Top 10 Tips for a more enjoyable Summer Vacation in Seaside Heights at the Jersey Shore

Save money by renting a condo instead of paying for a hotel room.

If you're bringing your family to the Jersey Shore this summer, the most economical and cost-saving tip I can give you is rent a condo. Besides being cheaper than many hotel rates, renting a vaction condo can save you money by allowing you to prepare quick meals, like breakfast and lunch, right in your own kitchen. A great place to rent condos from is Surfside Condominiums in Seaside Heights, where all units come with pool access, off-street parking, and furnished kitchens (with fridge and stove). They also allow pets, and at just a little over 2 blocks from the beach they are very conveniently located.

Get directions beforehand.

Noone wants to spend extra time in the car driving around looking for your vacation spot. Don't just get highway directions, make sure you have local street directions explaining exactly where you are going. The more time spent in the car, the more time your kids have a chance to become antsy!

Leave early, beat the traffic.

It should go without saying that the Garden State Parkway is practically a parking lot on the weekends in summer. It's best to plan your trip and get out early, before sunrise, if you want to avoid the traffic rushing to the Jersey Shore. Hotels don't allow you to check in until afternoon usually, but condo rental places like Surfside Condominiums in Seaside Heights can make special arrangements so you can get the key early and start your summer vacation right away.

Don't forget to bring your towels, linens, beach stuff.

You're going to need some big, over-sized towels for lying around in the sand, and if you're staying at a motel or hotel you certainly don't want to take a little white towel with you to the beach. Make sure you bring:

Big beach towels
Collapsible, easy to carry beach chairs
Suntan lotion
Battery-operated equipment (radio, small hand fan, etc.)
Beach Umbrella
Flip-fops or tongs (that sand gets hot!)
Soothing Lotion (in case of burning or jellyfish stings)
Aspirin, band-aids, etc.

If you are staying somewhere with a kitchen, you don't have to shop for groceries beforehand, the A&P in Seaside Heights is a reasonably priced full-size grocery store.

Make arrangements to carry all that beach gear.

OK, great, you read the last tip and you remembered to pack a dozen beach towels, a cooler, your camera, some books, a radio, 6 beach chairs and an oversized sun shade umbrella. Now how are you going to lug it all down to the beach? Whether you are 10 feet or 10 blocks from the beach, a handy trick is to pack one of your kid's red wagons, or any small utility cart with wheels and a handle, so you can pile your beach gear on it and easily tug it along with you. Trust me, when you see the line of people carrying all their gear back and forth you'll be happy you remembered this tip!

Bring a camera / camcorder from home.

You can always get disposable cameras (at an increased price) on the boardwalk, but it's cheaper to bring your own from home. If you've got a digital camera remember to bring an extra memory card if you plan on snapping lots of photos.

Be kind and courteous during your stay.

This should go without saying, but hey, let's face it, the Jersey Shore gets hot and crowded and dealing with the beach mob can sometimes be a frustrating experience. Just remember that this is your vacation, and everyone is here to have fun and enjoy the beach. Try to respect the noise levels, and make sure you clean up after your children.

Look for Free Activities

Check out the Seaside Heights Beach schedule - there are free beach days on Wednesdays and Thursdays. They also offer free movies, concerts and fireworks all summer long. Why not take advantage of everything the town has to offer tourists? After all, they want you to enjoy your stay and come back each year, so they always offer some great attractions.

Sunscreen and Tanning Lotion

I know, I know ... you think you don't tan that easily, let alone burn. But trust me, you do - we all do, and a nasty and uncomfortable sun burn can sneak up on you before you realize it. Don't forget to wear sunscreen whenever you plan to be outside for more than a half hour. Also don't forget to put any on the kids, you don't want them keeping you up crying all night long on your vacation!

Be responsible pet owners

If you're going to be staying somewhere which allows pets, make sure you are responsible and clean up after them. Don't forget to give them plenty of water, since temperatures can get into the 90s on some days. Here's a tip from the Dog Whisperer - the fastest way to cool off an overheated dog is to hose off their belly first. This cools their core temperature quickly.

About the Author

Glenn Wise has been spending his summers in Seaside Heights at the Jersey Shore for over forty years now. He loves it so much it he bought a house down here ... and then a condominium complex! Mr. Wise is the owner/operator of Surfside Condominiums at Seaside Heights, which offers summer rentals, weelky rentals, and group rentals at the Jersey Shore Visit them on the web to book your vacation at Seaside-HeightsRentals.com or call Sharon at their rental office number, 973-698-7623.