Sandy Hook & Monmouth County Shore
Historic lighthouses, ocean beaches, bayside views, music towns, classic shore downtowns, and easy access from North Jersey and New York.
Jersey Shore Guide
Explore New Jersey’s coastal towns, beaches, boardwalks, lighthouses, historic seaside places, family attractions, dining districts, shopping areas, and shore getaway ideas from Sandy Hook to Cape May.
Beaches
Boardwalks
Coastal Towns
Lighthouses
Family Trips
Welcome to the Jersey Shore
The Jersey Shore is one of New Jersey’s most recognizable travel regions, stretching along the Atlantic coast through beach towns, barrier islands, bayside communities, amusement boardwalks, historic districts, marinas, wildlife areas, and classic seaside downtowns. This NJTGO guide is designed as a starting point for exploring the shore by county, town, and type of trip.
Explore the Jersey Shore by Region
Each part of the shore has its own personality. Some areas are known for music, nightlife, and boardwalk energy, while others are quieter beach communities, historic towns, family resorts, fishing destinations, or nature-focused coastal escapes.
Ocean County & Long Beach Island
Boardwalk fun, bayfront recreation, fishing areas, barrier-island beach towns, family attractions, and LBI communities from Barnegat Light to Beach Haven.
Atlantic County Shore
Atlantic City entertainment, casino resorts, beach communities, bayside marinas, dining, fishing, cultural attractions, and Downbeach towns.
Cape May County Shore
Victorian Cape May, the Wildwoods, Ocean City, Sea Isle City, Avalon, Stone Harbor, lighthouses, birding, boardwalks, and classic family beach towns.
Popular Jersey Shore Destinations
These are some of the best-known shore destinations to start with when planning a beach day, weekend getaway, family trip, boardwalk visit, or coastal sightseeing route.
- Atlantic City — boardwalk, casinos, beaches, entertainment, restaurants, and events.
- Asbury Park — beach, boardwalk, music history, dining, arts, and nightlife.
- Belmar — beach, marina, fishing, restaurants, and summer events.
- Cape May — Victorian architecture, beaches, Cape May Lighthouse, shopping, and historic tours.
- Long Beach Island — barrier-island towns, beaches, Barnegat Lighthouse, bayfront activities, and family lodging.
- Long Branch — oceanfront dining, shopping, beach access, and resort-style development.
- Ocean City — family-friendly boardwalk, beach, amusements, downtown shopping, and events.
- Point Pleasant Beach — classic boardwalk, aquarium, beach, amusements, dining, and fishing.
- Seaside Heights — boardwalk amusements, beach, arcades, events, and nightlife.
- Sea Isle City — beaches, promenade, fishing, summer events, and family-friendly rentals.
- Stone Harbor & Avalon — quieter upscale beach towns with shopping, dining, and nature nearby.
- The Wildwoods — boardwalk, amusement piers, wide beaches, waterparks, and Doo Wop-style lodging.
Things To Do at the Jersey Shore
Beaches & Boardwalks
Plan classic summer beach days, boardwalk nights, arcade visits, amusement rides, beach walks, sunrise views, and oceanfront dining.
Lighthouses & Coastal History
Visit Sandy Hook Lighthouse, Twin Lights, Barnegat Lighthouse, Absecon Lighthouse, Cape May Lighthouse, Hereford Inlet Lighthouse, and historic shore districts.
Family Attractions
Find aquariums, piers, miniature golf, waterparks, arcades, playgrounds, family restaurants, and walkable seaside downtowns.
Fishing, Boating & Marinas
Explore surf fishing, party boats, charters, marinas, bayfront launches, kayak areas, and waterfront communities along the coast.
Arts, Music & Nightlife
Asbury Park, Atlantic City, Cape May, Ocean City, Wildwood, and many downtown shore towns offer live entertainment, galleries, festivals, and seasonal events.
Nature & Wildlife
Look for dunes, bays, wetlands, birding areas, nature centers, wildlife refuges, and coastal parks from Sandy Hook to Cape May Point.
Jersey Shore Trip Ideas
Classic Boardwalk Day
Choose Point Pleasant Beach, Seaside Heights, Atlantic City, Ocean City, or Wildwood for boardwalk food, games, arcades, amusements, and oceanfront energy.
Historic Shore Weekend
Pair Sandy Hook and Twin Lights with Cape May’s Victorian district, Cape May Lighthouse, Hereford Inlet Lighthouse, or Absecon Lighthouse.
Quiet Beach Escape
Look at Spring Lake, Sea Girt, Bay Head, Lavallette, Long Beach Island, Avalon, Stone Harbor, Cape May Point, or Strathmere for a calmer pace.
Family Shore Vacation
Ocean City, Wildwood, Point Pleasant Beach, Long Beach Island, and Cape May County towns offer strong family appeal with beaches, activities, rentals, and boardwalk options.
Food & Downtown Stroll
Try Asbury Park, Red Bank, Long Branch, Point Pleasant Beach, Beach Haven, Atlantic City, Cape May, Stone Harbor, or Ocean City for walkable dining and shopping.
Nature-Focused Shore Day
Plan around Sandy Hook, Island Beach State Park, Barnegat Lighthouse State Park, Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, Cape May Point, or coastal wetlands.
Jersey Shore Counties
Use these county guides to move from a regional shore overview into detailed NJTGO county pages with towns, attractions, historic places, transportation, arts, parks, and visitor resources.
NJTGO planning note: Many visitors search for the Jersey Shore as one destination, but each county has its own character. Monmouth County is strong for music, downtowns, and northern shore access; Ocean County is strong for boardwalks, Barnegat Bay, and Long Beach Island; Atlantic County is strong for Atlantic City and Downbeach communities; Cape May County is strong for Victorian history, Wildwood, Ocean City, Avalon, Stone Harbor, and Cape May.
Planning Tips for Visiting the Jersey Shore
Check Beach Rules
Beach tag rules, hours, parking, lifeguard schedules, dog rules, surfing areas, and alcohol rules vary by town. Always check the local town page before you go.
Expect Seasonal Traffic
Summer weekends can create heavy traffic on the Garden State Parkway, Route 35, Route 36, Route 37, Route 72, the Atlantic City Expressway, and shore bridges.
Use Transit When Practical
NJ TRANSIT rail and bus service can be useful for several shore areas, especially North Jersey Coast Line towns and the Atlantic City Rail Line.
Plan for Shoulder Season
Spring and fall can be excellent times for history, dining, walking, birding, photography, festivals, and quieter beach-town visits.