Spring Lake, New Jersey  - by Sarah Schlichter...
There's something quietly magical about a beach town during the off-season, when the umbrellas and boogie boards have been stowed away for another year and the only folks left in town are the locals. Enjoy the off-season serenity at Spring Lake, New Jersey's most elegant beach resort, where you'll find beautifully maintained historic homes and two miles of wide, clean beaches. Bundle up and join the locals for a brisk seaside walk or jog along the state's longest non-commercial boardwalk, or stroll along the picturesque lake for which the town is named. When you're ready to come in from the cold, head for the shops along Third Avenue, the town's commercial district, where you can buy everything from Irish keepsakes to handmade chocolates. On the same street, don't miss lunch or dinner at the Island Palm Grill, offering Latin and American dishes like seafood paella and plantain-crusted mahi-mahi.

The 19th-century village of Allaire is within driving distance, as is Allenwood General Store, where you can nosh on pork roll sandwiches and browse its collection of 1930's magazines, retro license plates and antique knickknacks. (Motto: "This is no museum. This junk is for sale.") At the end of the day, retreat to one of Spring Lake's 11 historic inns; we love the Beacon House for mouth-watering breakfasts, the Ocean House for historic charm, and Sea Crest by the Sea for understated luxury.

www.historicinnsofspringlake.com