At the northern tip of Long Beach Island, Barnegat Light is home to “Old Barney,” the recently relit lighthouse icon. No climbing is necessary to see the view from the top, which is available on monitors at the bottom via camcorders. Ocean County has many places grandparents and grandchildren can visit to make memories that will stay in everyone’s hearts forever. Some activities to be enjoyed by everyone, including grandparents looking to take the grandkids this summer, include: 1. County parks, particularly the three below, which have nature centers. Each has park naturalists who will enhance any visit. All have walking trails. Admission to the parks is free, as are many activities. Others are available for a nominal fee.
Cattus Island County Park, 1170 Cattus Island Blvd., off Fischer Boulevard, Toms River, tells the story of the wetlands and borders Silver Bay. (732-270-6960)
Wells Mills County Park, 905 Wells Mills Road (Route 532), Waretown, on Wells Mills Lake, is the hummingbird capital of the county and in the Pine Barrens. (609-971-3085)
Jakes Branch County Park, 1100 Double Trouble Road, Beachwood (732-281- 2750), is the newest in the park system and the “Gateway to the Pinelands.”
Activity schedules for all the parks in the system are at oceancountyparks.org. There are van tours, special programs for youngsters, boat rides, nature walks and talks, outdoor concerts, hikes, field trips, canoe and kayak outings and seasonal activities.
2. Barnegat Lighthouse State Park
At the northern tip of Long Beach Island, Barnegat Light is home to “Old Barney,” the recently relit lighthouse icon, which is featured on Ocean County’s official flag and frequently represents the state as well. No climbing is necessary to see the view from the top, which is available on monitors at the bottom via camcorders.
A quarter-mile cement handicapped-accessible walkway is a boon for birders. Programs in the interpretative center offer representations of birds that frequent the area as well as the history of the lighthouse. A maritime forest, one of the last on Long Beach Island, has a one-fifth-mile loop walking trail.
Bonus: Visit the Barnegat Light oneroom schoolhouse museum at Fifth and Central avenues to see, among other things, the lighthouse’s original 1,027-plate Fresnel lens that is 12 feet high.
The park is open daily offseason from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The lighthouse is open for climbing weekends from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., weather permitting. During the summer, lighthouse climbing hours expand, but there is a $1 fee. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Details: 609-494-2016.
3. Aquarium
Located directly on the boardwalk in Point Pleasant Beach, Jenkinson’s Aquarium, celebrating its 20th birthday this year, is open year-round and is air-conditioned and heated. Open Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekends 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult admission is $10, seniors age 62 and over are $6, children ages 3-12 are $6, and age 2 and under is free. (732-899-1212)
4. Baseball
FirstEnergy Park, Home of the Lakewood BlueClaws, corner of New HampshireAvenue (Route 528) and Cedar Bridge Avenue (Route 623), Lakewood, offers an array of activities and special events in addition to America’s favorite pastime — baseball. There are play areas, and activities are held between innings in a child-friendly atmosphere. Adults are $11; ages 5-12, 60- plus and military with valid I.D. and general admission lawn seats are $8; ages 4 and under admitted free. Save $1 by ordering tickets in advance. (732-901-7000, www.BlueClaws.com)
5. Ice cream shops, pirate ships and carousels
Ocean County boasts two mini-theaters where, for the price of a sundae, guests are treated to a musical revue and interactive entertainment with the wait staff for less than $10 per person.
Music Man Singing Ice Cream Shoppe, 2305 Grant CentralAve. (Route 35 north), Lavallette. (732-854-2779, www.themusicman.com)
Show Place Ice Cream Parlour on Long Beach Island, 200 Centre St. next to the Surflight Theatre, Beach Haven. (609- 492-0018, www.Surflight.org)
Jersey Shore Pirates aboard the Sea Gypsy II on the Metedeconk River, $18, Riverfront Marina, Princeton Ave., Brick Township. (732-899-6100)
Long Beach Island Pirate Boat Tours aboard the Black Pearl in Little Egg Harbor, $20, Center Street at the Black Whale Dock, Beach Haven. (609-978-9951, www.piratesofLBI. com)
Pirates on the Manasquan aboard the S.S. Jersey Girl on the Manasquan River, $17.95, 1600 Route 70 at River Rock Grille, Brick Township. (732-233-7333)
Dr. Floyd L. Moreland Dentzel Looff Antique Carousel is on the Boardwalk, Seaside Heights, 732-793-7275. The prancing horses and Wurlitzer organ music recall memories of yesteryear. The carousel is tucked away in the Casino Arcade, across the boardwalk from the amusement area. This is one of only two genuine Americana antique carousels that remain in New Jersey. Remember to look for the original 15 antique paintings. Tickets are $2 each or $7 for 10 rides.
8. Live theater for the younger set. A number of theaters have a children’s play series.
Ocean County Fine Arts and Community Center at Ocean County College, College Drive, off Hooper Avenue, Toms River. (732-255-0400)
Strand Theater, Fourth and Clifton avenues, Lakewood. (732-367-7789)
Surflight Theatre, Beach and Engleside avenues., Beach Haven. (609-492-9477)
Music Man Singing Ice Cream Shoppe, 2305 Grant Central Ave. (Route 35 north), Lavallette. (732-854-2779)
Ocean County Parks and Recreation Department at Ocean County Park, Route 88, Lakewood. (732-506-9090)
Not quite live performances, on weekends the Robert J. Novins Planetarium at Ocean County College, Toms River, presents star shows for those under 7 years of age at 11:30 a.m., with other shows being more appropriate for other age groups. Details: www.ocean.edu/planet.htm.
9. Insectropolis bug museum, 1761 Route 9, Lakewood. A bugseum, which, ironically, is sponsored by Ozane, a pest control company. Learn about bugs. Youngsters will meet creepy crawlies up close. There also is an extensive butterfly collection. Open summers Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $7; children 2 and under, free. (732-349-7090)
10. Six Flags Wild Animal Drive- Through Safari, Jackson, $21.99 or $12 with theme park ticket. All ages enjoy going through the largest drive-through safari outside of Africa with 1,200 exotic animals found along a 4.5-mile route. In addition, the Great Adventure theme park and the Hurricane Harbor water park have special sections for very young children and shows that do not require the stamina necessary to take on one of the adventurous roller coasters. (732-928-1821, www.sixflags.com).
For more experiences to enjoy, visit www.OceanCountyTourism.com.