Jersey Shore Guides
13 in-depth guides to help you plan your perfect shore trip
Featured Guides
Plan by Trip Type
Get town-specific recommendations tailored to your group and occasion.
Bachelorette Party
Celebrate the bride-to-be
Girls Weekend
Spa, brunch & beaches
Guys Weekend
Fishing, golf & nightlife
Anniversary Getaway
Romantic escapes
Couples Getaway
Quality time together
Family Reunion
Multi-generational fun
Bachelor Party
Send-off in style
Multigenerational
All ages welcome
Each trip type has town-specific guides (e.g., Bachelorette in Cape May, Girls Weekend in Asbury Park)
Seasonal Guides
Make the most of every season at the shore
Craft Beverages
Breweries, wineries, and distilleries worth visiting
Atlantic City Business Travel
Essential guides for convention attendees
Convention & Event Guides
In-depth coverage of major Atlantic City conventions and events
NJLM Annual Conference
NovemberThe largest municipal convention in the US. Guide for local government officials visiting AC.
NJEA Teachers Convention
NovemberAnnual educators conference bringing 10,000+ to Atlantic City. Tips for teachers.
Atlantic City Boat Show
JanuaryOne of the largest indoor boat shows on the East Coast. Preview guide and exhibitor tips.
Pool & Spa Show
JanuaryIndustry trade show for pool, spa, and outdoor living professionals.
NJ Firefighters Convention
SeptemberAnnual gathering of fire service professionals from across New Jersey.
Triple Play Realtor Convention
DecemberMajor real estate industry event covering NJ, NY, and PA markets.
Tri-State Camp Conference
MarchRegional conference for summer camp and outdoor education professionals.
HCANJ Annual Convention
OctoberHealthcare convention for long-term care professionals in New Jersey.
Atlantic City Beer & Music Festival
JunePopular annual festival featuring craft beers and live music on the beach.
How to Use Our Guides
With 14+ guides covering everything from convention tips to craft beverages, knowing which guide fits your needs saves time and improves your trip.
Convention Guides
Use when:
You're attending a specific event at the Atlantic City Convention Center
Provides:
Hotel recommendations near venue, restaurants that can handle large groups, what to do after sessions, transportation tips
The NJEA Convention guide includes teacher-discount restaurants and family-friendly activities if you bring kids.
Seasonal Guides
Use when:
You're planning a trip during a specific time of year
Provides:
What's open/closed, seasonal events, weather considerations, off-season deals
Winter guide shows which restaurants stay open year-round and best cozy spots for stormy days.
Activity Guides
Use when:
You want to focus on a specific activity like brewery hopping or beach exploring
Provides:
Curated routes, insider tips, what to expect, hours and reservations
Craft beverage guide organizes 40+ venues by region so you can plan efficient tasting routes.
Convention Calendar Overview
Atlantic City hosts major conventions year-round. Here's when to expect crowds and when to find deals.
| Period | Major Events | Crowds | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak Season (November) | NJLM Conference, NJEA Convention | Very High | Book hotels 2-3 months ahead. Restaurants packed Wed-Fri. Great energy but limited availability. |
| Busy Season (Jan, Sep-Oct) | Boat Show, Firefighters Convention, HCANJ | High | Book 1-2 months ahead. Good balance of activity and availability. |
| Moderate Season (Mar, Jun, Dec) | Camp Conference, Beer Fest, Triple Play | Medium | Week-of booking often works. Better rates on rooms. |
| Low Season (Apr-May, Jul-Aug) | Fewer conventions, Summer tourists | Low (conventions) | Best rates for business travel. Summer weekends busy with vacationers. |
Check convention dates before booking leisure trips
Hotel rates triple during NJLM week.
Convention-goers: arrive Wednesday, leave Friday
Avoid weekend traffic and get best networking.
Off-peak visitors: Tuesday-Thursday is cheapest
No weekend premium, conventions usually Wed-Fri.
First-Time Visitor? Start Here
Never been to the Jersey Shore? Here's how our guides can help you plan the perfect first trip.
Beach Vacation Family
Start with:
Planning Hub
Then explore:
- → Monthly Guide for your travel dates
- → Town pages for specific destinations
Skip: Convention guides (unless combining trips)
Convention Attendee
Start with:
Your specific convention guide
Then explore:
- → AC Business Travel Guide
- → Dining pages for restaurant ideas
Skip: Summer beach guides (different vibe)
Foodie/Beverage Tourist
Start with:
Craft Beverages Guide
Then explore:
- → Dining pages by town
- → BYOB restaurants guide
Skip: Nothing—explore it all!
Off-Season Explorer
Start with:
Winter at the Jersey Shore
Then explore:
- → Events calendar for seasonal festivals
- → Indoor attractions
Skip: Beach-focused guides (limited winter access)
Our Guide Collection
Our guides are built from local knowledge and real visitor experiences.
14+
In-depth guides
40+
Craft beverage venues
9
Convention guides
4
Seasons covered
How We Build Guides
Research
We attend conventions, visit venues, and talk to locals before writing.
Verify
Hours, prices, and details are confirmed with businesses directly.
Update
Guides are refreshed annually and after major changes.
Listen
Reader feedback shapes new guides and updates to existing ones.