I think the majority of people who live here in Ocean County love our county and love being residents. We have a beautiful part of the state and while there can be some horrors, the majority of the towns in this county are beautiful places to live.

I sat down this week and decided to find my top five landmarks here in Ocean County. Five beautiful and popular sites here in Ocean County. These are the first five that came to my mind when I first began to think about this topic. After I came up with my five, there were more that came to my mind, but I’ll leave them for another article.

Take my top five and see if YOU agree, it’s probably different for each person… but like I said, we have a lot of beautiful, popular and interesting sites here in Ocean County. My list focuses on the structures of “things” to be exact… the buildings, the promenade and the lighthouses.

Barnegat Lighthouse aka Old Barney: The historic Lighthouse of Light on Long Beach Island. Old Barney, as locals call it, rises 171 feet above the ocean in the town of Barnegat Light. First built in 1835. Part of the Barnegat Lighthouse State Park.

Seaside Heights Boardwalk: The iconic Seaside Heights Boardwalk is a place generations have come for fun and the beach. If you grew up in Ocean County then you rode the boards Seaside heights. Maybe where you ate your first sausage and pepper sandwich or played putt-putt or shot the clown in the mouth to win a teddy bear! The promenade was built in stages and completed in 1921.

Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church: There are a lot of beautiful churches here in Ocean County and I have photographed a lot of them, but the one that stands out above all is the beautiful one. Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church at Toms River. In 1974 the land was purchased on Church Road for St. Barbara’s. Simply put, it is stunning and the artwork inside is stunning. If you’ve never been there, plan a visit maybe in the next few years Greekfest and see this gem, Father Paul greets you 🙂

Six Flags Great Adventure: Opened in July 1974, this iconic theme park has seen millions of people walk through its doors in Jackson Township. I remember going there 47 years ago when the park first opened and loved the ‘runaway train’. Always happy to go to Six flags and I can’t wait to be Frightfest and Holiday in the Park this fall and winter.

First energy park: The home of the Philadelphia Phillies Minor League Single A team, Jersey Shore BlueClaws. Opened on April 6, 2001, this beautiful Lakewood baseball stadium has entertained thousands of fond baseball memories. In the spring and summer, if you’re looking for a fun night out with the family, check out the Jersey Shore BlueClaws at First Energy Park in Lakewood.

LET’S GO: America’s Most Popular Historic Sites