10 REASONS WHY OCEAN CITY NEW JERSEY IS THE BEST FAMILY VACATION SPOT IN THE WORLD
In southern New Jersey, a shoobie is a term for a tourist, especially one who visits for the day or for a short period, often from out of town. The term is often used by locals to describe those who come to the shore for the day or a short vacation, especially those who bring their own food, like a lunch packed in a shoe box…
I’M A BORN AND BRED SHOOBIE AND PROUD – HERE’S WHY…OCEAN CITY NEW JERSEY IS IN MY DNA…
Born in Philadelphia, to a Philly born and bred dad, made it unavoidable. From weekend beach excursions from West Chester PA in 1969, through decades of weekly rentals, up until present day 2025, my children and I, and now my grandchildren, have earned gold star status as exalted Shoobies.
Now my wife is a lifelong member of the Ocean City N.J (OCNJ) Shoobie family.
“Jersey Shore?”, she asked me quizzically on our third date, “Like the TV Show…?”
With pained expression I mercifully corrected her, “No, not at all.”
“THE SOUTH JERSEY SHORE, it has white sand, clean water, It’s the last real family resort to enjoy the beach, the sun, the surf, and the most incredible boardwalk in the world.”
“Seriously…” She replied.
“Yes, seriously, wait until you see it this week…” I reassured her.
She saw it. She fell in love. I fell in love.
On November 22nd, 2020, I proposed to the one person I should have met 30 years ago, on 27th Beach, at sunrise. As the cool salt air kissed our faces and the foamy tide rolled in, a glorious symphony of rolling waves and foam, she said yes. On D-Day, June 6th, 2021, on that same 27th Beach, bathed in a glorious sunset, next to the steel blue ocean, bare feet in the sand, we said I do, surrounded by a small cadre of those closest to us. It was perfect. OCNJ is close to perfect.
WE MADE OCEAN CITY NEWS!
Last summer OCNJ Daily Journalist Maddy Vitale, surprised my family and I while my grandchildren played in the sand. She said we looked very happy and asked me a few questions, then took some pictures. An article appeared that evening. In it Maddy states, “Ocean City may be far from Buffalo, but their ties to the resort, known for its family friendly attractions and beaches are deep.”
The article continues, “I’ve been coming here since i was two said Stephen Bragg, an Air Force veteran, who was born in Philadelphia…My father George Bragg, who passed away brought me every summer. And I’m 56. We got married at sunset on the beach. Ocean City really means a lot to us,” Bragg noted. I want to be where I’m happiest.”
It concludes, “He also made vacationing in Ocean City a tradition with his son, Jeff Bragg (and his two grandchildren) who is a Marine veteran.
We were both surprised and happy to be featured in the OCNJDaily, and as i look back, i thought I’d outline 10 reasons i believe Ocean City NJ truly is the best resort anywhere to bring (or meet) your family for a summer vacation. Where to start…?
#1 – AS SOON AS YOU CROSS NINTH STREET BRIDGE – YOU ENTER THE OCNJ ZONE
As you finally reach Somers Point, usually after a long car ride, you cross the 9th street bridge. The windows go down and you know you have arrived. Everyone smells the fresh salt air now permeating the vehicle, and a delicious anticipation of your rental home and the twinkling blue ocean, excites all.
You spy the iconic Ocean City water tower, and roof tops as you crest the last bridge length and plummet downwards in traffic onto the island at 9th street. First stop usually for us? ACME Markets for groceries, milk, drinks, snacks, dinner items, you name it, 1 week’s worth of supplies. Once you get into vacation mode, food shopping is the last worry you want.
Already your stress levels are decreasing and your mind is switching modes and entering the OCNJ Zone.
#2 – YOUR RENTAL BECOMES A DREAM HOME FOR A WEEK
Once parked and cars unloaded, you open the door of your OCNJ Rental for the first time, this is home for a week. Kids run to call dibs on a bedroom, sliding glass doors are opened, it’s time to check out the deck, load the groceries in the kitchen, and get settled in.
Everyone senses the sweet promise of the beach days and boardwalk evenings ahead.
More memories of a lifetime are ready to be had.
#3 – A FAMILY BEACH DAY IN OCNJ IS A MAGICAL BODY AND SOUL DETOX
First beach morning, everyone gets up early, and usually feel car lagged from the trip down. I savor each morning to sneak out onto the deck and sip a hot coffee as the ocean waves faintly provide a soft soundtrack and glitter in the distance. After some breakfast, and frantic cooler and beach bag preparation, the clan heads out onto the Ocean City sidewalk and starts marching toward the sound of the ocean.
Eventually after crossing one or two blocks you see the ramp entrance to your beach. The salt air blows stronger and you fill your lungs with it’s heady scent. The family crosses the walkway threshold from ramp to beach and you and your loved ones pop out onto the hot white sands, the massive blue vista of the Atlantic ocean lays before you. You made it!
You find that perfect spot and with relief drop your caravan of goods and set up a beach site for the day. Chairs, toys, umbrellas, coolers, glasses and keys in safe chair pouch, apply sunblock.
I usually like to pick a spot to the left or right of the Lifeguard flags and chair. This is best for anyone with kids of any age. Here extra eyes are on them the entire time by qualified and excellent albeit very young Lifeguards. As I get older, they seem to look younger every summer. I wonder why?
I sip the coffee i brought with me, reclined next to my wife, the grandchildren start to play, the morning waves glitter in the fresh early sun, my toes are in the sand. I breathe deeply. I have finally reached my happy place.
#4 – THE OCEAN BECOMES AN INTOXICATING HEAVEN OF MID-AFTERNOON BLISS
As a lifelong shoobie, you will understand what i mean by mid-afternoon bliss. You have rested, played in the sand with the grand kids, walked the beach, swam numerous times, snacked, hydrated, and unwound for hours. You now lose track of time, and someone always peeps up with “what time is it?”
Airplanes and billboard boats pass, along with the occasional Coast Guard Helicopter, the tide is going out leaving small magical tide pools the kids love to wade in. Your lungs are filled with salt air, your sinuses cleaned out with sea water. You are slightly red and tanned, you feel human again.
Talk turns to what the evening holds, dinner? Boardwalk?
My mind and body are now officially transformed into Shoobie Mode.
#5 – THE POST BEACH RITUAL THAT IS TO BE SAVORED
Eventually it’s time to pack up and trek back to your temporary home. When you finally get back and pass into the comfortable air conditioned confines, it’s unpack bags, coolers, and race for the showers. If that shower is an outdoor shower, common to OCNJ, you get to experience one of the best feelings in life. A chance to linger under the cascades of cool, soft, OCNJ water often mixed with a soft ocean breeze over the top and under your outdoor shower surroundings.
I always sit on the deck afterwards with a hot cup of British Tea (I am a dual national!) and wait until other family members join me, and we discuss what activities and foods lay ahead for the evening.
This is where the iconic Ocean City Boardwalk comes to the top of everyone’s list.
#6 – EACH EVENING PROVIDES THE OPPORTUNITY FOR A MAGICAL FAMILY NIGHT ON “THE BOARDS”
We always like to spend at least 3 evenings on “the boards”. Once relaxed, sun bronzed, showered, and smelling good, the family either walks or takes the car and parks in the lot across from OCNJ High School, on East 6th Street. From there it’s a short walk to the Boardwalk.
From sunset to late night, you and your family can take in the shops, food, arcades, musicians, rides, and a smorgasbord of family fun and activities making more memories of a lifetime. The soundtrack of ocean waves crashes close by, as the moon reflects off of the inky black expanse of the sea.
Everyone, full stomachs, tanned, and exhausted, make their way back “home” to their cozy beds and pass out form sun, sea air, laughter, and life.
#7 – YOU CAN EAT, SHOP, LAUGH, AND PLAY INTO THE LATE EVENING WITH NO WORRY
The OCNJ Boardwalk, is a safe and family friendly place. Like anywhere in the world, it’s had it’s rare teen issues or other police matter, but on the whole, it’s about the safest and most pleasant place in the world to spend an evening with your family.
Much of this has to do with the men and women in blue. I’ll cover that in Reason #9.
#8 – OCNJ HAS BEEN A DRY ISLAND SINCE FOUR METHODIST MINISTERS PURCHASED PECK’S BEACH IN 1879
A massive reason OCNJ has remained the best family resort ever, is that alcohol is absent. Yes, you CAN bring it on the island, and drink in your “home” however, it’s not spilling out into the public with bars, clubs, gambling, etc. Which typically brings with it the public disorder, crime, and destroys a family night out. Not in OCNJ.
We can thank the founders for that. A dry island since inception, purchased by Methodist ministers, it has stayed that way since 1879, and we all hope it stays that way forever. If you just want to drink and party, go somewhere else. Those of us who love OCNJ and it’s family atmosphere, are fine with the arrangement!
Being a dry island, makes a huge difference and maintains the greatest family resort feeling and will for many years to come.
#9 – THE POLICE AND MUNICIPALITY, ENSURE THAT OCNJ STAYS THE GREATEST FAMILY RESORT IN THE WORLD
Which brings me to provide a huge shout out to the men and women of the Ocean City NJ Police Department. In my 57 years, they have done a stellar job.
Friendly and knowledgeable, they provide a perfect balance of family friendliness with just the right amount of strong firmness when necessary. They enforce OCNJ Laws and guidelines with both a kind and firm hand. However, come to OCNJ looking to make trouble, won’t end well for you.
You will see them cruising the city, walking and riding bikes, and generally anywhere you need them in minutes. The best thing, they are in numbers on the boardwalk every evening, chatting to families, providing tips and directions and keeping everything fun and safe.
OCNJ Police Department are the unsung heroes that need to be treated with respect, as they maintain the safety and well being of all visitors and residents alike, from the Garden’s to Corson’s Inlet!
#10 – ONCE IN YOUR VEINS, OCNJ WILL NEVER GO AWAY. IT WILL PULL YOU BACK YEAR AFTER YEAR AND FILL YOUR THOUGHTS ALMOST DAILY
When your vacation finally winds down and it’s time to head back inland, you find that you take OCNJ with you. Tanned, rejuvenated and ready to see your pets and real home again, you drive that journey, head full of new memories and stories of your summer stay. OCNJ is now in your veins.
One more summer of waves, sun, family and decompressing in that coastal city we all love and return to year after year.
Once home, months pass, then summer nears again. We schedule and pay for our next rental, mark our calendars then long for the day we load up our vehicles and head back for one more glorious summer vacation in OCNJ.
I’m almost reluctant to wax so lyrical about OCNJ to the larger public. Once it becomes part of your life and family tapestry you want to keep it secret. The less that know, the more you have it to yourself, which is obviously wishful thinking.
As a lifelong Shoobie, OCNJ has become part of my family and who I am. One day I hope to live in its environs, but for many, that will need to wait. However, for 57 years, i visit at least one week per year, but yearn for it’s magic the other 358 days. Clean, safe, beautiful, memorable, magic.
OCNJ is truly the greatest Fa mily Resort on the world, and that my friends will never change.
See you next Roll Call…
Shift dismissed.
SOURCES/CITATIONS
https://www.facebook.com/ocnjpolice