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Shore Towns

80 towns from Sandy Hook to Cape May Point

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Allenhurst

Monmouth County · Ocean

A compact residential borough with historic homes, quiet beach blocks, and a strong preservation-minded identity.

ExclusivePrivate Beach Club

Asbury Park

Monmouth County · Ocean

Asbury Park is the Shore's music-and-nightlife town, the one that pulls a different crowd than the family beaches nearby.

BoardwalkNightlife

Avon-by-the-Sea

Monmouth County · Ocean

Avon-by-the-Sea is one of the North Shore's small, quiet residential beach towns, a borough of under two thousand people set between Sylvan Lake and the Shark River inlet.

Belmar

Monmouth County · Ocean

Belmar is the busy, youth-heavy beach town on the south side of the Shark River inlet, the loud middle between quieter Avon and Spring Lake.

BoardwalkNightlife

Bradley Beach

Monmouth County · Ocean

Bradley Beach is the small, family-first stretch of the Monmouth coast between Avon and Ocean Grove, known less for any single attraction than for being calmer than the towns around it.

LGBTQ-FriendlyWalkable

Brielle

Monmouth County · River

Brielle is a small, residential borough on the north bank of the Manasquan River in southern Monmouth County, just up from the inlet at Point Pleasant Beach and Manasquan.

Deal

Monmouth County · Ocean

Deal is a small, affluent beachfront borough in Monmouth County, between Long Branch and Asbury Park.

ExclusiveQuiet

Eatontown

Monmouth County

An inland Monmouth County borough known for shopping centers, Fort Monmouth redevelopment, and its location between Long Branch, Ocean Township, and Red Bank.

Fair Haven

Monmouth County · River

A small residential borough along the Navesink River known for boating, tree-lined streets, and a quiet downtown atmosphere.

RiverUpscale

Lake Como

Monmouth County · Ocean

A small borough between Belmar and Spring Lake Heights that functions largely as part of the greater Belmar beach and nightlife area.

Loch Arbour

Monmouth County · Ocean

One of New Jersey's smallest municipalities, tucked between Allenhurst and Deal Lake.

TinyQuiet

Long Branch

Monmouth County · Ocean

Long Branch is an oceanfront city in Monmouth County and one of the more developed beachfronts on the northern Shore.

BoardwalkDining

Manasquan

Monmouth County · Ocean

A beach town at the southern end of Monmouth County, bordered by the Manasquan Inlet and known for surfing, fishing, and a strong local identity.

InletSurfing

Monmouth Beach

Monmouth County · Ocean

A primarily residential beach borough between Sea Bright and Long Branch, with a quieter pace centered around the ocean, river, and private beach clubs.

OceanQuiet

Neptune City

Monmouth County

A small borough just inland from Bradley Beach and Avon-by-the-Sea, connected closely to Shark River and the surrounding beach communities.

Ocean Grove

Monmouth County · Ocean

A historic seaside community founded as a Methodist camp meeting town in the late 19th century.

VictorianHistoric

Oceanport

Monmouth County · River

A small borough along the Shrewsbury River known for Monmouth Park Racetrack, waterfront neighborhoods, and the ongoing redevelopment of Fort Monmouth.

RiverMonmouth Park Racetrack

Red Bank

Monmouth County · River

One of the Shore region's most prominent downtowns, known for restaurants, theaters, nightlife, shopping, and NJ Transit rail access.

DiningNightlife

Rumson

Monmouth County · River

An affluent riverfront borough between the Navesink and Shrewsbury rivers known for large homes, boating culture, and quiet residential streets.

RiverUpscale

Sea Bright

Monmouth County · Ocean

A 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.

OceanNJ Transit Adjacent

Sea Girt

Monmouth County · Ocean

Sea Girt is a small, affluent, almost entirely residential beach borough in Monmouth County, between Spring Lake and Manasquan.

UpscaleQuiet

Spring Lake

Monmouth County · Ocean

A quiet residential beach town known for its long noncommercial boardwalk, Victorian homes, and slower pace.

UpscaleQuiet

Spring Lake Heights

Monmouth County

A residential borough just west of Spring Lake and Sea Girt, known for quiet neighborhoods, local businesses, and proximity to the beach communities nearby.

InlandNJ Transit

Wall Township

Monmouth County

A large township bordering Belmar, Spring Lake, Manasquan, and the inland western sections of Monmouth County.

West Long Branch

Monmouth County

A small residential borough inland from Long Branch and Monmouth Beach, known for Monmouth University, tree-lined neighborhoods, and proximity to the oceanfront communities nearby.

Barnegat Bay

17 towns

Point Pleasant

Ocean County · River

A riverfront and bayfront borough neighboring Point Pleasant Beach and Brielle.

Point Pleasant Beach

Ocean County · Ocean

Point 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.

BoardwalkFamily-Friendly

Bay Head

Ocean County · Ocean

Bay Head is the quiet, old-money end of the northern Shore, a small residential borough where the appeal is what it doesn't have.

Family-FriendlyQuiet

Beachwood

Ocean County · Bay

Beachwood is a small residential borough in Ocean County, set along the Toms River where it widens toward Barnegat Bay.

Berkeley Township

Ocean County · Bay

A large Ocean County township stretching from inland Pine Barrens areas to barrier-island communities near Seaside Park and South Seaside Park.

Island Beach State Park

Ocean County · Ocean

A protected barrier-island landscape south of Seaside Park, known for undeveloped beaches, dunes, surf fishing, birding, and bay-side access.

State ParkNature

Island Heights

Ocean County · Bay

Island Heights is a Victorian borough on the north bank of the Toms River, near where it meets Barnegat Bay.

Lacey Township

Ocean County · Bay

Lacey Township is a large, mainland township on the western shore of Barnegat Bay in Ocean County, made up mainly of the communities of Forked River and Lanoka Harbor.

Lavallette

Ocean County · Ocean

Lavallette is the quiet borough between the Shore's louder towns: a small, walkable beach community on the Barnegat Peninsula, surrounded by Toms River's sections and a short drive north of Seaside Heights.

Family-FriendlyQuiet

Mantoloking

Ocean County · Ocean

Mantoloking is a small, intensely private barrier-island borough on the Barnegat Peninsula, sitting between Bay Head and the Brick Township beaches with the ocean on one side and Barnegat Bay on the other.

ExclusiveQuiet

Ocean Gate

Ocean County · Bay

A small borough on the Toms River known for its waterfront boardwalk, beach area, parks, and quiet residential atmosphere.

Ortley Beach

Ocean County · Ocean

Ortley Beach is Toms River's beach: a small, residential, rental-heavy strip of the barrier island between Seaside Heights and Lavallette.

OceanPart of Toms River

Pine Beach

Ocean County · Bay

A quiet residential borough along the Toms River known for waterfront homes, parks, and tree-lined neighborhoods.

Seaside Heights

Ocean County · Ocean

Seaside Heights is the Shore's loud, neon boardwalk town, the one most outsiders picture when they think Jersey Shore.

BoardwalkNightlife

Seaside Park

Ocean County · Ocean

If 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.

QuietNear Seaside Heights

Toms River

Ocean County · Bay

Toms River is the seat of Ocean County and one of the largest, most sprawling townships on the Shore, set on the mainland where the river meets Barnegat Bay.

BayShopping

Barnegat Township

Ocean County · Bay

A mainland township along Barnegat Bay known for suburban neighborhoods, marinas, parks, and access to the southern Ocean County shore region.

LBI

7 towns

Absecon

Atlantic County · Bay

A mainland city west of Atlantic City known for residential neighborhoods, rail access, older commercial corridors, and proximity to the casinos and beaches nearby.

Atlantic City

Free

Atlantic County · Ocean

"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.

Free BeachBoardwalk

Brigantine

Atlantic County · Ocean

Minutes 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.

Near ACQuiet

Galloway Township

Atlantic County · Bay

A large mainland township north of Atlantic City known for suburban neighborhoods, wooded areas, Stockton University, and proximity to the marshes and bayfront landscapes surrounding the Atlantic County coast.

Longport

Atlantic County · Ocean

The quiet southern end of Absecon Island, with limited commercial activity, wide beaches, and a heavily residential feel.

Near ACQuiet

Margate

Atlantic County · Ocean

A Downbeach town known for Lucy the Elephant, residential beach blocks, restaurants, and a strong summer-home culture.

Near ACLucy the Elephant

Northfield

Atlantic County

A small mainland city between Atlantic City and Somers Point known for residential neighborhoods, local businesses, and convenient access to the Shore destinations nearby.

Port Republic

Atlantic County · Bay

A small historic city along the Mullica River known for wooded surroundings, marsh landscapes, and strong ties to the Pine Barrens and Great Egg Harbor estuary region.

Ventnor City

Atlantic County · Ocean

A residential beach city just south of Atlantic City, sharing the same barrier island but with a quieter pace.

Near ACQuiet

Avalon

Cape May County · Ocean

The northern half of Seven Mile Island, known for quiet beaches, high-end homes, polished retail, and a restrained resort atmosphere.

Family-FriendlyUpscale

Cape May

Cape May County · Ocean

Cape May is the Shore's Victorian town: a National Historic Landmark at the southern tip of New Jersey, known for blocks of preserved nineteenth-century houses, a walkable downtown on the Washington Street Mall, and wide Atlantic beaches.

VictorianFamily-Friendly

Cape May Point

Cape May County · Mixed

A 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.

QuietNature

Lower Township

Cape May County · Bay

The Cape May area is sprawling, much befitting an area that shares a name with a County.

BayCape May Ferry

Middle Township

Cape May County · Mixed

A large mainland Cape May County township that surrounds the inland side of Stone Harbor, Avalon, the Wildwoods, and North Wildwood.

North Wildwood

Free

Cape May County · Ocean

The 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.

Free BeachBoardwalk

Ocean City

Cape May County · Ocean

Ocean City is the Shore's big family resort: a dry town built around a long boardwalk, amusement rides, downtown shopping on Asbury Avenue, and wide beaches.

BoardwalkFamily-Friendly

Sea Isle City

Cape May County · Ocean

A barrier-island town known for beaches, a concrete promenade, bayfront restaurants, fishing culture, and a lively summer bar scene.

Family-FriendlyFishing

Somers Point

Atlantic County

A bayfront city at the foot of the bridge to Ocean City, known for marinas, waterfront restaurants, bars, and live music venues.

Stone Harbor

Cape May County · Ocean

The southern half of Seven Mile Island, known for beaches, a walkable shopping district, nature areas, and a quieter upscale atmosphere.

Family-FriendlyUpscale

West Cape May

Cape May County · Bay

West Cape May is a small borough on Cape Island, just inland of Cape May City.

QuietNature

West Wildwood

Free

Cape May County · Bay

A small bayside borough west of Wildwood, separated from the oceanfront towns by back-bay water and reached by bridge.

Free BeachQuiet

Wildwood

Free

Cape May County · Ocean

The 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.

Free BeachBoardwalk

Wildwood Crest

Free

Cape May County · Ocean

Wildwood Crest is the southernmost of the three main Wildwoods.

Free BeachQuiet