The Jersey Shore is lovely! It’s a world-famous vacation destination, and each little town has something to offer visitors. It can be very crowded and expensive to visit in the middle of summer, when tourism peaks, but that shouldn’t stop you from getting to know these charming shore towns. Take a look at a few that are great to visit in the off-season.
- Cape May
Wikimedia Commons/Smallbones Cape May is a year-round resort town. While it is busiest in the summertime, the area around Congress Hall and the historic district are popular with visitors even in the dead of winter. It’s always a good time here - you can climb the lighthouse, visit the beach bunkers, and shop ’til you drop no matter when you come by. Cape May, NJ 08204, USA
- Brigantine
Wikimedia Commons/Bookfan Brigantine is a quiet Atlantic County town. It’s fun to visit in the off-season when the beach is empty. It’s also open to horseback riding from October through April, so you might see a few four-legged friends! Close proximity to Atlantic City means there are always lodging and dining options close by. Brigantine, NJ 08203, USA
- Asbury Park
Wikimedia Commons/Fred170 Visit Asbury Park any time of year to enjoy festivals, concerts, and quality time on the sand. They take Local Summer seriously here, and you’ll find that September is truly the best time to visit and have a whole lot of space to yourself. Asbury Park, NJ 07712, USA
- Ocean City
Facebook / Ocean City NJ Ocean City is one of those towns that captures your heart when you’re young - and then never lets go! Most of the boardwalk is closed during the off-season, but you can get Manco and Manco Pizza year round, and that’s really all you ever need. Ocean City, NJ, USA
- Long Beach Island
Wikimedia Commons/Cory Hauck LBI is an island full of residential homes, so you’ll find plenty of year-round restaurants and shops here. With so much coastline, too, it’s easy to find an empty spot on the beach and enjoy the cooler air. Long Beach Island, New Jersey, USA
- Highlands
Wikimedia Commons/Zeete Highlands is a bayshore town by the Navesink River. It’s also home to one of the best secret beaches - Black Fish Cove at Rocky Point. You’ll access this beach after hiking through Hartshorne Woods Park, one of the shore’s best kept secrets. Highlands, NJ 07732, USA
- Island Beach State Park
Facebook / Island Beach State Park Island Beach State Park is glorious on a warm winter day. This park is quiet and empty even in the middle of the busiest seasons, so if you visit in the off season, you’ll practically have it to yourself. Island Beach State Park, Lanoka Harbor, NJ 08734, USA
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Wikimedia Commons/Smallbones
Cape May is a year-round resort town. While it is busiest in the summertime, the area around Congress Hall and the historic district are popular with visitors even in the dead of winter. It’s always a good time here - you can climb the lighthouse, visit the beach bunkers, and shop ’til you drop no matter when you come by.
Cape May, NJ 08204, USA
Wikimedia Commons/Bookfan
Brigantine is a quiet Atlantic County town. It’s fun to visit in the off-season when the beach is empty. It’s also open to horseback riding from October through April, so you might see a few four-legged friends! Close proximity to Atlantic City means there are always lodging and dining options close by.
Brigantine, NJ 08203, USA
Wikimedia Commons/Fred170
Visit Asbury Park any time of year to enjoy festivals, concerts, and quality time on the sand. They take Local Summer seriously here, and you’ll find that September is truly the best time to visit and have a whole lot of space to yourself.
Asbury Park, NJ 07712, USA
Facebook / Ocean City NJ
Ocean City is one of those towns that captures your heart when you’re young - and then never lets go! Most of the boardwalk is closed during the off-season, but you can get Manco and Manco Pizza year round, and that’s really all you ever need.
Ocean City, NJ, USA
Wikimedia Commons/Cory Hauck
LBI is an island full of residential homes, so you’ll find plenty of year-round restaurants and shops here. With so much coastline, too, it’s easy to find an empty spot on the beach and enjoy the cooler air.
Long Beach Island, New Jersey, USA
Wikimedia Commons/Zeete
Highlands is a bayshore town by the Navesink River. It’s also home to one of the best secret beaches - Black Fish Cove at Rocky Point. You’ll access this beach after hiking through Hartshorne Woods Park, one of the shore’s best kept secrets.
Highlands, NJ 07732, USA
Facebook / Island Beach State Park
Island Beach State Park is glorious on a warm winter day. This park is quiet and empty even in the middle of the busiest seasons, so if you visit in the off season, you’ll practically have it to yourself.
Island Beach State Park, Lanoka Harbor, NJ 08734, USA
