– Pittsburgh Post-Gazette– May 23, 2019 –
It’s just not summer until you feel some warm sand between your toes and the spray of salt water on your cheeks, right?
If you’re a Pittsburgher, being able to trade in your sneakers for a pair of flip-flops probably entails a trip to the Atlantic Shore. Not only is it a (mostly) one-tank destination, but it comes with so many choices. There’s more than 160 miles of Atlantic Ocean coastline to enjoy in the Garden State through northern Maryland — some of the most popular destinations — and dozens of different towns and communities. Each has its own distinct flavor.
Here’s what’s new at some of the Shore’s most popular beach towns, along with old-school attractions that have been putting smiles on vacationers’ faces for generations.
OCEAN CITY, N.J.
The vibe: Known as America’s Greatest Family Resort, it’s family-friendly. It’s also a dry town with no bars, liquor licenses or BYO practices.
The beaches: Along with its eight miles of clean, protected beaches, Ocean City is known for its legendary boardwalk, which stretches 2.5 miles and includes Gillian’s Wonderland Pier and The Ocean City Waterpark. Beach tags, required for ages 12 and up, cost $5 daily or $10 weekly.
Parking: There’s limited free street parking, along with pay-to-park lots. Parking meters are 25 cents for 10 minutes in the beach and boardwalk zone.
New this year: There’s four rides added to Playland’s Castaway Cove amusement park on the boardwalk, including a three-lane Super Slide powered by gravity. Also, Philadelphia-based Santucci’s Pizza will sell its square-shaped pizza on the boardwalk starting Memorial Day weekend.
Info: oceancityvacation.com