<p>Preferably Wildwood, not expensive and for less than 3 nights…(asking for daughter who wants a short stay, simply clean and near beach!)</p>
<p>Maybe call Snooki for a recommendation?</p>
<p>Ha ha! No, not Seaside Heights, silly Mini!</p>
<p>The Jolly Rodger in Wildwood Crest. It is right off the beach, has a great pool with grilling areas if you want to do that. Wildwood Crest is just a little less crazy than Wildwood but close enough to explore the boardwalk if you are interested in doing that.</p>
<p>Snooki does get around! (isn’t she writing a guide to the Jersey Shore?)</p>
<p>We’re told go South. Long Beach Island. Ladyville? Some place with that sound name. Also, hear that Box (Bocks ?) Island in Rhode Island (not a far drive from NJ) is sedate and wonderful.</p>
<p>Wish we could get away. This summer seems to have everyone on a different orbit and we can’t find a week when everyone can go anywhere at the same time.</p>
<p>sewhappy, LBI is great and it’s probably Loveladies that you’re thinking of. 
I spent many a day on LBI growing up. To be honest, Wildwood is probably the last place at the shore I’d go, well, maybe after Atlantic City. Ocean City or Cape May would be my choice if LBI wasn’t an option.</p>
<p>alwaysamom, I agree with your choices except the last place I would go is Seaside. Wildwood is a close second, but Wildwood Crest is much nicer if you are looking for that type of shore experience. I usually end up in Ocean City or LBI, both more family orientated places. I think that is the rule for people who live around here though, and looking at your older posts you have some south jersey in you :-)</p>
<p>BalletMom shore towns can have very different styles and vibes. It depends on what your daughter is looking for. Is she young and single or is she going with young kids? Does she want action and nightlife or a quiet day at the beach and relaxing nights? Boardwalk?</p>
<p>Cape May is very charming with it’s Victorian houses, bed and breakfast, and inns. Cute little streets with shops and restaurants. It has a nice little boardwalk with a bandshell(I think its still there). Does not have that stereotypical negative “Jersey Shore” feel that some places have. We use to stay there every summer as kids. If we ever wanted that excitement of boardwalk and rides, we would take the short ride to Wildwood.</p>
<p>LBI has the best of all things the NJ shore has to offer…very private and not crowded beaches,think Harvey Cedars end of island…amusements for kids,think Beach Haven…I find Ocean City beaches WAY too crowded…Cape May is great ,but much more suited for adults with plenty of great shops,restaurants,and little to do for kids…</p>
<p>Why would you go to Wildwood? It was awful back when I was growing up going “down da shore” and has gotten worse! Sea Isle/Townsends Inlet/Stone Harbor if not Cape May.</p>
<p>Family and I have been going to Wildwood Crest for 20 years and still love it. Motels in Wildwood proper are a bit cheaper. You should be aware that most motels require minimum stay of 3 nights during the season. The Starlux is kind of fun.</p>
<p>To clarify, we have spent many family vacations on LBI and Lavallette, both have the atmosphere WE like. But my daughter is looking for diffferent atmosphere, and yes, going with friends. She chose Wildwood, but the places she called required a 3 night stay, which she can’t do this year, since she just started her new job. Tricky, I know! Will suggest Wildwood crest though! thanks for replies.</p>
<p>Check out Ocean City …don’t have any specific recs, but it’s very family friendly, boardwalk, rides, - dry community, too. FYI so there aren’t any bars, with Jersey rowdiness.</p>
<p>In that case, they might actually like Atlantic City. There is no minimum night requirement, and there are some great deals on hotels especially mid-week. Many of the hotels have beach staff with chairs and towels so they won’t have to drag a lot with them. There is entertainment for evening, that doesn’t have to include gambling or drinking. One place they might want to check out if they don’t want to be in a casino environment is the Chelsea, but they want to be in the Tower section, NOT the annex.</p>
<p>If she calls places closer to her arrival date, they might waive the 3-night requirement. Agree that the Wildwoods are probably the best location for younger group. Belmar also has a good night life (frankly a few of the places the JS gang frequents are there), however I’m not familiar with many motel options near the beach. Point Pleasant Beach is another place to consider, but I’m not sure about accomodations there either.</p>
<p>My family has been vacationing in North Wildwood for over 50 years. I can remember the ocean coming right up to the boardwalk when I was a kid. I love it there!</p>
<p>There are lots of motels in that area such as the King’s Inn (right on the boardwalk), unfortunately a lot of them have been torn down and turned into condos (RIP Sea’n’Surf). We’ve always stayed around the 22nd and Surf area. It’s relatively quiet, but there’s mini-golf, arcades, bike rental, the boardwalk, Morey’s Pier, and of course the beach, all within a couple of blocks. It’s away from the crazy bars in Wildwood.</p>
<p>If you google-map it and zoom in far enough, you will see all the motels.</p>
<p>I always found Wildwood Crest to be pretty boring - too far from the amusement piers on the boardwalk, and dry to boot.</p>
<p>“Watch the tram car, please.”</p>
<p>Has she tried Craigs List? Private condos owners might be willing to rent for short periods.</p>
<p>Atlantic City ? I only wish I could say nice things, and I live so close, and we certainly need the economic boost down here, but it’s not very family oriented, and even though Gov Christie formed a committee to make improvements, not sure it’s what you’re looking for.</p>
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<p>I don’t think OP’s daughter and friends were looking for “family friendly” :-)</p>