Dan Zarrow's Favorite 'Waves of WOW' at the Jersey Shore (2024)

New Jerseyans are so incredibly fortunate to live in an area that sees all four seasons over the course of the year. And let's be honest: Summer here is an especially magical time of year. As long as you don't mind a little bit of heat, the Garden State offers plenty to do for all ages.

Of course, there is one part of NJ that really comes alive during summertime. The Jersey Shore abounds with waves of WOW! Whether you consider yourself a glorified "beach bum" or not, there is plenty to see and do along our state's glorious coastline.

I am excited to share with you this curated list of "WOW" spots along the Jersey Shore. It's just a small sampling of the amazing sights and sensations of the Shore. Some of these are personal favorites, some are bucket list items. Hopefully you'll see some faves of yours and new places to try too. This article is part of a special series brought to you by the New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism.

Beach Yourself

Choosing which NJ beach to visit is like selecting a fine wine: It's all a matter of taste. It is a careful balance of distance, cost, popularity, parking availability, amenities, nearby attractions, and personality.

It is probably safe to say that most New Jerseyans already have a favorite spot to soak in the sun, sand, and surf. If you don't, or if you like to bounce around, I highly recommend VisitNJ.org's Find Your Perfect Beach guide.

Maybe a kid-friendly scene is of paramount importance to you. Then you might consider the drive south to Ocean City or The Wildwoods.

Looking for a quieter, more laid-back beach scene? Cape May's sprawling beaches or the charm of Spring Lake may be perfect.

There are some free beaches out there too, like Keansburg and Island Beach State Park.

If you go to the beach to be "seen," then you may like the more chic and trendy vibe at Atlantic City or Asbury Park.

Finally, surfers of all skill levels can catch serious waves around Manasquan and Belmar.

Scream Like a Kid

Amusem*nt parks and Jersey Shore seaside vibes go hand in hand. You have so many options if you're looking for some thrills and chills alongside your beach visit.

Small but mighty Keansburg Amusem*nt Park has been creating magical moments since 1904. Located right along the Raritan Bay, you'll be treated to great water views from their Sea Serpent and Looping Star roller coasters.

Drifting south to Point Pleasant Beach, Jenkinson's Boardwalk is a real hotspot of family fun and entertainment. They have all the classic rides you would expect from a seaside theme park, like a carousel, Ferris wheels, swings, and bumper cars. The Fun House is the best in New Jersey. And Jenks has two roller coasters on the boards: Shark Escape and Tidal Wave.

You might be surprised at just how many rides Casino Pier in Seaside Heights boasts nowadays. And some of them are real "big boy" rides. Hydrus is one of the best roller coasters in the state. Their Musik Express is the fastest I have ever seen. They also have a full selection of kiddie rides, games, food stalls, and arcades too. And don't sleep on Breakwater Beach — there are a ton of water rides packed into that inland block.

My family spends many summer days and summer nights at Fantasy Island Amusem*nt Park in Beach Haven, Long Beach Island. Their 18 rides range from the boats and the train for the little kids to Lighthouse Launch, Hang Ten, and the upcoming Sea Dragon's Revenge for the big kids. Celebrating their 40th anniversary in 2024, Fantasy Island also has a huge arcade that is open year-round.

Jutting out from the hustle and bustle of the Atlantic City Boardwalk is Steel Pier, which was built way back in 1897. Today it boasts over two dozen rides for all sizes, ages, and thrill levels. The Wheel is the premiere attraction, offering spectacular views of the Atlantic City skyline and beyond from 227 feet up.

In Ocean City, Playland's Castaway Cove is a sleeper favorite. They have a great variety of rides, including three roller coasters: Wild Waves, Whirlwind, and GaleForce. Just like most of the entries on this list, you can pay per ticket/ride. So you can decide just how brave you want to be!

And finally, the southernmost amusem*nt park in New Jersey is Morey's Piers in Wildwood. As the pluralized name suggests, it is actually a set of three parallel piers: Surfside, Mariner's, and Adventure. You really can not visit Wildwood without riding The Great White wooden roller coaster right on the beach.

Eat Your Face Off

After a long day of building sandcastles, riding the waves, or working on your tan, you sure can work up an appetite. Luckily, the Jersey Shore has hundreds of dining options from which to choose, borrowing from all styles and cuisines.

Asbury Park is a thriving hotspot for meals at any time of day. Right on the Boardwalk, you can grab a great meal at Robinson Ale House, Tim McLoone's Supper Club, or Iron Whale. There's also Asbury Oyster Bar, located right inside (and outside) the legendary Asbury Park Convention Hall. For even more eats, walk about seven blocks inland to "downtown" Asbury. My personal choice: Mutiny BBQ Company. (Tell Tom, the owner/pitmaster, I said hello!)

Long Beach Island, for only being a few blocks wide from ocean to bay, has a huge variety of restaurants to enjoy. From casual stops like the infamous Chicken or the Egg, Burger 25, and Barry's Do Me a Flavor to fancier date night stops like Salt Kitchen & Bar, Buckalews, and Engleside Inn.

Atlantic City is a growing mecca of world-class food. My family and I have had great steaks at Old Causeway in Borgata, Dougherty's Steakhouse & Raw Bar in Resorts, and Chart House at Golden Nugget. You can also play fanboy or fangirl at your favorite celebrity chef's eatery, likeGuy Fieri's Chophouse at Bally's, Gordon Ramsay's Hell's Kitchen at Caesars, Bobby Flay's Bobby's Burgers at Harrah's, or Jose Garces' Amada at Ocean Resort Casino.

At the southern tip of New Jersey, Cape May is full of charming places to eat while strolling the Victorian-era town. The seafood does not get much fresher than at The Lobster House or SeaSalt Restaurant. There are plenty of casual eateries, ice cream shops, and quick bites between the oceanfront and Washington Street Mall. Or you can plan a special dinner at Washington Inn or Tisha's Fine Dining.

Stay-cate

Picture this: Instead of getting your car all sandy and salty and enduring a long drive home after a day on the beach, you just walk back to your private hotel suite and relax.

Jersey Shore hotels and motels are abundant.You might find summer staycation deals in the shoulder seasons or on weekdays, which are slightly less in demand.

If you are looking to really splurge on a Jersey Shore getaway, here are five posh suggestions:

• Wave Resort, Long Branch: Opened in 2019, with easy beach access and adjacent to the stores and restaurants of Pier Village.
• Asbury Ocean Club, Asbury Park: Just one block inland from the Asbury Park Boardwalk, they offer luxury amenities including a world-class spa and impressive pool deck.
• Hotel LBI, Ship Bottom: Greeting visitors to Long Beach Island, the rooftop bar offers 360-degree views of the island, the causeway, the bay and the ocean. The rooms are swanky, and you can borrow beach chairs, badges, and toys for the short walk down to the ocean.
• Tropicana, Atlantic City: There are a ton of hotel options along the iconic Atlantic City Boardwalk. I decided to highlight Tropicana here because it is newly renovated and expanded. The Trop is also a little quieter, down at the southern end of the city. They also have a fantastic dining, entertainment, and shopping area called The Quarter. Plus an IMAX Theater and 2,000-seat Tropicana Showroom.
• ICONA Diamond Beach:Diamond Beach is a section of Lower Township in Cape May County, nestled between Wildwood Crest and the Cape May Wildlife Refuge. The hotel itself is a standard upscale seaside resort, similar to the others on this list. But there is one amenity that stands alone: One of the only "private" beaches in the state of New Jersey.