Sea Isle City is known for its myriad beds of brightly colored flowers, American flags waving intermittently over the length of Landis Avenue, the town’s “main street,” and the beachfront promenade that serves as a major draw for locals, newlyweds, families, and those looking for a break from the city. The promenade is an authentic throwback to classic “Jersey Shore.” Old-fashioned arcades, cafes and restaurants, and various shops line the mile-and-a-half walkway. Ocean Grove has been called “a little piece of Hometown Heaven at the Jersey Shore,” and a little piece of heaven it is. Cranbury. Check out our selection of some of the best beaches on the Jersey Shore. A lovely seaside resort destination, Cape May is located at the southern tip of Cape May... 2. Copyright © State of New Jersey, 1996-2021 Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism. While not a beach retreat, Lambertville has plenty to offer any visitors. Read About Our Services New Jersey is known worldwide for its beach towns, almost all of which boast traditional boardwalks, delicious seafood restaurants, serene beaches, amusement rides and treat stands, and a Victorian flare unlike anything else in the United States. Built in 1909, Candlelight has been completely renovated to its authentic Victoria style, complete with wraparound veranda and  Victorian antiques. Call 1-800-VISITNJ for free publications. Head to the town marina, home to NJ’s largest party boat fleet , or join the throngs bar hopping at the Beach Haus Brewery , the infamous D'Jais , and the Headliner . Once a “little, hanging-on-by-a-thread, blue-collar beach town that happened to be our home,” in the words of Bruce Springsteen, Asbury Park is experiencing a 21st-century renaissance that has seen property values soar; according to Zillow, home values increased 12.6 percent over the last year alone to a median of $363,100. Cape May Fishermen have been living in Point Pleasant for centuries, a heritage the town celebrates each September by holding the annual Seafood Festival. We value your time as much as our own. North: Visit the town located directly north of the town currently displayed. Read more about Free Beaches in New Jersey; New Jersey Beach Towns. (Children 11 years old and younger are free.) Bye-bye snow and slush. Yes, some Jersey Shore spots are more popular among the muscle-and-tan party set, but plenty of other towns are laid-back, idyllic, and the very epitome of small-town Americana. Haddonfield. Don’t take our word for it. From attraction-packed waterfront destinations to charming seaside towns, try one of these beloved beach towns along the New Jersey shore. As an added bonus, keep your eyes peeled while on the water (or from the beach at low tide) and see if you can spot one of the 300 ship wrecks that occurred just off the coast over a 200-year time period. Once the sun goes down, the nightlife heats up. The first small beach town you need to check out is Surf City, New Jersey, for relaxing and filling your camera roll with lots of pictures of waves. Ocean Grove has been called “a little piece of Hometown Heaven at the Jersey Shore,” and a little piece... 2. A trip to North Wildwood isn’t complete without a visit to the charming Candlelight Inn Bed & Breakfast. Beach badge daily fee required. The waterfront is cleaned and groomed daily, and smoking is prohibited on the beach and boardwalk. Essex Home Improvements is family owned - no salesmen. 37. Located less than 20 miles from New York City, and under 45 minutes by train, Montclair is the quintessentially quaint New Jersey town. See upcoming events in Asbury Park for even more ideas. Map of Radon Zones in New Jersey based on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) data … This town at the southernmost tip of New Jersey, is filled with yesteryear charm and offers an impressive selection of activities. The compass above is just an example. 15 Best Small Towns to Visit in New Jersey 1. 12 Great Charming Beach Towns in NJ 1. Lifeguards are on duty seasonally, guarding the area between Seaview Ave. South and Nelson Ave.. There is a very walkable downtown area with shops and restaurants. During the day, visitors can enjoy the public boat ramps, a fishing pier, and a sandy beach that is free of waves. Luckily, the festival isn’t the only time delicious bisques, crab cakes, and fish dishes are available. Beach badge daily fee required. Take a stroll down main Narragansett Avenue and watch the … Built in 1859 and affectionately nicknamed “Old Barney,” the lighthouse sits on a jut of land in close proximity to where more than 200 ships sank to the bottom of the sea. This historic Victorian seaside gem is one of the most beautiful beach towns you can imagine with nearly 600 preserved Victorian buildings. 12 of the most charming small towns in New Jersey Belvidere. The crown jewel of Barnegat Light is the town’s lighthouse. Whether or not one is religiously inclined, The Great Auditorium combines both impressive architecture and the fascinating history of the town’s founding into one highly-rated attraction for tourists. Stay at The Asbury, a trendy hotel that was voted in 2018 as one of the 15 most incredible hotels in the U.S. by Fodor's Travel. Long weekend getaways with friends near you, weather, best small towns, what should I do in for couples, cheap, with friends, nearby beach, fun things to do near me today: CO, From San Diego, VA, OH, WI, MI, IL, IL, VA, San Diego, TX These two neighboring towns share the Seven Mile Beach, and both of these lovely destinations offer a charming, small-town feel. Spread along 141 miles known as “The Jersey Shore”, you’ll find that there’s plenty to do in the cities and towns situated along the coastline. Founded in 1869 by a group of spiritual lay leaders, Ocean Grove is a mere one square mile of natural beauty, serene beaches, and historical architecture for visitors to enjoy. It is also ranked at the 10th best place to live in New Jersey. Tiny Somers Point is a unique destination because, unlike any other NJ beach town on this list, it is built entirely on the bay, as opposed to beside it. Families flock to Beach Haven for its wide variety of kid-friendly activities, including miniature golf and an arcade. Less of a beach town and more of a serene beachfront getaway, the Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area is a barrier peninsula offering a seven-mile stretch of ocean and bay beaches, inviting visitors to swim, relax and enjoy some sunshine. Beach badge daily fee required. It consistently ranks high in these categories. With 127 miles of coastline, New Jersey offers beaches for every type of traveler, whether you’re looking for a quiet town with a historic slant or a bustling beach town complete with a boardwalk and nightly entertainment. Tiny Jamestown, Rhode Island might just be the epitome of charming New England beach town. Check our reviews and testimonials from our prior clients. Tree-lined streets are home to the largest collection of authentic Victorian architecture in the entire nation — a feat that was rewarded in 1976 when the town was entered into the National Register of Historic Places. There are a number of things to do in Sandy Hook, from surf fishing to hiking along Old Dune Trail to biking along the 5-mile multi-use pathway to relaxing on the Sandy Hook beach. The charming NJ beach towns on this list are great alternatives to such places. There is also an area for fishing and surfing. By day, you can dig your toes into the sand along the wide swath of sandy beach that lies just beyond the town’s new $8 million, 1.3-mile boardwalk. Top 10 biggest cities by population are Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Elizabeth, Edison, Woodbridge Township, Lakewood Township, Toms River, Hamilton Township, and Trenton while ten oldest cities are Newark, Hackensack, Saddle Brook, Perth Amboy, Hanover Township, Alloway Township, Lower Alloways Creek Township, Hillsborough Township, New Brunswick, and Burlington. A gem of Sea Isle City is  The Colonnade Inn, a charming Victorian-style hotel with an authentic feel, upscale amenities, and the ever-important ocean views. You may recognize the name Seaside Heights from the hit MTV show “Jersey Shore,” but this charming NJ beach town is known for much more than alarming spray tans and wildly partying teenage crowds. Visitors are sure to enjoy Somer Point’s waterfront, where top-notch restaurants, outdoor music venues, and dance halls keep the party in Somer Point going all night long. This family beach in New Jersey became a booming resort town in the 1950s during the Doo-Wop era, and lays claim to the birthplace of rock and roll after the song Rock Around … Hotel connoisseurs will enjoy the Pier 4 Hotel, which boasts fantastic views, a coffee that has become a local favorite, and private balconies overlooking the harbor. Find unique shops and cafes in the downtown area; enjoy fishing on the Belmar Marina or along the 1.3-mile stretch of white sand beaches. This beautiful beach town has a thriving commercial district and is … To find which New Jersey beach towns were the most and least affordable options in the state, we consulted Realtor.com’s recent national ranking. A day at the beach can be spent playing in the surf, reading under a beach umbrella, or even parasailing up to spectacular 500-foot high views of the island. Avalon & Stone Harbor Bradley Beach may forever stay in the shadow of Asbury Park, but this town of 4,200 people is a laid-back alternative to its too-cool-for-school next-door neighbor. Take in views of the colorfully painted Victorian homes, stroll the brick-lined Washington Street Mall to browse specialty shops and boutiques, make a reservation at one of the many exemplary restaurants, watch a theatrical production and stay at a historic bed-and-breakfast. Whether you’re a history buff, dinosaur nut, or Anglophile, charming Haddonfield has something for... 3. 3. Hello beaches and boardwalks! Here are the best New Jersey beaches: Cape May Sometimes, two is better than one. Built just two years before George Washington became President, Smithville Inn offers a restaurant with a charming and intimate dining atmosphere. The crown jewel of Seaside Heights is the boardwalk. Sandy Hook As the oldest seashore resort town in America, Cape May has a fascinating history that offers visitors a unique experience. Keansburg It was just recently ranked as the most desirable town in all of New Jersey for families. Besides the beaches, ocean views, and myriad family activities, many visitors enjoy Brigantine for its historical features, some of which date back to the town’s founding in the 1500s. South: Visit the town located directly south of the town currently displayed. Perched between the Delaware and Pequest rivers, Belvidere in Warren County is one of New Jersey’s most... Branchville. Cape May, New Jersey. The beach running along the Cape May County town of Strathmere is one of New Jersey's few free beaches. Stop in at one of the many saltwater-weathered seaside restaurants at any time of the year and you’re bound to enjoy a delicious Point Pleasant meal. Bustling with activity during the warmer months, Ship Bottom is a popular destination because of its beautiful beaches. Seven Mile Beach, also known as the Avalon Beach, is located between the two small towns of Stone Harbor and Avalon and offers water activities like kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing, surfing, and windsurfing. Find unique shops and cafes in the downtown area; enjoy fishing on the Belmar Marina or along the 1.3-mile stretch of white sand beaches. For an upscale experience, Long Branch is enjoying a resurgence of lively restaurants, nightlife and renovated beach areas. Though this list is certainly not exhaustive, the 12 great beach towns on this list were chosen because they offer everything associated with the classic beach town — historic architecture, family friendly outdoor activities, and of course, the beach — packed into a smaller, more quaint package that is sure to have something for everyone. New Jersey's small towns offer a pleasant retreat from the bustle of the major cities and suburban areas, many of which are rife with historic landmarks and fascinating stories. The small town is bordered by the serene Narragansett Bay, across which spans the Claiborne Pell Bridge. For the active types, choose from an array of activities, such as boating, sailing, fishing, surfing, tennis and beach volleyball. CRASH’S LEGACY PROJECT HELPING RESCUES! Each year, over one million visitors flock to Hanauma Bay, a small cove that boasts some of the best snorkeling in the world. Perched on the northernmost tip of Long Beach Island, Barnegat Light is a serene and charming NJ beach town known for its family friendliness, casual atmosphere, beautiful beaches, and top-notch fishing. Visitors to Smithville shouldn’t leave without stopping into the Smithville Inn. Grab some coffee... 3. #3 in Best New Jersey Beaches Covering 640 acres, Ocean Grove is a tiny coastal town in the center of the Jersey shore. !. The Wildwoods in South New Jersey are comprised of Wildwood, Wildwood Crest, West Wildwood and North Wildwood, and their names are all derived from the wild flowers found in the area. A little further afield, you’ll find the Montclair Art Museum. Take in beautiful views at the North Beach Observation Deck or the Sandy Hook Lighthouse. Beach badge daily fee required. While Cape May has the beautiful beaches and mouth-watering restaurants typical of the New Jersey beach town, it is also home to hundreds of charming homes and Victorian-era B&Bs and stores. Ocean Grove. Today, Frenchtown is a noted New Jersey cultural destination with a small, quaint downtown district home to specialty shops, art galleries and several annual festivals including RiverFest and Bastille Day. Cape May might just be the epitome of quaint New Jersey shore towns. Tiny New Jersey may live in the shadow of New York City, but it definitely holds its own as a wonderful travel destination. Long Beach Island (LBI) A small, quiet spot between Asbury Park and Long Branch with a private feel and a spotless beach. But if you tire of the calming surf or soft sand, head over to nearby Long Beach Boulevard, or better yet, take a stroll down one of the beachfront streets in Ship Bottom, where traditional shore-side architecture houses everything from chic boutiques to restaurants known for their hearty seafood dinners. Cape May NEW SIDING COMPLETE JUST IN TIME FOR THE NEW YEAR!! Ride the trolley, search for Cape May Diamonds or stroll along the Washington Street Mall. This is a FREE beach with a paid parking lot.