Jersey Shore facts for kids

The Jersey Shore is a popular coastal area in New Jersey, USA. It stretches about 141 miles (227 km) along the Atlantic Ocean. This region goes from Perth Amboy in the north to Cape May Point in the south. It includes several counties like Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Atlantic, and Cape May.

The Jersey Shore is famous for its wide beaches and many boardwalks. These boardwalks often have arcades, amusement parks, and water parks. It's a favorite vacation spot for people from New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and other nearby states. 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 part of the Jersey Shore. Many neighborhoods had to be rebuilt. This led to new, nicer homes and businesses, making the area more upscale.

Exploring Famous Shore Towns

The Jersey Shore has over 40 different towns. Each town has its own unique feel and attractions. Many towns are busy with tourists in the summer. Others are becoming places where people live all year. Here are some of the notable towns, listed from north to south.

Middlesex County Shoreline

The Amboys: Perth Amboy and South Amboy

The Arthur Kill along the Perth Amboy waterfront.

Perth Amboy and South Amboy are known as "The Amboys." Perth Amboy was a resort town in the past. Today, its waterfront has new parks and a promenade. You can visit the Perth Amboy Ferry Slip and Kearny Cottage. The Raritan Yacht Club is one of the oldest yacht clubs in the U.S. A new ferry service connects South Amboy to Manhattan.

Laurence Harbor: Fun by the Bay

The rocky Raritan Bayshore at Cliffwood Beach.

Laurence Harbor is a community in Old Bridge. From here, you can see parts of New York City. Old Bridge Waterfront Park has a new boardwalk that opened in 2002. It's a great spot for fishing, jogging, and dog walking. There's also a beach for swimming.

Monmouth County Beaches

A train arriving at Middletown station.

Union Beach: Bayshore Beauty

Union Beach is a small town on the Raritan Bay. It's part of a plan to improve the area's economy. This plan focuses on downtowns, neighborhoods, history, and natural beauty.

Keansburg: Amusement Park Fun

Keansburg was once a popular spot for New Yorkers. They would arrive by steamboat to escape the city heat. The Keansburg Amusement Park, opened in 1904, has expanded. It now includes a water park called Runaway Rapids.

Atlantic Highlands: High Views and Ferries

SeaStreak ferry connecting Atlantic Highlands to Midtown Manhattan.

Atlantic Highlands offers views where the Atlantic Ocean and Raritan Bay meet. It's home to Mount Mitchill, the highest point on the eastern seaboard south of Maine. You can see the Manhattan skyline from here. Its harbor is the largest on the East Coast. The high-speed SeaStreak ferry connects Atlantic Highlands to New York City.

Sandy Hook: Nature and History

Sandy Hook is a long, narrow strip of land. Most of it is a national park. It has public beaches and fishing spots. The Sandy Hook Lighthouse is at the northern end. You can also find old military buildings from Fort Hancock here.

Red Bank: Arts and River Fun

Downtown Red Bank.

Red Bank is a lively town on the Navesink River. It's known for its shops, restaurants, and art scene. The Count Basie Theatre and Two River Theater are here. Festivals like the Red Bank Jazz & Blues Festival attract many visitors. You can enjoy boating, sailing, and fishing on the river.

Oceanport: Horse Racing Excitement

Monmouth Park Racetrack in Oceanport.

Oceanport is home to Monmouth Park Racetrack. This is one of the oldest thoroughbred racing tracks in the country. The original track opened in 1870 to boost summer tourism. It's a popular spot for horse racing fans from New York and North Jersey. The Haskell Invitational Stakes is a big race held here every August.

Long Branch: Presidential Past and Modern Pier Village

Pier Village along the Long Branch oceanfront.

Long Branch was a popular resort town in the past. Seven U.S. presidents visited here. The Church of the Presidents and Seven Presidents Park are named for them. After World War II, its popularity faded. A fire in 1987 destroyed its pier and amusement park. In 2005, Pier Village opened. It's a modern area with shops and homes. It hosts events like concerts and outdoor movies.

Allenhurst: Historic Homes

Allenhurst is known for its historic homes. Many of these homes are in the Allenhurst Residential Historic District. This area is recognized for its beautiful old buildings.

Asbury Park: Music, Art, and Rebirth

A Tillie replica 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 major resort in the 1920s and 30s. The Paramount Theatre and Asbury Park Convention Hall drew many tourists. It became famous for its music scene. Artists like Bruce Springsteen started at venues like The Stone Pony. The city has seen a lot of rebuilding and new art projects. It still has a lively music scene and hosts events like the Garden State Film Festival.

Ocean Grove: Victorian Charm and Tents

Ocean Grove started in 1869 as a religious summer camp. It's known for its many Victorian buildings. The Great Auditorium, built in 1894, is a large wooden arena. Around it are 114 tents where people stay from May to September. These tents have been used this way since the town began.

Belmar: Surfing and Family Fun

Panoramic view of Belmar beach and boardwalk.

Belmar is a popular vacation spot. It has a boardwalk, shops, restaurants, and an active arts scene. It's great for families and young adults. Belmar is also one of the best surf spots on the East Coast. It often hosts surfing competitions.

Spring Lake: Elegant Retreat

Spring Lake is known for its tree-lined streets and grand homes. In the late 1800s, it was planned as a resort for wealthy families. Many large hotels were built, but a fire in 1900 destroyed them. Today, many new, large homes have been built.

Manasquan: Inlet and Downtown Charm

The boardwalk in Manasquan.

Manasquan has a lively downtown with small businesses and Victorian houses. It's home to a historic theatre, built in 1938. The Manasquan Inlet is a popular spot for surfers. It creates great waves as the water flows into the ocean.

Ocean County Adventures

Point Pleasant Beach: Boardwalk and Aquarium

Point Pleasant Beach is on the Barnegat Peninsula. Its boardwalk is about one mile long. The central part has Jenkinson's amusement park, an aquarium, and arcades. You'll find many pizza places, ice cream shops, and mini-golf courses. The first Jersey Mike's sub shop opened here in 1956.

Seaside Heights: Lively Resort Town

The beach in Seaside Heights.

Seaside Heights is a busy resort town. It has a beach, a boardwalk with amusements, and many places to eat. Its population grows a lot in the summer. Casino Pier is an amusement park on a pier over the ocean. It has rides, an arcade, and mini-golf. Across the street, there's a go-kart track and Breakwater Beach waterpark.

Hurricane Sandy in 2012 caused a lot of damage to the boardwalk and piers. The town has since rebuilt. Seaside Heights is also known as the setting for the TV show Jersey Shore.

Long Beach Island: Family-Friendly Island

Long Beach Island, or LBI, is a barrier island about 18 miles (29 km) long. It's a popular summer spot. The only way to get there by car is over the Manahawkin Bay Bridge. The island's population swells from 20,000 to 100,000 in the summer. LBI is known for its family-friendly atmosphere. It doesn't have a boardwalk like some other towns.

Attractions include the Barnegat Lighthouse, a 165-foot (50 m) tall lighthouse. There's also a small amusement park called Fantasy Island. The original Ron Jon Surf Shop is located at the foot of the bridge.

Atlantic County Excitement

Brigantine: Island Charm and Marine Life

Brigantine is an island community. The Brigantine Lighthouse is a key symbol of the city. It's home to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center. This is the only rescue center in New Jersey for marine mammals and sea turtles. Part of the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge is also on the island.

Atlantic City: Boardwalk and Entertainment

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

Sunset on the beach in Atlantic City.

Atlantic City is famous for its entertainment. It has many casinos, shops, and restaurants. The city is second only to Las Vegas in the number of casinos. The Atlantic City Boardwalk is the world's oldest boardwalk, opened in 1870. It's also the longest and busiest, at 5.5 miles (8.9 km) long.

Casinos, hotels, stores, and restaurants line the boardwalk. Events like Thunder over the Boardwalk draw visitors. Other attractions include the Absecon Lighthouse and Lucy the Elephant. Boardwalk Hall is a large arena and convention center. Steel Pier is an amusement park on a pier over the ocean. Atlantic City was also the inspiration for the board game Monopoly.

Cape May County Gems

Ocean City: Family-Friendly Fun

The beach in Ocean City.

Ocean City is known as "America's Greatest Family Resort." It has a famous boardwalk with shops, restaurants, and amusements. It's a popular spot for families looking for a fun and safe beach vacation.

The Wildwoods: Doo-Wop and Waterparks

A sign for the Wildwoods on the Wildwood boardwalk.

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

Cape May–Lewes Ferry connecting North Cape May with Lewes, Delaware.

"The Wildwoods" refers to four towns: Wildwood Crest, Wildwood, West Wildwood, and North Wildwood. They are famous for their wide beaches and 1.8-mile (2.9 km) boardwalk. The boardwalk is home to Morey's Piers amusement complex and two waterparks. You can ride the "Tramcar" along the boardwalk.

The Wildwoods also have over 200 motels built in the 1950s and 60s. This unique style is called "Doo-Wop" or "Googie" architecture. These motels have cool neon signs and unique designs.

Cape May: Historic Charm and Southern Tip

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

Cape May is at the very southern tip of New Jersey. It's one of the oldest vacation spots in the country. The Cape May – Lewes Ferry connects Cape May to Lewes, Delaware. The town is known for its beautiful Victorian homes and historic charm. The Cape May Lighthouse offers amazing views.

Beaches of the Jersey Shore

The Jersey Shore has many beaches along the Raritan Bay and Atlantic Ocean. Here is a list of towns with beaches, from north to south:

Most ocean beaches in New Jersey charge a small fee to enter. You usually buy a "beach tag" for this. However, some beaches like Atlantic City, Strathmere, North Wildwood, Wildwood, and Wildwood Crest do not charge for beach access.

Environmental Concerns at the Shore

Climate Change and Sea Level Rise

The Jersey Shore faces challenges from climate change. One big issue is sea level rise. The ocean level is expected to rise more here than in other places. This is partly due to changes in ocean currents. The area already experiences frequent flooding during very high tides and storms. This is because much of the older buildings were not built for today's sea levels. Scientists are studying ways to protect the coast. This includes building stronger structures or moving some buildings away from the water.

Hurricane Sandy's Impact

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

Hurricane Sandy hit the Jersey Shore very hard in October 2012. The storm brought strong winds and a huge storm surge. This surge reached up to 14 feet (4.3 m) above normal low tide. Many homes near the beach were completely washed away. Famous places like the Belmar boardwalk, Casino Pier, and Funtown Pier were badly damaged. A roller coaster from Casino Pier even ended up in the ocean. The storm caused a lot of destruction, but many areas have been rebuilt since then.

Shopping and Local Businesses

Unlike bigger cities, many Jersey Shore towns have lots of small, unique businesses. These shops can easily change what they sell based on the seasons. You might find psychics and accessories in Ocean City or homemade chocolates in Long Beach Island. Many shore towns also try to keep out big chain stores. This helps reduce traffic and keeps the local charm.

Property Ownership and Summer Crowds

Many homes along the Jersey Shore are owned by people who don't live in New Jersey all year. About 37% of properties in shore towns belong to out-of-state residents. This means that in the summer, the population of these towns grows a lot. Some towns with fewer than 5,000 year-round residents can have over 30,000 people during the summer months.

The Jersey Shore in Pop Culture

Movies Filmed at the Shore

The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, a famous music venue.

The Jersey Shore has been a setting for many movies:

• 2011: Warrior was partly filmed in Atlantic City.
• 2010: The Bounty Hunter with Jennifer Aniston had scenes in Atlantic City.
• 2009: According to Greta was based and filmed in Ocean Grove.
• 2008: The Wrestler with Mickey Rourke included scenes in Asbury Park.
• 2001: Ocean's Eleven opens with scenes at a casino in Atlantic City.
• 1994: Clerks was based and filmed in Leonardo.
• 1980: Atlantic City was largely filmed in Atlantic City.

Music from the Shore

The Jersey Shore is famous for its rock music scene. Clubs like The Stone Pony in Asbury Park helped launch careers. Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, and Southside Johnny all played there early on. Bill Haley & His Comets first performed "Rock Around the Clock" live in Wildwood.

TV Shows Set at the Shore

The Jersey Shore has also been featured in many TV shows:

• 2010 to 2014: The HBO series Boardwalk Empire was set in Atlantic City during the Prohibition era.
• 2009 to 2012: MTV's reality series Jersey Shore was filmed in Seaside Heights.
• 1999 to 2007: The HBO series The Sopranos had several episodes set at the Jersey Shore. Locations included Sea Bright and Asbury Park.
• 1992: The Fox TV series Down the Shore was set in Belmar.