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Your A-toZ Bucket List for Summers at the Jersey Shore

26 Things to Do This Summer

By Toms River Macaroni Kid July 30, 2021

To us locals, it's just the beach. To the rest of New Jersey and the country, it's the iconic Jersey Shore! With just 10 short weeks of summer, there's plenty to see and do to keep your family having fun all summer long! Here's a list of our favorites!

ARCADES: Nothing says summer on the boardwalk like a trip to the arcade and the Seaside Heights Boardwalk does not disappoint. From the crane games to Skee Ball, classics to the new Virtual Reality games, there are so many to choose from. There are prizes to be won with ticket one in a single afternoon or saved up from summer after to summer at the same arcade!

BEACHES: With miles of sandy beach along the Jersey coast, it's the perfect place to spot a dolphin, build a sandcastle, catch a wave or work on your tan!

CASINO PIER: Casino Pier is a staple of Seaside Heights. With classic rides such as Tilt-a-Whirl, Bumper Cars and the iconic Ferris Wheel that lights up the night sky all year long - its family fun all day long. Their Shore Shot and HYDRUS Roller Coaster are sure to thrill even the most adventurous in your family. Head over to the Pier Grill for a bite to eat and then you can hit up the arcade! Make sure to plan a trip during one of their Wristband Nights to make the most of all the rides.

DONUTS: Uncle Dood's Donut's in downtown Toms River is a must when you are visiting. Made fresh and topped to order, the regular menu consists of fifteen donuts with six special donuts monthly. Some of our family favorites include Vermont Swine, Bed Rockin' and Vanilla-O. With toppings ranging from bacon bits to Fruity Pebbles, you need to order a box of nine and try a little of everything. 

ESCAPE ROOM: Even summers at the beach have to contend with a little rain every now and then. When it rains, you can head to East Coast Escape Room, #1 in Ocean County, for some indoor fun! IT's a fun, real life adventure game using clues, keys, codes and hands-on tasks! You and your team will assemble inside of a themed room and have 60 minutes to complete the objects.  Currently their three rooms are: The Sorcerer's Chamber, The Christmas Exchange and of course, Down at the Boardwalk.

FIREWORKS: Not only is there fireworks on the 4th of July, Seaside Heights has fireworks every Wednesday night in the summer. Jenkinson's has fireworks every Thursday night. They can be seen from anywhere on the beach or boardwalk and best of all - FREE to watch!

GOLF: Or should I say mini-golf? There are at least 5 mini-golf courses from Seaside Heights to Lavallette that I can think of. Each course with a different theme and decor, it makes the perfect after dinner activity while you are waiting for that amazing fireworks show!

HISTORY: Take in some Jersey history at Island Beach State Park. The Lenape were the earliest known visitors to the land where Island Beach State Park is now located. During the summer they would hunt waterfowl and shorebirds, fish, crab, collect shells for producing wampum, gather eggs, and trap turtles and muskrats. Visit their site to read the storied history of this beach dating back to the 1600's.

ICE CREAM: What's better on a hot summer day than ice cream? There's a variety of options all around us. From a soft serve twist at Kohr's Frozen Custard on the boardwalk to my favorite Peanut Butter Cup flurry at Rich's Ice Cream, check out our Ice Cream Shop Guide to find your favorite!

JENKINSON'S: A trip to the Jersey Shore is not complete without a stop in Point Pleasant for the Jenkinson's Boardwalk! Mini-golf, rides, arcade games, Jenkinson's Aquarium - there's so much to choose from! Don't forget the beach and shopping to! The Jenkinson's Train is a historic crowd favorite and a classic photo op! With tons of free family events this summer, such as the Wild Animal Show, Princess Storytimes on Friday and Kiddie Beach Shows every Monday, its a must to hit this boardwalk!

KITE NIGHT: Kite nights are a hallmark from Seaside Heights to Ortley. Every Thursday Lavallette hosts Kites and Castles with a different theme for castle building. Kite night is moved to Seaside Heights this year on Carteret Ave, rather than Seaside Park, every Tuesday with the most amazing and elaborate kites to see. Plus there's a kite night monthly in Ortley Beach. Visit our event calendar for those dates!

LBI: Just a short ride down the parkway, takes you to LBI, another great little beach community! With Thundering Surf Waterpark, Fantasy Island Amusement Park and Surflight Theatre, there's lots of family fun to be had at exit 63!

THE MUSIC MAN: This Singing Ice Cream Shoppe is a vaudeville style Nightly Broadway Cabaret. Performers maneuver around the entire shop, singing directly to individual guests, and incorporating them into the show. It’s a unique family entertainment experience that appeals to all ages. They offer Disney theme nights as well as other special events. The show is free with the purchase of a sundae but make sure you book your reservations ahead!

NATURE: Ocean County is home to some of the most amazing parks and beaches. Island Beach State Park is the home a diverse wildlife that is almost the same as it was thousands of years ago. The state's largest osprey colony, as well as peregrine falcons, wading birds, shorebirds, waterfowl and migrating songbirds are found here. Island Beach is nationally known as a unique resource with over 400 plants identified, including the largest expanses of beach heather in New Jersey. Just over the bridge you can find Cattus Island in Toms River and Jakes Branch in Beachwood. Both parks have great walking trails, play ground areas for the kids and even offer craft times and animal talks! Visit the Ocean County Park website for a list of the local county parks.

OCEAN: It may not be the crystal blue of the carribean, but a summer in New Jersey is not complete with a dip in the ocean. Summers in the northeast can get surprisingly hot and the only way to cool off is by catching a wave. Check the tides and make sure to visit at low tide. The tide pools are amazing and you can walk out farther than you would think!

PIER VILLAGE: Pier Village, situated on the iconic Jersey Shore town of Long Branch, N.J., is an award-winning beachfront Victorian-inspired community, featuring over 30 amazing restaurants, shops and services. A ride on unique and imaginative carousel is must on any to do list while you are in this breathtaking beach town. Their summer event calendar boasts movie nights, live music and Family Fun Night every Sunday in the summer. Relax on the beach with some yoga, climb the Rock Wall during Family Fun Night or dance the night away during one of their free local concerts.

QUALITY TIME: There's no better place to get family quality time than at the Jersey Shore. From unplugged days on the beach to a round of competitive family mini-golf, there is tons to do while reconnecting! Cuddled up movies nights on the bed and getting that kite in the air are just a few ways to disconnect from every day life and focus on each other! 

RIVER LADY: Take a tour of the Toms River on the River Lady. The River Lady is a 150 passenger, 85′ authentic reproduction of a paddle wheel riverboat. The River Lady splendidly captures the ambiance of a 19th century Mississippi Paddleboat. The offer lunch, dinner or sunset cruises and is a fun outing for the whole family.

SANDCASTLES: They are a hallmark to any amazing beach day! Head to the ocean with your shovels and buckets and get building! 

TICES SHOAL: If you are a local in the southern NJ beach area, you likely know about Tices Shoal. It's located at the southern end of Island Beach State Park by land, or directly across the bay from Forked River by boat. In the summer, boats head out to the shoal in Barnegat Bay and anchor up anywhere along a 1 mile or so stretch of water along the shoreline. The water is typically 2-4 ft. deep. Don't worry if you forget to pack a lunch, the hot dog boat is setup and they also ride around with ice cream. Want to get to the ocean from Tices Shoal? There is a set of stairs and walkway you can use to walk over to the ocean side of Island Beach State Beach. This is a great way to take a swim in the ocean. You will be charged $3 per person for this beach access, so bring cash! Wet bills are accepted. 

URBAN AIR: Urban Air is the perfect place for some indoor fun during those famous Jersey Shore August thunderstorms. Located in Toms River, on Route 9, and offers All Day Play.  With new adventures behind every corner, they are the ultimate indoor playground for your entire family. More than just a trampoline park, they offer Virtual Reality, Climbing Walls and the Leap of Faith. 

VIC'S ITALIAN RESTAURANT: In Bradley Beach, in a state of amazing pizza, sits one of the best. Vittorio “Vic” Giunco and his wife Carmella came from Genoa, Italy. They immigrated to America in search of a better life and to start a family. Eventually in the 1910’s they settled in Bradley Beach where they had two children, Rose and John. Shortly after the repeal of prohibition in 1933, Vittorio opened a small bar called “Vic’s Tap Room” which was located on Main St in the center of town. Around 1940 they moved to their current location. Run today, by Vic's great-grandson, it is the home of the quintessential bar pie and a must stop for pizza at the Jersey Shore! 

WATERPARK: Breakwater Beach, in Seaside Heights, is the perfect way to spend a hot summer day. Kids of all ages will enjoy the waterpark attractions here. With slides for every age and thrill or non -thrill seeker, it promises lots of family fun!  A Wave Pool, The Perfect Storm, which houses the Nantucket Bucket which may dump 800 gallons of water on you and their own version of the Lazy River keep everyone cool and having fun! The newest addition, "On the Rocks", lets parents enjoy an adult beverage while they relax in the loungers!

XINA: The perfect place for lunch or dinner. Set right before the bridge in Toms River, this restaurant is BYOB and serves amazing sushi and modern Chinese cuisine. The great aesthetic and delicious food keep this place hopping all year round. Some of our family favorites are the Angry Dragon and the Chilean Seabass roll, along with the Shrimp Pad Thai. The Whole Maine Lobster is amazing and definitely ask about their dumplings - they usually offer a unique version as a special! Call for reservations in advance if you want to get a table!

YOGA: Beach yoga is everywhere at the Jersey shore. From Long Branch to Seaside there is a a yoga class taking place on the beach. Beach Yoga is a Fun Way to experience the healing benefits of yoga while enjoy the Sand, the Sun, and the Ocean Wave! Beach badges are typically not required as classes take place before or after lifeguards are on duty. Visit Pure Toms River Yoga, one of the local studios for more info on when and where their classes are.

ZOO: Make sure you plan a trip south. We have two great places for a day to visit animals nearby! The Cape May Zoo runs on donations and admission is FREE on a first-come, first-serve basis. They offer private tours and a pavillion to sit and have lunch. From reptiles to giraffes, there are so many animals to see. The Popcorn Park Animal Refuge is a sanctuary for animals who faced desperate circumstances and/or death. It is home to exotics, wildlife, farm animals, and birds who suffered abandonment, cruelty, injury, illness, handicap, exploitation, old age, inappropriate ownership,  or who could not be safely returned to the wild.