Ignore the television show that sullied the name of the Jersey Shore. For decades, residents and visitors alike have known the truth that MTV didn’t show, namely that the Jersey Shore is a vibrant, family-friendly place with beautiful beaches, lovely homes, and good people.
No wonder visiting towns like Barnegat, Manahawkin, Long Beach Island, and others is so popular each summer.
When planning a vacation at the Jersey Shore, these are a few of the communities you should be sure to consider when deciding to take a weekend, week, or even a whole month away with the family.
Lavallette – The small ocean and bay community of Lavallette is a popular place for families thanks to its protected beaches, playgrounds, tennis courts, bike paths, and docks for fishing and crabbing. It has many small shops run by local residents, as well as waterfront property along the ocean and the bay. It even has a boardwalk for walking, jogging, or just taking a deep breath of the clean salt air without the hustle and bustle of resort town amusements.
Point Pleasant Beach – This is a community that manages to walk the fine line between a vibrant, active resort community and a quiet, peaceful ocean town. Point Pleasant Beach offers the architectural charm of past eras as well as the appeal of great dining and excellent shopping. The residential neighborhoods are quiet, but the downtown is bustling. So, too, is the boardwalk, which boasts the area’s only aquarium. There are also rides, games, places to see live music, and more at the boardwalk, which is located alongside a gorgeous inlet area filled with boating activity.
Long Beach Island – Located nearby communities like Forked River/Lacey, Manahawkin, and Barnegat, Long Beach Island is a popular destination that boasts a little of everything: great shops and places to eat, an exciting night life, quiet bungalows on the beach, sprawling waterfront homes, amusements, live music, boating and fishing, and a lot more. Our offices are in Barnegat, so we know Long Beach Island quite well, and we love it!
Belmar – Like Point Pleasant Beach, Belmar offers both quiet shore living along with attractions that will appeal to younger visitors. Old neighborhoods with cozy coastal homes are just blocks away from some of the Jersey Shore’s most active and popular nightclubs. Couple that with some of the best fishing on the East Coast, a vibrant boating community, and a downtown that is a throwback to communities of yesteryear and it’s easy to see why people flock to Belmar each year.
Seaside Park – Seaside Heights is the more famous community thanks to its sprawling boardwalk, landmark attractions and that awful MTV show, making neighboring Seaside Park the better choice for families looking for a getaway. The famous boardwalk is just an easy walk away through sandy dunes covered in dune grass, while the community itself is safe, snug, and secure in its own quiet little corner of the world. Many people retire to Seaside Park for just this reason.
The astounding thing about the Jersey Shore is that these five communities only just begin to scratch the surface of all the region has to offer. No wonder it is such a popular destination!
Tags: Barnegat, beach, Forked River, Jersey Shore, Lacey, Long Beach Island, Manahawkin, Southern Ocean County, summer, vacation