Get Out: Jersey Shore Diversions

It’s Thursday, and you’ve got no idea what you’ll do for the weekend.

Patch.com is coming to the rescue. We’ve got the best bets for your done-with-work-outta-here time. Check our picks for the activities:

• EDUCATION AND RECREATION

Where/When: Ocean County College - Saint John the Divine Cathedral Tour, College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754, Thursday Feb. 24, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Why Go: Explore the Cathedral’s newly restored Nave. Learn about the art, architecture and history of the cathedral. Enjoy an Afternoon Tea at the Palm Court, a famous tradition at The Plaza.

Pricing: $129

• RECREATION AND ENTERTAINMENT

Where/When:  Calloway's Restaurant, 597 Route 9, Staffordville, NJ 08092, Thursday February 24, 12 p.m to 11 p.m.

Why Go: Purchase lunch or dinner at the Island Singers benefit event. Present your vouchers and the Island Singers will receive 20 percent of the proceeds.  Call Janet at (848) 333-2595 for more information and vouchers.

Pricing:  Menu

• THEATER AND ARTS

Where/When: Strand Theater, 400 Clifton Ave., Lakewood, NJ  08701, Thursday Feb. 24 - Seniors Only, 4 p.m., Friday Feb. 25, 7  p.m., and Saturday Feb. 26, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Why Go: Les Miserables presented by Ocean County Performing Arts Academy

Pricing: $15 (plus service charge)

• RECREATION AND ENTERTAINMENT

Where/When: Lacey Twp. Middle School, 660 Denton Avenue
Forked River, NJ 08731, Friday Feb. 25, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Why Go: Join the Lacey Twp. Middle School PTC for a night out.  Enjoy food, drinks, and music from the 70's, 80's, and 90's.

Pricing: $35 per person - $300 for a table of ten; Contact Kelly Zuccarelli at 732-513-6268 for tickets.

• RECREATION AND CHARITY

Where/When: Aztec Resort, 901 Boardwalk, Seaside Heights, NJ  08751 , Saturday Feb. 26, Registration at 9 a.m; Plunge at 1 p.m.

Why Go: The Polar Bear Plunge is one of many plunges benefitting Special Olympics New Jersey.

Pricing: Participants pledge $100 or more

• THEATER AND ARTS

Where/When: Albert Music Hall, 131 Wells Mills Rd., Waretown, Saturdays, 7:30 p.m.

Why Go: If you like your banjos pickin' and your feet stompin', you can't beat Albert Music Hall where "Ladies Night Out" and "Woodlot Howlers" are the names of bands.

Pricing: $5 for adults, $1 for children 11 and younger for Sat. nights.

• THEATER AND ARTS 

Where/When: Knuckleheads Comedy Club, 290 Route 37 E, Toms River, NJ 08753, Saturday Feb. 26, 9 p.m.

Why Go: TOM VanHORN and Nore Davis with host Curt Carlson

Pricing: $17

• SPORTS AND RECREATION 

Where/When:  Barnegat Lighthouse State Park-Daily and Old Barney Lighthouse-Weekends, 208 Broadway, Barnegat Light, NJ  08006, Saturday and Sunday Feb. 26 and 27, 2011, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. 

Why Go: Barnegat Lighthouse State Park is open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the Lighthouse will be open WEEKENDS ONLY from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (weather permitting - closed for inclement weather).

Pricing: $1.00 fee per person to enter the lighthouse.

• ART AND RECREATION

Where/When: Cloverdale Farm, West Bay Avenue, Barnegat, NJ 08006, Saturday and Sunday Feb. 26 and 27, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Why Go: Join a park naturalist for a one hour program at Cloverdale Farm County Park.  Saturday - Intro. to the Cranberry Industry; Sunday - Photo Walk.

Pricing: Free

• EDUCATION AND RECREATION

Where/When: Jakes Branch Nature Center, Beachwood, NJ, Sunday Feb. 27, 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Why Go: Meet the animals of Jakes Branch County Park.  Get up close to the park inhabitants and learn about each species.

Pricing: Free