Visit the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ

A family-friendly area bustling with life, Ocean Township, New Jersey, is home to plenty of fun weekend activities for you and your loved ones to enjoy together. From adrenaline-pumping adventures to peaceful retreats, we have gathered some local must-visit spots for you to add to the family calendar. Here is our list of the most popular family activities near Ocean Township, New Jersey. more Hike at Shark River Park If you hope to install a love of nature and a passion for exercise in your little ones, consider scheduling a family hike at Monmouth County’s Shark River Park. The area’s original community gathering space, the park spans a whopping 991 acres of land. It is one of the best spots to admire local plant life, with lush, skyscraping trees and peaceful ponds. There are over 8 miles of trails to explore, each surrounded by woods and water. There is also a playground where kids can run off any excess energy, and there are plenty of scenic spots to stop for a snack or picnic. Fishing fans might enjoy setting up camp at the Shark River, which is home to catfish, largemouth bass, and yellow perch. Note that a fishing license is required for anyone over 16. The park is open from 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the early summer. Closing time moves to 9 p.m. in the late summer and 8:30 p.m a few weeks later. For the most current hours, visit the Monmouth County Park System’s website. Pedal a Swan Boat Around Wesley Lake If you want to spend an afternoon on the water without getting wet, bring the family to Asbury Park’s sparkling Wesley Lake to rent a pedal boat. They are shaped like larger-than-life animals, so kids will likely get a kick out of the design. You can choose to ride a swan, flamingo, dragon, or blue heron. You will power the boat with your feet, so it is a sneaky way for you to exercise. Consider peddling around sunset for beautiful views and milder weather. The park requires you to strap yourself in with an adjustable life vest to keep you safe while soaking in the sun. You can purchase a half-hour ride in a pedal boat for $25. Each boat seats two adults and one child or one adult and two children. If you have a big family, consider splitting up and racing each other for some friendly competition. The lake is open for peddling from 2:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and from 11:30 a.m. until dusk on weekends. The launching spot is just a short walk from the beach, boardwalk, and a host of restaurants, so you can celebrate afterward with a beachside stroll or a delicious meal. Escape Together at Solve It Sherlock For clever families eager to test their wits, Neptune's escape room destination, Solve It Sherlock, offers mind-bending challenges the family can solve together. The facility offers five different rooms you can escape from by solving a series of progressively complex clues. An escape room is much fun that kids won't even realize they are building critical skills like logical reasoning, problem-solving, and collaboration. There are all-ages rooms like Pirates of the Golden Skull, a seafaring game, and Legends of the Pines, starring a mythical beast. There are also rooms more suitable for older kids who want a bit of a challenge and don't mind some spooky themes. For example, you can battle a zombie outbreak with the Quarantine room. You could put a historical spin on things with The Magician's Secret, set during the 1837 World Fair, or Sacred Stones, which places you in the middle of the Mayan empire. Solve It Sherlock is open from 2:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday. Scare Yourselves Silly at Paranormal Books & Curiosities If you have older kids up for a spellbinding thrill, put on a brave face and head to Paranormal Books & Curiosities for a haunting afternoon. On the first floor, you can peruse many books about the eerie and strange, from ghosts and monsters to science and history. You can learn about the most bizarre parts of New Jersey's past and present with the latest issue of Weird NJ. The bookstore also hosts regular events like seances and ghost hunting lessons. However, they are not for the faint of heart. Upstairs, the building houses the Paranormal Museum, which is available only for private tours, so your family can bond with an incredibly frightening experience. Your guided tour features one-on-one time with artifacts like spooky dolls, interpretation of cryptids, and items from the Salem Witch Trials and the Civil War. Young children might feel uncomfortable, so they should stay home. The content is most suitable for tweens and teens. The museum prioritizes your safety and comfort, so you can always take a break if you get disturbed. Take a Swing at Bluegrass Mini Golf A beloved local spot for little ones to try out their athletic skills, Bluegrass Mini Golf offers an evening of slightly athletic fun for the whole family. There are two 18-hole courses, each geared to a different skill level. The name harkens to Kentucky, the horseracing capital of the country, and you will see odes to horseracing all over the courses. Given that the course is situated on Monmouth Park Racetrack, the equestrian-inspired theme is fitting. Locals rave about the cleanly manicured greens, glittering blue ponds, and seasonal flowers decorating the course. Bluegrass Mini Golf has even been featured in the New York Times. The courses are open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Admission costs $10 for adults and $8 for kids under 12. Toddlers under the age of four get in for free. This concludes our recommendations for popular family activities in the Ocean Township area. Contact us if you know of an excellent spot for family bonding that was not on this list. If you need a new Jeep that is sporty and spacious enough for all of your family's adventures, we can help. Make a plan to visit The Jeep Store in Ocean Township, New Jersey, to learn more about our new and used Jeep vehicles. *Featured Image - Photo by Juliane Liebermann on Unsplash.

If you're looking for interesting and unique places in Asbury Park, New Jersey, you'll be happy to find that there are plenty to keep you busy. Spend the weekend checking out these great places that are sure to entertain people of all ages. Silverball Museum Arcade For a day of fun and challenging games, head to the Silverball Museum Arcade on the Asbury Park Boardwalk. This unique attraction features the Pinball Hall of Fame and there are 600 games in circulation at the various locations. Test your skills with a number of classic pinball and arcade games, such as Space Mission, Friendship 7, Discs of Tron, and Street Fighter II. After working up an appetite playing games, stop by the Silverball Café for a slice of pizza, a hot dog, snacks, drinks, and ice cream. Silverball Museum is located at 1000 Ocean Ave. and is open Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Full- and half-day passes are available, depending on how long you want to play. more Township of Ocean Historical Museum The Township of Ocean Historical Museum features the Eden Woolley House, which is the only remaining Woolley House in Ocean Township. The house was built in the 1700s and was originally a one-and-a-half story building. It was located at the corner of Route 35 and Deal Road. In 1835, Eden Woolley inherited the house and added on to it a Greek Revival style. In 2005, the house was moved to Joe Palaia Park. The house is now a repository of history dating back 250 years and features permanent and traveling exhibits, as well as photography and artwork galleries. Take a tour to learn more about the area's rich history or attend a lecture for a more in-depth look. The Township of Ocean Historical Museum is located at 703 Deal Rd. in Ocean, about 35 miles south of Asbury Park. The museum is open Tuesday through Thursday from 1 to 4 p.m., Thursday evenings March 15 to December 15 from 7 to 9 p.m., and the first and second Sunday of each month from 1 to 4 p.m. Historic Village of Allaire The Historic Village of Allaire is a living history museum in Allaire, about 10 miles southwest of Asbury Park. It was once a factory town that produced iron and was known as Howell Iron Works. Co. The community was self-sufficient and included a blacksmith shop, bakery, boarding house, carpentry and pattern making shop, church, general store, school, and homes. Today, you can tour the village and learn more about its history by participating in hands-on activities. Step inside The Row House to see an example of the interior of the only remaining row house, which often housed 10 or more people. Stop by the General Store to browse reproductions of 18th- and 19th-century goods. You can also check out the Carriage House, Blacksmith Shop, Manager's House, and more. The Historic Village at Allaire is located at 4263 Atlantic Avenue in Allaire. The hours vary. There are so many interesting places in and around Asbury Park, that the hardest thing will be deciding what to do first. Image by goodrob13 via Flickr | CC BY 2.0 | Cropped from original

When the weather is beautiful and sunny and you're looking for something entertaining to do, there's no shortage in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Check out these fun outdoor activities to enjoy with a date, your family, or by yourself in Asbury Park. Asbury Park Splash Park On hot days, cool off while playing in the water at the Asbury Splash Park.  The sprayground has a rubber ground and covers a large area with features spread out so kids have plenty of room to goof off, burn up energy, and keep the heat at bay. Kids will have a blast running through the sprinklers that shoot out of the ground, getting "watered" by an oversized watering can, and anticipating the rush of water from a cup that overflows and spills onto them. Pack a cooler and snacks to enjoy while spending the afternoon playing in the sun. Plastic lawn chairs are spread around the park providing plenty of seating for parents to stay dry while the kids play. The Asbury Park Splash Park is located at 1100 Ocean Ave. and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Rates are $9 for children and $5 for adults. Evening passes are available for $6 for children and $3 for adults. more The Casino Designed by New York Beaux-Arts architects Warren and Wetmore in 1929, who also designed New York's Grand Central Station, the Casino is a slice of vintage Asbury Park. Although no longer functioning, the abandoned building still draws in visitors to wander around the facility and imagine what it was once like in its heyday. The casino was once home to rides, video poker, a flea market, a skating rink, and a skate park. As time went by, the building suffered destruction and parts of it were finally torn down in 2006. What remains is still fascinating to walk around and provides excellent opportunities for amazing and artistic pictures. The Casino is located at 700 Ocean Ave. and is open to the public 24 hours a day. Admission is free. Asbury Park Boardwalk The Asbury Park Boardwalk is an iconic landmark sure to delight both the young and old. Spend the day walking along the boardwalk, smelling the salty air, doing a little people-watching, and seeing the waves crash against the shoreline. Set on the historic beachfront, the boardwalk is adorned with colorful murals and features eclectic boutiques, tasty food, and some of the best live music around. Bring your pup and stop by Wonder Dog Yappy Hour to have a drink while your pup plays in the pools and sandboxes in the fenced-in area. Swing by the Carousel Building to see the beautiful architecture. Take in a dinner and show at Tim McLoone's Supper Club or listen to live music acts at The Stone Pony or The Paramount Theatre. Asbury Park Boardwalk is located at 1300 Ocean Ave. and is open Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. Whether you're looking to cool off on a hot day, tour local landmarks, or take in a great show, there's plenty of fun outdoor activities in Asbury Park. Image by kezee via Flickr | CC BY 2.0 | Cropped from original