2021 Summer Time Fun at Jersey Shore Beach Exits

Spanning 130 miles from Sandy Hook all the way to Cape May are some of New Jersey’s most gorgeous beaches. You’ll find many fun family things to do: play on sandy beaches, climb up classic lighthouses, feast your eyes on scenic views, stroll along beautiful boardwalks, get in touch with nature and experience unique events. Many of the beaches have free summer concerts and special events. Remember to always swim safely in areas with a lifeguard on duty. Each beach exit off the Garden State Parkway (GSP) offers a perfect day trip or getaway.

Exit 117 Sandy Hook

Sandy Hook is a 7-mile barrier stretch of sandy beaches at the North end of New Jersey with access to both the bay and the Atlantic ocean sides. Enjoy swimming, sunning, water sports, and surf casting. Nearby activities: Explore Gateway National Park at Sandy Hook, the Nike Missile Radar Site, Fort Hancock Museum, Sandy Hook Lighthouse. Sports activities: birding, biking, boating, canoeing, hiking; kayaking, and picnicking. No entrance fee to beach but there is a car parking fee.

Exit 105 Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park (and Beach)

Monmouth County Park System's Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park is a 38-acre beach park offering families a great place to enjoy swimming, sunning, and beach fun. It has a snack bar, eating areas, changing area, and showers. There is a park fee and parking fee. Other Activities: Tony's Place, a universal accessible playground. Skateplex offers skaters a skating bowl with ramps, floating ramps, planters, and steel rails.

Exit 105 Long Branch Beach

Miles of sand at the public beaches at Long Branch NJ. Enjoy the sand, water, and surf. No beach fee for kids 13 & under. There are playgrounds at each of the 4 beach locations, Cottage, Great Lawn, Laird and Melrose. Lifeguards on duty, plenty of restrooms and concessions. Attractions: Have some fun at Pier Village boardwalk with shops and restaurants.

  • Sundays: Family Fun Night 12-8pm at Festival Plaza: mini golf, rockwall climbing, trampoline bungee jumping, rides and games. 
  • Sundays: Live music @ The Avenue Beach Bar
  • Thursdays By the Sea: 7-8:30pm: Evening of singing and dancing with your favorite Jersey Shore Band

 

Exit 102 Bradley Beach

Bring the sand toys. Family friendly shore town with pristine beaches, perfect for swimming, surfing, and sunning. Lifeguards on duty. No beach fee for kids 12 & under. Boardwalk with free concerts and arts events. Nearby is Avon by the Sea, another fabulous family friendly beach. 

  • July 3: Red, White and Blues Festival @ Gazebo on Ocean Ave & 5th Ave Boardwalk
  • Saturdays: Free Summer Concerts at Riley Park 7-9pm 


Exit 102 Ocean Grove

New Jersey's finest year-round family seashore resort with one square mile of natural beauty. No beach badge fee for kids 11 & under. Experience Ocean Grove’s eclectic main street with rows of colorful Victorian houses, quaint shops, arts and crafts shows, ice cream and cafes, and the giant flea market at the Great Auditorium.

  • Thursdays: Summer Stars Classical Music Series 7:30-9pm
  • Sept 18 - Brits on the Beach, 24th annual British Car Day 6am-12pm

 

Exit 98 Belmar

Clean, safe, fun, family friendly beaches at Belmar. Colorful and fun beach playgrounds every few blocks. Belmar's composite made no splinter boardwalk is ideal for walking, jogging, and relaxing. The beaches are cleaned and groomed every morning. Kids playgrounds at 4th, 8th, 12th & 16th Avenues. No beach fee for kids 15 & under. Note: There are no changing rooms at this beach.

  • Thursday Night 2021 Movies on the Beach: 8:30pm-11pm
  • Friday Night Music Series at Pyanoe Plaza, 6:30pm-8:30pm
  • Wednesdays: Farmers Market @ 4pm-8pm

 

Exit 98 Asbury Park

Asbury Park is a historic shore town known for miles of sand and water. The beaches here are for swimming, sunbathing, surfing, fishing, and people watching. The revitalized boardwalk is lined with shops, restaurants, arcades, cafes, mini-golf, and music. Lifeguards on duty. No beach fee for kids 12 & under. Attractions: Visit The Silver Ball Museum Arcade, houses vintage arcade games and pinball machines. Kids can get soaked at the Asbury Splash Park.

  • Thursdays: FREE summer concert series on the beach stage at Anchor’s Bend in Asbury Park 5PM-10PM
  • Music Mondays: at Springwood Park
  • Fridays and Saturdays: Cookman Avenue Live! featuring local talent of all ages.
     

Exit 98 Spring Lake

Quiet and beautiful beach at Spring Lake. Children can play on the sand, build sand castles, and enjoy the water. There are no playgrounds. Non-commercial boardwalk where families can go for a gentle stroll. No coolers are allowed on the beach. Spring Lake is a quaint town with Victorian mansions, bed and breakfasts, cute shops and restaurants. Food, outdoor showers, and restrooms. No beach fee for kids 12 & under. Free parking on Ocean Ave.

  • July 3: Art Walk in downtown Spring Lake - stroll, shop and dine
  • September 25: Italian Festival with Italian specialties, music, best meatball contest, pizza eating contest, cooking demonstrations - 12-5pm

Exit 98 Point Pleasant

Point Pleasant has a mile long white sand beach and is fun for the whole family. Bring your beach chairs and play in the water or relax on the beach. Swim in life guarded areas. Visit Jenkinson’s boardwalk for rides, games, and sweet shops. Play miniature golf or explore Jenkinson’s Aquarium. No beach fee for kids 5 & under.

  • Mondays: Kiddie Beach Shows @ 7pm 
  • Tuesdays: Free Movies on the Beach @ dark 
  • Wednesdays: Grandparent Wednesdays 12-5pm - Grandparents ride FREE with paying child @ Jenkinson's Amusement Park
  • Thursdays: Fireworks at dark!
  • Thursdays: Aquarium Beach Walk 6pm-6:30pm 
  • Fridays: Princess Storytime 6pm on the Pavillion Beach Stage. Each week a princess will be reading a story along with dancing and singing
  • Fridays: Wristband Fridays at Jenkinson's Amusement Park 
  • Sundays: Big Joe Jersey Talent Show @ 7pm
  • July 7 and August 11: Princess Palooza Live Princess singing show with your favorite fairytale princesses, 7pm
  • July 12-16: Wild world of animals, 3pm, 6pm, 8pm on the beach 

 

Exit 98 Manasquan

Manasquan is home beautiful beaches. Families can swim, sun, relax, and surf. Popular beaches include: Elks Beach, Main Beach, Brielle Road Beach and Inlet Beach. Elks Beach in Manasquan offers beach access to guests who need special assistance or have physical disabilities with special needs. There are 5 surf chairs available for use and is free for handicapped guests or those with physical challenges to access the beach. Inlet Beach offers surfing year round. Lifeguards are on duty. There is a Beach fee.

Exit 89 Bricktown

Brick Township operates three ocean beaches and one riverfront beach at Windward Beach Park. Clean, family friendly beaches with easy parking, snack bar, bathrooms, and lifeguards. No beach fee for kids 12 & under.

Exit 82 Seaside Heights 

The Jersey Shore comes alive at Seaside Heights. 15 blocks of award winning beach with soft white sand. Swim in the ocean when life guards are on duty. No beach tag fee for kids 11 & under. Access to the Bay Beach is FREE every day for all. Attractions: Boardwalk, Casino Pier, Breakwater Beach Waterpark, Concerts, Special Events. Nearby beaches include Ortley and Lavalette, both are family friendly beaches with little beach towns.

Exit 63 Long Beach Island

Long Beach Island or LBI encompasses 18 miles of beach fun with 6 unique towns: Barnegat Light, Beach Haven, Harvey Cedars, Long Beach Township, Ship Bottom and Surf City. Things to do: beach, sunning, water sports, fishing, bicycling, boating, kayaking, walking, and exploring. Attractions for kids: Thundering Surf Water Park, Mini Golf at Jen's Links, Fantasy Island Amusement Park.

Exit 40 Brigantine

Relax on pristine white sandy beaches at Brigantine Beach. Go swimming in the ocean, try sport fishing or windsurfing. Lifeguards on duty. Attractions: Shark Park Playground, Marine Mammal Stranding Center, Brigantine Lighthouse and Brigantine Beach Historical Museum. No Beach Tag fee for kids 11 & under.

Exit 36 Margate

Life Guarded beaches where families can spend a relaxing day. Clean and family friendly beach. Enjoy watersports, including paddle-boarding, jet skiing, fishing and boating. Attractions: Viist Lucy The Elephant, a national historical landmark six stories high.

Exit 30 Ocean City

The beaches at Ocean City New Jersey are perfect for families and kids of all ages. You can't go wrong with 8 miles of white sandy beaches. Enjoy the waves, sun, and sand. Lifeguards on duty. No beach fee for kids 11 & under. Attractions: Gillian’s Wonderland Pier Amusement Park, Playland’s Castaway Cove, Boardwalk Adventures Water Park, arcades, boardwalk, and mini-golf.

  • July 4: Bike Parade
  • Tuesdays: Funtastic Tuesdays on Asbury Avenue, strolling entertainment with magic shows and pony rides
  • Wednesdays: Farmers Market 8am-1pm
  • Wacky Wednesdays: 
  • July 7: Freckle Contest
  • Thursdays: Family Nights 7pm-9pm on the boardwalk 

 

Exit 17 Sea Isle City

There are all types of beaches at Sea Isle City: bathing beaches, catamaran and sailboat launching beaches, kayaking beaches, kiteboarding beaches, rafting beaches, surf-fishing beaches, and volleyball beaches. No beach tag fee for kids 11 & under. Activities: biking and inline skating, sailing lessons, family fun nights and family dance parties at Excursion Park.

Exit 11 Atlantic City

FREE beach access to Atlantic City beaches. No badges required. Spend a day having fun playing in the water or walking in the sand. Explore Atlantic City's Boardwalk and salt water taffy shops. Enjoy beach activities, swimming, surfing, boogie boarding, kayaking, windsurfing, and fishing. Attractions: Abescon Lighthouse, Atlantic City Aquarium, Ripley's Believe It or Not, Steel Pier amusement center, Outlet Shopping

Exit 10A Stone Harbor

Flanked by the Atlantic Ocean on the East and the Inter-coastal Waterway on the west, Stone Harbor is known as Seven Mile Island and has endless beautiful, family beaches. Swimming, rafts, and surfboards are permitted on select beaches. No beach tag fee for kids 11 & under.

Exit 4B Wildwood

FREE access to 5 miles of clean and safe Wildwood beaches. No badge fee required. Voted one of the top New Jersey beaches, Wildwood has so much to do for families and kids. You've got wide white powder beaches, perfect for swimming, sun bathing, playing, and relaxing. Swim in life guarded beaches. Attractions: Morey’s Piers and Beachfront Water Parks, Surfside Pier, Mariner's Landing, Adventure Pier, Raging Waters Waterpark, Doo Wop Experience Museum.

  • August 19-22: Barefoot Country Music Fest - on boardwalk 10am - 11pm

 

Exit 0 Cape May

Located at the southern tip of Cape May Peninsula where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, Cape May is a perfect destination for families. There miles of beautiful clean powdery beaches. Go swimming near life guard stations. No beach tag fee for kids 11 & under. Walk along the Cape May Promenade. Attractions: Cape May County Park and Zoo, Nature Center of Cape May, Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum at Cape May Airport, Cape May Lighthouse.

  • Friday, Saturday, Sundays:  Summer Concerts at Rotary Park 7-8pm
  • Wednesdays: Family Fun Days Crafts & Collectible Show 9am-2pm @ Cape May Lighthouse. Free admission to the grounds. Kids friendly activities and games, music and crafts vendors. Admission fee to climb the lighthouse.
  • Tuesdays: West Cape May Farmers Market 3pm-7:30pm @ Municipal Complex through August 31. Enjoy local produce, antiques, live craft demonstrations, BBQ and live music.
  • August 7: Cape May Craft Beer Music & Crab Festival
  • July 23, Aug 22: Full Moon Climb at the Lighthouse 
  • Fridays:  Fire Pit Fridays @ Willow Creek Winery, wine and music