Birch Grove Park and Zoo

After an eventful day of gambling losses and fried Boardwalk food in Atlantic City, 271-acre Birch Grove Park invites you to put your feet up in the shade, fire up the barbecue, enjoy the fresh air on a nature walk, or drop a line into one of 21 well-stocked ponds. Fishermen, campers, and hikers who long to escape the commotion of Atlantic City (AC) and its surrounding area will find a haven in Birch Grove Park. Although the forested park is only 15 miles from AC, it feels a world away and offers peaceful, shaded campsites for those keen to rough it (and save money by avoiding the upscale hotels of the seaside).

For the freshwater fishing enthusiast, the hand-dug lakes and ponds are teeming with trout, bass, and pickerel, among other species. Families and individuals can enjoy park features that include baseball fields, a 51-site campground, picnic areas, a nine-station nature trail, and hiking trails throughout. The campground offers tent sites and provides laundry facilities and bathhouses in a tranquil, wooded setting. Bring along the dog for a long walk and enjoy time away from the noise and lights in the fresh pine air. Kids will enjoy the playground, mini golf and the mini zoo, also located within the park. Evening concerts are held at the park bandstand.

- Carrie Struble