We’ve been going to Long Beach Island every summer since my kids were little, and it’s become our favorite family vacation. It’s only about two hours from our house in New York, which makes it an easy trip, and there’s truly something for everyone. We love all of the activities the island has to offer, but our favorite part is still spending the day on the beach together.
If you’re planning a trip to LBI, here are some of our family’s favorite places!
Coffee & Breakfast
Marvel’s Bakery – A must-stop every trip. My kids are obsessed with the cinnamon rolls, crumb cake, and donuts.
Pearl Street Market – Our favorite spot for breakfast burritos and iced coffee.
Guapo’s Coffee – Great iced coffee with the cutest atmosphere.
Lunch
Pearl Street Market – We usually stop here more than once during the week. They have delicious sandwiches, prepared foods, and they carry so many of my favorite grocery brands, which is so convenient when you’re on vacation.
Jack’s NYC Bagels & Deli – Their sandwiches are perfect to grab before heading to the beach.
Dinner
We cook while were in LBI, but these are the restaurants we always look forward to visiting:
Stefano’s
Beach House
Bay Village Pizza
Country Kettle Chowda
Terrace Tavern
Parker’s Garage
Buckalew’s
The Shell
Ice Cream
WooHoo Ice Cream – Amazing homemade ice cream and some of the best ice cream sandwiches.
Kohr’s Frozen Custard – Since it’s right by Fantasy Island, we almost always stop here after the rides.
Our Favorite Bars
The Shell – This place feels like you’re on a Caribbean vacation. It’s right on the beach with tiki bars, live music, great frozen drinks, and delicious appetizers.
Terrace Tavern – Live music every day from 5–8 p.m., and their chowder fries are one of our favorite things to order.
Hudson House – A fun, laid-back dive bar with games and a great atmosphere.
Joe Pop’s – This was our first year going, and we had such a great time. We saw The Nerds play and it was so much fun. They play every Wednesday throughout the summer.
Shopping
The Dune Market – My favorite store on the island. So many of my serving pieces have come from here over the years. I love picking up a little something each summer, and the owner, Emily, couldn’t be nicer.
The Bunk House – One of the cutest home decor stores on the island, with beautiful prints and unique coastal pieces.
Island Gypsy – A really cute boutique. It’s geared toward younger shoppers, but I’ve found a few fun pieces here, and my girls absolutely love it.
Bay Village – One of our kids’ favorite places to explore. They love browsing the souvenir shops, bookstore, old-fashioned candy shop, and toy store.
Ron Jon Surf Shop – Our go-to for LBI sweatshirts, T-shirts, and beach gear.
Kid-Friendly Activities
Fantasy Island – Perfect for younger kids. We can easily spend an entire evening here riding rides and playing games.
Thundering Surf Waterpark – We usually buy the two-hour pass, and it’s plenty of time. The water slides, lazy river, and splash areas make it fun for kids of all ages.
Mr. Tee’s Arcade & Mini Golf – Hands down my kids’ favorite arcade on the island. The games are affordable, and they love cashing in their tickets for prizes.
Faye & Maddie – We discovered this adorable shop for the first time this year. The kids had so much fun making custom tote bags . They also have a charm bar where you can make your own charm bracelets
The Showplace Ice Cream Parlour – We celebrated Molly’s birthday here a few years ago, and it’s such a fun place. The staff sing throughout the show and even get the guests involved. It’s part dessert, part entertainment, and so much fun for families.
If you go to LBI, what are some of your favorite spots?
Talk soon,
7kidskitchen
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