Best beach within driving distance of Buffalo

[Grmnshplvr]

Looking to do a quick weekend get away, within driving distance to the closest/best beach in the Atlantic ocean. I'm thinking Atlantic city? Is that very family friendly? Only a 7 hour drive, that wouldn't be too bad. Any other recommendations? Trying to keep hotel/gas/food price close to or under $1000.

 

[Nickunited]

Lots of good beaches along the Jersey Shore - Cap May is a hot one I believe. I also heard good things about Ocean City Maryland.

Also - look into Fire Island in NY - off the coast of Long Island. Lots of people I know love it there.


That being said, if you have kids and want to keep them entertained, I think Wildwood is still good. (Again there are lots of spots on the shore geared t owards kids) but I was in Wildwood and they have amusement parks etc.

 

[HulaHoopy]

Atlantic City is not the most family friendly. I think your tween and teen would enjoy Wildwood (as long as you are ok with questionable language on boardwalk t-shirts). Look for a place to stay in North Wildwood or Wildwood Crest. Let me know if you have any specific questions.

 

[nkereina]

We live in Buffalo too and love Ocean City, MD. It's a little bit of a further drive but we like the town, and will sometimes visit Dover, DE on the way there or the way back.

Friends of ours with small kids, also from Buffalo, will visit Cape May, NJ and they enjoy it. I've only been to Asbury Park, and it wasn't for the beach, but didn't seem to be a ton going on there. Similarly, I've been to the casinos in Atlantic City and outside of the immediate area, it seemed rather dangerous and sketchy. I don't have a lot to base it on, just what I recall.

Another area I'd consider is Cape Cod. About the same driving distance and you can add on a few days sightseeing in Boston, or at least use Boston as a back-up on a cool or rainy day if you have one. A girl I work with goes to Cape Cod with her family every year and they rent a small house. They love it.

Have fun planning!

 

[HeatherC]

For beautiful beaches that aren't as crowded as the Jersey Shore or as far as Cape Cod, I would highly recommend the beaches along the south coast of Rhode Island. Our favorite is East Beach in Charlestown. There are tons of beaches along the coast there and you could even stay in Newport which is a ton of fun and so quaint.

I live in Mass. and have family that lives there. We go all the time and the best part is there is never traffic getting there from where we live (central MA)....which is huge in the summer time because I hate sitting in traffic.

PS..There is a Hampton Inn in Wakefield, RI that would allow you to be near the beaches and Newport but not in the crowds of Newport.

 

[justussix]

Your stipulations ruined my standard answer of, "Everything is within driving distance given sufficient time and funds."

So, with that I propose Evangola State Park, right on Lake Erie! 4.5 stars on Google Reviews. Offers swimming, athletic fields, campsites, and hosts an annual Tomato Festival! Looks beautiful, and none of that nasty salt water.

https://parks.ny.gov/parks/91/details.aspx

You can even rent a Yurt!