Seaside Park exists in a peculiar geographic position that locals call "between two wild places"—the boardwalk chaos of Seaside Heights to the north, and the 10 miles of undeveloped barrier beach at Island Beach State Park to the south. The town has figured out how to be the sensible middle ground: family beaches with real amenities, enough restaurants and shops to keep everyone fed, and a year-round community (2,000+ permanent residents, the largest on the Barnegat Peninsula) that keeps the place grounded.
The beach access here varies in interesting ways. Standard borough beaches run $10/day or $55/season. But the real draw is Funtown Beach, a family-owned operation with cabana rentals, a tiki hut atmosphere, and—crucially—BYOB allowed at $12/person. Locals call it the best beach in North Jersey, and while that's debatable, the combination of quality sand, good facilities, and the ability to bring your own cooler makes a compelling case. Lifeguards patrol through Labor Day on all beaches.
Island Beach State Park shares Seaside Park's southern border, making this the gateway to one of the last undeveloped barrier beaches on the Atlantic coast. The state park charges $20/day parking in summer (free beach access), offering surf fishing, nature trails through beach plum and holly forests, and beaches where the only development visible is sand, dunes, and sky. Combining Seaside Park's convenient accommodations with Island Beach's wilderness creates the best of both worlds.
The bay side of Seaside Park provides calm-water alternatives to the ocean. Barnegat Bay access points offer excellent kayaking, paddleboarding, and crabbing—blue crabs run through summer, and the bayside docks produce steady catches for families with traps or handlines. Sunset views over the bay compete with any ocean beach on the peninsula.
Dining options cluster along the main strip: Spikes Fish Market for fresh seafood (the lobster roll justifies the drive), Klee's Bar & Grill for pub fare and local atmosphere. The Windjammer Motor Inn provides family-friendly accommodations with pool and IBSP access. Figure $15-30/person for casual dining.
Seaside Park works best for families who want the shore experience without boardwalk madness, BYOB beach enthusiasts, Island Beach State Park visitors who want comfortable lodging, and anyone who appreciates that "quieter Seaside" can still mean full amenities. Skip Seaside Park if you want the boardwalk experience—that's Seaside Heights, 5 minutes north. But for the family beach that figured out the right balance between convenience and calm, Seaside Park has nailed the formula.