Cape May
Victorian Charm & Birding Paradise
Victorian B&BsWhale watchingBirdingFine dining
Best for: Romantic getaways, nature lovers
Stay guide →All Shore Towns
Explore 58 towns and destinations across the Jersey Shore. Compare local guides, recorded badge costs, and places to stay for your dates.
Choose your next step
Start with the town and the time of year, then compare the full cost of a day trip or overnight stay.
Still choosing a town?
Match your interests, travel group and budget, then compare a shortlist.
Find towns that fit →Visiting in fall or winter?
Choose activities for your dates. Check opening hours and keep an indoor option before arranging a stay.
Plan an off-season visit →Ready to plan a stay?
Research hotels and rentals by destination. Compare taxes, parking, fees and cancellation terms for the same dates.
Explore hotels and rentals →Planning ahead? Save a next-summer checklist
Looking specifically for beaches? Compare beach destinations by badge cost and atmosphere →
Featured Towns
Ocean City
America's Greatest Family Resort
Dry town2.5-mile boardwalkFree summer eventsAmusement rides
Best for: Families with kids
Stay guide →Asbury Park
Arts, Music & Revival
Live music sceneLGBTQ+ friendlyCraft breweriesStreet art
Best for: Music lovers, foodies, LGBTQ+ travelers
Stay guide →Wildwood
Free Beaches & Doo-Wop Motels
Free beachesMorey's Piers2-mile boardwalkRetro architecture
Best for: Budget travelers, amusement seekers
Stay guide →Advertisement
Browse by County
Monmouth County
20 guidesUrban accessible, artsy, diverse
Asbury Park music scene, Sandy Hook, Long Branch dining
Transit: NJ Transit rail access to many towns
Ocean County
19 guidesClassic shore, family boardwalks, barrier islands
Seaside Heights, Long Beach Island, Island Beach State Park
Transit: Limited transit; car recommended
Atlantic County
7 guidesCasino resort, wetlands, birding
Atlantic City casinos, Forsythe NWR, historic Margate
Transit: AC Rail from Philadelphia; bus service
Cape May County
12 guidesVictorian charm, nature, family-friendly
Cape May Victorians, Wildwood boardwalk, Stone Harbor birds
Transit: Limited; car essential
Towns by Vibe
Quiet & Upscale
Refined beaches, beautiful homes, upscale dining, minimal crowds
Family Fun
Boardwalks, amusement rides, arcades, kid-friendly restaurants
Nightlife & Energy
Bars, clubs, live music, late-night dining, young crowds
Historic & Walkable
Victorian architecture, historic inns, walking tours, antique shops
Surf & Active
Consistent waves, surf shops, kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing
Budget-Friendly
Free beaches, affordable motels, value dining options
Browse by Traveler Type
Find the best shore towns for your travel style
Check the journey before choosing a base
Compare the actual route, return transit, parking and local opening hours for your dates. Leave time for bridges, event traffic and the journey from your parking space to the destination.
All 58 Towns
$12/day
Allenhurst
Monmouth County
Victorian Elegance by the Sea
victorianupscalequiet
$7/day
Asbury Park
Monmouth County
Stone Pony, Convention Hall, Murals
eclecticlgbtq-friendlynightlife
Free Beach
Atlantic Highlands
Monmouth County
Gateway to Manhattan by Sea
commuterharboryear-round
$12/day
Avon-by-the-Sea
Monmouth County
Victorian Houses Next to Belmar
family-friendlyVictorianquiet
$12/day
Belmar
Monmouth County
Quiet North End, Bar Scene South
diversenightlifefamily-friendly
$12/day
Bradley Beach
Monmouth County
Stone Boardwalk and Breakfast Spots
family-friendlyaffordable
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$12/day
Deal
Monmouth County
Private Beach Clubs, Limited Public Access
quietprivateuncrowded
$6/day
Elberon
Monmouth County
The Summer White House Legacy
historicquiet
Free Beach
Highlands
Monmouth County
Twin Lights and Clam Bars
historicwaterfrontseafood
$8/day
Loch Arbour
Monmouth County
New Jersey's Smallest Beach Town
peacefulresidentialwaterfront
$6/day
Long Branch
Monmouth County
Pier Village and the Oceanfront
upscalehistoricshopping
$95/season
Manasquan
Monmouth County
The Inlet Surf Break and Main Street
surfingsmall-townlaid-back
$10/day
Monmouth Beach
Monmouth County
Bath & Tennis Club and Quiet Beaches
privateupscalepeaceful
No beach
Neptune City
Monmouth County
Small Town Between the Shore Towns
affordableresidentiallocal
$13/day
Ocean Grove
Monmouth County
God's Square Mile at the Shore
historicdry townquiet
Advertisement
No beach
Port Monmouth
Monmouth County
Historic Bayshore Community with NYC Views
waterfrontfishingresidential
Free Beach
Sandy Hook
Monmouth County
National Recreation Area with Free Beaches
naturaluncrowdedhistoric
$10/day
Sea Bright
Monmouth County
Narrow Strip, Big Views
upscalequietnarrow
$12/day
Sea Girt
Monmouth County
Sea Girt Lighthouse and Quiet Beaches
quiethistoricresidential
$12/day
Spring Lake
Monmouth County
The Irish Riviera
upscalequietromantic
$10/day
Barnegat Light
Ocean County
Old Barney and Authentic LBI
quietfishing villagehistoric
$15/day
Bay Head
Ocean County
Victorian Houses and Quiet Beaches
upscalequietfamily
$10/day
Beach Haven
Ocean County
Fantasy Island and LBI's South End
family-friendlyamusementsshopping
$8/day
Brick Township
Ocean County
Family-Friendly Bay Beaches
family-friendlyparksbay beaches
$12/day
Harvey Cedars
Ocean County
LBI's Quiet Gem
quietupscalefamily
Free Beach
Island Beach State Park
Ocean County
Undeveloped Barrier Island Beach
naturalwildlifefishing
No beach
Lacey Township
Ocean County
Gateway to Barnegat Bay
boatingfishingnature
$8/day
Lavallette
Ocean County
Bay Beaches and Crabbing Docks
familyquietaffordable
$10/day
Loveladies
Ocean County
Modern Beach Houses on LBI
architecturalcontemporaryartistic
$15/day
Mantoloking
Ocean County
Waterfront Mansions on the Barrier Island
privateresidentialsecluded
$10/day
Ortley Beach
Ocean County
Home of Barnacle Bill's
family-friendlyclassic
$13/day
Point Pleasant Beach
Ocean County
Family Fun on the Boardwalk
family-friendlyboardwalkamusements
$13/day
Seaside Heights
Ocean County
Casino Pier and the Boardwalk
livelyboardwalkamusements
$10/day
Seaside Park
Ocean County
The Nicer, Quieter Seaside
family-friendlyquietergateway
$10/day
Ship Bottom
Ocean County
Central LBI, by the Causeway
commercialfamilyshopping
$10/day
Surf City
Ocean County
Gateway to Long Beach Island
surfingfamilycasual
No beach
Toms River
Ocean County
Ocean County's Arts & Culture Hub
culturalfamily-friendlyshopping
No beach
Tuckerton
Ocean County
Maritime Heritage Village
historicculturaleducational
No beach
Waretown
Ocean County
On Barnegat Bay in the Pinelands
boatingfishingnature
Free Beach
Atlantic City
Atlantic County
America's Playground with Free Beaches
casinosnightlifeentertainment
$10/day
Brigantine
Atlantic County
Quiet Escape Next to Atlantic City
family-friendlyquietaffordable
$5/day
Longport
Atlantic County
Southern Tip of Absecon Island
upscaleuncrowdedaffordable badges
$20/season
Margate
Atlantic County
Home of Lucy the Elephant
family-friendlyupscalehistoric
No beach
Historic Smithville
Atlantic County
Historic Village on Lake Meone
shoppingfamily-friendlyevents
No beach
Somers Point
Atlantic County
Gateway to Ocean City and the Back Bay
waterfrontnightlifeboating
$20/season
Ventnor
Atlantic County
The Quiet End of the AC Boardwalk
family-friendlyquietcommunity events
$8/day
Avalon
Cape May County
Cooler by a Mile
upscalefamily-friendlynatural dunes
$10/day
Cape May
Cape May County
America's Original Seaside Resort
historicromanticculinary
No beach
Cape May Court House
Cape May County
Free County Zoo and the County Seat
family-friendlyfree zoocounty seat
$6/day
Cape May Point
Cape May County
Raptor Capital of North America
birdingnaturalpeaceful
Free Beach
North Wildwood
Cape May County
Free Beaches & Family Fun
free beachfamilydoo-wop
$10/day
Ocean City
Cape May County
America's Greatest Family Resort
family-friendlyboardwalkdry town
$10/day
Sea Isle City
Cape May County
Free Beach Wednesdays
free Wednesdaysfamily-friendlynightlife
$8/day
Stone Harbor
Cape May County
Bird Sanctuary and 96th Street
family-friendlynatureeducational
Free Beach
Strathmere
Cape May County
Free Beach by Corson's Inlet
secludednaturalhistoric
No beach
West Cape May
Cape May County
Lima Bean Capital of the World
bohemianagriculturalartistic
Free Beach
Wildwood
Cape May County
Free Beaches & Retro Fun
free beachboardwalkdoo-wop
Free Beach
Wildwood Crest
Cape May County
Quieter Side of the Wildwoods
free beachquietfamily
Research a Vacation Rental
Beach houses, condos & cottages across the Jersey Shore
Search the same dates and group size, then check the exact address, full fees, minimum stay and cancellation terms. Read the rental planning guide →
Cape MayVictorian charmSearch Rentals →WildwoodFree beachesSearch Rentals →Ocean CityFamily favoriteSearch Rentals →Long Beach IslandIsland lifeSearch Rentals →Asbury ParkMusic & artsSearch Rentals →Atlantic CityCasino funSearch Rentals →
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which Jersey Shore town is best for families?
Start a family shortlist with Ocean City, Stone Harbor, Avalon or Wildwood, then compare activities for your children's ages, the route to the beach, opening dates and the full stay cost. A family-friendly label does not establish water safety or lifeguard coverage; check the exact beach and date.
Which shore towns have free beaches?
Wildwood, North Wildwood, Wildwood Crest and Atlantic City have no badge fee in our records. Parking, transport and other costs can still apply. Check the current municipal rules and verified price year for your dates rather than assuming a summer schedule applies to every town.
What's the difference between the North and South Jersey Shore?
The North Shore (Monmouth County) has more urban, transit-accessible towns like Asbury Park and Long Branch with artsy vibes. The South Shore (Cape May County) has wider beaches, Victorian charm, and family-oriented towns. Ocean County in between offers classic boardwalk towns like Seaside Heights.
Which shore town has the best boardwalk?
Compare Ocean City and Wildwood for amusement-focused trips, Asbury Park for arts and music, and Point Pleasant Beach for Jenkinson's attractions. Check the individual attraction calendar: a boardwalk walk and an open ride or restaurant are different plans, especially outside summer.
How do I choose which shore town to visit?
Consider your priorities: Free beaches? (Wildwood) Family activities? (Ocean City) Victorian charm? (Cape May) Nightlife? (Asbury Park) Surfing? (Belmar, Long Beach Island) Quiet upscale? (Spring Lake, Stone Harbor) Use our town picker tool for personalized recommendations.
Can I visit multiple shore towns in one trip?
Yes. Choose a base and check the actual route to each day trip. The shore spans about 127 miles; bridge traffic, event days, parking and transit schedules can change the journey. Check current directions and return transport before combining towns, rather than treating a fixed drive time as guaranteed.
Find Your Perfect Town
Use our town picker to get personalized recommendations based on your travel style, budget, and interests.