Lakewood, NJ Road Trips

What is now a bustling Jewish town used to be woods.

1 Sister Mary Grace Burns Arboretum, 503 9th St, ☏ +1 732-987-2373. 8AM-dusk. Within the Georgian Court University campus, the gardens feature both native and non-native species. Some of the largest trees of their species in the county can be found here. The Italian Gardens have an eagle and dragon sculpture and urns. The fenced Japanese Garden has a garden path with 4 bridges. The Sunken Garden has a lagoon that flows to Lake Carasaljo. The Formal Garden, in front of the mansion, has a sundial and 18 flower beds. Other, smaller gardens have perennial flowers. Free. (updated Jan 2023)

1 Sky Zone Lakewood. - located in Lakewood 2 Strand Theater, 400 Clifton Ave, ☏ +1 732-367-7789. A theater built back in 1922, originally showing silent films. It waned as other cinemas opened nearby, but today it has a restored Art Deco and Neo-classical interior. (updated Nov 2022) 3 ShoreTown Ballpark (FirstEnergy Park). This stadium is the home of the Jersey Shore BlueClaws. Features a mini-golf course, a boardwalk-themed section, and a variety of fast food. (updated Jan 2023) 4 Ocean County Park, 659 Ocean Ave (NJ-88). 7AM-dusk. The first park in Ocean County, once an estate for Rockefeller, has a disc golf course, swimming pool, lake with beach, dog park, and sporting facilities. (updated Feb 2023) 5 Lake Shenandoah County Park, 660 Ocean Avenue & 300 New Hampshire Avenue. 7AM-dusk. Lake Shenandoah is stocked with trout, providing opportunities for fishing. Free. (updated Feb 2023) 6 Lake Carasaljo, ☏ +1 732-367-6737. Named after the daughters of Joseph W. Brick, the lake hosts a variety of activities during the spring and summer, and ice skating during the winter. The Lakewood Amphitheatre can be found near the lake's shore. (updated Feb 2023)

1 Smokey Hill, 681 River Ave, ☏ +1 848-245-0339, [email protected]. Su-Th noon-3PM 5:30-10PM. A southern-style kosher BBQ. $80. (updated Jan 2023)

1 Hilton Garden Inn, 1885 NJ-70 W, ☏ +1 732-262-5232. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. $200. (updated Jan 2023) 2 Carasaljo Inn, 450 Madison Ave, ☏ +1 848-245-2903. A two-story motel. Sometimes there may be no rooms available. (updated Jan 2023)

Take the Garden State parkway to exit 89A/B. From the west, you can take NJ-70 east or I-195 east to exit 28A. 1 Lakewood Airport. A general-aviation airport. (updated Feb 2023) 2 Lakewood Terminal. Served by NJ Transit from NYC (130, 132, 136, 139) and Philadelphia (317); by Academy Bus from NYC and US-9; and by Ocean Ride. (updated Feb 2023)

The Lakewood Shuttle bus costs $1 to ride and is available on weekdays. Most major roads have sidewalks, with the exceptions of undeveloped areas and US-9 south of downtown.