We have put together a few activities to do with your families this Labor Day Weekend. We are wishing everyone a safe an enjoyable weekend filled with beautiful weather!
1. Visit A Monmouth County Park!
There are multiple events happening at Monmouth County Parks this weekend. How lucky are we to have such a beautiful park system filled with activities for the whole family?
Monmouth County Parks with Tables and Permanent Grills Free to Use
Reservable Picnic Shelters and/or Tents
For these parks below they offer reservable picnic shelters for a fee. You can call 732-842-4000 ext 1, weekdays 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.to inquire or email.
Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park
Fish at a Monmouth County Park
All freshwater ponds and lakes require a NJ Fishing License. They are about $23 for the year and are required for adults 16 and up. If you are fishing at a salt water location or Ocean a fishing license is not required, but you need to register for free with the Saltwater fishing online registry.
For a list of all the fishing locations within Monmouth County Parks click here.
For fishing licenses click here.
For the Saltwater fishing registry click here.
Boat, Canoe, and Kayak Rentals
Manasquan Reservoir, Howell
Rent a Rowboat or Kayak
Wednesdays, Fridays & Sundays
7 a.m.-6 p.m
At the Manasquan Reservoir Visitor Center, park patrons ages 18 and older can rent rowboats (1-hr $14.54 or 4-hrs $35.64); electric motor powered rowboats (4-hrs $46.42); and kayaks (1-hr single person $14.54 or 1-hr double person $20.63). Cash or check only. A $10 deposit is required for 1 hour rental; $20 deposit required for 4 hour rental. (Please note prices do not include sales tax.)
Please note that the operation of an electric motorboat requires a NJ boating safety certificate.
Turkey Swamp Park, Freehold
Rent a Kayak, Canoe or Paddleboat
Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays
10 a.m. -5:30 p.m.
(Boat rentals will also be available on Monday, September 7.)
Boat rental hours are 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The cost is $14.54 an hour. Double kayaks are available for $20.63 an hour. A refundable deposit of $10 is required for individual rental. Group rentals are available. (Please note prices do not include sales tax.)
Highlight Event Happening this Weekend at Monmouth County Parks
Boat Tours of the Manasquan Reservoir.
Saturday-Monday, September 5-7, 2020 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m. & 5 p.m. leaving from the visitors center and tickets can only be purchased on the day of the tour.
These 45-minute tours of the Manasquan Reservoir, Howell, are narrated by Park System Naturalists and include opportunities to view local wildlife. The cost is $6 per adult and $4 per child, age 12 and under.
Call 732-751-9453 to confirm times and click here for more info
2. Hit the Beach with the Family!
Belmar
Belmar Beach is always a family favorite. It was ranked the highest in NJ in the “Testing the Waters” report done by the Natural Resources Defense Council. Have a child interested in surfing? There’s a surf camp offered at 3rd Ave beach. Click here for more info. It’s also incredibly easy to wheel strollers and gear onto the beach, as they were one of the first towns to install Mobi-Mats. Didn’t pack lunch? There’s lots of great spots including a pizzeria, Playa Bowls, Dunkin’, and 7-11 for snacks!
Daily passes: $9 (16 and up)
Sea Girt
Our family has been heading to Sea Girt beach for years. It’s beautiful, quiet, and family-friendly. There’s a great boardwalk to bring the running stroller, or take the kids for a walk. You can also walk a block or two and grab some lunch on the patio at the infamous Parker House (currently says opening soon- fingers crossed!). Finish the day on the way out at Hoffman’s in Spring Lake for some ice cream! Sea Girt is a great spot to relax and enjoy the family.
Daily passes: $11
Long Branch
Long Branch beaches are packed with things to do with the family. It’s home to Pier Village, a ‘city by the sea.’ Take a break for lunch at Stewart’s Rootbeer, Sirena, Playa Bowls, and McLoone’s Pier House, to name a few! There’s also great shopping! Long Branch beaches also have concessions throughout the boardwalk. Look out for their Family Fun Day every Sunday, check out the details here!
Daily passes:
– $5 M-F
– $7 weekends/holidays
– $3 every day for ages 14-17
Always FREE for 13 and under/62 and older with ID and for disabled individuals!
This is for municipal beaches only and does not apply to Seven Presidents (North of Seaview Avenue).
Asbury Park
This historic shore town is home to some great beaches and family-friendly fun. Spend the morning on the beach, and take the kids up to the splash pad on the boardwalk to break up the afternoon. Bring the stroller and check out some unique shops and delicious lunch spots. End the day with some ice cream at Coney Waffle!
RATES-SEASONAL
Check with the Asbury Park Beach website to learn more about how to access daily passes to Asbury Park Beaches.
Sandy Hook
With seven miles of ocean and bay beaches, there’s a lot to do while visiting this national park. Take the kids on a bike trail, bring the dog for a walk on the bayside, plan a picnic for lunch, and go on a hike (perfect for your nature enthusiast!). Sandy Hook is also home to the oldest continuously operating lighthouse in the U.S. Parking fills up quickly on the weekends, so make sure to leave early!
Beach parking is $15 per day
Spring Lake
Dubbed the “Jewel of the Jersey Shore,” Spring Lake is by far the cutest beach town in Monmouth County! The beaches are clean and pristine, family-friendly, and offer plenty to do. Downtown is a short walk from the shore where you can stay at adorable B & B’s, shop in their infamous shopping district, dine for lunch, or just take a stroll down the tree-lined, picturesque streets of this cozy beach town.
Daily pass: $10
3. Food Truck & Music Fest at Monmouth Mall
Saturday September 5th, 2020 from 11am-7pm
The Food Trucks are rolling in to Central Jersey!
Social Distancing Style of course!
Join us at this awesome event featuring: 20 gourmet food trucks, music, beer, margarita & sangria garden, airbrush & glitter tattoos on the arms & legs, pony rides, inflatables, games, sand art, spin art, vendors and more!
Event is being held at the Monmouth Mall- AMC Lot
Bring your appetite, lawn chairs & don’t forget your face masks.
• 500 people allowed at a time. 2 leave, 2 more get to go in. 4 leave, 4 more get to go in. etc etc… (these numbers could change by August 29)
• Please be patient online for entry and at the food trucks.
• All attendees who enter MUST wear a facemask. No face mask, no entry!
• Social distancing marking will be in front of every truck, please abide by those markings on where to stand.
• Please share the time after you get your food to allow for others to enter, so the food trucks can continue to serve customers and have a productive day of business.
• Beer can not leave the festival grounds.
• Please bring your own seating.
Participating Food Trucks: TBA
***WE ARE ALSO ASKING ALL ATTENDEES TO BRING A NON-PERISHABLE CANNED OR BOXED ITEM TO HELP SUPPORT THE FOOD PANTRY ***
Admission: $5 • Kids under 5 FREE
FREE PARKING
4. Visit an Ice Cream Shop
Check out these ice-cream parlors below and stop by one this weekend to take off your bucket list, you won’t be disappointed!
Hoffman’s
Pt. Pleasant, Spring Lake, and Long Branch
One of our all-time favorite spots to stop after a beach day, Hoffman’s is always a family favorite.
Coney Waffle
Asbury Park, Red Bank, Pier Village, and Belmar
A waffle, ice cream, and sweet shop, Coney Waffle is an experience like no other! Take the kids and treat them to some of their famous iconic milkshakes, ‘Sweet Galaxy Cones,’ and more! And come hungry, Coney Waffle doesn’t mess around!
Lighthouse Strollo’s Homemade Italian Ice
Long Branch, Red Bank, West End, Pt. Pleasant Beach, Monmouth Park, Belford
Trips to Lighthouse Strollo’s were a tradition as kids, and it’s no different now! It’s not summer if you haven’t had an Italian ice from Lighthouse! Make this your family’s tradition too!
For more ice cream recommendations click here
5. Visit one of these Main Streets for a Meal or Farmer’s Market
Asbury Park
Full of great restaurants, arts, and historic locations. Grab a bite to eat and have a walk on the boardwalk. Bring the camera for some great shots of the family!
Offering outdoor seating and takeout offering starters like the roasted corn, lettuce wraps, quesadillas, & chicken fingers, perfect for the kids and parents are sure to enjoy their many drink options and main dishes!
Offering brunch, lunch, and dinner with outdoor seating Porta continues to be a local family favorite. They offer multiple pizza and pasta options the whole family will enjoy.
Red Bank
Red Bank has done a wonderful job making the Broadwalk look beautiful as well as continuing to support each other and their businesses. Seriously, what a great community of people and businesses!
Visit the Broadwalk at Red Bank and stop by Robinson Ale House. We love that they have a full kids menu sure to make the kiddos happy. Parents will love the endless starter options like the nachos and crab cakes along with lots of big plate options!
If you are looking for Italian Fare while in Red Bank then Partizia’s is the place to visit. Not only do they offer a full kids portion menu but they also offer pizzas, pastas, soups, salads, and tasty sandwiches!
Belmar
If you haven’t been it is a must try! They offer everything from Asian lettuce wraps, corn fritters, calamari as starters to fresh salads, burgers, pizza, chowders & bisques, plus so much more!
Klein’s Fish Market Waterside Cafe
Klein’s has been around since 1929 and if you like seafood add this to your bucket list. If your child isn’t a fan of seafood no worries, they have a kids menu! They offer everything a traditional fishery does along with more options!
Markets
Friday September 4th
Downtown Freehold Farmers Market – Jersey Fresh 11-4pm
Saturday September 5th
26th Annual Highlands Farmers Market Huddy Park 8:30-2pm
Bayshore Farmers’ Market at Bayshore Medical Center 9-1pm
Fresh Markets at Jersey Shore Premium Outlets 10-3pm
The Market at Whitechapel Projects 10-1pm
Sunday September 6th
Red Bank Farmers Market at the Galleria 9-2pm
