The Jersey Shore is a beloved attraction that draws millions of people every year and generates billions of dollars in revenue for local businesses. People flock here in droves because there is a lot to do. Yes, you know about the beaches and night clubs and all the other things you see featured on MTV, but that’s not all the shore has to offer!
The reason so many turn out to the Shore? Because there is a LOT to do.
Here are things to do when you’re visiting the Jersey Shore:
Nature & Dolphin Sighting
The Jersey Shore is known for its wild clubs and active nightlife, so it’s no surprise that a lot of people don’t realize that you have easy access to some of the most pristine coastline on the East Coast in state parks like Island Beach State Park. There are also many dolphin sighting trips that are an easy drive from Manahawkin, Barnegat, and Forked River.
Go Out To Eat
When you’re done relaxing in the sun or enjoying the sights of the shore, you’re going to want to grab something to eat. The good news is, the Jersey Shore is packed with great restaurants. Seafood restaurants are the most popular, with Italian eateries a close second – every town is guaranteed to have at least one excellent pizzeria – but if you want Thai, Mexican, traditional American cuisine, German food, sushi, Indian, and more, you’ll be able to find it here. The Jersey Shore is more ethnically diverse than you realize, and so is its cuisine.
Surfing
Grabbing a board and surfing on the waves is a big deal on the New Jersey coast. You see it from time to time on Long Beach Island, people taking to the waves and riding them for all they’re worth. Many don’t realize that on the East Coast, New Jersey is among the best surfing areas around. No wonder people come here!
Play Boardwalk Games
At the Jersey Shore, there are dozens of great games you can play at the boardwalks that grace our shores. From tossing this into that to banging that onto this, the type of games are varied. More importantly, the prizes are varied, too. You can win stuffed animals and shirts and all that, but you can also win toys, games and more. Most important of all is, you can have FUN.
Crabbing
Going crabbing is a popular pastime for locals and visitors alike. Whether casting your traps from a dock or a rented boat, the crabbing is excellent here, letting you and your family have fun while you catch dinner for the weekend!
Historical Sites
Did you know that the Jersey Shore was once home to famous pirates? Or that it was the site of battles during the American Revolution? From Barnegat Lighthouse to historic ships and more, the Jersey Shore is home to wonderful glimpses into yesteryear.
As you can see, there is a lot to do here. If you want more suggestions, contact Bayside Dentistry at 609-698-1155. We’ll be glad to give you some tips!
Don’t the show of the same name fool you. The Jersey Shore is a terrific place to live. This is especially true in Southern Ocean County around Barnegat, Manahawkin, and Forked River, where there are a wealth of benefits that will quickly have you living the good life.
Don’t believe us? Just take a look at these five great reasons to live at the shore:
1) Watersports
For those who like their life to be on the exciting side, the Jersey coast offers some of the best areas for jet skiing, water skiing, surfing, and much more.
Whether you already own equipment or just want to rent it, shops and rentals places are so numerous you’ll be tripping over them.
Even better, the waters here are made for activities like this. Our bays, waterways and oceans are perfect for waverunners, paddle boarding, and much more.
2) Boating and Fishing
New Jersey has some of the best boating and fishing on the East Coast (and anyone who follows our Facebook knows our doctors take full advantage of it!).
Whether you like relaxing on a bay and enjoying the sun with friends, or like to take a boat out on the Atlantic and engage in some serious fishing, the opportunities to both are endless here. The Garden State has a thriving fishing and boating community that dates back hundreds of years, with a wealth of fishing clubs, charter boats, yacht clubs, and much more available. If you live someplace like Renaissance on The Ocean, it’s easy to access this great aspect of the shore.
3) Beautiful Beaches
There is a reason why so many people come to the Jersey Shore each summer: because it’s beautiful! No matter the type of experience you want, New Jersey offers it. We have quaint, quiet communities with relaxing beaches, party towns with thriving nightclub scenes, towns that specialize in historic inns and bed and breakfasts, fishing towns, communities geared towards families, towns that focus on boardwalks and amusements, and much more. New Jersey beaches in Ship Bottom, Long Beach Island, and elsewhere are the place to be!
4) The Outdoors
In addition to watersports, beaches and more, the Jersey coast has something a lot of people don’t realize: some gorgeous state and federal parks featuring pristine coastland. These preserves boast great hiking trails, lush dunes, and abundant wildlife. You can see a side of New Jersey you never imagined!
5) Easy Access To NYC and Philly
Being at the Jersey Shore doesn’t mean you always have to STAY at the Jersey Shore. Thanks to 195 and the Parkway, access to New York City and Philadelphia is incredibly easy, making day trips into the city a breeze. Even Baltimore is an easy three-hour drive away, a perfect way to catch Phillies, Yankees and Mets games without having to deal with the home town crowds. It’s just one more thing that makes living at the shore so desirable!
With these things in mind, it’s hard to ignore how great the Jersey Shore can be!
Anyone who has been to LBI knows it’s a beautiful, cozy community that thrives during the summer months. Whether you own a home there or you just take day trips to the beach, you probably love to visit.
So if you love to visit Long Beach Island, you might enjoy knowing a little more about it. With that in mind, we have some interesting facts for you. Take a look:
- Long Beach Island has been battered by some major storms. In 1920, most of the island was destroyed by a devastating winter storm that even reopened a once closed inlet in Holgate. In 1923, another storm smashed the island and knocked out rail service for a full three years, and in 1935, a storm washed out the railroad bridge to the mainland.
- Perhaps the worst storm was the Ash Wednesday Storm of 1962. That storm split the island into several pieces and causes the USS Monssen, a Navy destroyer, to run aground. The storm is considered one of the 10 worst storms of the 20th Century in the United States, and almost destroyed all of Long Beach Island.
- Long Beach Island was also battered by Hurricane Sandy in 2012. The storm flooded the island and cause the bridge to the island to be closed for 13 days.
- The current causeway that connects Long Beach Island to the mainland was constructed in the late 1950s.
- Long Beach Island is known as a fairly well to do area of New Jersey. Even as far back as 1970, Philadelphia Magazine joked that “the haves turn right and the have mores turn left,” referring to the turns south and north people make after arriving on the island.
- The communities on the north of the island, including Loveladies and North Beach, feature sprawling Victorian homes that often spark rumors of celebrities vacationing there.
- Though Long Beach Island is a highly desirable resort and vacation area, it is not comparable to nearby Jersey Shore communities like Seaside Heights, Wildwood, and Belmar. Instead of a thriving night club scene and rides and boardwalks, it’s a family oriented vacation spot with more focus on restaurants, museums, and beaches.
- Long Beach Island is home to many fishing and charter boats, some of which get 100 or more miles off the coast.
- Long Beach Island is home to the famed Surflight Theater. Built in 1950 by Joseph P. Hayes, for decades the theater has offered a place for the local arts to be performed, including music, dance, theater, and comedy.
What do you know about the Long Beach Island community? How in touch with its history are you? If you know some interesting facts we didn’t mention, tell us about them in the comments!
Summer will be here before you know it, so if you want a Jersey Shore vacation, the time to start planning is NOW!
On Fridays during the summer, the Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike are often backed up with traffic. These aren’t people going home from work or on their way to the world’s largest pizza party. They are coming to the beautiful New Jersey Coast – and since our dentist office in Ocean County is right near the coast, we have a great fondness for the area!
No wonder Long Beach Island rentals, bungalows in Barnegat, apartments in Belmar, weekend homes in Point Pleasant and more are so popular each summer.
The New Jersey coast is not all created equal, however. Choosing one town over the other can be the difference between finding yourself in the middle of MTV’s “Jersey Shore” and relaxing in a quaint, historic community, so choose carefully!
If you plan to invest in a summer home at the Jersey Shore or to enjoy a vacation along the coast, these are a few of the communities you should be sure to consider when deciding to take a weekend, week, or even the rest of your life away with the family.
Point Pleasant Beach – This is a community that endeavors to straddle the line between a vibrant, active resort community and a quiet, peaceful ocean town. Indeed, this is a town that offers the architectural charm of yesteryear as well as the appeal of great dining and excellent shopping. The residential neighborhoods of Point Pleasant Beach are quiet, but the downtown is often bus with shoppers. Also busy is the boardwalk, which has the area’s only aquarium. There you will find rides, games, places to see bands playing music, and more.
Long Beach Island – The fact is, Long Beach Island (along with nearby communities like Manahawkin) is in high demand for a reason. This stretch of coastal barrier island remains one of the New Jersey coast’s most desirable places to both live and to vacation. Boasting plenty of bay and ocean facing property, it also has shopping, historic sites, and more. Even better, while there are plenty of things to do within a short walk or drive, the town itself is calm enough so that even retirees find this to be a small slice of heaven.
Barnegat – The small oceanfront and bay community of Barnegat, where our dentist office in Ocean County are located, is a popular place for families thanks to its lovely beaches, paths, and docks for fishing and crabbing – not to mention its historic lighthouse. There are more than a few small shops run by residents of the town, as well as waterfront property along both the ocean and the bay. Barnegat is on Long Beach Island, so when we say that Long Beach Island has been increasingly popular in recent years thanks to its quaint, small town feel we include this town in the observation.
Belmar – Not unlike Point Pleasant Beach, the Borough of Belmar offers quiet shore living as well as attractions that will appeal to more energetic visitors. Quaint neighborhoods with snug coastal homes are just a short walk away from some of the New Jersey coast’s most active and popular nightclubs. Set that alongside some of the best fishing on the East Coast, a historic boating community, and a downtown that is a throwback to communities of eras long gone and it’s easy to see why people flock to Belmar each year.
Any one of these communities could serve at the perfect place for your New Jersey vacation or retirement!
Beach Haven West is one of Southern Ocean County’s most desirable waterfront communities. A sleepy unincorporated community that is part of Stafford Township, it is home to both summer residents and all year residents.
It’s no surprise why. This waterfront community offers easy access to fishing and boating, with the entire Barnegat Bay just seconds away by boat.
For many, Beach Haven West itself is a dream come true. Constructed on over 100 lagoons and located right off Route 72 and just across the bay from Long Beach Island, it’s one of the Jersey Shore’s true hidden gems.
Here are 10 facts you might not know about this hidden gem of a community:
- Beach Haven West was first developed in the 1950s. Herbert and Jerome Shapiro created the 130 lagoons that make up this part of town.
- Beach Haven West began with a series of Cape Cod style homes being built.
- The earliest waterfront homes there cost about $7,000 circa the 1950s.
- The first phase of Beach Haven West opened in 1957 and makes up the area between Morris Boulevard and Jennifer Lane.
- The community’s phase two was finished in the early 1960s and spans the area between Jonathan Drive and Walter Boulevard.
- During the 1950s and 1960s, the Beach Haven West Civic Association was a focal point of the community. They ran a community center and pool off Jonathan Drive. The clubhouse was demolished in the 1980s.
- Beach Haven West was still being built-out as late as 1986, when Colony Lakes was completed.
- The construction of Beach Haven West, as well as Ocean Acres, coincided with the construction of the Garden State Parkway, which finally gave people in North Jersey easier access to the Jersey Shore.
- Today, Beach Haven West’s population is about 4,000 residents.
- One of the Real Housewives of New Jersey, Teresa Giudice, once had a summer home in Beach Haven West.
These days, you can ask anyone looking to stay in the Southern Ocean County area and they will all agree: there are few communities that have become as desirable to live in as this one.
Even more important? They get access to a priceless lifestyle of relaxation, boating, fishing, great dentists in Southern Ocean County, and more. And that’s not something you can find just anywhere.
Searching for your dream home can be stressful. There are so many choices to make it can be overwhelming, especially when dealing with a unique region like the Jersey Shore. Thanks to amazing places like Long Beach Island, Manahawkin, Forked River / Lacey, Barnegat and others, this part of the country offers gorgeous homes, waterfront views, plenty of entertainment, and easy access to cities like New York and Philadelphia.
In other words, it’s a great place to live
When you are hunting for a house near the Shore, it is important to keep in mind the things that make this area unique.
Private Beaches
New Jersey beaches are not like others. In most other states, the beaches are free to access.
Not in New Jersey! The water line up to high tide is considered public property, but elsewhere in the state there are private beaches that are considered the private property of the homeowner. That means your lovely piece of Long Beach Island property could come with a stretch of sand that is your very own. That can be a major selling point.
Beaches Aren’t Free
Even when it comes to public beaches, most are not free to access. In the Garden State, you pay to get onto the beach. In many towns, residents get special discounts on beach badges. That means you might not need waterfront property to have a semi-exclusive beach experience.
Lots of Tolls
Jersey traffic and roadways are not like those in other states. Tolls roads are the norm here. The Parkway, Turnpike, and Atlantic City Expressway are the three major roads almost everyone uses to access shore towns, and those roads cost money to use. If you’re searching for homes nears Forked River, Barnegat, Manahawkin and other communities, whether for vacation or permanent residency, be prepared to pay when you drive.
Plenty of Tourists
Be ready for tourism. Towns along the Jersey Shore are geared towards accommodating tourism. Enjoy yourself! If you are looking for permanent residency, though, be prepared for an influx of visitors every single summer. Areas like Long Beach Island can be quiet during the off season, then their population can double or triple during the summer. Most visitors are people like just you – normal families who want to enjoy the sights and sounds of summer – so don’t worry about being disturbed too much. Enjoy the summer, especially knowing that it will die down come autumn.
Keep these unique aspects of the Jersey Shore area in mind when looking for a vacation home or a new home to move into.
Don’t let the show “Jersey Shore” fool you. The coastal areas of New Jersey are a beautiful, relaxing place where people enjoy the beach lifestyle in friendly, down to Earth communities. As anyone who lives here will tell you, once you live at the shore you never want to live anywhere else!
Don’t believe us? Go visit these fantastic Jersey Shore communities for a taste of what life is like here:
Manahawkin / Stafford
Manahawkin is the gateway to Long Beach Island, a beautiful little community that is technically a part of Stafford Township. It’s a warm, pleasant place to live filled with great people and excellent access to local beaches and attractions such as Long Beach Island, Atlantic City, and Seaside Heights. That’s why we are proud to be a dentist serving Manahawkin!
Lavallette
Located just north of Toms River, this sleepy little beachfront community is nestled between the Barnegat Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. It enjoys a close proximity to shore hotspots like Point Pleasant and Seaside Heights, but is itself a quiet town with plenty of local shops and neighbors who know one another. It’s a beautiful place to relax.
Ocean Beach
Technically part of Toms River, the quaint bungalows that make up most of Ocean Beach make this the perfect community for summer rentals or affordable retirements.
Beach Haven
This subdued community on Long Beach Island is as beautiful as it is quiet. It’s a small town in which everyone knows their neighbor. Longtime residents are common. It’s the ideal place to live if you like to have good friends nearby. Even better, it boasts easy access to the attractions in places like Barnegat and other nearby LBI communities.
Cape May
This historic town is filled with old inns, bed and breakfasts, and romantic getaways. Many of these home have been here since the 19th Century. This is a fantastic place to get away from it all, with great boat tours, secluded places to eat, and more.
Asbury Park
Asbury Park is back and in a big way. Once run down and decrepit, this town is now thriving with great restraints, shops, art galleries and more. It’s a town ideal for hip young people. The bar scene is excellent, the music scene even better, and there are good apartments available. If ever there was a welcome return to form at the shore, it’s the return of Asbury Park.
Wildwood
Sometimes called “The Wildwoods,” though that actually refers to several towns, Wildwood and the surrounding towns showcase the fun side of the Jersey Shore. With a lengthy boardwalk packed with games and rides and places to eat, and a town filled with things to do, eat, drink, see and enjoy, Wildwood is a weekender’s perfect getaway. No wonder it’s such a popular destination!
As you can see, the Jersey Shore is more than night clubs and boardwalks. It’s varied and interesting enough for almost anyone!
The Jersey Shore is a beloved attraction that draws millions of people every year and generates billions of dollars in revenue for local businesses. People flock here in droves because there is a lot to do. Yes, you know about the beaches and night clubs and all the other things you see featured on MTV, but that’s not all the shore has to offer!
The reason so many turn out to the Shore? Because there is a LOT to do.
Here are things to do when you’re visiting the Jersey Shore:
Nature & Dolphin Sighting
The Jersey Shore is known for its wild clubs and active nightlife, so it’s no surprise that a lot of people don’t realize that you have easy access to some of the most pristine coastline on the East Coast in state parks like Island Beach State Park. There are also many dolphin sighting trips that are an easy drive from Manahawkin, Barnegat, and Forked River.
Go Out To Eat
When you’re done relaxing in the sun or enjoying the sights of the shore, you’re going to want to grab something to eat. The good news is, the Jersey Shore is packed with great restaurants. Seafood restaurants are the most popular, with Italian eateries a close second – every town is guaranteed to have at least one excellent pizzeria – but if you want Thai, Mexican, traditional American cuisine, German food, sushi, Indian, and more, you’ll be able to find it here. The Jersey Shore is more ethnically diverse than you realize, and so is its cuisine.
Surfing
Grabbing a board and surfing on the waves is a big deal on the New Jersey coast. You see it from time to time on Long Beach Island, people taking to the waves and riding them for all they’re worth. Many don’t realize that on the East Coast, New Jersey is among the best surfing areas around. No wonder people come here!
Play Boardwalk Games
At the Jersey Shore, there are dozens of great games you can play at the boardwalks that grace our shores. From tossing this into that to banging that onto this, the type of games are varied. More importantly, the prizes are varied, too. You can win stuffed animals and shirts and all that, but you can also win toys, games and more. Most important of all is, you can have FUN.
Crabbing
Going crabbing is a popular pastime for locals and visitors alike. Whether casting your traps from a dock or a rented boat, the crabbing is excellent here, letting you and your family have fun while you catch dinner for the weekend!
Historical Sites
Did you know that the Jersey Shore was once home to famous pirates? Or that it was the site of battles during the American Revolution? From Barnegat Lighthouse to historic ships and more, the Jersey Shore is home to wonderful glimpses into yesteryear.
As you can see, there is a lot to do here. If you want more suggestions, contact Bayside Dentistry at 609-698-1155. We’ll be glad to give you some tips!
Don’t the show of the same name fool you. The Jersey Shore is a terrific place to live. This is especially true in Southern Ocean County around Barnegat, Manahawkin, and Forked River, where there are a wealth of benefits that will quickly have you living the good life.
Don’t believe us? Just take a look at these five great reasons to live at the shore:
1) Watersports
For those who like their life to be on the exciting side, the Jersey coast offers some of the best areas for jet skiing, water skiing, surfing, and much more.
Whether you already own equipment or just want to rent it, shops and rentals places are so numerous you’ll be tripping over them.
Even better, the waters here are made for activities like this. Our bays, waterways and oceans are perfect for waverunners, paddle boarding, and much more.
2) Boating and Fishing
New Jersey has some of the best boating and fishing on the East Coast (and anyone who follows our Facebook knows our doctors take full advantage of it!).
Whether you like relaxing on a bay and enjoying the sun with friends, or like to take a boat out on the Atlantic and engage in some serious fishing, the opportunities to both are endless here. The Garden State has a thriving fishing and boating community that dates back hundreds of years, with a wealth of fishing clubs, charter boats, yacht clubs, and much more available. If you live someplace like Renaissance on The Ocean, it’s easy to access this great aspect of the shore.
3) Beautiful Beaches
There is a reason why so many people come to the Jersey Shore each summer: because it’s beautiful! No matter the type of experience you want, New Jersey offers it. We have quaint, quiet communities with relaxing beaches, party towns with thriving nightclub scenes, towns that specialize in historic inns and bed and breakfasts, fishing towns, communities geared towards families, towns that focus on boardwalks and amusements, and much more. New Jersey beaches in Ship Bottom, Long Beach Island, and elsewhere are the place to be!
4) The Outdoors
In addition to watersports, beaches and more, the Jersey coast has something a lot of people don’t realize: some gorgeous state and federal parks featuring pristine coastland. These preserves boast great hiking trails, lush dunes, and abundant wildlife. You can see a side of New Jersey you never imagined!
5) Easy Access To NYC and Philly
Being at the Jersey Shore doesn’t mean you always have to STAY at the Jersey Shore. Thanks to 195 and the Parkway, access to New York City and Philadelphia is incredibly easy, making day trips into the city a breeze. Even Baltimore is an easy three-hour drive away, a perfect way to catch Phillies, Yankees and Mets games without having to deal with the home town crowds. It’s just one more thing that makes living at the shore so desirable!
With these things in mind, it’s hard to ignore how great the Jersey Shore can be!