Day Trip to Point Pleasant Beach
From Philadelphia • 1hr 20min drive
A 1hr 20min run from the city puts you in Point Pleasant Beach, where Jenkinson's Boardwalk headlines the itinerary and the beach does the rest.
Timing it: Leave by 8:25 AM to beat both traffic and the parking crunch. Weekdays are noticeably quieter, and September keeps warm water without the crowds.
Getting to Point Pleasant Beach from Philadelphia
car
1hr 20min
I-195 east toward the shore, then pick up Route 34/35 or the Garden State Parkway south (Exit 98).
💡 Minimal tolls on the I-195 routing.
Doing Point Pleasant Beach without your own car?
The train and bus get you to town. A one-day rental from Philadelphia gets you to the beaches the schedules skip.
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Your Point Pleasant Beach Day Trip Itinerary
☀️ Morning
Leave Philadelphia
The drive runs about 1hr 20min — leaving by 8:25 AM puts you on the sand by mid-morning, ahead of the lot-fills-up crowd.
Arrive in Point Pleasant Beach
Park first, then get badges. Local intel: Limited free street parking. Metered lots near boardwalk with varying prices.
Beach time
Claim your spot while the good stretches are still open
⏱️ 2 hours
🏖️ Afternoon
Lunch
Grab a casual lunch at a local spot
See Jenkinson's Boardwalk
Jenkinson's Boardwalk is the signature stop; Jenkinson's Aquarium is worth folding in if you have the energy.
⏱️ 2 hours
Late beach or activity
Another swim or one more stop before dinner
🌅 Evening
Early dinner
Eat before the drive home to avoid rush
Head back to Philadelphia
Depart after dinner and the drive home stays easy.
Top Things to Do in Point Pleasant Beach
Jenkinson's Boardwalk
Jenkinson's Aquarium
Hoffman's Ice Cream
Martell's Tiki Bar
Where to Eat in Point Pleasant Beach
Spot Pizza Grill
Spano's Ristorante Italiano
Sofia Grille
Sinners Steakhouse
Practical Information
Parking
Limited free street parking. Metered lots near boardwalk with varying prices.
Budget
Plan on $50-100 per person all-in. Known costs: $13 beach badge; the rest is gas, tolls, and food.
Day Trip Tips
- Daily beach badges in Point Pleasant Beach run $13 in season. Kids under 5 are free. Bring cash — some badge checkers don't take cards.
- Parking: Limited free street parking. Metered lots near boardwalk with varying prices.
- Minimal tolls on the I-195 routing.
- With only 1hr 20min of driving, this works as a spontaneous trip — even a 9 AM decision still gets you a full beach day.
Turn Your Day Trip into a Weekend
Two beach days for one 1hr 20min round trip is the overnight math — Jenkinson's Aquarium fills day two. Reserve before you leave — Point Pleasant Beach summer weekends fill early.
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