The World-Famous Jersey Shore Awaits
Nothing celebrates summer vibes quite like days and nights at the incredible Jersey Shore. Spanning 130 miles of captivating Atlantic coastline and over 60 designated beaches, New Jersey is home to endless oceanside adventures. Enjoy Atlantic City’s thrilling casinos, award-winning restaurants and amazing nightlife. Explore Sandy Hook, featuring acres upon acres of endless recreation, a beckoning lighthouse and a fascinating 250-year-old fort. Get into the groove with the eclectic music, murals and arts of Asbury Park. Stroll, shop and stay in breathtaking Cape May with gingerbread Victorian appeal on our southernmost tip. Discover these – and so many points in between – each with its own personality.
Beaches, Boardwalks & (Sand) Buckets of Fun
Dig up treasured, white-sand beaches, beautiful barrier islands, bays and charming towns that provide an ideal setting for a multitude of diverse pursuits. Families return year after year to the attractions and beauty of Long Beach Island, or LBI as the locals know it, and stay for weeks at a time. Love water sports? Surfers and boogie boarders spend the summer riding in some of New Jersey’s finest waves at Long Branch, Brigantine and Manasquan. (Newbies welcome in Belmar, at Summertime Surf’s surfing camps and surfing and paddling lessons...other locations too.) Anglers have plenty to do in the waters of Island Beach State Park. And, of course, there’s nothing quite as relaxing as just sticking your toes in the sand under an umbrella in Avalon and Ocean Grove.
In 1870, Atlantic City rolled out what is now known as the oldest and longest boardwalk in New Jersey. Since that time, strolling the “boards” has become a well-known (and loved) New Jersey pastime. You can join in – and enjoy the rides, water parks, mini golf, games and iconic boardwalk treats – at places such as Seaside Heights, Point Pleasant Beach, Ocean City, Atlantic City and the Wildwoods. Of course, there’s lots more to explore “Down the Shore.” Dive into New Jersey’s three Shore Regions (Shore, Greater Atlantic City and Southern Shore) to learn all about our amazing beach destinations to find the ones that are perfect for you!
Adventures in the Great Outdoors
Spend the summer connecting with the great outdoors. Pick from visits to peaceful gardens and arboretums to truly wild escapades you’ll talk about for years to come. Soar at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson as they celebrate their 50th year. Ride family-friendly and thrilling attractions, including the Jersey Devil Coaster, the world's tallest, fastest, longest single-rail coaster, reaching screaming speeds up to 58 mph. And new for summer 2024: THE FLASH™: Vertical Velocity, their 15th coaster and the first of its kind in North America.
Embark on the Wild Safari Drive-Thru Adventure, an exhilarating, interactive expedition right in your own vehicle. Traversing the 350-acre preserve, spot as many interesting and exotic animals as you can. They total 1,200 creatures from six continents, including elephants, rhinos, tigers, giraffes and lions! Scheduled to open in 2024: Savannah Sunset Resort & Spa. And don’t forget Hurricane Harbor water park next door.
The NJ Division of Parks & Forestry runs dozens of state parks, forests, recreation areas and historic sites. They’re amazing backdrops for immersing yourself firsthand into our natural and historic world. Learn more about New Jersey’s 58+ state and national parks here. Hit our 72-mile stretch of the Appalachian Trail from High Point State Park (Sussex), Stokes State Forest (Branchville), Wawayanda State Park (Hewitt) and Worthington State Forest (Columbia). Consider a family-fun vacay at our campgrounds and RV parks. Light up your outdoor getaway with stops to see the lighthouses in New Jersey too.
And if fun is what you’re driving at, make your journey to New Jersey even more exciting with road trips including American Revolution, Black Heritage and Scenic Byways. Our itineraries include stops at all of New Jersey’s top spots.
Jersey’s Diverse Cuisine Scene
Of course, with so much to do, you’re sure to work up an appetite. No worries – New Jersey has you covered. Enjoy multicultural dining hotspots, celebrity-owned restaurants, local culinary gems and of course our iconic Jersey delights. We’re also the #1 state for pizza, so be sure to stop at these top pizza joints for a slice (or two!) On the Anthony Bourdain Food Trail, trace Bourdain’s culinary roots, with ten stops covering Fort Lee to Camden. Complement your meals with beer, wine, cocktails and spirits like those from our more than 178 breweries, wineries/vineyards and distilleries. And check out our new Jersey Brews Trail – your handy mobile guide to more than 38 amazing craft breweries up and down the state.
Festivals, Fairs & North to Shore
Savor the state’s flavors, vibrant colors and much more at summer festivals and fairs throughout New Jersey’s seven regions. From fun foodie fests to jazzy music fairs, you’ll find an abundance of ideas your family will love. New Jersey is the place to be for all types of summer events. Keep checking our event calendar for an updated list of options. One event you won’t want to miss is North to Shore. This epic extravaganza of art, music, comedy, poetry, theater, film and technology is coming to three of Jersey’s most exciting cities - Atlantic City, Asbury Park and Newark - during three weekends in June. Learn more here.
Dreamy To-Dos in Any Weather
Looking for the perfect getaway in any weather? Head to American Dream in East Rutherford, home to DreamWorks, the world’s largest indoor water park and Nickelodeon Universe, the largest indoor theme park in the Western Hemisphere. And if thrill rides aren’t your thing, you can also surf, ski indoors, ice skate, dine and enjoy luxury shopping at The Avenue. There’s so much to see, discover and do at American Dream. Check out even more indoor water parks in the Garden State.
Sleep Over – and Experience Everything You Can
The longer you stay, the more you'll get to see of our extraordinary state. Choose from an array of unique accommodations, including Victorian bed and breakfasts, chic casino resorts and hotels, vibrantly vintage Doo-Wop motels, beach house rentals and tranquil campsites, cabins and cottages.
The time to start thinking about summer wows is now. More New Jersey trip ideas, destinations, attractions and activities are just a click away. Be sure to access your free NJ travel guide and sign up for our e-newsletter too. As always, we encourage checking ahead with your destination for the latest updates, availability and hours.
