The only access point to the island by car is via the Manahawkin Bay Bridge, locally known as "The Causeway", which carries Route 72 over Manahawkin Bay. Unlike the  resort towns on this list skewing predominantly towards tourists, Spring Lake has. Here are the numbers for each town", "Shore residents express anger with MTV's, "Watch: Take a tour of the MTV Beach House in Loveladies", "The Sopranos location guide – List of locations", New Jersey Shore Events, History Hotels, Dining and Articles, 17 New Jersey Shore Newspapers serving Atlantic and Cape May Counties, Highlights New Jersey Shore Events and activities, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jersey_Shore&oldid=1007805371, Tourist attractions in Atlantic County, New Jersey, Tourist attractions in Cape May County, New Jersey, Tourist attractions in Monmouth County, New Jersey, Tourist attractions in Ocean County, New Jersey, Articles with unsourced statements from August 2011, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, MTV also used Seaside Heights as the location of their. Perth Amboy was a resort town in the 19th century and early 20th century, located on the northern edge of the Raritan Bayshore. Long Branch's popularity waned in the years following World War II, with the opening of the Garden State Parkway in the mid-1950s allowing tourists to access points further south. However, there are all kinds of other fun activities you can partake in – the main ones being the boardwalk and amusement parks. Since the early 1990s Perth Amboy has seen redevelopment. Long Beach Island typically attracts a family-oriented crowd during the summertime; the island has not contained a boardwalk since the 1944 hurricane, and nightlife is limited to a few bars. Across the street, a go-kart track, a new miniature golf course and a waterpark, Breakwater Beach, round out the attraction list. From rental houses to scripted scenes, here are some surprising things you never knew about the show. . The post-war era of the 1950s and 1960s saw the construction of the Garden State Parkway and the Monmouth Mall, taking visitors away from Asbury Park and its shopping areas. For example, Asbury Park retains the traditional charm of the 1930s Jersey Shore, such as the boardwalks, arcades and water parks. The devastating effect of the storm surge on property adjacent to the beach resulted in substantial cost to the reinsurance industry which has since advocated avoidance of rebuilding closely packed middle-class residences or flimsy commercial structures adjacent to the beach. Strathmere Being one of just five free Jersey Shore oceanfront beaches should get you on any list, but Strathmere,... 3. Most residents own their homes even though housing can be quite expensive. Sauchelli, Dana; Fermino, Jennifer; and Sanderson, Bill. Its gay community has also been growing steadily since the 1950s. Attractions include the Barnegat Lighthouse, a 165 feet (50 m) tall lighthouse overlooking the Barnegat Inlet, located in a state park at the island's northern tip. Known to the New Jersey residents as simply ‘The Shore,’ it is, . Are you an expert on our coast? Oh, Shut Up And Drive", "America's Oldest Yacht Clubs – YCA Member Clubs", "Seastreak captains worried over crash ferry’s new propulsion system", "Sandy Hook Beach Ferry – From New York City", "Clothing optional may not be way of historical human", "Ocean Grove Named One of Top 15 Beaches For 2014 by Fodors", "Algonquin Arts Theatre announces $100,000 challenge", "Historic theater continues to be hub of activity", "In the Region/New Jersey; Beach Towns Evolve by Adding Year-Round Homes", "So, Just Who Goes Where When Going to the Shore? Search thousands of Jersey Shore, NJ townhomes for sale or find nearby townhomes for sale, view photos and floor plans, and rank properties by amenities offered and features that most appeal to you.Prices for Jersey Shore, NJ townhomes range from $49,000 to $1,799,000. The Barrier Islands were especially damaged, leaving dozens of homes completely washed away. Now that it is spring time, the market is moving fast. This is a dry town with a strong family-friendly atmosphere. We have gorgeous lakes and rivers which would be lovely to live on. Typically for this kind of town as well, the cost of housing and the cost of living are higher than most others on this list. Mayors like Vaz are in an untenable position: They can’t reopen quickly enough to make their loudest constituents happy, and they can’t do it slowly enough to keep their most vulnerable constituents safe. One of the particular perks of the Jersey Shore is that both sunrises and sunsets are visible over water from different parts because of its peculiar peninsular shape. The Brigantine Lighthouse, constructed to attract tourists, is a central identifying symbol of the city. Spring Lake is definitely one of the 10 most beautiful towns in New Jersey, USA. Much like Spring Lake, its schools rate very high in the nation and it is very family-friendly. ", "People from other states own more than a third of the Jersey Shore. Its most notable features are its beach and 1.8 miles (2.9 km) boardwalk, home to the Morey's Piers amusement complex and Raging Waters and Ocean Oasis Waterparks owned by Morey's Piers. However, it has recently gone through quite the transformation. Hurricane Sandy's pure kinetic energy for storm surge and wave destruction potential reached a 5.8 out of 6 on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's scale. Home of the Miss America pageant, Atlantic City has been featured in numerous films and television series, most notably as the setting of the 1980 film Atlantic City and the 2011 HBO series Boardwalk Empire. It has been, . Morgan is located one mile to the northwest, across the Cheesequake Creek and the Morgan Bridge on New Jersey Route 35. We love heading “down the shore” once the weather gets warmer, but it’s also the beach town’s personalities that create a memorable trip and experience. Seaside Heights is a resort community, with the beach, an amusement-oriented boardwalk, and numerous clubs and bars making it a popular destination. Port Republic 2. The main drawback would be the cost of living, which is on the pricier side. New Jersey’s beach towns prepare for a summer season like no other. Long Branch is another one of the best small towns in Jersey Shore but it is on the pricier side. [7] Sandy Hook's Gunnison Beach is one of the largest clothing optional beaches on the East Coast. [32] The island's close-knit communities are largely affluent and contain vacation homes for wealthy individuals who reside elsewhere in New Jersey, as well as New York, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. The town has a very vibrant music scene with many festivals and events throughout the year. Many iconic places from "The Shore" were also damaged due to Hurricane Sandy, including the Belmar boardwalk, Casino Pier, and Funtown Pier. The hurricane reached up to 74 mph. Race riots on July 4, 1970 resulted in the destruction of various buildings across the city. Strathmere Being one of just five free Jersey Shore oceanfront beaches should get you on any list, but Strathmere,... 3. New Jersey Shore (Jersey shore to the natives) A walk along the beach at sunrise. In some cases the official town site (sponsored by the town) may have commercial information; most often that is not the case. [23] It provides surfers with waves that are corralled, refracted and enlarged by the jetty protruding out into the Atlantic Ocean. Belmar is a possibly the smallest US town with such a huge party-town rep. and there are plenty of bars and restaurants for them to enjoy on weekends. The eastern, ocean-facing shoreline consists of various public and fishing beaches, considered among the finest in New Jersey and a popular destination for recreation in summer when seasonal SeaStreak ferries bring beachgoers. If you are a history nut, Cape May is surely one of the best small towns in Jersey Shore for you to move to as it is steeped in history. Ocean Grove is noted for its abundant examples of Victorian architecture. The Algonquin Arts Theatre is a historic 540-seat theatre, built in 1938 as a movie house but converted to a professional live performance space in May 1994. The Morgan Draw carries the North Jersey Coast Line. As most towns here, the schools are great, the community family-friendly, but housing somewhat expensive. [31] The primary industries include tourism, fishing, and real estate. [33] Brigantine is home to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, the state's only rescue center for stranded marine mammals and sea turtles. The low-density northern end of the Long Beach Island, including the communities of Barnegat Light, Loveladies, Harvey Cedars, and North Beach, are home to an assortment of high-end waterfront vacation homes. and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Lots and lots of people, swarming the beaches, crowding the boardwalks, eating all the ice cream, and tying up traffic. This town has been immortalized as the name of a Bruce Springsteen album, but that was the most exciting thing that happened to it for decades. [37] Ocean City has miles of guarded beaches, a 2.5-mile boardwalk, and a downtown shopping and dining district. Kimberly Davis reports. On the other hand, it boasts quite a diverse population and an above-average school district. Just remember that planning your moving budget is the key. The boardwalk makes it a quintessential small town on the Jersey Shore, and the adventure parks mean you will never have an idle day for as long as you live here. The schools are great and the crime rate low. There is nothing quite like living the water view dream on an ocean coast. The Paramount Theatre and Asbury Park Convention Hall, both connected to the boardwalk via a grand arcade, drew considerable tourists. It now attracts a more diverse and youthful crowd, both as visitors and as residents. Its marina is also the home to the biggest party boat fleet. The rest of the 2 mile (3.2 km) long boardwalk offers various arcades, attractions, souvenir shops, restaurants and food stands. [45] Avalon has the lowest percentage of state resident ownership at 27.5%, while Monmouth Beach has the highest at 92.7%. In many ways, this is another one of the 10 best beach towns on the Jersey Shore that has in many ways remained frozen in time. Katlyn Kerlin, secretary to the Long Beach Township mayor, said that due to the shutdown, their beaches, which make up the majority of the island’s public shoreline, have seen higher than usual visitor numbers. Belmar is also a popular party town for young adults and college students. People from out of state own about 37% of the properties in shore towns. But even the biggest fans of the show may not know everything about "Jersey Shore." A public grassy area called Festival Plaza is the site of regular events, including concerts, arts & crafts fairs, outdoor movies and holiday events. For the bulk of the 41 municipalities stitched up and down the Atlantic coast, from Sea Bright to Cape May Point, the 15 weeks between Memorial Day and Labor Day are crucial to the survival of their economies. Perth Amboy, along with neighboring South Amboy across the Raritan River, make up The Amboys. Shopping in the city include Playground Pier, Tanger Outlets The Walk, and The Quarter at Tropicana. Geographically, the term encompasses about 141 miles (227 km)[1] of oceanfront bordering the Atlantic Ocean, from Perth Amboy in the north to Cape May Point in the south. The island has a reputation as a base for long-range deep-sea fishing and charter boats. [29], The community is also known as the setting of the hit MTV show Jersey Shore, as well as various editions of MTV True Life and MTV Summer Beach House.[30]. In an effort at revitalizing the city, New Jersey voters in 1976 passed a referendum, approving casino gambling for Atlantic City. Casinos and hotels front the boardwalk, as well as stores, restaurants, and attractions. It is a favored vacation spot for the residents of New Jersey, as well as the neighboring states. This famous seashore resort community is one of the most affluent communities on the Jersey Shore and in the country. Its boardwalk and town offer shops, restaurants, an active arts scene, sporting events, festivals, and a variety of family-oriented activities. Ocean City is another typical Jersey Shore town, only this time bigger than most on this list. Its housing, cost of living, and crime rates are the problem areas. The town's boardwalk is approximately one mile long, and its central third is home to Jenkinsons' amusement park, aquarium, and arcades, as well as numerous pizza restaurants, ice cream parlors, games-of-chance and miniature golf courses. Here's one opinion on the top 10 shore towns, ranked. The railroad, which no longer has a station in Laurence Harbor (It had a Morgan station during most of the 1st half of the 20th century, located right across Cheesequake Creek from Laurence Harbor), divides the community into eastern and western sections, the former being locally referred to as 'The Front'. Typically for this kind of town as well, the cost of housing and the cost of living are higher than most others on this list. Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}40°02′53″N 74°03′07″W / 40.048°N 74.052°W / 40.048; -74.052, This article is about the geographical area. The Jersey Shore is lined with over 40 different towns and communities, each with a different character and flavor. All of this and more make it not only a great place to visit, but also to live in. Can You Guess The New Jersey Shore Town From A Single Photo? Gillian's Wonderland Pier and Playland's Castaway Cove are two large amusement parks located along the boardwalk, with both family and thrill rides. Waterfront real estate doesn’t come cheap, but these towns are all perfect for a day-long escape. The 25 best Jersey Shore towns, ranked 1. [34] Part of the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge is located on the northern end of the island. When it comes to the quality of living, the district boasts a steadily lowering crime rate. There is an LGBTQ-friendly beach and the Jersey Pride parade attracts a large number of visitors to the town each year. [5], The Manhattan skyline can be seen from the borough's ridges and its shoreline. If you are looking at homes, you might be wondering which Jersey Shore town is right for you. The coast in general is rife with small towns, and here we provide you with a list of the best small towns in Jersey Shore. For the bulk of the 41 municipalities stitched up and down the Atlantic coast, from Sea Bright to Cape May Point, the 15 weeks between Memorial Day and Labor Day are crucial to the survival of their economies. . [40] The motels are unique in appearance, with Vegas-like neon signs and fantastic architecture.[41]. During the Gilded Age of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Spring Lake developed into a coastal resort for members of New York City and Philadelphia high society, in similar fashion to the communities of Newport, Rhode Island and Bar Harbor, Maine. Asbury Park developed through the 1920s and 1930s as a resort destination for the New York metro area, and it remained that way through World War II. Upgrades were made to the park and an adjacent water park, Runaway Rapids, was constructed, Atlantic Highlands, which overlooks where the Atlantic Ocean and Raritan Bay meet at Sandy Hook, contains Mount Mitchill, the highest point on the eastern seaboard south of Maine, rising 266 feet (81 m) above sea level. New Jersey’s beach towns prepare for a summer season like no other. The region includes Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Atlantic, and Cape May counties, which are in the central and southern parts of the state.[2]. Your email address will not be published. The park's boardwalk is also popular for jogging and dog walking. Laurence Harbor is an unincorporated community located in Old Bridge. Ocean Grove was originally developed in 1869 as a Methodist summer camp meeting site. The beach house of your dreams just showed up in Real estate for sale. Port Republic 2. In Avalon, families are given plenty of opportunities to practice their swing at many full sized and mini golf courses. Of course, some New Jersey shore towns are busier than others. Many cater extensively to summer tourists, others are completely full-year residential communities, while some are a mix of both. , there are all kinds of fun activities available – arcades, amusement park, mini golf and even antiquing. Ocean City. [14] Today, it is an unincorporated community located within Neptune Twp. These Towns Make The Jersey Shore A Can't-Miss Summer Destination Asbury Park. The boardwalk makes it a quintessential small town on the Jersey Shore, and the adventure parks mean you will never have an idle day for as long as you live here. Long Branch developed into a resort town in the late 18th century, with oceanside hotels, large estates, and grand theaters. The beachfront was redone through a joint venture by Old Bridge Township, New Jersey and Middlesex County Parks Department. to it. It has rescued more than 3,900 whales, dolphins, seals and sea turtles since it was formed. Cape May is not only one of the 10 most beautiful towns in New Jersey, but also the oldest seaside resort town in the country. This area is very popular for fishing as three jetties extend into Raritan Bay and are in excellent condition, also recently redone in the past ten years[when?]. The boardwalk offerings can get quite decadent, though that is not all there is to life in this suburban town.