Ultimate Beach Chart 08

No matter your age, your shape, your interests, or your hometown (out-of-staters welcome), the Shore makes summer super—and our Ultimate Beach Chart makes the best of everything easy to find.

 

ExitBeach FeeParkingWebsiteBest Bets

Sandy Hook

117

Free

Season: $50,
seniors $25
Day: $10,
seniors $5

nps.gov/gate

Go lighthouse hopping. Visit the Sandy Hook light house, America’s oldest, or the Ft. Hancock lighthouse, which has a five-mile nature trail.

Sea Bright

s-117, n-105

Season: $100, seniors $35
Day: $8; under 12 free

Free

seabrightnj.org

Hit Donovan’s Reef (1171 Ocean Ave, 732-842-6789), the only beach bar in Monmouth County, or try the Asian-fusion cuisine of Elements (1072 Ocean Ave, 732-842-1100), owned by Jon Bon Jovi’s brother Matthew.

Monmouth Beach 105

Season: $70

Day: $8; under 12 free

Season: $40
or limited free

monmouth
beach.us

Breakfast at Jersey girl Karyn Jarmer’s My Kitchen Witch Café (29 Beach Rd, 732-229-3033). Then log on to surfline.com for surf and weather conditions.

Long Branch

105

Season: $35, 13–17 $30
Day: $5, 13–17 $3; seniors and under 13 free

Season: $35
or limited free

longbranch.org

Swim, surf, fish, or stroll the beach at Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park, which has volleyball courts, playgrounds, and an activity center on its 38 acres. Browse 30 boutiques and restaurants at Pier Village (piervillage.com).

Deal

s-105, n-98

Season: $125, 13–17 $100 Mon–Fri: $6. Sat–Sun: $7; under 13 free

Free

dealborough.com

Conover Pavilion (at the foot of Phillips Ave) has free parking, lockers, dressing facilities, showers, snack bar, and lifeguards.

Asbury Park
s-102, n-100A

Season: $50, seniors, 13–17 $15. Day: $5 Sat, Sun, holidays: $5; under 12 free

Free or
metered

cityofasbury
park.com

Take in a set at the legendary Stone Pony (913 Ocean Ave, 732-502-0600), where Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi got their starts.

Ocean Grove
s-100b, n-100

Season: $70, seniors $40, 12–17 $35. Week: $35; Mon–Fri $7; Sat–Sun $12; under 12 free.

Free

oceangrove.org

Explore the historic district on a walking tour, Wednesdays and Fridays (1 PM) and Saturdays (11 AM), June through September (Historical Society, 732-774-1869). Improve your handwriting at the Calligraphy Workshop at Centennial Cottage (July 25 10:30 am-12:30 pm).

Bradley Beach

s-100b, n-100

Season: $65, 14–15 $25
seniors $25. Day: $7,
13 and under free

Free or
metered

bradley
beachonline.com

Summer Concert Series at the Fifth Avenue Gazebo on the ocean; bradleybeachonline.com.

Avon

S-100B, N-100A

Season: $75, seniors and teens $35. Day: $8,
12 and under free

Free

avon-by-the-
sea.com

Rent scuba gear and get lessons at Divers Two (1 Main St, 732-776-7755).

Belmar

98

Season: $50, seniors $15
Day: $7, 14 and under free

Free or
metered

belmar.com

Free movie on the strand every Sunday evening at dusk on 8th Avenue Beach.

Spring Lake 98

Season: $100; Half-season: $60. Day: $8, under 12 free

Free

springlakeboro.org

See a show at the Community House Theatre (Third and Madison aves, 732-449-4530). Linger downtown the fourth Friday of the month, when shops stay open till 8 pm.

Sea Girt 98

Season: $70, seniors $50.

Day: $7, under 12 free

Free

seagirtboro.com

Drop in at the Parker House, a Victorian restaurant and bar, with live music, games, and a dance club (732-449-0442).

Manasquan

s-98, n-90

Season: $60, seniors $20,
12–16 $30. Mon–Fri: $6; Sat-Sun: $7, under 12 free

Season: $75
Mon–Fri $5
Sat, Sun: $10

manasquannj.com

Every Thursday night, July 4th through Labor Day, view fireworks as you ride the Manasquan water taxi (manasquanwatertaxi.com).

Pt Pleasant Beach

s-98, n-90

Season: $80, 5–11 $45, seniors $55. Mon–Fri: $6.50. Sat, Sun, holidays: $7.50, 5–11 $2

Free, metered,
or private lots

pointpleasant
beach.org

Catch dinner. The fishing is good from local inlets and marinas. Try Ken’s Landing (30 Broadway, 732-892-9787).

Bay Head

s-98, n-90

Season: $65. half-season $45 Day: $6, under 12 free

Free

bayhead.org

Art in the Park, Saturday, June 14 (Centennial Park, off Bridge Ave, 10 am–4 pm); more than 40 local artists display their work.

NORMANDY
BEACH

S-89, N-82

Season: $80 Month: $60
Week: $35. Day: $7,
under 12 free

Free

NA

Locals hang out in the shops on Route 35 North. Stop by Kaboodles (732-830-0222), a town favorite for ice cream.

Lavallette

82

Season: $40, seniors $12
Week: $20. Day: $6,
under 12 free

Municipal
lots $7

lavallette.org

Stroll, jog, or bike down Lavallette’s mile-long boardwalk. Bay-front concerts are held every Sunday from July until Labor Day.

Seaside Heights

82

Season: $35. Day: $5.
Wed-Thurs: free,
under 12 free, seniors $10

Metered
on-street,

lots $5–$10

seaside-
heightsnj.org

Arts and Crafts By the Sea, a June 14 festival on Seaside Height’s boardwalk.

Seaside Park 82

Season: $45, seniors $16.
Week: $25. Day: $8,
11 and under free

Metered

seasideparknj.org

Cool off at Seaside’s favorite malt shop, Sundae Times Ice Cream (800 Central Ave, 732-830-9460).

Island Beach

82

Free

Season: $50
Mon-Fri: $6
Sat–Sun: $10

state.nj.us/dep/
parksandforests
/parks/island.html

Explore eight trails, where you can observe birds or ride horses, or glide along the scenic five-mile, two-lane bike path.

Barnegat LIGHT

63

Season: $35. Week: $20

Day: $5, seniors $8,
under 12 free

Free

barnlight.com

The second tallest lighthouse in the country, affectionately called Old Barney, provides a beautiful view of Island Beach State Park, the Atlantic, the New Jersey mainland, and Long Beach Island. It’s well worth climbing the 217 steps to the top.

Loveladies

63

Season: $35. Week: $20
Day: $5, over 65 and under 12 free.

Free

lbtbp.com

At the Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and Sciences (120 Long Beach Blvd, 609-494-1241), you can peruse and purchase work by local and national artists.

Harvey Cedars
63

Season: $35, seniors $9 Week: $20. Day: $6.
under 12 free

Free

harveycedars.org

19th annual Craft Day by the Bay on July 5 from 10 am to 4 pm.

Surf City

63

Season: $35. Week: $17

Day: $8, over 65 and under 12 free

Free

surfcitybeachp
atrol.com

Compete in weekly surf races against yacht clubs from neighboring towns, or ride the waves on your own. Unusually high tides and large waves attract surfers and spectators from all over the world.

Ship Bottom

63

Season: $35. Week: $17
Day: $7, under 12 free

Lifetime: over 65 $3

Free

shipbottom.org

For a break from the beach, visit Allen House (Rt 35 and Sycamore Ave), site of a popular tavern in the 17th century, or tour Christ Church (Sycamore Ave) for its marvelous Federal-style architecture.

Beach Haven

63

Season: $25. Week: $15

Day: $5, over 65 and under 12 free.

Free

newjerseybeach
haven.com

Fantasy Island Amusement Park (320 7th St) has rides and games for the entire family.

Brigantine

38

Season: $17. Week: $13

Day: $7, seniors and
under 12 free.

Season: $13.
Day: $6
limited free,

brigantine
beachnj.com

Observe dolphins and whales at the Marine Mammal Stranding Center and Sea Life Educational Center and Museum (3625 Brigantine Blvd).

Atlantic City
38B

Free

Meters and
paid lots

atlanticcitynj.com

Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall (2301 Boardwalk). Call 800-736-1420 for tickets.

Ventnor

38

Season: $15, under 12 free.

Metered or
free

ventnorcity.org

Hit a bucket of golf balls at the Bay Breeze Driving Range (Lafayette and Wellington Aves). A small bucket is $3, medium $6, large $9.

Margate

36

Season: $15, under 12 free.

Free 2-hour
spaces

margate-nj.com

At 65 feet tall, Lucy the Elephant (Atlantic and Decatur Ave, 609-823-6473) is the largest wood-framed pachyderm in the world. At 124+ years of age, she’s the oldest remaining example of zoomorphic architecture in the country.

Longport

36

Season: $30. Week: $10, seniors $5, under 12 free.

Limited free

longport-nj.gov

Swing, see-saw, and slide at the playground, or challenge your kids to a game of tennis or basketball at the Longport Recreational Complex (3498 Atlantic Avenue).

Ocean City

s-30, n-25

Season: $20. Week: $10

Day: $5, under 12 free.

Metered and
private lots,
season $135

njoceancity.com

Ride the 140-foot Ferris Wheel with its spectacular view of the ocean, city, and surrounding towns. Gillians Wonderland Pier (609-399-7082).

Sea Isle City

s-17, n-14

Season: $20. Week: $10

Day: $5, 12 and under free.

Metered

seaislecity.org

The Skimmer Festival (Promenade & JFK Blvd) on June 14 kicks off a weekend of live music, dance contests, antique auto shows, and parades.

Avalon

13

Season: $24. Week: $12

Day: $6, under 12 free.

Free

avalonboro.org

Lunch in the shade on the protected deck of the Avalon Anchorage Marina (885 21st St). The view across Pennsylvania Harbor to Cedar Island includes plenty of shore life; tip your cap to the resident ducks.

Stone Harbor
10

Season: $24 Week: $12

Day: $6, under 12 free.

Free lots and
metered

stone-harbor.nj.us

The Wetlands Institute (1075 Stone Harbor Blvd, 609-368-1211) calls itself “the natural place to have fun.” Guided tours show you coastal ecosystems in action. Also available: back-bay boat rides, kayaking, and guided beach and dune walks.

The Wildwoods

4B

Free

Day: free,
metered, and private/
municipal
lots with fees.

Season
$100–$250.

wildwoodsnj.com

Morey’s Piers (3501 Boardwalk) include an amusement park and two beachfront waterparks.

Cape May

0

Season: $25

Week: $13. 3 days $9.
Day $4, under 12 free.

Metered

capemaycity.com

Harbor Fest (June 20-22) celebrates seafood and song. Activities take place at or near the Nature Center of Cape May (1600 Delaware Ave; 609-884-5508; capemaychamber.org).

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