Lakewood

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In the middle of the 19th century, if you wanted to find the Rockefellers, Astors and Vanderbilts, you needed look no farther than Lakewood. New York’s elite were drawn to the town’s bucolic setting and healthy lake waters.

Today, many remnants of the town’s glamorous past remain and, more importantly, the natural areas that first drew crowds to the area are still as beautiful as ever.

Although the original Rockefeller home no longer exists, the grounds – all 323 acres of them – were donated to the county and now comprise Ocean County Park.

Come laze in the pristine lake waters and pretend you’re a Rockefeller. Then head over to Georgian Court University (900 Lakewood Ave.), the 19th-century winter home of millionaire George Jay Gould.

Today it’s owned by the university and visitors can drive or stroll around the beautiful grounds or make an appointment in advance to see the century-old mansion.

Lakewood is also home to the beautifully restored and historic Strand Theatre, which features top name performers, concerts and theatrical events.

Don’t miss:

• A show at the Strand Theater (400 Clifton Ave.) . Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it’s been an entertainment center since 1922.

• Fishing at Lake Shenandoah County Park, a 143-acre facility across from Ocean County Park that offers a bike trail, picnic area, sports fields and a 100-acre trout-stocked lake with an on-site bait and tackle shop and boat rentals

• A Lakewood BlueClaws minor league baseball game at FirstEnergy Ballpark

Did you know? Lakewood is the center of Orthodox Jewish culture in New Jersey and home to Beth Medrash Govoha, one of the largest yeshivas (schools focused on the study of the torah and talmud) in the world.

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