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The Family Town

Where to take the kids on the Jersey Shore.

Methodology

Composite

Blends three signals: our editorial familyScore (50%) — what 141 Miles editors say about a town's family vibe, the count of family-friendly places per town (30%) — restaurants, mini-golf, arcades, ice cream, bowling, and parking ease (20%) — measured by parkingPainScore inverted (low pain = easier family day). Higher overall score = better family destination. Towns without an editorial familyScore are excluded.

#178.5

Ocean City

A large family-oriented beach town known for its dry-town identity, long boardwalk, amusement piers, downtown shopping, and wide beaches.

Visit Ocean City

56 more towns ranked

  1. #2WildwoodThe loudest and most amusement-driven of the Wildwoods, known for free beaches, a large boardwalk, Morey's Piers, waterparks, tram cars, motels, and summer events.68.5
  2. #3Wildwood CrestThe southernmost of the three main Wildwoods, known for free beaches, mid-century motel architecture, and a quieter family atmosphere than Wildwood proper.60.5
  3. #4Point Pleasant BeachPoint Pleasant Beach is the quintessential family-friendly anchor of the northern Jersey Shore, home to Jenkinson's, the family name now synonymous with the town's boardwalk empire.60.0
  4. #5Stone HarborThe southern half of Seven Mile Island, known for beaches, a walkable shopping district, nature areas, and a quieter upscale atmosphere.59.5
  5. #6LavalletteLavallette is a small town directly adjacent to Toms River and Seaside Heights, two larger towns that have much more hustle and bustle.58.5
  6. #7Fair HavenA small residential borough along the Navesink River known for boating, tree-lined streets, and a quiet downtown atmosphere.57.5
  7. #8MargateA Downbeach town known for Lucy the Elephant, residential beach blocks, restaurants, and a strong summer-home culture.57.5
  8. #9BrigantineMinutes form Atlantic City, but miles away in terms of pace, Brigantine is renowned for its chill vibes and sparsely packed beaches, an ideal destination for families and those looking for slower pace in Atlantic City.55.5
  9. #10Cape MayThe Cape May area is sprawling, much befitting an area that shares a name with a County.55.0
  10. #11Sea Isle CityA barrier-island town known for beaches, a concrete promenade, bayfront restaurants, fishing culture, and a lively summer bar scene.55.0
  11. #12AvalonThe northern half of Seven Mile Island, known for quiet beaches, high-end homes, polished retail, and a restrained resort atmosphere.54.5
  12. #13Beach HavenA charming town on Long Beach Island, Beach Haven offers plenty to those who want family attractions combined with costal beauty.54.0
  13. #14Surf CityA central LBI borough with a balanced mix of residential blocks, small businesses, beach access, and casual restaurants.53.0
  14. #15Toms RiverCompared to other towns in the area, Toms River is a bit more sprawling.51.5
  15. #16HolmdelAn affluent inland Monmouth County township known for parks, large residential neighborhoods, Bell Works, and the PNC Bank Arts Center.51.0
  16. #17Lower TownshipThe Cape May area is sprawling, much befitting an area that shares a name with a County.51.0
  17. #18RumsonAn affluent riverfront borough between the Navesink and Shrewsbury rivers known for large homes, boating culture, and quiet residential streets.51.0
  18. #19KeansburgA Bayshore borough on Raritan Bay known for its boardwalk, amusement rides, fishing pier, and working-class beach-town history.50.5
  19. #20OceanportA small borough along the Shrewsbury River known for Monmouth Park Racetrack, waterfront neighborhoods, and the ongoing redevelopment of Fort Monmouth.50.5
  20. #21Spring Lake HeightsA residential borough just west of Spring Lake and Sea Girt, known for quiet neighborhoods, local businesses, and proximity to the beach communities nearby.50.5
  21. #22Sea GirtA residential beach borough known for its lighthouse, quiet beachfront, and limited commercial development.50.0
  22. #23Ship BottomThe gateway town to Long Beach Island, where traffic from the Route 72 causeway first reaches the beach.49.5
  23. #24Harvey CedarsA small LBI borough with a residential, family-oriented atmosphere and limited commercial development.49.0
  24. #25LongportThe quiet southern end of Absecon Island, with limited commercial activity, wide beaches, and a heavily residential feel.49.0
  25. #26West Cape MayA small borough just west of Cape May City with a quieter, more residential and agricultural feel.49.0
  26. #27North WildwoodThe northern section of the Wildwoods, known for free beaches, the inlet, the seawall, Hereford Inlet Lighthouse, and a strong bar and restaurant scene around Olde New Jersey Avenue.47.5
  27. #28West WildwoodA small bayside borough west of Wildwood, separated from the oceanfront towns by back-bay water and reached by bridge.47.5
  28. #29Barnegat LightThe northernmost borough on Long Beach Island, known for Barnegat Lighthouse, the inlet, commercial fishing, and a quieter year-round feel than the busier parts of the island.47.0
  29. #30Monmouth BeachA primarily residential beach borough between Sea Bright and Long Branch, with a quieter pace centered around the ocean, river, and private beach clubs.47.0
  30. #31Ventnor CityA residential beach city just south of Atlantic City, sharing the same barrier island but with a quieter pace.47.0
  31. #32Atlantic HighlandsFor many New Yorkers, Atlantic Highlands is the quickest (or less stressful) way to get to the Shore.46.5
  32. #33AberdeenA large suburban township in western Monmouth County with commuter rail access, shopping corridors, and residential neighborhoods stretching toward the Bayshore region.46.0
  33. #34HazletA suburban township in northern Monmouth County with strong transportation access to both the Bayshore and New York City.46.0
  34. #35Avon-by-the-SeaA small residential beach town bordered by Sylvan Lake to the north and the Shark River inlet to the south.45.0
  35. #36Seaside ParkIf you find yourself in Seaside Heights, you're probably looking to do one of a couple of things, depending on whether you have kids in tow or not.45.0
  36. #37Spring LakeA quiet residential beach town known for its long noncommercial boardwalk, Victorian homes, and slower pace.45.0
  37. #38Bradley BeachA compact beach borough with a traditional Main Street, small boardwalk, and a family-oriented atmosphere.44.5
  38. #39Long BranchA beachfront city shaped by both historic resort history and modern redevelopment.44.5
  39. #40Bay HeadA quiet residential borough at the northern end of the Barnegat Peninsula, known for shingle-style homes, inns, a small commercial center, and a more restrained beach-town atmosphere.43.0
  40. #41ManasquanA beach town at the southern end of Monmouth County, bordered by the Manasquan Inlet and known for surfing, fishing, and a strong local identity.43.0
  41. #42Ocean GroveA historic seaside community founded as a Methodist camp meeting town in the late 19th century.43.0
  42. #43Seaside HeightsIf you find yourself in Seaside Heights, you're probably looking to do one of a couple of things, depending on whether you have kids in tow or not.43.0
  43. #44Atlantic City"The World's Famous Playground" — Atlantic City, also known as the Las Vegas of the East and Monopoly City, is the East Coast's gaming and resort capital, drawing more than 27 million visitors a year.42.5
  44. #45BelmarA busy beach town built around the Shark River inlet, public beaches, fishing culture, and one of the stronger downtown bar and restaurant scenes in Monmouth County.42.5
  45. #46Red BankOne of the Shore region's most prominent downtowns, known for restaurants, theaters, nightlife, shopping, and NJ Transit rail access.42.5
  46. #47AllenhurstA compact residential borough with historic homes, quiet beach blocks, and a strong preservation-minded identity.42.0
  47. #48Asbury ParkOne of the cultural centers of the Jersey Shore, known for live music, nightlife, restaurants, and a year-round downtown scene.42.0
  48. #49Cape May PointA small borough at the southwestern tip of Cape May County, known for quiet streets, birding, state park access, and views around the lighthouse and Delaware Bay.42.0
  49. #50Island Beach State ParkA protected barrier-island landscape south of Seaside Park, known for undeveloped beaches, dunes, surf fishing, birding, and bay-side access.42.0
  50. #51DealA small, affluent beachfront borough north of Asbury Park known for large homes, private beach access, and a quiet residential atmosphere.40.0
  51. #52KeyportA small waterfront borough on Raritan Bay known for its marina, restaurants, fishing culture, and walkable downtown.40.0
  52. #53Loch ArbourOne of New Jersey's smallest municipalities, tucked between Allenhurst and Deal Lake.39.0
  53. #54Ortley BeachA Toms River beach community between Lavallette and Seaside Heights.38.0
  54. #55HighlandsA small bayshore borough at the entrance to Sandy Hook Bay with a working-waterfront identity and strong boating culture.37.0
  55. #56MantolokingA small, highly residential barrier-island borough between Bay Head and Brick Township.37.0
  56. #57Sea BrightA narrow barrier-island town between the ocean and the Shrewsbury River, known for beach clubs, waterfront restaurants, and one of the most compact geographies on the Shore.31.0

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