Jenkinson's Boardwalk

As a cornerstone of the Point Pleasant, New Jersey boardwalk, Jenkinson's Aquarium is a popular year-round destination for tourists and residents. Since opening its doors in 1991, the aquarium is the ideal spot for a day-trip, a rainy afternoon, unique birthday party, or school outing. Once inside, visitors come face to face with fish, sharks, penguins, and seals. The smaller venue enhances its charm and keeps patrons coming back year after year.

Best and worst time to go to the Jenkinson's Aquarium
The population along the Jersey Shore multiplies rapidly from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Since the aquarium is an intimate setting, weekends during the hot time along the shoreline is to be avoided. Early morning from its opening until lunch is best on summertime weekends since most visitors tend to hit the beach first. Jenkinson's Aquarium is also a popular destination for educational field trips throughout the school year and summer months. In order to avoid the classroom and camp crowds, a late afternoon arrival is preferable. The aquarium's website warns of an influx of students from 9:30 a.m. through 2 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Must see/do at the Jenkinson's Aquarium
The harbor seals located upstairs at the aquarium are a must-see activity. Seaquin and Luseal remain one of the more popular exhibits with feeding time being a special attraction. Penguins are fed twice a day and the high-profile birds always draw a crowd. Times vary according to the season. Visitors can check the schedule in order to plan out their visit. They even have their own penguin cam on the aquarium's website so the aquarium faithful can keep a watchful eye on their favorites until they can come back and visit again.

Admission to Jenkinson's Aquarium
Jenkinson's Aquarium is open daily from 9:30 a.m. through 5 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays. On weekends, the doors open at 10 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. The actual entrance to the aquarium is located on the boardwalk. An adult admission costs $11 with seniors 62 and over paying $7. Children ages 3-12 are charged $7. Kids under the age of 3 are free. Strollers are allowed. However, the aquarium is small and it is easier to get around if you park the stroller outside or in the designated area inside the facility.

Parking at the Jenkinson's Aquarium
Visitors should keep in mind that Point Pleasant draws large crowds from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Jenkinson's Aquarium has a lot directly in front of the building along Ocean Avenue. The lot is easily accessible and free for most of the year. However, a fee is charged during the summer months and on certain fall weekends. Street parking is available within walking distance. Other pay lots on Ocean Avenue are also an option. If you opt for street parking, the earlier in the day is better for finding a spot. They do fill up quickly on prime beach days with weekends and holidays being especially difficult.

Public transportation to Jenkinson's Aquarium
New Jersey Transit offers train service along its North Jersey Coast Line that brings passengers to several Jersey Shore towns. They even offer beach packages that include a round-trip train ticket and beach admission. The train stops in Point Pleasant Beach. It is about a ten-minute walk from the station to the Jenkinson's Aquarium. The train station is on Arnold Avenue. After you disembark, riders should walk up Arnold Avenue to Ocean Avenue and turn left. Jenkinson's Aquarium is two blocks up on the right.

Food at Jenkinson's Aquarium
Food is not sold inside the Jenkinson's Aquarium though it does house an adjacent gift shop. However, since it is located on the Point Pleasant Boardwalk, visitors simply need to take a stroll down the planks to find something to eat. Depending on your tastes, diners can have a quick $2 slice of pizza at one of the numerous stands or a sit down meal at restaurants like the Boardwalk Bar and Grill, where lunch prices range from about $6 for a kids meal to $10 and up for an adult. Sweets abound with the usual boardwalk fare of ice cream, pretzels, funnel cake and cotton candy.

Insider tip for visitors to Jenkinson's Aquarium
Upon entrance to the aquarium, all visitors receive a hand stamp that allows patrons to leave and return for the entire day until closing. This really comes in handy if you happen to arrive just as a bus load of students or campers is unloading. You can leave when the aquarium gets packed and spend some time on the boardwalk before returning when the crowd thins to enjoy the exhibits you missed.

Author's bio: Dawn Miller is a freelance writer and mystery author. She lives in New Jersey.