No summer is complete without a visit to the Jersey Shore, but Seaside Heights has a lot to offer the entire family year-round, too.
- Where to Sun
There’s no doubt many people come to Seaside for the beach. You do need a paid beach pass to access the sand, but look for discounts throughout the summer, like on Mom and Me Days, Dad and Me Days, and Bring a Friend Days. Once you set up your chair and umbrella, enjoy the sun (lotion up first!), go for a swim, look for dolphins or take out your fishing pole. Check out the beach cam to see what’s going on along the shoreline.
There is also room along the Barnegat Bay to relax, if areas by the Atlantic Ocean seem too crowded. The bay is north of Route 37 and offers free fishing, two docks, a food concession stand, public restrooms and a marina. Water adventurers can rent a pontoon boat, crab boat, kayak, paddleboard, peddle boat, aqua trike or a waverunner.
2. Where to Play
The boardwalk is another huge draw. As you walk along, you’ll come across plenty of food stands, arcades, game areas and shops.
Casino Pier has amusement park rides for every age group, plus midway games, go-karts, mini golf and an arcade. Nearby is Breakwater Beach Waterpark, with its waterslides, wave pool, and cabanas you can rent.
If the boardwalk seems a bit crowded, walk along the Boulevard for more mini golf, shops and restaurants.
There are also events held year-round on the Pier Stage by Casino Pier. A majority are free, like animal shows, magic shows, kite festivals, meet-and-greets with princesses and pirates, arts and crafts, outdoor summer movies, and fireworks.
There are events per holiday too, such as St. Patrick’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Halloween. The Polar Bear Plunge to benefit Special Olympics New Jersey is a huge deal each winter.
3. Where to Eat
Boardwalk food is synonymous with pizza, sausage and peppers, cotton candy and ice cream. Start the day at Jimmy’s Breakfast Restaurant with pancakes or eggs. Debate with your friends if it’s called pork roll or Taylor ham at Jersey Roll. Samara Grill has great breakfast and coffee in the A.M., then offers Mediterranean food options the rest of the day.
Holy Smokes Southern BBQ serves BBQ in-house – and also delivers straight to your beach chair. Spicy Cantina is the go-to spot for Mexican food and margaritas. Or for a snack, check out House of Fries for fresh-cut potato sticks, sandwiches and ice cream floats.
Hemingway’s Cafe is a casual spot that serves steak, seafood, pasta, sushi and brick oven pizza. It’s a fun spot with happy hour, 20 TVs, four billiards tables and dart boards, plus live music at night. Beachcomber Bar & Grill has sushi and seafood on the menu, and also a nightlife scene after hours. There’s a handful of bars, too.
No trip to the boardwalk is complete without sweets. Lucky Leo’s Sweet Shop has its own rewards after you stop by the arcade, with a huge selection of candy apples, caramel corn, saltwater taffy and homemade fudge. Kohr’s has been serving frozen custard and ice cream since 1919 – vanilla soft-serve in a cake cone topped with rainbow sprinkles screams Jersey Shore. Van Holten’s Sweet Shop is another century-plus-old business, open year-round, and known for 60+ homemade flavors of saltwater taffy, 24 flavors of jelly beans, a line of nostalgic sodas, storemade gourmet popcorn (caramel corn is the biggest hit) and caramel apples.
4. Where to Stay
There are more than 2 dozen hotels and motels to book if you’re planning a staycation. The Aztec Ocean Resort is close to Casino Pier and Breakwater Beach, and has an outdoor pool, a grill and a restaurant overlooking the ocean. Its Aztec Bar has live entertainment on Fridays, Saturdays and Monday nights.
Boardwalk Hotel Charlee is right on the boardwalk, giving you easy access to all the fun. It’s a good location if your kids are older and want to head to the beach alone in the mornings.
Lazy River by the Beach is a two-story home with five bedrooms, four bathrooms, pull-out sofas, a courtyard, a reflection pool and a fountain. It can sleep up to 14 people, if you’re coming down with your relatives or friends.
5. What to See
There are other gems in the area your family can explore. The Seaside Heights Historical Society operates The Carousel Pavilion and Museum, and the carousel is open on weekends.
Seaside Park is the more town-like area of the borough, with beach access, playgrounds, shopping, candy shops and restaurants.
Island Beach State Park has two public beaches and hiking trails. There are all types of birds that flock here, plus pretty beach plum and pear cactus flowers. You can trek to where the ocean meets the bay and catch a glimpse of the Barnegat Lighthouse that sits on the edge of Long Beach Island.
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:
Things to Do in Seaside Heights
Things to Do in Point Pleasant
Things to Do in Atlantic City
Tickets Are Selling Out Super Fast for Sea.Hear.Now Mega Beach Fest in Asbury Park
This Jersey Shore Hotspot is The Coolest City to Visit in NJ, According to The Discoverer
Here’s How to Visit 6 Jersey Shore Towns Like a Local
These Are New Jersey’s Best Boardwalks
