As Jersey boys like The Boss and Bon Jovi proudly proclaim in song, Jersey rocks! And nowhere is that more evident than down the Shore. But there’s more than just the legendary boardwalks, amusement rides, expansive beaches, relaxing family vacation spots and quaint historic towns like Cape May to love.
One of our favorite Shore towns is Asbury Park for its charm, art and diverse choice of food and drink. Take the kids to the Silverball Museum Arcade, a trip through time where you pay by the hour to play on more than 600+ vintage pinball machines. Walk the boardwalk and see the historic carousel building that has been turned into an art gallery, or head downtown for great eats and spooky fun at the Paranormal Museum. Save a few hours to wander through the Antique Emporium of Asbury Park to unearth some treasures, or visit in the spring for its annual zombie walk where participants dress in outrageous undead costumes.
For hunts of another kind, try scavenger outings like Wacky Walks, which let you use a smartphone app to unravel riddles and search for items during a madcap romp around Atlantic City. At Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium, marvel over weird stuff like shrunken heads and a roulette table made of 14,000+ jellybeans. For more sweet novelties, pop over to Sugar Factory Atlantic City, home to a floor-to-ceiling candy wall and 24-scoop King Kong Sundaes. For some putt-putt action, Castaway Cove Adventure Golf on Point Pleasant Beach’s Jenkinson’s Boardwalk is a great first round start on your tour of the Shore’s often kitschy and always entertaining mini golf spots. In between your course cruising, stop at the Vintage Automobile Museum of New Jersey, or enjoy other modes of travel—boat excursions from Queen Mary Party Fishing Boat & Charters or catch a breeze with Point Pleasant Parasail.
These diversions barely scratch the surface of all that makes our Shore the best. That’s not bragging. That’s just straight up Jersey pride talking.