Some of the best destinations, day trips and activities in New Jersey can be found at the Shore. From exploring historic sites to kicking back at an outdoor movie, check out some not-to-miss favorites that make our state’s 130 miles of shoreline so special.
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Fishing
Whether surf fishing at Union Beach or Sandy Hook, or taking a party boat fluke finishing out of the Atlantic Highlands, a day of fishing down the Shore can’t be beat. Whether you are trying for fluke, stripers, or just to get a line in the water, fishing is a favorite pastime for many.
Lighthouses
The Garden State is home to more than a dozen majestic lighthouses that have guided mariners for over a century. The Twin Lights of Navesink tower 250 feet above Sandy Hook Bay on one of the highest points along the coast. Farther south is the Cape May Lighthouse, which aids in navigation and allows visitors to climb 199 steps to a panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay.
Bookstores
A few local favorites include River Road Books in Fair Haven; the Little Point Bookshop in Point Pleasant; Thunder Road Books in Spring Lake; Beach Bound Books in Avalon; and Book Nook in Sea Isle City, located right on the boardwalk.
Wineries
Right off the beach, in the Jersey Shore counties of Ocean and Cape May, are family-friendly wineries. These agritourism sites offer tasting rooms, food service, live music and activities.
Atlantic City Aquarium
This small-scale aquarium with touch tanks and interactive experiences is great for a rainy day down the Shore or when you are looking to beat the heat. This aquarium has been closed for a few years and is aiming to reopen in September.
Coffee shops and cafés
These local standards are booming at the Shore—from Asbury Park, host to Toast and Lola’s European Café, to Stone Harbor’s adorable Coffee Talk, and LBI’s assortment, including the Bagel Shack. There is a sense of community and comfort with every cup at Turning Point on the Long Branch boardwalk and Hooked on Breakfast in Ocean City. (My personal favorite spot is Lava Java on Route 35 in beautiful Lavallette.)
Stone Harbor and Avalon
Here, vast beaches and great restaurants are found along the southern portion of Seven Mile Island, near the tip of New Jersey and Cape May. From quaint motels to large-scale hotels, there are great places to stay and unwind.
Historic sites
Visit the Fort Hancock Nike Missile Base at the Gateway National Recreation Area at Sandy Hook, or the World War II Lookout Tower and the Emlen Physick Estate, both in Cape May. Don’t forget the iconic, six-story attraction Lucy the Elephant, built in 1881 by James Laffert, Jr., in hopes of selling parcels of land in Margate City.
Outdoor movie nights
One of the many amazing ways to spend a weekday evening in the summer is an outdoor movie. Red Bank hosts their movie nights overlooking the beautiful sunsets of the Navesink River, and Point Pleasant has movies right on the beach every Tuesday at dark.
[RELATED: 15 Fun and Unique Things to Do at the Jersey Shore]
Steve Adubato, PhD, is the author of six books, including his newest, Lessons in Leadership 2.0: The Tough Stuff. He is an Emmy Award–winning anchor with programs airing on Thirteen/WNET (PBS) and NJ PBS. He has also appeared on CNN, CBS News and NBC’s Today show. Steve Adubato’s Lessons in Leadership video podcast, with cohost Mary Gamba, airs Saturdays at 5 pm and Sundays at 10 am on News 12+. For more information, visit stand-deliver.com.
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