Best NJ Day Trips - Take the Kids to Seaside Heights Boardwalk

This is one story in a series where we feature one family-friendly day trip idea a day. Read the entire series and find great ideas for things to do with kids in NJ here.

Beat the summer heat with a trip to Seaside Heights Boardwalk for a family-friendly experience by the sea.

WHY WE LOVE SEASIDE HEIGHTS BOARDWALK

Seaside Heights Boardwalk is home to two ride-filled piers, making for hours of fun.

Seaside Heights Casino Pier contains 40 different rides ranging from an adrenaline-pumping roller coaster to a Mardi Gras-themed funhouse. Families with younger children will love the variety of kid-friendly rides, including a miniature coaster.

The pier also harbors a century-old carousel in addition to Wacky Golf, a roof-top miniature golf course boasting a breathtaking view of the shore.

The Funtown Amusement Pier, like the Casino Pier, offers over 30 different rides; what separates it from the Casino Pier is its looming Ferris wheel. The wheel, a boardwalk staple, overlooks the towns of Seaside Heights and Barnegat Bay.

Too hot for outdoor activities? Both piers have a solution in their arcades, which boast a mix of classic and modern games for the entire family to delight in.

If you’re looking for a family-friendly place to eat, Seaside Heights boardwalk has plenty to choose from. The boardwalk plays host to an assortment of restaurants including Midway Steak House and Grif’s Seaside Crab House. While the latter specializes in seafood, Midway Steak House is known for its superb sausage sandwiches and cheese steaks.

For an after-dinner treat, families can take a trip to the Berkeley Sweet Shop for mouth-watering chocolates and taffy, or to one of three Kohr’s Frozen Custard stands lining the boardwalk.

HOURS, PRICES, DIRECTIONS

The Casino Pier’s attractions open at noon daily from July to September 3rd. The Funtown Amusement Pier’s attractions open mainly at noon daily from July to September 2nd; however, its hours are fairly reflexive. See a schedule of Funtown Amusement Pier’s hours here.

Both piers offer ride tickets ranging in price from $0.75 to $50, depending on the number of tickets per purchase. Wrist bands are also available for purchase between noon and 6 p.m. Monday-Friday for the Funtown Amusement Pier, giving riders unlimited access to rides.

Metered parking is available on the streets in Seaside Heights and private parking lots are plentiful in the boardwalk area. See where to park in Seaside Heights with this list.

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