Point Pleasant Beach

In the 1870s, Captain John Arnold built Arnold Avenue, still a bustling thoroughfare today, lined with shops, restaurants, and antique dealers. When Charles Jenkinson arrived in the 1920s, he laid the foundation of the boardwalk that exists now.

Jenkinson's

The crown jewel of Point Pleasant Beach is Jenkinson's Boardwalk, which stands above most other Shore boardwalks for what it packs into a single accessible strip: rides, aquarium, arcades, mini golf, food, games, nightlife, and inlet access. It's an unusual setup, the experience feels like a public town boardwalk, but most of it is run by one private family-owned operator: beach, rides, aquarium, games, mini golf, food, and nightlife. Beach badges are required in season, with daily, weekly, and seasonal passes available.

Beyond the Boardwalk

Restaurant Row runs along Channel Drive, where the commercial fishing fleet docks and unloads each morning. For a slow-paced day, head to Fisherman's Memorial Park to watch the boats navigate the Manasquan Inlet. Slower still: the Downtown Antique District on Bay and Arnold Avenues, where the Antique Emporium gathers more than 40 independent dealers under one roof.

It's a wonderful destination for parents and grandparents who want a safe, clean, and highly active environment for children.