Top Things to do in Jersey Shore
The 10 Best Points of Interest & Landmarks in Jersey Shore, Jersey Shore
The Atlantic coast of New Jersey, with its beaches and boardwalks, stretches from Sandy Hook in the north to Cape May in the south. Fresh ocean breezes fan 127 miles of sandy beaches. Drive between cities or catch a NJ Transit bus or Atlantic City jitney bus. Atlantic City packs people in to nightlife venues and casinos. Wildwood's boardwalk is well-trod. Asbury Park is once again popular, particularly with gays and lesbians. Cape May's restaurants and Victorian inns lure tourists to the historic town.
Restaurants in Jersey Shore
1. Humane Society of Ocean City
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By cranstonsnord
The Humane Society of Ocean City is a working animal shelter and vets office, not a typical "attraction". Visitors are welcome. Donations are always appreciated. It's a great place to look for a pet to adopt. Bring the kids. A no kill shelter that even brings in animals from other shelters when space is available to keep them from being put down. A great staff of paid employees and volunteers.
2. Lucy the Elephant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 454 reviews
Originally named Elephant Bazaar, this six-story elephant-shaped building was built in 1881 by James V. Lafferty, Jr. in hopes of selling parcels of land located on the beach in Margate, NJ. Over the years, this unique structure has served many purposes -- most notably as a tourist attraction. Today, Lucy the Elephant is recognized as the Oldest Roadside Attraction in America and has been declared a National Historic Landmark. There is no charge to visit the site or to shop in the Gift Shop; however, visitors wishing to go inside the elephant must purchase admission tickets to the Guided Tour. Guided Tours through the elephant structure occur every half-hour during business hours, with the last tour of the day beginning 30 minutes prior to closing. Cost of Admission: $8.50 Adults (ages 13 and up) $4.00 Children (ages 3-12) And don't forget to shop our Gift Shop for all of your elephant-themed items, including one-of-a-kind Lucy the Elephant souvenirs available nowhere else!
Reviewed By 888carlc - Netcong, United States
My three boy and my wife and I visited Lucy this past weekend. We were thrilled to be able to visit the country's oldest extant roadside attraction. This history is absolutely amazing. My kids loved it and we enjoyed our visit. It was first class. We used a Groupon, too, which saved us about $10. But well worth it even at full retail.
3. Spring Lake Boardwalk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 118 reviews
Reviewed By drbonniek - Kralendijk, Caribbean
I love to come to Spring Lake Beach and Boardwalk. It is very clean and peaceful yet next to Belmar Beach for more amenities and excitement. Great place for a walk, run, bike ride or just to get some R & R. One of the top beaches on the New Jersey Shore.
4. Civil Rights Garden
5. Jakes Branch County Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By 334pattyn
This is not your average county park. The nature center made learning about the various elements and people of the Pine Barrens so interesting and was set up to reach the minds of children's and adults. I also learned a lot about fire fighting in the Pine Barrens. The staff was very hospitable and even went out of their way to find an answer to my question about charcoal and where it actually came from. I was super impressed with the observation tower and the beautiful and expansive views.
6. Church of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton
7. Our Lady Star of the Sea Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 21 reviews
Reviewed By bbbob84 - Staten Island, United States
The church is over 100 years old. Beautiful classic stained glass windows. Always full with worshipers for service. We buy tickets for the cars they raffle off every year to support the ministry. Worth a stop just to visit and enjoy the architecture and serenity.
8. Greek Temple Monument World War I Memorial
9. Veterans Park
10. Asbury Park Boardwalk
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 973 reviews
Reviewed By kbtorr - Cape Town Central, South Africa
Disclaimer: I’m English, and I LOVE SEASIDE towns, so declaring my bias is important, as Asbury Park was an EASY sell, transporting me to a simpler and less complicated time. I grew up on a diet of frequent trips to the English East coast. Every summer we would spend two weeks in the same scruffy little bungalow at the seaside, close to the ‘Kiss-me-Quick ’ resort of Hunstanton, land of penny arcades and funfairs. Popcorn, candyfloss and toffee apples make up my DNA, and the thrill of a carousel and the Tunnel of Love never pale. Autumn and winter at the shore have always been a favourite of mine. The closed, ‘packed up for the meantime’, limited openings and short seasonal hours speak to me-all reminiscent of viewing a room through the keyhole- a narrower lens, yet somehow more intriguing and magical. I had no idea what to expect when we were asked to join old friends in Asbury Park, and found myself in a 24-hour-dream-like odyssey. My relationship with Bruce is more complicated. I first listened to him at Wembley Arena in London, 1992, and remember becoming confused and distressed at the constant rude booing from the audience. My soon-to-be husband patiently pointed out they were shouting ‘Bruuuuuce,’ and not ‘Booooooo...’(Blush.) Anyone familiar with Asbury Park will understand why I mention Bruce, and those who are uncertain, this should be your incentive for adventuring. It is a fabulous, confusing, delightful, bracing, hilarious, festive, decadent, fascinating and complex place. …I am 18 again...drinking cheap rosé and eating lobster roll, crawling under the boardwalk to kiss my ‘wannabe’ rock star boyfriend, while he quotes bad lyrics in my untrained ear...half wanting his poetry to be good, but knowing if it was, he won’t be around for another season…we doze briefly in one another’s arms and then wander over to the little art-house cinema where we sit in the back row for the 4 pm screening, watching the movie through half-closed eyes and my rock stars’ embrace. When dusk arrives, we run to the Carousel, where we choose horses with names like Kate, Margaret & Polly, never sensing that 40 years from now, the horses would be replaced- the Victorian style grandeur has taken on its own faded and jaded beauty: arguably more intriguing now than in its glory moment. The Verdi Gris treasure of the facade belies the Rondavel interior, currently housing of a pop up Steam Punk and Zombie Art exhibition. We had an energetic gallop around the Stone Pony, wistfully hoping to find the Rock Star himself, yet meeting the owner of the Danny Clinch gallery gratifyingly made up for it, as she generously diverted us with her first-hand experiences. The one degree of separation is always more elegant to me, as I tend to seize up or babble in the presence of greatness and fame (!) The urbane and understated Asbury Hotel, home of Instagram moments delighted us, a visual cornucopia- each nook and mezzanine inviting us to nest and snuggle- a Hygge fan’s instant gratification. The tour of the Ocean Beach Club transported us to a deck of an ocean liner, or a sunset venue on the southernmost edge of the African continent...whispers of Cape Town echoed. A breathtaking 360 degrees of sun, sky, sea. The Pinball Museum where four of us, giggling, crammed into the photo booth and marvelled at the fact we could now pay by credit card. The ubiquitous four-photo-strip delighting and amusing us: in this era of instant gratification, we still had to wait impatiently for the dubious results. Strangely alluring and incredibly beautiful at night, the Boardwalk is punctuated by the formally abandoned 1929 Casino. The art of HotTea, 6000 hanging threads, kelp-like, rainbow lit, exposed to the nuances and whims of the sea breeze, delicately emotive and frangible. The weekend we visited, the annual Zombie Walk was taking place. Store owners were nervously anticipating a rumoured 34,000 celebrants of the macabre, yet the supposed influx didn’t impact our stay-the few we came across felt strangely middle-aged, weirdly sad and maudlin, rather than terrifying. Over the bridge into strictly ‘dry’ Ocean Grove, a different world awaits. The whimsical gingerbread houses laced with floral climbing vines, craft stalls selling tchotchkes, the ice cream parlours, teashops, and the police station reminiscent of a lost 1940’s world were in strict relief to the brisk and jaunty energy of Asbury Park. Ocean Grove is famous for a yearly summer tented camp, where the Methodist faithful gather each summer. The bowed, wooden canoe-like ceiling of the church conjures glorious eternal journeys, the central auditorium holding 7000 of the great and the good. Worlds collide deliciously. Visit for your own Odyssey.
