2024 New Jersey Shore Guide
The New Jersey vacation guide has information on the Greater Atlantic City area, the New Jersey shore, and the Southern Shore. Learn about lighthouses, birding and more. Here. you will find hotels, inns, boardwalks, amusement parks, golf courses, fishing piers, boat ramps, shopping, real estate, timeshares, cruises, and campgrounds.
People visit the beaches in New Jersey all year round but most people visit during spring and the summertime for spring break, romantic weekend getaways, holidays, family vacations, business, extended stays, short breaks from work and more. Many people choose a beach in New Jersey for the perfect wedding or honeymoon destination.
New Jersey beaches are located on the Atlantic Ocean. There are over 127 miles of shoreline. You can find shoreline rentals, cottages for rent, beach vacation rentals, oceanfront resorts, villas, historic inns, suites, apartments, vacation studios, and more accommodations. Most beaches have lifeguards and are handicapped accessible. Some beaches have a beach fee, tennis courts, boat ramps, bathhouses, picnic areas, amusement arcades, and a boardwalk.
Atlantic City
Atlantic City is famous for its boardwalk, white sandy beaches and gambling casinos. There are convention centers here too. It is a year-round resort. Come by yourself and gamble in a casino. Bring a companion for a romantic getaway. Or bring your entire family for a great vacation in the sun. Visit Steel Pier Amusement Park for a day of fun. Go shopping. There is a little something for every member of the family to do here.
New Jersey Shore Tourism
The Jersey shore has 2 beach state parks. Sandy Hook State Park is in northern New Jersey and Island Beach State Park which is located in the Southern part of the region near Seaside Park. Most beaches have a fee and are handicap accessible.
At New Jersey shore beaches you can go scuba diving, surfing, birding, surfing, camping, kayaking, crabbing, clamming, surf fishing, deep-sea fishing, hiking, parasailing, canoeing, and boating. Beachcomb. Attend a play at a theatre. Climb a lighthouse. Watch fireworks. Ride a roller coaster at six flags. Shop flea markets, antique shops or outlet stores. Take a trolley tour or an eco-tour. Take a cruise in a paddle wheeler or sail the ocean. Attend a festival or an outdoor concert. Visit historical sites or museums. Play at a water park. See birds, dolphins, whales and other wildlife. Learn about history. Explore the marsh, beach, and meadows. Camp. Golf. Hike. Bike. Visit art galleries, historic sites, and museums. The area offers fun and excitement as well as a chance to relax and enjoy a sunset or sunrise. See the aquarium, the planetarium, art galleries, laser shows and more.
Point Pleasant Beach‘s boardwalk offers rides, amusements, games, and vendors selling funnel cake, fudge, and custard. Visit the aquarium. Eat at a seaside restaurant. Go to a nightclub. Play miniature golf …
Seaside Heights’ boardwalk has 2 large amusement parks, an antique carousel, casino pier, water park, arcades, and go-kart track.
Belmar has a kite festival, Friday Night concerts, the NJ Seafood Festival, a St. Patrick’s Day parade, the Fireman’s Carnival, a Sandcastle contest, Pro Beach Volleyball, shopping, good restaurants, nightlife, a marina, and deep-sea fishing.
Southern Shore New Jersey Tourism
The New Jersey Southern Shore offers many things to see and do: The most popular resort towns are Cape May and Wildwood.
Cape May is located at the southern tip of New Jersey. It was the first US seaside resort. Take the Cape May Lewes Ferry to Delaware beaches. Visit Victorian homes or stay at a historic inn. Enjoy the surf, sun, and boardwalk. In nearby towns, stroll through beautiful flower gardens. Watch glass blowing demonstrations or see glasswork exhibitions. Take a cruise. See dolphins or whales. Climb a lighthouse. Learn about history. Explore the marsh, beach, and meadows. Golf. Bike. Hike. Camp. Visit art galleries, historic sites, and museums. The area offers fun and excitement as well as a chance to relax and enjoy a sunset or sunrise.
Wildwood’s Boardwalk has vendors, rides and games. It has a circa 1950’s style architecture which makes it’s unique with a fun-filled atmosphere. Morey’s Piers offer rides, games and water parks. Take guided walking tours, back bay boat rides and kayak tours at the Wetlands Institute in nearby Stone Harbor.
NJ beach state parks
The Jersey shore has 2 beach state parks. Sandy Hook State Park is in northern New Jersey and Island Beach State Park which is located in the Southern part of the region near Seaside Park. Camp. Take a cruise. See dolphins or whales. Birdwatch. Climb a lighthouse. Learn about history. Explore the marsh, beach, and meadows. Golf. Visit art galleries, historic sites, and museums. Hike. Bike. The area offers fun and excitement as well as a chance to relax and enjoy a sunset or sunrise.
NJ seaside resort
On the Southern Shore, Cape May was the first US seaside resort. Take the Cape May Lewes Ferry to the Delaware shore. Cape May has many Victorian houses and other historic places to visit or stay. In the area, stroll through beautiful flower gardens. See glass blowing demonstrations and exhibitions of glasswork. Sail a boat. Watch wildlife in a zoo. See dolphins play. Watch for whales. Go deep-sea Fishing Spots. In Wildwood, visit Morey’s Piers for games, rides and water park fun. Take guided kayak tours, walks and back bay boat rides at the Wetlands Institute in Stone Harbor.
Things to Do
Stroll on the beach with your lover hand in hand. Enjoy the day. Climb a lighthouse. Watch the seagulls. Play in the sand. Build sandcastles. feel the sand between your toes. Jump the waves. Surf. Kiteboard. Sail a sailboat. Go scuba diving, parasailing, bodysurfing, boating … Relax and doze in the sun as you feel the warmth of the sun and hear the waves lap the shore. Don’t forget the sunscreen. Enjoy a cold drink. Cool off with a dip in the Ocean. Walk on the boardwalk, pier or the shoreline. Play the arcade. See fishermen catch fish or just watch the fish swim under and around a pier. Charter a boat to go deep-sea fishing. Take a cruise. Watch dolphins in the surf. Eat dinner at a seafood restaurant and relish fresh shrimp, grouper or your favorite fish. Watch the sunset. It’s beautiful. The end of a perfect vacation day at the beach.
Bird Watching areas on New Jersey Coast
For 21 years, the New Jersey Audubon Society has hosted the annual World Series of Birding at Cape May. Bird watchers count as many species as they can within a 24 hour period. If you like to go birding, New Jersey offers some great places to go because the state is on the Atlantic flyway for migratory birds. There are over 265 bird species here. New Jersey Audubon Society is located in Bernardsville NJ.
- The Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge located in the Absecon region is a good place to watch herons, egrets and piping plovers.
- The Heislerville Wildlife Management Area is another good place to spot migratory birds.
- Cape May Bird Observatory is located at 701 East Lake Dr. Cape May Point.
- Edwin B. Forsyth National Wildlife Refuge is located on Great Creek Road in Oceanville.
- Sandy Hook Unit – Gateway National Recreation Area in located off Rt. 36 in Highlands.
- Great Bay Boulevard in Little Egg Harbor offers great birding.
- Huber Woods Environmental Center and Poricy Park Conservancy in Middletown offer birdwatching.
- Manasquan inlet in Point Pleasant Beach is a prime winter birding location.
- Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary in Stone Harbor has hundreds of shorebirds to view.
- Wetlands Institute and Museum in Stone HJarbor offers birdwatching too.
Hiking Trails New Jersey Beach
Discover New Jersey Beach by hiking. There are many hiking trails throughout the state. Explore coastal marshes, wetlands, beaches, parks, river valleys, quaint historic villages, winding roads, quiet countrysides, and peaceful towns. See birds and wildlife along the way. Hike with a buddy. Bring along adequate water and food. Stay on trails. Use commonsense. Take safety precautions. Enjoy your trip.
- Henry Hudson Trail in Keyport is a 9-mile paved trail that goes through six Bayshore towns.
- Manasquan reservoir and visitor center in Howell has a five-mile trail through wetlands and woods. Watch birds or fish along the trail.
- Lake Horicon in Lakehurst offers hiking trails.
- Poricy Park Conservancy in Middletown has 8 miles of trails through 250 acres of natural landscapes and wildflower fields
- Owl Haven Nature Center – hiking trails
- Cattus Island County Park has 6 miles of trails and a butterfly garden to explore.
- Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research reserve 115000-acre reserve with hiking trails
- Batona Trail, in Hammonton, is a 50-mile hiking wilderness trail that starts in Brendan T. Byrne State Forest.
- Warren E. Fox Nature Center in Mays Landing has over 15 miles of hiking trails through wetlands and uplands.
Jersey Shore Golf Courses
Golf courses are located in Brick, Colts Neck, Cream Ridge, Farmingdale, Lakewood, Manahawkin, Manalapan, Millstone and Toms River.
- Ocean County Golf Course at Forge Pond – 18 holes – Brick
- The Colts Neck Golf Club – 18 holes – Colts Neck
- Hominy Valley Golf Course – 18 holes – Colts Neck
- Pebble Creek Golf Club – 18 holes – Colts Neck
- Cream Ridge Golf Club – 18 holes – Cream Ridge
- Cruz golf Country club – 18 holes – Farmingdale
- Howel Park Golf course – 18 holes Farmingdale
- Eagle Ridge Golf Club – 18 holes – Lakewood.
- Ocean Acres Country Club – 18 holes – Manahawkin
- Pine Brook golf Course – 18 short holes – Manalapan
- Charleston Springs Golf Course – 36 holes – Millstone
- Bey Lea Golf Course – 18 holes – Toms River
- Weat Long Branch Golf Range – 50 tees – West Branch
Greater Atlantic City Area Golf Courses
Golf courses are located in Brigantine, Buena, Cologne, Egg Harbor Township, Galloway and Mays Landing.
Southern Shore Golf Courses
Golf courses are located in Cape May Court House, Clermont, Erma, Ocean City, Ocean View, Strathmere, Swainton, Villas, and Vineland.
Cruise New Jersey Beach Waterways
Take a Cruise along the New Jersey Beach coast on the Atlantic Ocean and intercoastal waterways. See Dolphins play in the surf. Watch whales and other sea life from aboard a ship. Feel the wind in your hair and smell the sea salt in the air. What a way to relax! Take another cruise at sunset and watch the sun go down over the ocean. Enjoy a gourmet meal aboard while you cruise into the sunset.