Jersey Shore Guide for Seniors
Discover the best beach towns, accessible beaches, and relaxing activities for retirees and older travelers at the Jersey Shore.
Accessible Beaches
Beach wheelchairs and accessible facilities
Quiet Towns
Peaceful communities without party crowds
Senior Discounts
Reduced beach badge rates at most towns
Best Towns for Seniors
Cape May
Victorian elegance, excellent dining, year-round appeal
Beautiful architecture, walkable downtown, trolley tours, fine dining, and cultural activities. Best for history buffs and foodies.
Accessibility: Beach wheelchairs available, flat downtown, accessible B&Bs
Spring Lake
Quiet elegance, non-commercial boardwalk
Peaceful atmosphere, beautiful lake walks, elegant B&Bs, and refined dining. No loud boardwalk - just tranquil beauty.
Accessibility: Flat boardwalk, beach wheelchair program
Ocean Grove
Historic Victorian village with spiritual roots
Unique historic charm, Great Auditorium concerts, quiet streets, and vintage architecture. Walking-friendly tent city area.
Accessibility: Relatively flat, historic charm
Stone Harbor
Upscale Seven Mile Island living
Quiet beaches, excellent birding at Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary, upscale dining, and relaxed atmosphere.
Accessibility: Beach wheelchairs, quiet beaches
Long Branch
Pier Village shopping and dining
Ocean Place Resort with spa, accessible Pier Village with shops and restaurants, and beautiful beach access.
Accessibility: ADA accessible boardwalk, resort amenities
Ocean City
Family-friendly, alcohol-free town
Clean beaches, 2.5-mile boardwalk, no alcohol means peaceful atmosphere. Music Pier concerts and events.
Accessibility: Beach wheelchairs, accessible boardwalk
Senior-Friendly Activities
Trolley Tours
Cape May - Ocean City - Atlantic City
Narrated tours covering history and architecture without walking.
Birding
Cape May - Stone Harbor - Sandy Hook
World-class birding, especially during fall migration. Bring binoculars.
Wine Tasting
Cape May Wine Trail
Six wineries offering tastings. Many with accessible facilities.
Historic Tours
Cape May - Ocean Grove - Spring Lake
Victorian architecture tours, historic homes, and museums.
Fishing Charters
Cape May - Point Pleasant - Atlantic City
Party boats and charters with seating. Half-day trips available.
Sunset Cruises
Cape May - Long Beach Island - Atlantic City
Relaxing evening cruises with bay views. Some include dinner.
Travel Tips for Seniors
Visit Weekdays
Weekdays offer less traffic, easier parking, and better restaurant availability.
Consider Shoulder Season
May-June and September-October have warm weather without crowds.
Book Ground Floor
Request ground floor rooms at B&Bs and hotels. Many historic properties lack elevators.
Reserve Beach Wheelchairs
Call ahead to reserve beach wheelchairs - they go quickly on busy days.
Dine Early
Many shore restaurants offer early bird specials before 6pm. Beat the crowds.
Use Trolleys
Cape May and Ocean City have trolleys covering town. Save walking energy.
Cape May: Perfect for Seniors
Cape May is the ideal shore destination for seniors. Year-round appeal means you can visit in off-season when crowds are minimal. Victorian trolley tours, wine tasting, fine dining, and world-class birding offer endless activities beyond the beach. The walkable downtown, excellent restaurants, and accessible beaches make it the top senior-friendly destination.
Explore Cape May