Long Beach Island is one of those places that instantly feels like summer — even if you’re only there for 24 hours. For this trip, we stayed at The Hideaway, which made for the perfect home base: easy beach access and just the right amount of laid-back coastal energy.
This was one of those trips where we didn’t overthink anything (no dinner reservations!) — just coffee, beach time, good food, bike rides, and a slow walk through beach shops.
If you’re planning a quick LBI weekend getaway, here’s exactly how we spent 24 hours.
Stop 1: Coffee, Mini Golf & Lunch on the Way In
We drove into LBI and immediately got into vacation mode.
First stop was Get Roasted Coffee, one of the newer coffee shops on the island, which made for the perfect caffeine reset before the day really started. From there, we headed to Mr. Tee’s for a round of mini golf — very classic LBI energy and an easy, fun way to ease into the weekend.
Before checking into the hotel, we stopped at Pearl Street Market for lunch. I went with The Yellow Bird (seared ahi tuna wrap with avocado and sesame sriracha mayo), and my wife ordered The Kickin’ Chicken (spicy chicken wrap with pickles and chipotle mayo). Both were solid beach-town sandwiches, but honestly the real standout was the crumb cake — a true LBI classic. Buttery, rich, and basically 50% crumb topping in the best possible way.
Checking In
We stayed at The Hideaway, and it was exactly the kind of low-key beach hotel you want for a weekend on Long Beach Island.
The lobby was really cute, with cozy seating areas, thoughtful decor and a curated selection of merch that gave it a laid-back, surf-town feel right away. Our room was spacious, with tons of natural light and windows that looked toward the beach. It also had Salt & Stone bath products, which is always a nice touch after a long day in the sun.
One of the best parts of the property was the outdoor space. There were two separate seating areas — one off the second floor and another rooftop lounge with chaise lounges. Both had incredible ocean views and made it easy to slow down, grab a drink, and just sit outside without having to leave the hotel.
It really felt like the kind of place where you can go from beach to bike ride to rooftop sunset without ever needing to overthink the day.
And of course, the hotel is only a few steps from the beach so after checking in we walked right over to chill and enjoy the ocean air.
Bikes & Boardwalk Ice Cream
Later in the day, we borrowed bikes from the hotel and rode around Holgate, eventually ending up at Boardwalk Ice Cream.
The standout was the s’mores flavor — rich, nostalgic, and perfect after a beach day.
Dinner at Dock and Claw
Dinner was at Dock and Claw which was just a short drive from The Hideaway, and it was such an exceptional meal. The vibe is fun and very LBI in the best way — there’s some outdoor seating, but most of the indoor space centers around a lively clam bar with a disco ball hanging overhead and a chalkboard-style menu of daily specials. It feels casual but still intentional, and everything coming out of the kitchen looked great.
At a place like this, I obviously had to go for the steamed clams, which were in a super flavorful white wine broth. We also ordered the tuna tacos, which ended up being another standout — light, flavorful, and exactly what you want after a beach day. It’s the kind of coastal seafood spot that just fits LBI perfectly.
Nightcap at Tucker’s Tavern + Rooftop at The Hideaway
After dinner, we made a quick stop at Tucker’s Tavern around the corner for a beer before heading back to the hotel.
We ended the night on the rooftop at The Hideaway, which was honestly one of my favorite parts of the stay — quiet, breezy, and the perfect way to wind down after a full beach day.
Day 2: Rainy Morning, Coffee Runs & LBI Shopping
The next morning brought rain, but honestly, it ended up making the day feel even cozier.
We walked over to Bowker’s (right next to the hotel) for breakfast and sat on the porch with a breakfast sandwich while waiting out the weather.
Then we headed to Whittingham Coffee, where the standout drink was the “adult chocolate milk” — cold brew, milk, and chocolate syrup. Simple, nostalgic, and very good.
LBI Shopping Stops
We spent the late morning popping in and out of some of the local shops, including:
Final Coffee (and Ice Cream) Stop Before Heading Home
Before driving back to Baltimore, we made one last stop at How You Brewin’ on LBI for coffee to go.
From there, we crossed over the bridge into Manahawkin to head home but had to make one last stop for ice cream at Rich’s Ice Cream — a classic South Jersey stop and the perfect sweet ending to the trip.
Because no beach weekend is complete without one last caffeine stop (and a little ice cream detour) before reality.
Why The Hideaway is a Great LBI Stay
What made this trip work so well was staying at The Hideaway. It’s walkable, relaxed, and perfectly positioned for a low-effort LBI weekend just steps from the beach.
You can easily go from beach to bikes to dinner to rooftop drinks without even a modicum of stress — which is exactly what a Long Beach Island trip should feel like.
More East Coast Getaways You’ll Love
If you’re planning more weekend trips, you might also like:
- A Long Weekend in the Catskills
- The Perfect Long Weekend in Canandaigua, NY
- 3 Days on Tilghman Island, Maryland
- Getaway House Asheboro, North Carolina
- A Weekend in Floyd, Virginia
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While this visit was hosted by The Hideaway, all views stated are my own.
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