Philadelphia Women's Journal - June 2008 - by Ann Augunas
Spring Lake, “Sweetheart” of The Other Jersey Shore
Some one hundred and five miles north of the Victorian enclave of Cape May, NJ in the somewhat sleepy little town of Spring Lake, NJ, visitors will find one of the most practically perfect, romantic little spots along the entire, northeastern shoreline; Victorian-themed but without the crowds and the hustle and bustle of its southern-most counterpart, Cape May.
The discovery of this little gem was not on our own. Truth be known, I never even heard of Spring Lake until invited by a friend to visit. Our summer vacation preference has always been to that “last bastion of gentility” also along the Jersey Shore, Stone Harbor, where, summer after summer for almost 40 years, we’ve spent our week or two of family-vacation time.
The history of Spring Lake as a vacation destination dates back to around the mid to late 1800’s when wealthy aristocrats and business tycoons from New York and Philadelphia decided it was an ideal place to spend their summers. In an area that was mostly farm land they found the space and proximity to the ocean perfectly suitable for building their summer homes. Their vision was also perfect as over a hundred years later she is still sought out as an idyllic vacation spot.
We arrived in Spring Lake when the cherry blossoms were in full bloom and the town actually looked like a picture-perfect postcard. Stunning homes, manicured lawns, spring blossoms and even lilacs trees set the scene. The sense of exhaling stress and inhaling peace and tranquility was immediate. It was just what we were hoping for, serenity and smallness.
While our purpose was to visit the elegant historic Inns for which the town is famous, we also were pleasantly surprised at how much more it had to offer visitors. There’s just enough to see and do that you won’t feel as though you’ve missed out on something.
It didn’t take long to understand why the accolades accorded Spring Lake are numerous and its awards well-deserved. From Travel & Leisure Magazine: One of New Jersey’s top 10 Getaways; from About.com: One of the Top Ten beaches in the USA (in its classic beach category). Romantic, elegant, a place that hearkens back to a ‘gentler time,’ the praise continues.
The 12-acre, springfed Lake in the center of town is the perfect anchor for the gorgeous homes and distinctive lodgings that wind around it. Quaint footbridges cross the Lake while swan, ducks and geese make their home in the adjacent waters of Wreck Pond. It’s a great place for quiet walks, a bike ride, or to sit and read a book.
Over the years the town has developed into a thriving little community, unique in what it has to offer. Downtown Third Avenue has an array of stores, galleries and boutiques, plenty of dining opportunities and casual eateries. You might even enjoy a Spa experience to enhance the romance of your visit. If so, you might stop in at Juli Mei’s, also on Third Avenue, as my husband and I did, him for a massage and me for a facial and makeover. It’s just what stress gurus recommend.
Places worth a visit are the Historic Society Museum located in the town’s Municipal Building on 5th & Warren Streets where surprisingly compact and informative displays take you from pre-archaic time on up to the present. The Spring Lake Community Theatre is a gem as is the baronial mansion in which it resides. Its unusual little library is also a treat. The magnificent St. Catharine Church overlooking the Lake was built by Martin Maloney in memory of his daughter Catharine who died at the age of seventeen. Truly spectacular. The Sea Girt Lighthouse on Ocean Avenue also has an interesting story to tell. It’s also the last live-in lighthouse to be built in the US.
The Historic Inns of Spring Lake are in a class of their own. Each is a tribute to the elegant days of yesteryear. Lovingly restored and cared for, they offer a taste of a bygone era coupled with all of today’s modern conveniences. Parlors are filled with fine Victorian pieces, bedrooms are comfy and cozy, and some have fireplaces and even Jacuzzis. Most have porches and sitting areas as well as lovely breakfast rooms where hosts and hostesses serve delicious breakfasts, daily.
Our B&B, the White Lilac Inn (circa 1880), was more than we hoped for. Owner Mari Kennelly has done a superb job with her loving attention to detail. The Inn is a beautiful and gracious, 3-story home sided by an unusually large, off-street parking area. Each room has a private porch. Ours also had 2 fireplaces, one that worked and one for show; two flat screen TV’s, and a Jacuzzi tub complete with two champagne flutes.
Breakfast is served in two beautiful rooms all decked out in white. Tables are topped with fresh linens, white with blue floral accents, and a white lilac on each table, sometimes real, sometimes silk. Mari’s collection of teapots and a whimsical carousel horse gracing the corner of one room, round out the decor. www.whitelilac.com
Most B & B’s cater to couples or solo travelers but a couple such as Spring Lake Inn and Villa Park House, right behind the White Lilac, are family friendly. Matthew and Dara Schmid, he a graduate of the CIA and she an anchor at MSNBC, have two little folks of their own and are very happy to have you visit. They have child-proofed the place so you’ll not have to worry about antiques and collectibles. www.villaparkhouse.com
Not into B&B’s? Beautiful Hotels and other Inns offer everything to make your vacations wonderful. The Breakers (circa 1882), on the ocean, is a full-service hotel/resort with 73 rooms and open year-round. www.breakershotel.com Another oceanfront property is the boutique, Grand Victorian with 13 guest rooms and a fine dining restaurant. grandvictorian@springlake.com
Dining in Spring Lake and its neighboring towns is an adventure in culinary excellence. The following are some we really enjoyed during our 3-day stay. For Irish fare St. Stephen’s Green Publick House with its friendly Irish Pub atmosphere is where we enjoyed a Potato Leek Soup and our Shepherd’s Pie. At the Black Trumpet in the Sandpiper Inn we had a great Jersey Shore seafood dinner. And for Italian we had two fine experiences, one at the Breaker’s Hotel for lunch and one at Vivere in the Grand Victorian where Chef Claudette Herring specializes in Northern Italian country cuisine. Wherever you go you’re sure to enjoy yourself.
Spring Lake could well be the poster child for the 3 R’s so if you find rest, relaxation and romance to your liking there’s no lovelier place than this to experience it. They’ll love having your company! For further information and directions log on to www.springlake.org or www.historicinnsofspringlake.com
|
|
|
|
|
If you have any
questions or would like more information, please contact us
904.806.3613,
email
us, or use our online request form. |
|
