Asbury Park
Known for its vibrant, mural-lined promenade, artsy vibe and cool music scene, Asbury Park is also noted for many popular (and accessible!) restaurants like Kim Marie’s Eat n’ Drink Away. This lively city is also loved for its mobility-friendly beach. Be greeted by wheelchair-accessible entrance ramps to the paved historic beachfront promenade and beach mats that extend from the promenade onto the sand.
Looking for a beach wheelchair? You’ll find them at any ticket booth location on a first-come, first-served basis. WaterWheels Surf wheelchairs are also free and available on a first-come, first-served basis. To make a WaterWheels reservation, call the Asbury Park Beach Office at 732-502-8863.
Good to Know: Asbury Park was ranked among the Top 25 Beaches in the United States by Travel + Leisure in 2023. And if you’re looking for an awesome place to stay, ask about accessible rooms at The Asbury, one of the city’s most legendary hotels.
Cape May
This beautiful beach town is graced by stunning Victorian homes and a paved promenade, but you’ll also find charming easy-to-access world-class beaches too. Ramps to the promenade are available at 17 streets along Beach Drive, and ramps from the promenade to the beach are located at: Broadway, 3rd and Cove, Grant and Gurney Streets and Trenton Avenue. Beach mats that extend over the sand greet visitors at all beach entrances.
A limited number of Beach and Surf Wheelchairs are free of charge and are available on a first-come, first-served basis at: First Avenue Beach, Stegers Beach, Jefferson Avenue Beach, Philadelphia Avenue Beach, Hughes Street Beach, Poverty Beach, Madison Avenue Beach and the Beach Patrol headquarters on Grant Street. Chairs will be delivered by Beach Patrol.
Accessible restrooms can be found on Wilmington Avenue, Trenton Avenue, Philadelphia Avenue, Gurney Street, Grant Street, Broadway, and Second Avenue. Visitors will also enjoy another fabulous amenity in Cape May – FREE handicapped parking.
Good to Know: Not only are Cape May’s beaches ranked among the most beautiful beaches in the world, but the town is also rated as a World’s Best Destination for Birding by National Geographic. Be on the lookout for sandpipers, osprey, herons and egrets.
Ocean City
With tasty boardwalk stops like Kohr Brothers and accessible swings and play areas at Sandcastle Park on 34th Street, Ocean City is a family-friendly destination for sure. To make the day enjoyable for all beachgoers, bright blue beach mats grace every beach entrance.
Love being close to the water? On 34th Street, there is a beach mat that extends right up to the high tide line. The city is also experimenting with mats stretching onto Surf Road, Waverly Beach, off E. Atlantic Boulevard, Stenton Place, 14th Street and 58th Street beaches that lead to sitting areas with fabulous ocean views.
You can get Free Beach and Surf wheelchairs at the 46th Street Information Center. Reservations are strongly suggested and can be made by calling 609-554-0352. Surf chairs are also available at lifeguard headquarters (1st Street, 12th Street, 34th Street, 58th Street) for temporary use to shuttle visitors onto the beach.
More interested in the boards than the beach? A limited number of wheelchairs are available for free use on the boardwalk for two hours at a time. Pick them up at the Music Pier Information Center (on the boardwalk between 8th Street and 9th Street), first-come, first-served, during business hours. Call 609-399-6111 ext. 9337 with questions.
Accessible restrooms are located at: 1st Street, 6th Street, Music Pier, 10th Street, 11th Street, 12th Street, 34th Street Playground and 58th Street Beach. If you have kids, wheels or both, Ocean City is a must.
Good to Know: On July 20, 2024, Ocean City is celebrating the 69th anniversary of its annual boat parade known as Night in Venice. One of the largest boat parades in the world, Night in Venice showcases a mesmerizing display of lights and themed boats traveling along the bay. This year’s theme – Summertime Vibes – A Tribute to Jimmy Buffet. A fireworks display will follow the parade.
Sea Isle City
Whether it’s convenient outdoor dining with friends or a day at the beach, Sea Isle City is the place to be. Enjoy plenty of family-friendly outdoor events including the renowned Skimmer Festival featuring a seaside vendor craft market at JFK Blvd. & Promenade on June 15, 2024.
To provide seniors, small children, people with disabilities and families with strollers easy access to the beach, beach mats and ramps are available at all six handicap-accessible beaches: 32nd Street, 40th Street, John F. Kennedy Boulevard, 44th Street, 63rd Street and 85th Street.
Ramps from the street to the paved promenade are found at 29th Street, 30th Street, 32nd Street, 33rd Street, 34th Street, 35th Street, 38th Street (between 38th & 39th), JFK Blvd. 40th Street,42nd Street, 43rd Street 44th Street, 55th Street, 56th Street and 57th Street.
Beach wheelchairs are free of charge. Beach wheelchair reservations are strongly recommended and can be made by calling the Recreation Office at 609-263-0050.
ADA access to beachfront public restrooms with rinse station are located at 32nd and 40th Streets, 44th Street and 85th Street.
Atlantic City
Think of the Jersey Shore and Atlantic City’s FREE beach – and fun-filled boardwalks spring to mind for many. Atlantic City receives high marks for offering a fully accessible Convention Center, casinos and a mobility-inclusive beach as well.
Beachgoers can find ADA-accessible ramps to the beach at many locations along the Boardwalk. One hundred-and-seventy-five-foot beach mats are located at Tallahassee, Bartram, Albany, and Raleigh Avenue entrances to provide wheelchair, stroller (and feet) friendly access.
Visit the Beach Patrol at District 7 on Mississippi Avenue for Free Beach and Surf wheelchairs available on a first-come, first-served basis. Call 609-347-5307 for availability. Restrooms are ADA-compliant. If you seek accessibility, you’ll find it in AC.
Good to know: There are many wheelchair-accessible accommodations in Atlantic City, but those closest to the beach and the boardwalk include casino resorts such as Hard Rock Hotel and Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City.
This is just a sampling of accessible adventures New Jersey has to offer. Find even more to do in The Garden State by downloading a free travel guide and signing up for our e-newsletter. And, as always, be sure to check the official websites and social media channels of your destination for all the need-to-know info before you go.
