It was Memorial Day Weekend down the shore and I was...camping in the Poconos. Along with 4th of July and Labor Day, Memorial Day is one of the big three weekends at the shore where the crowds swell as high as the waves and finding a parking spot is like hunting snipes on the beach. Avalon is a place of tranquility and in order to keep it stress free sometimes the crowded weekends must be avoided.
However, if your only chance to get to Avalon this year is during one of the crowded weekends it is worth battling the crowds (and seagulls) to visit 30th Street on Avalon's boardwalk. Most of the town’s activities use 30th Street as a meeting place. Check out the full Summer 2011 schedule and a Special Events schedule.
Avalon's boardwalk is half a mile long and runs from 21st Street to 32nd Street. The boardwalk is empty until 30th Street and the shopping center pictured above. The shopping center contains Avalon Pizzaria and Restaurant, an arcade, and Avalon Ice Cream. I don’t know what the real name of the arcade is, but it has been there for so long that it is referred to as “The Arcade.” The pizza and ice cream stores on either side of the arcade have a history of turning over quickly, but the current lineup has been around for a few years. In addition to the shopping center, the Borough of Avalon provides a community center, skate park, and playground.
The stores at 30th street are fun, but the real reason that people come is for the beach. Because of the convenient parking, surfers flock to 30th Street to catch some waves. If you are into surfing, you can read more about surfing conditions at 30th Street and nearby surf sites here.
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