Must-See Attractions on the Asbury Park Boardwalk

If you are planning to celebrate the 4th of July in New York City, you will face a difficult task. With thousands of events scheduled for the date, your options are many. From daytime activities, historic tours, to finding the best spot to see the magnificent fireworks scheduled, you will have to plan carefully, considering the size of NYC and the crowd the day will attract. New York Walking Tour Before the evening fireworks start, you can visit the buildings of Manhattan dating back to the Revolutionary Era. This historic tour is led by expert historian guides, and the size of groups is limited to 10 people, so you need to get your tickets quick. The tour lasts for 2.5 hours and costs $40 on the 4th of July. You can see the Trinity Church, listen to the Declaration of Independence and original first-hand accounts, and witness the arrival of the Armies. Gaze across the Brooklyn River where some of the most important battles took place. Book your tickets early to avoid disappointment. more Macy's Fireworks The event will kick off at 9 p.m. and is free of charge. You can watch the fireworks overlooking the East River. Your best spots for viewing he display are Houston Street in Houston, Broad Street in Lower Manhattan, East Broadway, and Clark St in Brooklyn. You can listen to live music featuring Craig Campbell, Jamie Barton, and the West Point band. If you would like to plan your visit for the fireworks ahead, you can check out Macy's viewing spot map that shows the best spots, official viewing points, and the location of the fireworks. Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest If you are seeking a fun family event before the evening entertainment, this huge free contest  in Brooklyn with a tradition dating back to 1916 will be a great choice. Held at Nathan's Famous Restaurant, this is a great event attracting 40,000 spectators and some very hungry contestants. There will be loads of entertainment and plenty of hot dogs and burgers to share. IndepenDANCE Dance Cruise This event is created for those who would like to celebrate the 4th of July with friends and see the fireworks while dancing the night away. You can get your tickets for just $99, and see the display from close-up. The dress code is casual and you will get an Open Bar included in your ticket price. If you get hungry after all that dancing, you will also find a Yacht Buffet. The cruise starts at Pier 36, 299 South Street. New York Harbor July 4th Dinner Cruise You can choose between the World Yacht Classic and the World Yacht Adventure cruise. Enjoy the view of the city's river banks in true luxury On the 7th of July, you will get a 5-course dinner, and a premium Open Bar included in your ticket price. The cruise starts at 6 p.m. and finishes at 11 p.m. You can also choose the July 4th Lounge with standard open bar and buffet. Image by Anthony Quintano is licensed under CC BY 2.0

When you have time off work, there is nothing more relaxing than going out for a family breakfast to enjoy great food without the hassle. If you are planning a road trip cross country, you might decide to pop into one of the family-friendly traditional breakfast restaurants in Ocean Township. Choose from a wide selection of bagels, cooked breakfast, waffles, croissants, or even stay for brunch. Pick your favorite spot on the list of the best Ocean Township restaurants below. The Domesticated Dad This family favorite is central Ocean Township and serves freshly prepared food. Apart from barbecue plates and salads, there is a huge selection of breakfast menus for the picky and the very hungry. You will find a cold and hot breakfast buffet for kids, including muffins, oatmeal, hash browns, French toast, fruit, and yogurt. You can also opt for the Continental breakfast buffet, featuring homemade jams and fresh juice for only $9.95. If you happen to sleep in and skip breakfast, there is a great brunch service here. more Amazing Bagels Fill up before your road trip with homemade bagels or choose the breakfast special, eggs, omelets, or try the scallion cream cheese. You will get much more than bagels here: choose from cold cuts and cheese plates on the menu. If you are really hungry, you can even order a cheese steak with an egg. If you love bagels, you will absolutely fall in love with the texture and flavor of the ones served here made fresh in the restaurant. Enjoy with a cup of coffee or specialty tea on a lazy morning. Frank's Deli Restaurant Those who are expecting the best quality meat and fresh ingredients will not be disappointed in this Deli restaurant in Asbury Park. Get your freshly squeezed orange juice, enjoy a tasty salad, or try the crab cakes. This family-owned restaurant has a great selection of fruits, juices, cold cereals, and breakfast sandwiches. If you feel like you have some space left for trying Greek cuisine or Mexican specialties, you can order rice pudding or ice cream soda for dessert. Those who need the energy for the rest of the day can try the overstuffed club sandwiches with chicken, corned beef, or turkey. Let the kids try the special peanut butter jelly overstuffed jelly sandwich to keep them going. Sunset Diner for a Quick Bite If you are after fresh food and fast service, you will need to drop into this family diner that serves breakfast all day. You can indulge in giant cookies or bacon sandwiches for a quick bite any time of the day. Missed breakfast? Get it at 4 p.m. Fancy an omelette? No problem. This family-friendly restaurant is close to downtown and offers mini meals for children. Get a strong coffee, followed by whole wheat pancakes and fresh fruit. If you feel like a healthy option, try the authentic Greek salad and orange juice. Enjoy the small diner atmosphere at the Sunset Diner. Image by Zach Copley is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

From visiting cool landmarks to dining at great restaurants, there are lots of things to do in Ocean Township. If you're in the mood for visiting some museums, keep reading to learn about three you shouldn't pass up. The Monmouth Museum Founded in 1963, this destination was envisioned as a "Museum of Ideas" focused on history, art, and science. It stays true to that purpose today by serving as a place that sparks curiosity and makes people feel inspired about what's possible. Admission is $7 per person and kids under two are free, so it's a place you can take the family without breaking the bank. more Be sure to check out the Main Gallery, which features various forms of art, plus exhibitions devoted to history and culture. The Nilson Gallery is also worth a look, especially if you're interested in emerging artists from New Jersey. There's even a special series that puts artists in the spotlight before they have even had one-person shows outside the state. If you're bringing kids to the museum, spend time in the Becker Children's Wing, which offers hand-on learning activities for kids aged 7-12 and their families. If your kids are six years old or younger, the WonderWing is ideal for them. It's filled with age-appropriate things to do and features a cool ocean theme. Kids can slip down a whale-shaped slide, wander through a kelp forest, or explore a pirate ship. The Township of Ocean Historical Museum Advertised as "an open door to history," the Township of Ocean Historical Museum has three main galleries. They are in sections of a home that built in the 1700s, so in addition to looking at history-themed exhibits, you can also enjoy a setting that gives you a glimpse into how people used to live. The Hearth and Home Gallery is all about the pastimes of people who lived in Coastal New Jersey from 1700 to 1900. You can view several items used in an early Oakhurst school, too. The Silverball Museum Drive about 10 minutes from Ocean Township to Asbury Park and find a pinball wizard's paradise, otherwise known as the Silverball Museum. Located along the boardwalk, this quirky, niche museum offers a rotating assortment of 600 pinball machines, so you can show off your skills or at least sharpen them. There are also numerous arcade games, such as Frogger, Centipede, and Donkey Kong. Gaming advancements have made it so today's young people usually weren't brought up on pinball machines and maybe haven't played them before at all. You can change that by bringing the youngsters you know to spend time at the Silverball Museum. Need some sustenance after dominating your favorite pinball machine and earning a high score? Take a break and fuel up by eating at the Silverball Café. With a menu featuring items like funnel cakes, salt water taffy, pizza, soft pretzels, and Dippin' Dots, it's the perfect place for adults to indulge on beloved childhood treats. Whether you live in Ocean Township or are just passing through, these museums should be on your must-do list. They'll help you experience history and culture simultaneously. Image by PinballRobin is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0