Jersey Shore, NJ

Travel Guide

Ocean City which includes street scenes as well as a large group of people
Steel Pier featuring a city
The Quarter at Tropicana featuring interior views and shopping
Cape May County Zoo featuring a garden as well as a family
Cape May - Wildwood featuring a house

White-sand beaches border the bright lights of casinos and a non-stop nightlife scene lasts from dusk until dawn in this coastal region of New Jersey.

Head to the Jersey Shore for boardwalk strolls, beachside fun and swimming in the Atlantic. While many will know Jersey Shore from the MTV show of the same name, which focused on the area’s raucous nightlife, rest assured that there is lots to do here for the whole family.

The Jersey Shore stretches from Sandy Hook to Cape May and is a much-loved vacation spot for many families who have spent their summers in the area for generations. Cape May, for instance, has hosted visitors since the 1600s and is designated as a National Historic Landmark City. Come here to marvel at the animals of the Cape May County Park & Zoo and embark on a whale-watching and dolphin-spotting tour off the coast.

Relax on Long Beach Island in the resort towns of Barnegat Light and Beach Haven. Climb up to Barnegat’s lighthouse and sail along Barnegat Bay. Oceanfront boutique stores are good for shopping, while family-owned restaurants serve up fresh seafood.

If you are looking for bright lights and after-dark fun, stay in Atlantic City. Spend the evening enjoying the casinos or simply watching the dealers while having a cocktail. Take in the carnival sounds of the Atlantic City Boardwalk and shop for trinkets in oceanfront stores. A variety of bars and nightclubs near the waterfront offer late-night entertainment.

Take the whole family to Seaside Heights to splash around in the Breakwater Beach Waterpark and after, play miniature golf near the boardwalk.

The Jersey Shore is packed with tourists during the summer months, so come in July and August for plenty of people-watching and the best weather. Take a train or bus from Newark, Philadelphia or New York City straight to the shore, or hop on a ferry from New York to Sandy Hook.

Come to the Jersey Shore to experience miles of shimmering coastlines, classic amusement parks and an active party scene. Create lifelong memories in this popular American vacation destination.

Where to stay in Jersey Shore

Diamond Beach

Diamond Beach

4.5/5(37 area reviews)

Visitors highly recommend Diamond Beach for its beaches, and you can make a stop by Five Mile Beach while you're in town.

Diamond Beach
Atlantic City showing a sandy beach and general coastal views as well as a large group of people

Ship Bottom

4/5(145 area reviews)

You'll enjoy the beaches and museums in Ship Bottom. You might want to make time for a stop at Long Beach or Hartland Miniature Golf & Arcade.

Ship Bottom
Washington Street Mall featuring a small town or village

Cape May Historic District

If you're spending some time in Cape May Historic District, Washington Street Mall and Cape May Beach are top sights worth seeing.

Cape May Historic District
Long Beach Island, NJ

Surf City

4.5/5(7 area reviews)

Borough on Long Beach Island, Surf City offers yacht races at its Yacht Club and easy access to Philadelphia, New York City, and Trenton. Enjoy free LBI Shuttle service along Long Beach Boulevard.

Surf City
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North Beach Haven

4.5/5(36 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in North Beach Haven, Haven Beach and Brighton Beach are top sights worth seeing.

North Beach Haven
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Ortley Beach

If you're spending some time in Ortley Beach, Ortley Beach and Ocean Beach are top sights worth seeing.

Ortley Beach
Tropicana Atlantic City

Tropicana Atlantic City

3.5 out of 5
2831 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ
The price is ₩62,562 per night from Aug 4 to Aug 5
₩62,562
₩116,686 total
Aug 4 - Aug 5
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star beach resort in Atlantic City. Enjoy an outdoor pool, a full-service spa, and 13 restaurants. Our guests praise the restaurant and the ...
7/10 Good! (15,052 reviews)
"Nice and clean!"

Reviewed on Jul 30, 2025

Tropicana Atlantic City
Harrah's Resort Atlantic City

Harrah's Resort Atlantic City

4 out of 5
777 Harrah's Blvd., Atlantic City, NJ
Fully refundable
The price is ₩68,819 per night from Aug 14 to Aug 15
₩68,819
₩123,796 total
Aug 14 - Aug 15
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa resort in Atlantic City. Enjoy a full-service spa, 9 restaurants, and a casino. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular ...
7.4/10 Good! (9,553 reviews)
"Love the tubs in the bayview premium rooms!"

Reviewed on Jul 29, 2025

Harrah's Resort Atlantic City
Ocean Casino Resort

Ocean Casino Resort

4 out of 5
500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ
The price is ₩234,956 per night from Aug 26 to Aug 27
₩234,956
₩324,726 total
Aug 26 - Aug 27
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Atlantic City. Enjoy an outdoor pool, a full-service spa, and 18 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the bar in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (9,869 reviews)
"Pool party was great!"

Reviewed on Jul 28, 2025

Ocean Casino Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Boardwalk Resorts - Flagship

Boardwalk Resorts - Flagship

3.5 out of 5
60 N Maine Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly condo in Atlantic City. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the ...
7.6/10 Good! (3,842 reviews)
"The staff were great and do clean"

Reviewed on Jul 30, 2025

Boardwalk Resorts - Flagship
Legacy Vacation Resorts Brigantine Beach

Legacy Vacation Resorts Brigantine Beach

3 out of 5
1400 Ocean Avenue, Brigantine, NJ
Stay at this 3-star beach aparthotel in Brigantine. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,682 reviews)
"I like it because it was right on the beach, staff was accommodating and friendly. Parking was difficult only when the restaurant was open and people used valet parking-our car would be blocked in and we had to ask that the car be moved to another space. That was an inconvenience. Other than that, ..."

Reviewed on Jul 24, 2025

Legacy Vacation Resorts Brigantine Beach
The Surf Club

The Surf Club

2 out of 5
811 Atlantic Ave, Ocean City, NJ
Stay at this aparthotel in Ocean City. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and air conditioning. Popular attractions Ocean City Boardwalk and Shriver's Salt Water ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (67 reviews)
"Nice updated hotel. Easy to check in all in text including passcode to enter room"

Reviewed on Jul 29, 2025

The Surf Club
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Cities near Jersey Shore