Jersey Shore facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Jersey Shore

Barnegat Lighthouse Driscoll Bridge Count Basie Center for the Arts Sandy Hook Light Main Street in Fair Haven Sunrise at Spring Lake Paramount Theatre and Asbury Park Convention Hall in Asbury Park Jenkinson's Boardwalk on Point Pleasant Beach Tropicana Casino & Resort in Atlantic City Atlantic City International Airport Ocean City Boardwalk Sunset from Sunset Beach at Cape May Point
Continent	North America
Region	Northeastern United States
Coordinates	39°45′48″N 74°06′23″W / 39.7632°N 74.1064°W / 39.7632; -74.1064
Coastline	141 mi (227 km)
Highest point	Mount Mitchill
Lowest point	Atlantic Ocean
Longest river	Raritan River
Largest lake	Manasquan Reservoir
Climate	Humid subtropical climate
Terrain	Atlantic Coastal Plain
Natural resources	Atlantic Ocean
Exclusive economic zone	Atlantic City

The Jersey Shore, often called simply the Shore, is the beautiful coastal area of New Jersey. It stretches about 141 miles (227 km) along the Atlantic Ocean. This area goes from Perth Amboy in the north to Cape May Point in the south. It includes several counties in the central and southern parts of the state.

The Jersey Shore is famous for its wide sandy beaches. It also has many boardwalks with fun arcades, amusement parks, and water parks. It's a very popular place for vacations. People come from New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Delaware, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania. Because New Jersey is a peninsula, you can see both the sunrise and sunset over the water from different spots along the Shore.

In 2012, Hurricane Sandy caused a lot of damage to the northern Jersey Shore. Many areas were rebuilt, becoming even nicer. This made property values go up.

Exploring Famous Shore Towns

The Jersey Shore has over 40 towns and communities. Each one has its own special feel. Many towns are great for summer tourists. Others are becoming places where people live all year. The towns below are listed from north to south.

Middlesex County Shore Spots

The Amboys: History and Waterfront Fun

Arthur Kill, a water channel along the Perth Amboy waterfront area.

Perth Amboy and South Amboy are known as The Amboys. Perth Amboy was a popular resort town in the past. It has been redeveloped since the 1990s. New parks, a promenade, and an expanded marina now line the bay. You can visit the Perth Amboy Ferry Slip and Kearny Cottage. The Raritan Yacht Club is one of the oldest in the U.S. A new ferry service from South Amboy connects to Manhattan.

Laurence Harbor: Parks and Bay Views

The rocky Raritan Bayshore of Cliffwood Beach.

Laurence Harbor is a community in Old Bridge. From here, you can see parts of New York City. This includes Staten Island and the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. On a clear night, you might even spot the Empire State Building.

Laurence Harbor has the Old Bridge Waterfront Park. It has a new boardwalk that opened in 2002. This park is great for fishing because it has three jetties reaching into Raritan Bay. It's also popular for jogging and dog walking. You can swim at the bay beach and use the bathrooms and showers.

Monmouth County Coastal Gems

A train arriving at Middletown station in Middletown.

Union Beach: A Bayshore Community

Union Beach is a small town on the North Shore of Monmouth County. It's part of a plan to make the area's economy stronger. This plan focuses on downtowns, neighborhoods, maritime history, and the natural beauty of the Raritan Bayshore.

Keansburg: Amusement Park Fun

Keansburg was a popular summer spot for people from New York City in the early 1900s. They would take steamboats across the bay. The Keansburg Amusement Park, which started in 1904, has grown a lot. It now includes a water park called Runaway Rapids.

Atlantic Highlands: High Views and Ferry Rides

SeaStreak ferry crossing Raritan Bay.

Atlantic Highlands offers amazing views. It overlooks where the Atlantic Ocean and Raritan Bay meet. Here you'll find Mount Mitchill, the highest point on the eastern coast south of Maine. It rises 266 feet (81 m) above sea level.

You can see the Manhattan skyline from the town's hills and shoreline. Its harbor, built in the late 1930s, is the largest on the East Coast. Pleasure boats, fishing boats, and commuter ferries leave from here.

SeaStreak Ferry: Connecting to the City

Atlantic Highlands is home to the high-speed SeaStreak ferry service. This ferry takes people to New York City. It also offers fun sightseeing trips. Many people from the Jersey Shore use it to visit other places. New Yorkers also take it to get to Atlantic Highlands and Sandy Hook Beach.

Sandy Hook: Nature and History

Sandy Hook is a long, narrow strip of land. Most of it is a natural area managed by the National Park Service. Its ocean-facing side has public beaches and fishing spots. It's a popular summer destination.

At the northern end, you'll find the Sandy Hook Lighthouse. This area also has the Marine Academy of Science and Technology. You can also see the old buildings of Fort Hancock, a former United States Army base.

Red Bank: Arts, Shops, and River Activities

Downtown Red Bank.

Red Bank is a lively town on the Navesink River. It's known for its unique shops, restaurants, and parks. It's also a center for art. You can visit the Count Basie Theatre and several art galleries. Festivals like the Red Bank Jazz & Blues Festival bring many visitors.

Fun outdoor activities include Boating, sculling, sailing, and fishing. In winter, when the Navesink River freezes, you might even see ice boats.

Oceanport: Horse Racing Excitement

Pier Village along the Long Branch oceanfront.

Monmouth Park Racetrack in Oceanport.

Oceanport is a community on the Shrewsbury River. It's home to Monmouth Park Racetrack. This is one of the oldest thoroughbred racing tracks in the country.

The original track opened in 1870 to bring more tourists to the Shore. It was known for its excellent racing. Today, it's still a popular place to watch horse races. The Haskell Invitational Stakes is a big race held here every August.

Long Branch: Historic Resort to Modern Fun

Long Branch became a resort town in the late 1700s. It had grand hotels and theaters. Seven U.S. presidents visited the city. Its popularity changed after World War II. In 1987, a big fire destroyed the town's pier and amusement park.

In 2005, Pier Village opened. This is a modern area with shops and homes. It has a public grassy area called Festival Plaza. Here, you can enjoy concerts, craft fairs, and outdoor movies. Long Branch is also famous for its hot dog restaurants, like Max's Famous Hotdogs and WindMill Hot Dogs.

Allenhurst: Historic Homes by the Sea

The town of Allenhurst is known for its beautiful historic homes. These homes are near the Atlantic Ocean. The area is recognized for its important historical architectural significance.

Asbury Park: Music, Art, and Rebirth

A Tillie mural on the Wonder Bar in Asbury Park.

Asbury Park's boardwalk.

The Jersey Shore in Ocean Grove, with the Asbury Park skyline in the background.

Asbury Park was a popular resort in the 1920s and 30s. The Paramount Theatre and Asbury Park Convention Hall attracted many tourists. Later, the city's music scene became famous. Artists like Bruce Springsteen and Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes started at places like Asbury Lanes and The Stone Pony. These artists helped create a type of rock and roll called the Jersey Shore sound.

A popular amusement complex, Palace Amusements, closed in 1988. Its famous "Tillie" murals were saved. Since the early 2000s, artists and leaders have helped rebuild Asbury Park. It still has a lively music scene with venues like The Saint. Events like the Garden State Film Festival also draw visitors.

Ocean Grove: A Historic Tent Community

Ocean Grove started in 1869 as a summer camp meeting site. Today, it's known for its many examples of Victorian architecture. It has The Great Auditorium, a large wooden building from 1894. The Auditorium has a huge pipe organ, one of the 20 largest in the world.

Around the Auditorium are 114 tents. People live in these tents from May to September. They have been doing this since the town began. The tents connect to small sheds with a kitchen and bathroom. There's a long waiting list to rent these tents for the summer.

Belmar: Beaches, Surfing, and Festivals

A wide view of Belmar beach and boardwalk.

Belmar is a popular vacation spot. It has great natural beauty and fun activities. Its boardwalk and town offer shops, restaurants, and an active arts scene. You can enjoy sporting events and festivals here. Belmar is also one of the most popular surf spots on the East Coast. It often hosts surfing events and competitions.

Spring Lake: Elegant Homes and Quiet Shores

Spring Lake is known for its tree-lined streets and grand mansions. In the late 1800s, wealthy people from New York City and Philadelphia wanted to create a fancy resort here. They built large hotels and guest cottages. Many of the original hotels were destroyed by fire in 1900. Today, few original buildings remain.

Manasquan: Downtown Charm and Surfing Waves

The boardwalk in Manasquan.

Manasquan has a lively downtown area. Its Main Street is lined with small shops and old Victorian houses. It's home to a historic 540-seat theater. This theater was built in 1938 as a movie house. It became a professional theater in 1994. Manasquan has become more of a year-round community.

The Manasquan Inlet is a great spot for surfers. The jetty helps create bigger waves for them.

Ocean County Coastal Wonders

Point Pleasant Beach: Boardwalk Fun and Aquarium

Point Pleasant Beach is on a long, narrow strip of land. This land separates the Barnegat Bay from the Atlantic Ocean. The town's boardwalk is about one mile long. The middle part has Jenkinson's amusement park, aquarium, and arcades. You'll also find pizza places, ice cream shops, and miniature golf. Point Pleasant is where the first Jersey Mike's sub shop opened in 1956.

Seaside Heights: Lively Beaches and Amusement Piers

The beach in Seaside Heights.

Seaside Heights is a resort town. It has a beach, a fun boardwalk, and many clubs. In summer, its population grows from about 3,000 to between 30,000 and 65,000 people daily. South of town is Island Beach State Park. This is the largest undeveloped barrier island in New Jersey.

Casino Pier is an amusement park on a pier over the Atlantic Ocean. It has rides, roller coasters, an arcade, and miniature golf. Across the street, you'll find a go-kart track and Breakwater Beach waterpark. The rest of the 2-mile (3.2 km) boardwalk has arcades, shops, and food stands.

In 2012, Hurricane Sandy badly damaged the boardwalk. Parts of Casino Pier and Funtown Pier were destroyed. Some rides fell into the ocean. A roller coaster, the Star Jet, became a symbol of the storm's power. It sat upright in the ocean after the pier washed away. A part of the rebuilt boardwalk was later destroyed in a fire in 2013.

This community is also known as the setting for the TV show Jersey Shore.

Long Beach Island: Quiet Beaches and Lighthouses

Long Beach Island, or LBI, is a barrier island about 18 miles (29 km) long. It's a popular summer spot. The main activities here are tourism, fishing, and real estate. The only way to get to the island by car is over the Manahawkin Bay Bridge.

About 20,000 people live on LBI all year. But in summer, the population can reach 100,000. The island is known for its family-friendly atmosphere. It hasn't had a boardwalk since a hurricane in 1944. Nightlife is limited to a few bars. Tourists enjoy miniature golf, parasailing, jet skiing, and relaxing on the beaches. It's also a great place for deep-sea fishing.

A main attraction is the Barnegat Lighthouse. This 165 feet (50 m) tall lighthouse is at the island's northern tip. It overlooks the Barnegat Inlet. There's also a small amusement park called Fantasy Island. The original Ron Jon Surf Shop is at the start of the bridge in Ship Bottom.

Atlantic County Adventures

Brigantine: Island Charm and Marine Rescue

Brigantine is an island community. The Brigantine Lighthouse is a key symbol of the city. Brigantine is home to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center. This is New Jersey's only rescue center for marine mammals and sea turtles. It has saved over 3,900 animals. Part of the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge is also on the island. The town's name comes from the many shipwrecks in the area.

Atlantic City: The Famous Boardwalk and Fun

The boardwalk in Atlantic City, the nation's first boardwalk.

Sunset on the beach in Atlantic City.

Atlantic City is a famous resort city. It's known for its casinos, shopping, and restaurants. In 1976, New Jersey voters approved casino gambling for Atlantic City. Today, it's one of the top casino cities in the U.S. Casinos like the Ocean Casino Resort and Tropicana attract visitors from everywhere.

The Atlantic City Boardwalk is the oldest boardwalk in the world. It opened on June 26, 1870. At 5+1⁄2 miles (8.9 km) long, it's also one of the longest and busiest. The boardwalk runs along the beach. You'll find casinos, hotels, stores, restaurants, and games along it.

Events like Thunder over the Boardwalk bring more visitors. Other attractions include the Absecon Lighthouse and Lucy the Elephant. For shopping, there's Playground Pier and Tanger Outlets The Walk.

Important landmarks include Boardwalk Hall, an arena built in 1929. Steel Pier is an amusement park on a 1,000 foot (300 m) long pier. Atlantic City has been featured in many movies and TV shows. It also inspired the board game Monopoly.

Cape May County Charms

Ocean City: Family-Friendly Fun

The beach in Ocean City.

Ocean City is a popular family destination. It's known for its wide beaches and lively boardwalk. The town offers many activities for all ages.

The Wildwoods: Doo-Wop Style and Piers

A sign for the Wildwoods on the Wildwood boardwalk.

Chateau Bleu Motel, a typical doo-wop-style motel in Wildwood.

Cape May–Lewes Ferry crossing the Delaware Bay.

The Wildwoods is a name for four communities: Wildwood Crest, Wildwood, West Wildwood, and North Wildwood. It also includes Diamond Beach. Its most famous features are its beach and 1.8 miles (2.9 km) boardwalk. The boardwalk has the Morey's Piers amusement complex. This includes Raging Waters and Ocean Oasis Waterparks. A trolley called the "Tramcar" runs along the boardwalk.

The Wildwoods has over 200 motels built in the 1950s and 1960s. This unique style is called "Doo-Wop" or "Googie." These motels have cool neon signs and amazing designs.

Cape May: Historic Charm at the Southern Tip

Cape May Lighthouse, located at the Jersey Shore's southernmost tip.

Cape May is at the very southern tip of New Jersey. It's where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean. It's one of the oldest vacation spots in the country. The Cape May – Lewes Ferry connects Cape May to Lewes, Delaware.

Beaches of the Jersey Shore

Here is a list of towns in New Jersey with beaches along the Raritan Bay or Atlantic Ocean, from north to south:

Most ocean beaches in New Jersey charge a fee to enter. You buy special beach tags for this. However, some beaches do not charge. These include Atlantic City, Strathmere, North Wildwood, Wildwood, and Wildwood Crest.

Environmental Challenges at the Shore

Understanding Climate Change Impacts

The Jersey Shore faces growing challenges from climate change. This includes changes to its water supply. The region also expects changes in ocean life. This could affect communities that rely on fishing.

Rising Sea Levels

The Jersey Shore is especially at risk from sea level rise. This is happening faster here than in many other places. The region already sees frequent flooding during very high tides and storms. This is because much of the older buildings were not built for today's conditions. Scientists are studying ways to protect the coast.

Hurricane Sandy's Lasting Impact

A Star Jet roller coaster at Casino Pier in Seaside Heights. It fell into the Atlantic Ocean after Hurricane Sandy in October 2012.

Hurricane Sandy caused a lot of damage to the Jersey Shore in October 2012. The powerful storm surge damaged many buildings near the beach. The hurricane had winds up to 74 mph. Storm surges reached 14 ft above the average low tide. Barrier islands were hit hard, and many homes were washed away. Famous places like the Belmar boardwalk and Casino Pier were also damaged.

Shopping and Local Businesses

Unlike other parts of New Jersey, the Jersey Shore has many small, unique businesses. These businesses can easily change to fit the busy summer season. You can find all sorts of stores at the Shore. Some sell psychic readings and accessories. Others offer homemade chocolates. Many shore towns prefer small shops. They want to keep traffic down and keep their unique charm.

The Jersey Shore in Popular Culture

Movies Filmed at the Shore

The Stone Pony in Asbury Park. Famous musicians like Bruce Springsteen started their careers here.

• 2011: Warrior, a sports movie filmed partly in Atlantic City.
• 2010: The Bounty Hunter, a romantic action movie with Jennifer Aniston. It was filmed partly in Atlantic City.
• 2009: According to Greta, a drama filmed in Ocean Grove.
• 2008: The Wrestler, an Oscar-nominated film with Mickey Rourke. It includes scenes in Asbury Park.
• 2007: Greetings From The Shore, a romantic comedy filmed in Lavallette.
• 2001: Ocean's Eleven, a heist movie. It starts with scenes at Trump Plaza in Atlantic City.
• 1994: Clerks, a comedy filmed in Leonardo.
• 1980: Atlantic City, a movie starring Susan Sarandon and Burt Lancaster. It was filmed mostly in Atlantic City.

Music from the Shore

The Jersey Shore has many famous rock music clubs. One is The Stone Pony in Asbury Park. Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, and Southside Johnny all performed there early in their careers.

Bill Haley & His Comets first played "Rock Around the Clock" live in Wildwood.

TV Shows Set at the Shore

• 2017: MTV's MTV Beach House was filmed in Loveladies on Long Beach Island.
• 2010 to 2014: The HBO series Boardwalk Empire is set in Atlantic City during the Prohibition era.
• 2009 to 2012: Seasons of MTV's reality show Jersey Shore were filmed in Seaside Heights.
• 2012: Jersey Shore Shark Attack, a Syfy TV movie, is set on the Jersey Shore.
• 1999 to 2007: The HBO series The Sopranos has many episodes set at the Jersey Shore. Locations included Sea Bright and Asbury Park.