By Elizabeth Park
The
beaches of New Jersey attract more visitors than any other area of the state. For generations, residents of
New York City and
Philadelphia have taken their families to the Jersey Shore. Planning a vacation at one of Jersey's many beaches is easy, as there are many to choose. Select from beaches with boardwalks, casino
resorts or family-friendly towns for your next summer vacation by the ocean.
Atlantic City
Visit historic Atlantic City from Memorial Day to September 30 and walk the famous Boardwalk. Atlantic City was the destination for the rich in the early 30s and 40s. Go to a casino for night-time entertainment. This beach is one of the few free beaches in New Jersey.
City of Atlantic City
1301 Bacharach Boulevard
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
(609) 347-5312
cityofatlanticcity.org
Wildwood
Take a trip down Five Mile Island to the Wildwood Beaches for 40 blocks of boardwalk attractions, restaurants and white sand. The boardwalk is two miles long and has five piers that host family-friendly events throughout the summer. This area has more attractions than Disneyland in California. Treat the kids to a visit to one of several water parks.
Wildwood Welcome Center
1 South Route 47
Wildwood, NJ 08260
(609) 522-4546
wildwoodsnj.com
Cape May
Travel to the southern tip of New Jersey to Cape May. This area is home to Victorian houses, sloping beaches and 30 miles of beach. Visit the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts and explore the historic lighthouse.
Cape May Welcome & Information Center
609 Lafayette Street
Cape May, NJ 08204
(609) 884-9562
capemaychamber.com
Avalon
Drive 30 miles south of Atlantic City to visit the family-friendly beach of Avalon on Seven Mile Island. These beaches have some of the last remaining high dunes on the East Coast, and families can visit a boardwalk and five miles of sand fronting the Atlantic Ocean. Watch one of the summer performances by the Avalon Performing Arts Council.
Avalon Chamber of Commerce
30th Street & Ocean Drive
Avalon, NJ 08202
(609) 967-3936
avalonbeach.com
Ocean City
Plan a vacation to Ocean City, one of New Jersey's few year-round destinations. Visit more than eight miles of sandy beaches, boardwalks and amusement parks. Handicapped visitors can use a handy surf chair for access to the beach.
Ocean City Chamber of Commerce & Information Center
State Route 52--Howard S. Stainton Causeway
Ocean City, NJ 08226
(609) 399-2629
oceancitychamber.com
Resources
About the Author:
Elizabeth Park has written since 1983, with work appearing in the "Oxnard Press Courier" in Oxnard, Calif., "The Centre Daily Times" in State College, Pa., and online at VisitSouth and other websites. Park holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Pennsylvania State and completed graduate work at Rutgers University in English literature and Emory University in theology.
