See Historic Sites, Museums, Outdoors, Music & Dance and Theatre categories for more listings down the shore.
From the boisterous boardwalks of Ocean City, Wildwood, Point Pleasant and Seaside to the natural beauty of Island Beach State Park and Long Beach Island, you'll be sure to find a favorite beach down the shore to suit your interests and needs. For a comprehensive guide to public beaches with information about fees, facilities, lifeguards and accessibility, view or download the Public Advocate's Beach Guide.
Barnegat Lighthouse State Park
GSP exit 63, at the northern tip of Long Beach Island, Barnegat Light, 609-494-2016. Nov.-Mar.: daily 8-4. Lighthouse: weekends 9-3:30, weather permitting. Memorial Day-Labor Day: Lighthouse open daily 10-4:30, $1 fee. Originally lit in 1859, Barnegat Lighthouse, affectionately known as Old Barney, guided vessels along New Jersey's coastline at a crucial "change of course" point. Climb to the top for a panoramic view of Island Beach, Barnegat Bay and Long Beach Island (children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult). An interpretive center showcases the history of the lighthouse and the changing coastal environment and a short 1/5-mile loop trail leads through one of the last remnants of maritime forest in New Jersey. The park is an excellent area to observe migrating birds in spring and fall and wintering waterfowl in winter. Picnic tables; saltwater fishing; sunbathing. Friends of Barnegat Lighthouse sponsors lectures and special events.
Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge
Great Creek Rd. (off Rt. 9), Oceanville, 609-652-1665. Refuge headquarters features changing wildlife displays: Open weekdays 10-3. Wildlife Drive and trails are open seven days sunrise to sunset (check website for periodic closings). Entrance fee supports refuge operations. Brochures available at self-service info center.
46,000 acres of coastal area in southern New Jersey is actively protected and managed for migratory birds. The refuge's location in one of the Atlantic Flyway's most active flight paths makes it an important link in the vast network of national wildlife refuges administered nationwide by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. An eight-mile auto trail and nature trails lead visitors through tidal salt marsh, field and woodland habitats visited by more than 275 species of migratory land and water birds.
Oct, May
Peak of fall and spring migrations. Bird walks and birding workshops are scheduled.
Gateway National Recreation Area
Sandy Hook (GSP Exit 117), 732-872-5970. Park: Daily sunrise to sunset. Lifeguards on duty 10-6 daily Memorial Day-Labor Day. Beach parking fee 7am-4pm Memorial Day-Labor Day: $10. Spermaceti Cove Visitor Center: Closed 'til April. Sandy Hook LIghthouse Keeper's Quarters: open daily 9-5. Lighthouse tours Sun.-Sat. 1-4:30. History House, a restored 1898 lieutenant's residence on "Officers Row:" Weekends 1-5pm. Fort Hancock Museum: Closed for renovations. Note: When parking areas are full, the park closes until parking becomes available. To avoid delays on weekends, arrive before 10 or after 3. www.nps.gov/gate
6 1⁄2-mile-long barrier peninsula with ocean beach on one side and Sandy Hook Bay on the other, features salt marshes, dunes, hiking trails, migratory shore birds habitat and historic Fort Hancock, established in 1895 as part of the defenses for New York harbor. Seagull's Nest open deck restaurant open noon-sunset April-Oct. at Beach Area D (732-872-0025). Lifeguards are on duty at five ocean beaches from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
Ranger programs include nature and history walks, summer canoe cruise, Nike Missile radar site and gun battery tours. Marine science summer camps, environmental education programs for all ages, family, school and teacher workshops are offered by NJ Sea Grant Consortium in Fort Hancock Bldg. 22 (732-872-1300 ext. 30); Brookdale Community College's Ocean Institute in Bldg. 53 (732-224-2435); and the American Littoral Society (732-291-0055).
New
Podcasts for Sandy Hook and other National Parks of New York Harbor are available online, under the “Photos and Multimedia” link.
Open
Sandy Hook Bird Observatory, in Fort Hancock Bldg. 20. New Jersey Audubon Society site offers displays, bookshop and public and school programs at this key location on the Atlantic Flyway.Birding field trips for adults are offered year round. Open Tues.-Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-3. 732-872-2500.
Sandy Hook Lighthouse, the U.S.'s oldest operating lighthouse (1764), is restored and open to the public weekends 1-4:30pm; daily June-Oct. 30. Children must be 48 in. tall to climb tower. Sign up in the Keeper's Quarters for lighthouse tours. Reserve tours for scouts and groups in advance, 732-872-5970.
Multi-Use Pathway, shared by bicyclists, skaters and pedestrians, extends 5 miles north from the park entrance to Fort Hancock. Ray's Bike Rentals offers rental options for all ages, open weekends at Fort Hancock (732-754-5731).
Feb
View harbor seals on Skeleton Hill Island during their annual migration. Call Visitor Center for updates.
Selected Interpretive Programs
Free, reservations required, unless noted.
Feb 5
Holly Forest Walk, 2-3:30. Visitors Center.
Feb 12
Birding for Beginners, learn the basics, 8-noon. Parking Area B (Bayberry) by the restrooms. Call to pre-register, 732-872-2500.
Feb 18
Searching for Seals in the Surf, 2-3:30. Visitors Center. Ranger-led hike to look for seal activity. Reservations, 732-872-5970.
Feb 25
Winter Night Prowl, after-dark sensory walk through holly forest. 6-7:30. Visitors Center.
Families Investigate Science Hands-On Programs
Building 22, Fort Hancock, 732-872-1300 ext. 30 or 19. New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium offers 3-hr. hands-on marine-themed workshops for families (FISH) during spring, summer and fall; summer camp; and scout programs. Consult website for current schedule, registration information and fees.
Apr- Oct
FISH, hands-on family workshops.
Jul & Aug
Marine Sciences Day Camp, one week sessions of outdoor exploration and laboratory investigations for grades 3-8.
American Littoral Society
Mid-Atlantic chapter is headquartered on Sandy Hook, 732-291-0055, www.littoralsociety.org. Organization founded by scientists, naturalists and divers focuses on coastal education, advocacy and conservation activities. Hands-on school outreach programs; group programs on the beach; speakers and slide shows; local, national and international field trips.
Jul-Aug
SeaQuest Summer Camp, grades 5-8 explore the marine environment with the American Littoral Society.
Island Beach State Park
Rt. 35, Seaside Park (GSP exit 82), 732-793-0506. Interpretive Programs, 732-793-1698. Parking fee thru Labor Day: weekdays $6, weekends $10. After Labor Day: $5. Beautiful wide beaches, dunes, fishing, nature center, and 16 miles of trails including paved bicycle path, nature trails and canoe/kayak trail in Barnegat Bay. Horseback riding by reservation only Oct. 1-Apr. 30. On hot, sunny, summer weekends, it's best to arrive before 9am or after 1pm to avoid park closure. Surf chairs available for disabled. Aeolium (house of the wind) nature center, about 1.5 miles from entrance gate, features exhibits about barrier islands and their habitats and short nature trail. Discovery Trails of Island Beach State Park brochure lists self-guided nature trails. Interpretive center at the Historic Forked River Coast Guard Station #112 is open Fri.-Sun. 8-4. A guide to the park can be found online.
Marine Mammal Stranding Center
3625 Brigantine Blvd., Brigantine, 609-266-0538. Open daily Memorial Day to Labor Day. Hours change seasonally; call before you visit. Donation. Organization rescues, rehabilitates and releases stranded or otherwise distressed marine mammals and sea turtles. Sea Life Education Center features 25 life-size replicas of marine mammals and fish, educational exhibits and gift shop.
Summer
Workshops and camps for ages 4 and up. Call or fill out registration form online.
The Noyes Museum of Art
Lily Lake Rd. (GSP exit 48), Oceanville, 609-652-8848. Mon.-Sat. 10-4:30, Sun. 12-5. Adults $5, students/srs. $4, 6 & under free. The only fine arts museum in southern New Jersey features American art, especially folk art and crafts and a massive collection of working decoys. Adjacent to the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge. Group tours and workshops; group outreach programs available.
Sat
Art workshops for ages 3-12 one Sat. each month. Reservations recommended.
Seven President’s Oceanfront Park
Ocean Ave. (GSP exit 105, Hwy. 36E), Long Branch, 732-229-0924. Monmouth County Park System: 732-842-4000. Daily 8am to dusk. Admission and parking fee charged Memorial Day weekend-Labor Day weekend. Expansive beach, 2 playgrounds, snack pavilion, jetty fishing, boat ramp, volleyball, skateplex, restrooms and showers. Surf chair for persons with disabilities available at pavilion. Lifeguards on duty 10-5 daily mid-June through Labor Day.
Tuckerton Seaport
120 W. Main St. (GSP exit 58), Tuckerton, 609-296-8868. See listing under Historic Sites.
Wetlands Institute
1075 Stone Harbor Blvd. (GSP exit 10), Stone Harbor, 609-368-1211. Mon.-Sat. 9:30-4:30, Sun. 10-4. Summer: Tues.-Thurs. evening hours until 8pm. Winter: closed Sun. & Mon. Adults $8, ages 2-11 $6. 6,000 acres of coastal wetlands are a living laboratory for education and research with salt marsh trail, observation tower, exhibits and museum shop. Open in winter for self-guided tours. In summer, daily events may include wetlands and wildlife workshops, family programs, guided walks, kayaking or back bay boat cruises.
