Hydrus Rises In Seaside Heights
When the Jet Star was swept into the Atlantic by Hurricane Sandy, it left a void on the Seaside Heights shorescape. This summer, its replacement, the new Hydrus coaster, rises 72 feet above Casino Pier, a new symbol of Jersey’s resilience. The helix-style roller coaster, which opened in late April, hauls riders up a steep, 97-degree climb and launches them through a series of twists and inversions. It’s not for the weak of stomach. Also new: a 131-foot Ferris wheel and 24 other rides.—Chris Gennone
Surflight Ready For Its Encore
Surflight Theatre, which closed in 2015 after 65 seasons of summer stock productions in Beach Haven, is back in business. The cherished theater is to reopen June 23 with Footloose, the first in a full slate of Broadway musicals planned for the summer. For a different style of entertainment, the singing scoopers of the Showplace Ice Cream Parlour will also be returning next door. Other shows planned for the summer include Hairspray, Newsies, Million Dollar Quartet and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. 201 Engleside Avenue, Beach Haven; 609-492-9477.—Andrew Elmers
Wildwood’s Fresh Faces
Morey’s Piers unveils its reworked Great Nor’ Easter roller-coaster this summer with the promise of a faster and smoother ride. Visitors also can take a new behind-the-scenes tour for a backstage look at Morey’s many attractions. A new restaurant is Mia Mia Raw Bar & Ristorante, offering Italian tastes with seasonal summer twists in Wildwood Crest.—AE
Garces Opens Two Spots At The Trop
The renowned Philadelphia-based chef Jose Garces has returned to Atlantic City for the first time since Revel closed in 2014. His two new restaurants at the Tropicana contrast in style. Olón, named for a tranquil beach town in Ecuador, offers ceviche, empanadas, a raw bar, and grilled meat and fish. Okatshe is a modern version of an izakaya, the traditional Japanese pub serving sake, beer and light fare such as skewers of yakitori. Okatshe’s menu ranges from yakitori to ramen, sushi, sashimi, gyoza and salads.—Eric Levin
Charlie’s Opens In Bay Head
The highly anticipated Charlie’s of Bay Head—located in the restored Shopper’s Wharf, a historic building that was destroyed by Superstorm Sandy—opened in early spring, much to the joy of locals. The bar features specialty cocktails, an extensive wine list and more than 20 beers on tap; dining options range from flatbreads and burgers to entrées like grilled lamb chops, pan-seared scallops and steamed Maine lobster tail. The second- level dining room overlooks Twilight Lake. It’s part glam, part rustic and all welcoming. Open at 5 pm for dinner Wednesday through Monday (closed Tuesday). 72 Bridge Avenue, Bay Head; 732-295-1110.—Lauren Payne
LBI’s New Site For Shucking
Folks familiar with Long Beach Island’s Mud City Crab House, Black Whale, Old Causeway and Ship Bottom Shellfish eagerly awaited the May opening of Beach Haven sister establishment Parker’s Garage & Oyster Saloon. Named for Ellis Parker, who ran a local restaurant and marine-engine repair shop in the early 1900s, Parker’s Garage has its own boat slips on Barnegat Bay. The menu includes fisherman’s stew, fried whole belly clams, grilled octopus, softshell crabs, lobster, prime steaks and fresh fish. The owners have invested in an oyster co-op that will land freshly harvested oysters on the dock for shucking this summer; by next summer, they’ll have their own signature Parker’s oyster. Open daily for dinner. 116 West Avenue, Beach Haven.—Jon Coen
Iron Chef Symon’s Borgata Outpost
Iron Chef Michael Symon’s long-awaited restaurant, Angeline, has finally opened at the Borgata. Billed as “inspired Italian, classically crafted,” the Sicilian-influenced menu will include red-sauce dishes. It will feature family recipes, including some from his mother, Angeline.—Andrea Clurfeld
Ocean City’s New Coasters
After a year-long delay in construction, two new roller coasters at Playland’s Castaway Cove were due to open in time for Memorial Day weekend. The 125-foot-tall GaleForce promises a top speed of 64 mph and three launches. The twisting, stomach-challenging coaster replaces the old Looping Python at the Ocean City boardwalk. The family-friendly Wild Waves coaster debuts adjacent to GaleForce, replacing the Flitzer. —AE