Jersey Shore

Travel Guide

Ocean City which includes street scenes as well as a large group of people
Ocean City which includes street scenes as well as a large group of people
Steel Pier which includes a city
The Quarter at Tropicana showing interior views and shopping
Cape May County Zoo featuring a garden as well as a family

White-sand beaches border the bright lights of casinos and a non-stop nightlife scene lasts from dusk until dawn in this coastal region of New Jersey.

Head to the Jersey Shore for boardwalk strolls, beachside fun and swimming in the Atlantic. While many will know Jersey Shore from the MTV show of the same name, which focused on the area’s raucous nightlife, rest assured that there is lots to do here for the whole family.

The Jersey Shore stretches from Sandy Hook to Cape May and is a much-loved vacation spot for many families who have spent their summers in the area for generations. Cape May, for instance, has hosted visitors since the 1600s and is designated as a National Historic Landmark City. Come here to marvel at the animals of the Cape May County Park & Zoo and embark on a whale-watching and dolphin-spotting tour off the coast.

Relax on Long Beach Island in the resort towns of Barnegat Light and Beach Haven. Climb up to Barnegat’s lighthouse and sail along Barnegat Bay. Oceanfront boutique stores are good for shopping, while family-owned restaurants serve up fresh seafood.

If you are looking for bright lights and after-dark fun, stay in Atlantic City. Spend the evening enjoying the casinos or simply watching the dealers while having a cocktail. Take in the carnival sounds of the Atlantic City Boardwalk and shop for trinkets in oceanfront stores. A variety of bars and nightclubs near the waterfront offer late-night entertainment.

Take the whole family to Seaside Heights to splash around in the Breakwater Beach Waterpark and after, play miniature golf near the boardwalk.

The Jersey Shore is packed with tourists during the summer months, so come in July and August for plenty of people-watching and the best weather. Take a train or bus from Newark, Philadelphia or New York City straight to the shore, or hop on a ferry from New York to Sandy Hook.

Come to the Jersey Shore to experience miles of shimmering coastlines, classic amusement parks and an active party scene. Create lifelong memories in this popular American vacation destination.

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Where to stay in Jersey Shore

Entering the beach at Cape May

Cape May Historic District

If you're spending some time in Cape May Historic District, Washington Street Mall and Cape May Beach are top sights worth seeing.

Cape May Historic District
Diamond Beach

Diamond Beach

5/5(1 area review)

Visitors highly recommend Diamond Beach for its beaches, and you can make a stop by Five Mile Beach while you're in town.

Diamond Beach
Beach in Atlantic City, New Jersey with boardwalk in background

North Beach Haven

4/5(1 area review)

If you're spending some time in North Beach Haven, Haven Beach and Brighton Beach are top sights worth seeing.

North Beach Haven
Aerial Panorama

Ship Bottom

You'll enjoy the beaches and museums in Ship Bottom. You might want to make time for a stop at Long Beach or Hartland Miniature Golf & Arcade.

Ship Bottom
Default Image

Central

If you're spending some time in Central, Playland's Castaway Cove and Ocean City Boardwalk are top sights worth seeing.

Central
Absecon lighthouse, Atlantic City, New Jersey

Surf City

Borough on Long Beach Island, Surf City offers yacht races at its Yacht Club and easy access to Philadelphia, New York City, and Trenton. Enjoy free LBI Shuttle service along Long Beach Boulevard.

Surf City
Tropicana Atlantic City – A Caesars Rewards Destination

Tropicana Atlantic City – A Caesars Rewards Destination

3.5 out of 5
2831 Boardwalk Atlantic City NJ
The price is CA $47 per night from Mar 30 to Mar 31
CA $47
CA $107 total
Mar 30 - Mar 31
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this beach resort in Atlantic City. Enjoy an outdoor pool, a full-service spa, and 20 restaurants. Our guests praise the restaurant and the clean ...
7.4/10 Good! (16,388 reviews)
We were thrown over to the Chelsea tower where you had to wait in line for 20-30 minutes just to get to the elevator where the bridge was. Then once you got to the bridge floor you had to walk 10 minutes to the Chelsea elevators. Our floor was extremely dated. We were in room 1512 where the water ...

Reviewed on Feb 28, 2026

Tropicana Atlantic City – A Caesars Rewards Destination
Ocean Casino Resort

Ocean Casino Resort

4 out of 5
500 Boardwalk Atlantic City NJ
The price is CA $114 per night from Mar 30 to Mar 31
CA $114
CA $187 total
Mar 30 - Mar 31
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this beach hotel in Atlantic City. Enjoy an outdoor pool, a full-service spa, and 18 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (11,146 reviews)
The room was great except at 1st they gave us a different category then we paid for so we moved rooms The part that made me not give 5 Stars is Breakfast at Sunny’s. The service was horrendous, my omelette was fake eggs and it was extremely overpriced. $80 for breakfast for 2 people which we waited ...

Reviewed on Feb 28, 2026

Ocean Casino Resort
Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City– A Caesars Rewards Destination

Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City– A Caesars Rewards Destination

4 out of 5
777 Harrah's Blvd. Atlantic City NJ
The price is CA $47 per night from Mar 30 to Mar 31
CA $47
CA $107 total
Mar 30 - Mar 31
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this spa resort in Atlantic City. Enjoy a full-service spa, 9 restaurants, and a casino. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular ...
7.6/10 Good! (11,481 reviews)
Check in staff nice.

Reviewed on Feb 28, 2026

Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City– A Caesars Rewards Destination
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Boardwalk Resorts - Flagship

Boardwalk Resorts - Flagship

3.5 out of 5
60 N Maine Avenue Atlantic City NJ
Book a stay at this business-friendly condo in Atlantic City. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful ...
7.8/10 Good! (4,000 reviews)
The room was excellent the service was great the only thing that was wrong is that the jacuzzi was out but it wasn't listed on the website

Reviewed on Feb 27, 2026

Boardwalk Resorts - Flagship
Marriott's Fairway Villas

Marriott's Fairway Villas

3 out of 5
500 East Fairway Lane Absecon NJ
Book a stay at this golf vacation home in Absecon. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and 3 hot tubs. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (820 reviews)
Clean & beautiful, felt at home. Had everything we needed for our family of 4.

Reviewed on Feb 28, 2026

Marriott's Fairway Villas
Coastal Estate

Coastal Estate

2.5 out of 5
756 U.S. 9 Cape May NJ
Stay at this aparthotel in Cape May. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Washington Street Mall and Cape May Beach are located ...
9/10 Wonderful! (55 reviews)
Adorable cottage! Very clean. Relaxing, cozy vibe! Convenient location!

Reviewed on Feb 22, 2026

Coastal Estate
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Cities near Jersey Shore

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