There’s nothing I love more than spending my summer days laying out at the Jersey Shore. However, as I’ve gotten older, I found myself choosing which beaches I spend my days at depending on my mood. Just like the people who inhabit this wondrous state, our beaches are each unique and different. Here’s a little guide to help my fellow beach bums try out some new places.
If you’re looking to spend a quiet day at the shore with friends, check out Island Beach State Park or Bradly Beach. IBSP is located a few miles south of Seaside and is a steal for broke college kids. Just pile all your friends in someone’s mom’s minivan and pay just $10 for the carload. The island not only has great beaches but awesome trails on the bay side that are great for the more active beachgoers. Bradly Beach is a great option for those Central Jersey folk who want to avoid the mayhem that is 18th Ave in Belmar.
If you’re looking for a family friendly beach, try Point Pleasant or Ocean City. Jenkinson’s Boardwalk in Point is great to entertain your younger family members with arcade games and ice cream while you soak up some rays on the beach. Ocean City is a “dry” beach, meaning no alcohol is sold in the city limits, which is an attractive offer for those who are just looking to enjoy the beach town without staggering partygoers inhabiting the boardwalk.
If you’re looking for a beach where you can wine and dine or shop, Pier Village at Long Branch is the perfect combination of quant boutiques, upscale restaurants, and beach. Guarantee you will see a wedding on any given day in the beautiful columned gazebo.
If you’re looking for a party scene, Seaside and Wildwood are the places to be. With clubs and bars galore, you’re bound to find some bad EDM and tacky decorations (but who cares. There’s beer, right?)
If you are looking to enjoy the beach from a more historical standpoint, Sandy Hook is the place to be. Sandy Hook is the northern most beach in New Jersey and is home to the retired U.S Army base Fort Hancock, which is open to the public.
If flying solo to the beach is your choice, pay Manasquan or Spring Lake a visit. These quiet beaches are really great in the morning for a run by yourself or sitting in a lounge chair with a good book.
If water sports are you forte, LBI is the place to be. The island as a whole has practically everything an energetic and adventurous beachgoer could want. Surfing, wakeboarding, jet skiing, parasailing; you name it, LBI has it.
If you’re feeling a little hipster and want to try something out of the ordinary, Asbury Park is a great place to start. The boardwalk isn’t as much fun and games as Jenkinson’s, but Asbury has a really neat Pinball Machine Museum (aka you pay like 20 bucks and run around and play pinball all day on these insanely vintage machines. It’s seriously a blast). Walk about two blocks off the shore and you’ll find hip coffee shops and avant-garde stores.
If you’re looking to spend time out on a pier, fishing or enjoying the view, take a drive to Ocean Grove. Also, for those a little more religious, Ocean Grove offers a cool pavilion where every day religious services take place to recognize how the beach town was founded.
Finally, if you’re looking to climb up to the top of a lighthouse, take a drive to Cape May. Cape May is the southernmost beach in New Jersey. There are only 199 steps to the top of the lighthouse and it offers a great view of the beach, bay, and surrounding area. Also, the lighthouse offers “Full Moon Climbs” throughout the summer where climbers can enjoy a beautiful view of the full moon above the ocean and bay!
I hope this list encourages you to break away from your hometown shore and visit some of these awesome beaches that New Jersey has to offer!
