If you’ve never been to Long Beach Island, you’ve never fully been down the shore. In fact, the Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce thinks there’s plenty left to do. Representing the Greater LBI Region for over 90 years, the Chamber never runs out of suggestions for visitors and tourists.
Here are some top tips from the Chamber about things to do when you visit Long Beach Island. Don’t forget to bring your camera.
1. Say Hello to Barney
If you haven’t met Barney, you don’t know the shore very well. Barney is what the locals call the Barnegat Lighthouse on the northern tip of Long Beach Island. People take more photos of Barney than nearly any other landmark in the entire state and certainly the Jersey Shore. Take a trip to the top and see the shore like you’ve never seen it before. Be prepared to expend a little energy though as Barnegat Light has 217 steps to climb to get to the top.
2. Catch a Wave
Our surf shop partners will get you outfitted and hook you or your group up with surfing lessons whether you are a gremmie or radical from Spring through the End of Fall. Call the Chamber for details.
3. Earn Your Stripes
Super Surf Casting Seminar helps kick off opening day of our 56th Annual LBI Fishing Tournament where thousands of dollars are awarded weekly for the prize catch of Bluefish & Striped Bass. The tournament begins every year in October. This is a free event. To register contact the Chamber office.
4. Walk Back In Time
Long Beach Island Museum, Beach Haven NJ offers walking tours through Victorian Beach Haven that start the last week in June through mid September on Tuesdays and Fridays, weather permitting at 10:00am tickets are $8.00 call 609 492 0700
5. Sing for Your Supper
Or at least your dessert at the turn of the century inspired Show Place Ice Cream Parlor with singing wait staff. Showplace is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day with daily show times July 1 – September 3 running Six pm until Midnight. For more information or private parties call 609 492-0018. Get more information @ http://www.theshowplace.org/.
6. Grab a Show
Surflight, Beach Haven’s professional live performance theatre presents shows all summer long and into the fall. For Summer 2010 the theatre is featuring: On Your Toes by Rogers & Hart, The Drowsy Chaperone, 42nd Street, High School Musical and Cabaret. Call the Surflight Theatre box office for tickets availability and pricing (609) 492-9477. Get more information online @ http://www.surflight.org.
7. Float your boat
At the 3rd Annual NJ Maritime Heritage Festival. Take a boat ride, watch demonstrations, or enjoy the food, entertainment and activities. The festival runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday, August the 6th, 7th and 8th. For more information call 609 296-8868 or go to http://www.tuckertonseaport.org/.
8. Do A Jig
At the Ship Bottom Irish Festival at 10th Street and Shore Avenue on the bay in Ship Bottom, New Jersey. The festival is slated for Saturday and Sunday, September 11th and 12th. Celebrate with music, vendors, food and a beer garden. Admission is $10.00 for one day $15.00 for two days. For vendor information call Dave Connelly @ 609-494-6301. You can find out more from the festival @ http://www.lbiaoh.com.
9. Bet On a Crab
At Sunset Park at West Salem Avenue in Harvey Cedars during the Blue Claw Crab Race. Bring your fastest crab or just cheer on your favorite on August 14th, 2010. Registration begins at 10:00 am and the race starts at 11:00. There is no fee for the public. Call (609) 361-7990 for more information or visit the Harvey Cedars events page @ http://www.harveycedars.org/HCcalendar.html. This year you can also visit the Blue Crab Craft Show from 10-3.
10. Become an Official Chowder Judge
At the 22nd Anniversary of Chowderfest, Sunday October 3rd at Bayfront Park on Taylor Avenue in Beach Haven. Enjoy unlimited chowder tasting at the Chowder Cook-off Classic as local restaurants compete to be the King Of Clams. Your ticket gets you two votes, one for red and one for white. There’s always plenty of music, food and fun for everyone from 11am to 4pm. VIP and General Admission tickets are available at the Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce website @ http://www.visitlbiregion.com/visitors/chowderfest/.
For more info on these plus hundreds more visit discoversouthernocean.com or call the Chamber office at 609 494 7211 or visit them online @ VisitLBIRegion.com.
