Here, we share what we love about these six beloved Jersey Shore gems.
CAPE MAY
Why We Love It: Exit Zero off the Parkway has beautiful beaches, boutique shopping along Washington Street Mall, charming Victorian homes, museums and lots of fresh seafood. Part adventure and part history lesson, you and the kids can climb 199 steps to the top of the Cape May Lighthouse. Visit the properties managed by The Nature Conservancy—such as South Cape May Meadows—for birding, hiking and trail walking; and try railbiking through Revolution Rail Co. The Cape May County Park & Zoo is a can’t miss and it’s free!
Good to Know: Steger Beach, which is at the center of the beachfront at Jackson Street, has a gentler slope with less waves crashing directly onto the sand so it’s perfect for families. Free movies on the beach will be held every Thursday this summer from July 11 to August 29.
Where to Eat: The Mad Batter sounds like a pancake place, but breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks are served all day, and there’s live music on select nights. Beach Plum Farm is an elegant farm-to-table restaurant that’s especially idyllic at sunset. Fins Bar & Grille has fresh seafood and Quincy’s Original Lobster Rolls brings a taste of Maine to the Shore. Save room for treats from Uncle Charley’s Ice Cream.
Where to Stay: Congress Hall Hotel is the first seaside resort in America, and it’s iconic not only for its striking yellow exterior and gorgeous décor but for the family-friendly activities held throughout the year. The Grand Hotel has an indoor pool surrounded by beautiful hand-painted murals of Cape May. The Queen Victoria is located inside a Victorian house, and ups the ante with gas fireplaces and afternoon tea. You can also choose to stay in the guest house of a historic room or even a campground.
ASBURY PARK
Why We Love It: Convention Hall, the Grand Arcade, the Stone Pony … mention these iconic spots to any NJ beachgoer and they’ll know you’re referring to Asbury Park. In recent years, the mega beach fest Sea. Hear.Now. has brought music, art and surf lovers to the city every September. If you don’t have tickets to see headliner Bruce Springsteen, sign up for the waitlist in case spots open up. Asbury Park is also home to the iconic Silverball Retro Arcade, The Paranormal Museum, a splash park on the boardwalk and a vibrant downtown with cute boutiques and the beloved Asbury Book Cooperative. It’s dog-friendly, too—The Wonder Bar hosts Yappy Hour, and the Asbury Park Dog Beach has cute pups splashing and running around.
Where to Eat: Pizza lovers flock to Porta for its communal-style seating and Neapolitan pies, with toppings like traditional Margherita, or more fun shrimp scampi or fire-roasted corn; you can order pasta, sandwiches or even branzino. The Asbury Festhalle & Biergarten has been closed due to flood damage, but once it reopens plan a visit and be sure to try their German specialties like wiener schnitzel, sauerbraten or the Bavarian pretzel. At the new restaurants and shops opening this summer, try omakase at Hadaka, gigantic ice cream sandwiches (ask for extra napkins) at The Baked Bear, or wood-fired pizza at Catbird.
Good to Know: Asbury has an artsy side you can explore with the kids. More than just Tilly’s iconic face, The Wooden Walls Project asks artists to turn blank walls into gorgeous murals. As you walk along the boardwalk, check out the paintings and talk to your kids about their faves.
Where to Stay: The Asbury Hotel is chic and popular, with Asbury Lanes next door for concerts and bowling. The Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel allows dogs and cats to join you. The Asbury Ocean Club Hotel is a minute from the boardwalk and beach, and just a few from the Paramount Theatre.
OCEAN CITY
Why We Love It: Ocean City has a family-friendly boardwalk and beautiful beaches. A trip here is all about the rides, arcades and all the funnel cake and soft serve you can eat. If you’ve been with the kids, you’ve probably spent an afternoon at Playland’s Castaway Cove, OC’s oldest amusement park with 32 rides, or Gillian’s Wonderland Pier, another beloved amusement park on the boardwalk. Sandcastle Putt Club mini golf recently opened for the competitors in your family.
Where to Eat: Express Pizza & Subs is a popular go-to. Try the buffalo chicken cheesesteak or Island Square, a square pie with toppings of your choice. Head to Asbury Kitchen for sweet crepes, avocado toast and flavored lattes. Jon & Patty’s Coffee Bar & Bistro has vegan and gluten-free options. And no lunch is complete without a hoagie from White House Sub Shop–you can’t beat the freshly baked bread. There’s no way you can leave without goodies from Johnson’s Popcorn or Shriver’s Salt Water Taffy.
Good to Know: Avoid the crowds by visiting any of the 8 miles of wider beaches south of 14th Street but north of 5th Street. There’s more space to set up your beach chairs here, and lifeguards are on duty until 8 pm at the beaches off of 8th, 9th, 12th and 34th streets. The city has a smartphone mapping tool (ocnj.us/parking) so you can find parking in real-time.
Where to Stay: Most of the hotels and motels have easy access to the beach and boardwalk. The Beach Club Hotel has booking specials like Taste of Ocean City, which includes pizza, ice cream, popcorn and salt water taffy with your stay; Family Weeks and block parties. Ocean City Mansion is a unique B&B that welcomes dogs. So does the Coral Sands Motel, which is family-friendly and has weekly rental units.
THE WILDWOODS
Why We Love It: Known as the birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll music, the Wildwoods are home to free, wide, white, sandy beaches, a bustling boardwalk and all the water fun you can possibly want, like surfing, kayaking and crabbing. Walk, bike or take the Wildwoods Boardwalk Sightseer Tram Cars throughout town. Have some fun at Morey’s Piers, get wet at the Splash Zone Waterpark, or head to one of the many events at the Wildwoods Convention Center.
Good to Know: While you’re in town, check out some of the more unique attractions, like the National Marbles Tournament, Monster Truck Races and the Wildwoods Baby Parade. Visit The Wildwoods’ Doo Wop Experience Museum and Neon Sign Garden and look for the Wildwoods Icon Wall Murals along the boardwalk. Other events and activities include free weekly concerts on the beach, a yearly sports card and collectibles show, Friday Night Fireworks, an amateur sand sculpting festival every July and lots of beach sports tournaments.
Where to Eat: Duffer’s Restaurant in Wildwood cooks up breakfast, lunch sandwiches, wraps, steak sandwiches, burgers and dinner, plus they have a nautical-themed mini-golf course, an arcade with a prize center, and a Victorian-style gift shop. Founders Grub & Pub has both a front counter and grab-and-go service. Joe’s Fish Company is a casual spot overlooking Surfside Pier and the boardwalk, where you and the kids can order seafood or brick oven pizza, wraps or salads. Play mini golf or rent a bike from Hassles Ice Cream Parlour in North Wildwood after choosing from 35 flavors.
Where to Stay: Many new resorts have opened in the past few years, including Seaport Suites, Oasis by Seaport Stays, MudHen Hospitality’s Hen Houses, or the chic Waves Hotel. Madison Resort Wildwood Crest opened in May. Cape May County’s largest and newest beach resort, it combines the historic doo-wop style of the Oceanview Motel with the iconic Royal Hawaiian property next door for one giant resort with 200 rooms, three restaurants, two pools, a cabana, two fitness centers, two rooftop event spaces and pet-friendly amenities.
Long Beach Island (LBI)
Why We Love It: LBI has six popular beach towns along 18 miles of waterfront: Beach Haven, Harvey Cedars, Barnegat Light, Ship Bottom, Long Beach Twp. and Surf City. The area is popular with families because it has a more relaxed vibe, with lots of fishing, boating and shopping. It’s also home to the beloved Barnegat Lighthouse. Visitors love the landscape that includes pines, beach plum and bayberry plants. Annual events include the Hop Sauce Festival in June and Chowderfest (though it’s canceled for 2024).
Where to Eat: They say “Life’s better at The Beach House” Restaurant in Beach Haven Terrace, known for creative takes on seafood, steaks and pasta in a casual atmosphere. LBI Table in Ship Bottom serves up homestyle breakfast and lunch. Holiday Snack Bar in Beach Haven is known for its chocolate white cake. Baked On The Beach in Surf City has the best crumb cake on the island.
Good to Know: Surflight Theatre has been offering stage plays and musicals for more than 70 years. Rent a 35-foot pontoon boat from Queen City Cycle Boat, or hire a captain to take you around the bay. Fantasy Island Amusement Park has rides, games and an arcade to keep your gamers happy, and has special events planned this year for its 40th anniversary. Watch the sun go down from Sunset Park in Harvey Cedars.
Where to Stay: There are tons of summer house rentals and B&Bs throughout the island. Hotel LBI is a luxury hotel in Ship Bottom that has the charm of a summer home. The Island Guest House Historic Inn in Beach Haven has an old school island vibe at the turn-of-the-century B&B. Drifting Sands LBI Oceanfront Hotel in Ship Bottom offers private balconies and Jacuzzi tubs, plus it’s right by Surf City and the lighthouse.
LONG BRANCH
Why We Love It: Pier Village is the main attraction, a bustling area with a boardwalk along the beach dotted with elevated restaurants, boutique shops, a carousel, arcade, bowling alley and mini golf for kids. There are plenty of events held on the boardwalk, ranging from craft fairs and dog parties to yoga and live music. Oceanfest is a huge July 4 celebration along the water, complete with a fireworks spectacular at night. The Jazz & Blues Festival in August has various jazz bands take the stage – and ends with fireworks!
Good to Know: Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park is named for the U.S. presidents who vacationed there. The New Jersey Repertory Company offers some heat relief with productions inside an air-conditioned theater. The Whitechapel Projects partners with Asbury Park throughout the year to offer holiday markets and fairs.
Where to Eat: Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls are served Maine- or Connecticutstyle. Hummus Republic serves a variety of Mediterranean bowls, wraps and pitas you can take with you to the beach. Robinson Ale House has Burger Night every Wednesday. Kids can’t get enough of Coney Waffle’s ice cream sandwiches. Grab a cocktail at The Bar at Wave Resort, The Carousel Bar or Avenue for beautiful views of the ocean. New restaurants that have opened recently in this foodie town include Call Your Bubbi Bagels and Pépe Kitchen for kosher pizza; Kora for sushi and Korean Fusion Tacos are coming soon.
Where to Stay: Ocean Place Resort & Spa is more than an upscale hotel. It features Maya, a top-notch restaurant, and there’s event space for trivia, yoga, dance lessons, mini concerts and wine tastings throughout the year. The Wave Resort is a family resort close to the boardwalk and Seven Presidents Beach. Bungalow Hotel has gorgeous art in its suites, and there’s a lounge, bar and event space inside.
—Sources: (Cape May) George Swoyer, owner, Swoyer Services; (Wildwood) Dr. Susan Adelizzi-Schmidt, president, Suasion Communications Group; (Ocean City) Doug Bergen, public information officer, The City of Ocean City.
Get the latest on the best things to do with your family in and around New Jersey by signing up for our newsletter and following us on Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram!
Read More:
These Are The Top 10 Beaches in New Jersey, According to USA Today Readers
The Best Beaches for Families in NJ
50 Free Things to Do in NJ This Summer
These Are NJ’s Best Boardwalks
9 Free Beach Spots in NJ to Hit Up This Summer
