienced some hardships. However, what I found especially lovely was how there is a vibrant BIPOC community, especially Latino, thriving with their small businesses and eateries keeping Downtown Monticello alive.

Imagine my delight to have seen several Dominican- Puerto Rican eateries serving and sounding like a slice of home. Last night’s treat was had at @nellys_latin_restaurant. 

Roasted pernil, grilled chicken, rice and peas, yuca, sweet plantains, ox tail, goat….the list goes on and on. Right here in Monticello, NY. I ate and washed it all down with a cool papaya shake, just like from the islands.

So, if driving through, be sure to check out downtown Monticello for some good Caribbean eats…and wait till I tell you about breakfast!!! Thanks @nickfingdavis for the find! 🇩🇴🇵🇷

#monticellony #catskills #goodeats @sullivancatskills
Nothing like the beautiful golden hour in @flxwine Nothing like the beautiful golden hour in @flxwinecountry.🌞

#myflx
These days you will find me walking in the rain, c These days you will find me walking in the rain, chasing waterfalls, and anything nature filled. Such is spring in the Finger Lakes 🌷

#fingerlakes #lifeinthefingerlakes #cascadillagorge #ithacany
I sometimes can’t believe how easily I fell in l I sometimes can’t believe how easily I fell in love with this life.

There was a time when my DREAM was to be one of those old NYC ladies living in a 4 story walk-up, and who people would often see pulling around her shopping cart from market to market. And while I long for a NYC that barely exists anymore, I do have to say I am still often surprised at how dramatically that dream has changed.

Now I dream of uninterrupted days spent tending to my garden and growing food and other pretty greenery I never knew I could. Or figuring out new recipes and sitting by the fire with my puppies on my lap.

I crave mornings made foggy by the adjacent lake, and early wake-ups by the sound of the passing horse and buggy on Sunday mornings.

Yeah. The world is big and there is so much I want to see still but I also love this place where it feels like nothing else matters, not even the mud on my hands and boots.

📸 Gardening bliss on a rainy day at @theflxcottage.
Yesterday, we headed to @tanglewood_nature_center Yesterday, we headed to @tanglewood_nature_center to scout a photography location. The focus was work. But as we took the 3 mile hike to the overlook, through the mud, in the rain…and the sun, because spring, and as the birds sung, the woodpeckers pecked, and the deer strutted, I felt myself feel lighter, happier, and at ease. With just a walk, in this beautiful place. Alongside my beautiful partner.

If you call the Finger Lakes home, I hope you can also appreciate it and the gifts it offers, even when we least expect it. And if you need a reminder, just go outside.

#tanglewoodnaturecenter #fingerlakes

Copyright © 2023 Girl Gone Travel | Privacy Policy | Copyright Notice