What to do at New Jersey's Most Popular Beaches

Summer is here! The Jersey Shore has so much to offer. From Sandy Hook all the way to Cape May are some of New Jersey’s most beautiful 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 special events. Each beach exit off the Garden State Parkway (GSP) offers a perfect day trip or getaway. Explore nearby attractions and you'll most likely find many other fun things to do around the area.  Beach entry is free to all prior to Memorial Day and after Labor Day (unless specified) and most are free for kids under certain ages.

Here are some recommended Jersey Shore Beach Exits:

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, and recreational water sports. 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 and picnicking. Free admission to the beach. Fee for parking.

  • Sandy Hook Lighthouse open daily. First come first serve tours every Monday from 1-3:30pm. Guide up 95 stairs and nine rung ladder to the lantern room. Children must be 48 inches tall to climb the tower. Tour sign-ups start at 12:30 PM in the 1883 Keepers’ Quarters.

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. You'll also find Volleyball area, guarded swimming, designated areas for surfing. Admission fee for ages 18+. Children 17 and under are free. Daily parking fee is $10. The beach has daily guarded swimming June 13th through Labor Day, hours are from 10 am-5pm, weather and conditions permitting.

In 1869, President Grant made the city the nation's "Summer Capital," a tradition followed by Presidents Hayes, Garfield, Arthur, Harrison, McKinley, and Wilson, hence its name, Seven Presidents. Other Activities: Tony's Place, a universal accessible playground; Skateplex offering skaters a skating bowl with ramps, planters, and steel rails. Walk along the beach promenade all the way to Pier Village (a short walkable distance away) and enjoy the boutique shops and cafes.

Exit 105 Long Branch Beach & Pier Village

Miles of sand at the public beaches at Long Branch NJ. Enjoy the sand, water, and surf. There are playgrounds at each of the 4 beach locations, Cottage, Great Lawn, Laird and Melrose. Lifeguards on duty, plenty of restrooms and concessions. Beach fee for ages 14+. No beach fee for kids 13 & under, or for seniors 62 years and over. Disabled people are free. Attractions: Have some fun at Pier Village boardwalk with shops and restaurants, Merry Go Round. Boardwalk extends 8.2 miles out and back, offering scenic views. Trail is great for walking, running and biking.

The kids will surely be entertained at the Pier Village Arcade, Boardwalk Fun N’ Games. Fun for all ages and skill levels featuring games, skeetball, crane games and an abundance of skill and chance games to win points for redemption. Take a ride by the sea in the unique and imaginative iconic Carousel. With hotels right on the beach, this makes a perfect weekend getaway.

  • July 4, 2026: Oceanfest, Long Branch
  • June - August, 2026: Sundays Bands by the Beach, West End Park, 7-8:30pm
  • July 12 - September 7, 2026: Bands on the Sand, West End Beach, 7-8:30pm
  • July 7 - September 1, 2026: Tuesdays on Broadway, Band Shell, 7-8:30pm
  • June 11 - September 3, 2026: Thursdays by the Sea, Great Lawn Stage, 7-8:30pm
  • June 21, 2026: Cruise to the Jersey Shore Car Show, 9am-3pm
  • August 15, 2026: West End Cruise Night and Classic Car Show, 6pm-10pm
  • August 29, 2026: Long Branch Jazz & Blues Festival, 1:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Exit 102 Bradley Beach

Bring the sand toys. Bradley Beach is a family friendly shore town with pristine beaches, perfect for swimming, surfing, and sunning. Lifeguards on duty. Daily beach fee for ages 13+. 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 - August 2026: Saturday Night Summer Concert Series at Riley Park

Exit 102 Ocean Grove

New Jersey's finest year-round family seashore resort with one square mile of natural beauty. Experience Ocean Grove’s vibrant 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. Daily beach fee for ages 12+. No beach badge fee for kids 11 & under.

  • June 13, 2026: Sand and Sea Arts Festival
  • July 18, 2026 : Summer Stroll Art Show

Exit 98 Belmar

Clean, safe, fun, family friendly beaches at Belmar NJ. 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. Daily beach fee for ages 14+. No beach fee for kids 13 & under.

  • June - August 2026: Friday Night Concert Series, 6pm Pyanoe Plaza
  • July - August 2026: Movies on the Beach, at dusk, 7th Ave Beach

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, playgrounds, and music. Lifeguards on duty. Beach fee for ages 13+. No beach fee for kids 12 & under. Attractions: Visit The Silver Ball Museum Arcade, houses 200+ vintage arcade games and pinball machines. Kids can get wet at the Asbury Splash Park.

Exit 98 Spring Lake

Enjoy a 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. Spring Lake is a quaint town with Victorian mansions, bed and breakfasts, cute shops and restaurants. Food, outdoor showers, and restrooms. Daily beach fee for ages 14+. No beach fee for kids 13 & under.

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. Beach Fees for ages 12+. No beach fee for children 12 & under.

Exit 98 Manasquan

Manasquan is home to 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. Beach fee for ages 12+. No beach fee for children 11 & under.

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. Daily beach fee for ages 13+. No beach fee for kids 12 & under.

  • July 2026: Brick Township’s Summerfest Concerts at 7:00 pm, Windward Beach Park. Fireworks after each concert.

Exit 98 or 82 to Lavalette and Ortley Beaches

Lavalette and Ortley both are family friendly beaches with little beach towns, perfect to escape the crowds of Seaside Heights and Point Pleasant. Lavalette is one of the nicest beach communities on the Barnegat Peninsula. You'll find a quaint beach town away from the hustle of the larger beaches with commercial boardwalks. Enjoy a stroll through its mile long non-commercial boardwalk, and ready access to the ocean beach and the Barnegat Bay Shoreline. It's a small beach town with plenty of places to shops and eat in town. The beach meets the bay within 2-4 blocks depending on where you are.

Next town over is Ortley Beach, an unincorporated community located within Toms River. It's a nice, clean beach, less fancy than its neighboring Lavalette but still has much of the same charm. The Surf Club beach has snack bars, showers and there is a great playground on the bay side. Daily Lavalette beach fee for ages 12+. Children 11 years and under are free. Daily Ortley beach fees for ages 13+. Children 12 years and under are free.

  • July - August 2026: Lavalette Tuesday Night Movies on the Bay, at dusk
  • Late June - Early September 2026: Sunday Concert Series, Lavalette, 7PM

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.  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. Daily & weekly beach fee. No beach tag fee for kids 11 & under.

  • July - August 2026: Sunday Movies on the Beach in Seaside Heights, at dusk
  • June - August 2026: Monday Night Summer Concert Series, 7:30pm at Franklin Ave Stage

Exit 63 Long Beach Island - LBI

Long Beach Island 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, Fantasy Island Amusement Park. Fees vary for each beach. No badge fee for children 11 & under.

Exit 40 Brigantine

Relax on pristine white sandy beaches at Brigantine Beach. Go swimming in the ocean, try sport fishing, boating, or surfing. Lifeguards on duty. Attractions: Shark Park Playground, Putt Putt Paradise Mini Golf, Marine Mammal Stranding Center, Brigantine Lighthouse, and Brigantine Beach Historical Museum. ADA compliant beach mats for accessibility at select beaches. Daily beach fees for ages 12+.

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. Beach Fees for ages 12+: daily and weekly. No beach fee for kids 11 & under. Attractions: Playland’s Castaway Cove, OC Water Park, Jilly's Arcade, boardwalk, and mini-golf.

  • July - August 2026: Funtastic Tuesdays, 10am-1pm on Asbury Ave. Face Painters, Balloon Sculptors.
  • July - August 2026: Family Nights Wednesdays, 7pm-9pm between 6th St -14th St, Entertainment, music & more!

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. Fees: daily and weekly for ages 12+. No beach tag fee for kids 11 & under. Free beach days on Wednesdays.  Activities: biking, inline skating, sailing lessons, family fun nights, Teen Night at Excursion Park, and more!

  • June - September 2026: Free Concerts Under the Stars, Saturdays at Excursion Park, 7:30pm-9:30pm.

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, Steel Pier amusement center, Outlet Shopping.

  • June - August 2026: Atlantic City Wednesday Night Concert Series, 7pm, Kennedy Plaza

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. Beach fees for ages 12+: daily, weekly.

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, Ed’s Funcade, Mini-Golf, Doo Wop Museum.

  • July - August 2026: Crest Arts Pavilion Family Entertainment, 7pm, 6301 Ocean Ave, Wildwood Crest, featuring kids friendly shows and performers
  • June - August 2026: Friday Night Fireworks, Wildwoods Boardwalk
  • June - August 2026: Thursday Night Music in the Plaza, 7:30pm-9pm. Bring chairs or blankets and enjoy the sounds of summer. Byrne Plaza in downtown Wildwood

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 are miles of beautiful clean powdery beaches. Go swimming near life guard stations. Beach tag fee for ages 12+. No beach 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.

Read Guide to the top NJ Boardwalks that are perfect for families and kids.
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