10 Best Things to Do on the Jersey Shore

The Silverball Pinball Museum in Asbury Park is a quirky and unique museum dedicated to pinball and video games. The museum is home to over 600 games that are rotated throughout the year, so you’ll always find your sentimental favourites ready for your highest score.

Along with the games, the museum also has a gallery of pinball backglass artwork, photography, a gift shop, and many charitable events throughout the year. If you really enjoy playing pinball and want to bring the fun home, some games are available for purchase at the museum.

Cape May County Park & Zoo is a free zoo with a collection of over 550 animals spanning 85 acres. The zoo has several habitat zones housing different species, including an African savannah, an aviary, and a reptile house. Some of the notable animals at the zoo include bald eagles, ostriches, and snow leopards.

For children, the zoo also has a train ride that travels through the zoo and a carousel featuring some of the animal species instead of the traditional horses.

The Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge is a massive area on the Atlantic coast in Atlantic City that protects over 40,000 acres of coastal habitats and tidal wetlands. Shorebirds, wading birds, and geese are among the important species protected by the marine protected area, along with the rare piping plover.

The area is great for birdwatching, but parts of the wilderness area don't allow public access. You can hike in the refuge using one of the trails that travel along dams.

Ocean Grove Beach is a pristine beach that features quiet dunes and gentle surf in Ocean Grove. The beach is a popular spot on the Jersey Shore for sunbathing and swimming, but you can also bring your dog in the offseason and enjoy some hiking among the dunes.

In the summer, Ocean Grove Beach hosts many activities, such as sandcastle contests, movie nights, and athletic events for the whole family to enjoy. Nearby, the traditional boardwalk offers eateries serving delicious meals and snacks, alongside quirky shopping, seaside amusements, and accommodation.

Jenkinson’s Aquarium on Jenkinson’s Boardwalk at Point Pleasant Beach is an exciting aquatic facility that’s great for a day of family fun on the Jersey Shore. The aquarium is home to many global marine and freshwater species, such as Pacific harbour seals, Atlantic and Pacific shark species, coral reef specimens, African penguins, and alligators.

The exhibits offer fun facts and information about the animals, but you can learn more with educational programming and demonstrations. For adults, the aquarium hosts workshops for teaching and scout groups for in-depth information.

Barnegat Lighthouse State Park is a must-visit spot on your trip to the Jersey Shore. Located on the northern tip of Long Beach Island, Barnegat Lighthouse State Park and its namesake historic lighthouse were an important historical navigation point for ships coming into New York Harbor.

The park is part of the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail, and the lighthouse provides some of the best views of the coast, Island Beach, Barnegat Bay, and Long Beach Island. Fishing and picnicking are also popular in the area.

North Wildwood Beach is one of the most popular beach resort areas on the Jersey Shore and boasts wide, white-sand beaches with gentle surf. Families flock to the area for safe swimming and fun in the sun, as well as for the excitement of the boardwalk amusements and arcades.

Saltwater fishing is also popular on North Wildwood Beach. One of the highlights of the area is the historic Hereford Inlet Lighthouse, a quaint Victorian lighthouse that offers spectacular coastal views.

Casino Pier is a fun-filled amusement park on the pier in Seaside Heights. The park has many different rides, including kiddie rides and rollercoasters, as well as games, concession stands, and other activities.

Some of the highlights of the amusement park include a miniature golf course, a chairlift, a go-kart track, an arcade, and a historic antique carousel. Casino Pier also has the Breakwater Beach water park with rides, pools, and slides for cooling off on a hot day.

The Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum is an exciting attraction in the Cape May Airport that’s home to a vast collection of military aircraft. Most of the museum’s aircraft collection focuses on World War II planes, but it also has military aircraft from the Cold War, Korean War, Vietnam War, and the post-Cold War period.

Some of the notable aircraft on display include the Bell AH-1 Cobra, the General Dynamics F-16B Fighting Falcon, the Grumman F-14B Tomcat, and the Douglas A-4A Skyhawk. You can also see a replica of a V-2 rocket.

Belmar Parasail is the place to go if you want a little adventure on your trip to the Jersey Shore. This tour operator offers parasailing adventures that take you soaring 500 feet above the Atlantic Ocean to take in the views of the coast and sea life.

Parasailing is a unique experience that combines the sensations of sailing, gliding, and parachuting all in one, and you can choose to make the ride a little more fun by being dipped in the water. All ages can enjoy parasailing to experience a little excitement on the trip.