Point Pleasant Beach and Point Pleasant Borough (aka Pt. Beach and Pt. Boro) can always be counted on to bring a smile to the face of anyone who visits. After all, they aren’t named “pleasant” just nothing! Our Jersey Shore Local Guide to Point Pleasant Beach and Point Pleasant Borough will give you a background glimpse into why families have been visiting these beach towns for years.

Jersey Shore Local Guide to Point Pleasant Beach

Originally used as a ceremonial meeting place of the Lenape Native Americans who called it the “land of tall timber,” Point Pleasant has come a long way since 1500. After being “discovered” by Henry Hudson in 1609, it was said that Point Pleasant was “a very good land to fall with and a pleasant land to see.” (Yea, even a guy on a boat noticed how great this area was!)

Since then, these Jersey Shore towns have been continuing to turn heads as visitors flocked to the original amusement area on the Manasquan River known as Clark’s Landing in 1892. The merry-go-round, ice cream stand, and small snack shack were the humble beginnings of a very active beach community. Soon after, the first boardwalk was erected to run the entire length of Point Pleasant Beach. Additional amusements were installed including the Jenkinson’s Pavilion and Swimming Pool built by Orio Jenkinson in the late 1920s.

Now, the excitement continues. Point Pleasant is home to everything that you could think of that would make your visit to the Jersey Shore beyond pleasant. Whether you’re taking a spin on the Tilt-a-Whirl on the Jenkinson’s Boardwalk, eating delicious food (and extremely fresh seafood) at Red’s Lobster Pot, or just enjoying a stroll down their bustling downtown while visiting unique locally owned stores or even antiquing at Bay and Arnold Avenues where you’ll find Point Pavilion Antique Center with over 60 dealers under one roof (it’s a Jersey Shore antique lovers dream!) You could say Point Pleasant Beach and Point Pleasant Borough are the “official meeting place of Jersey Shore family fun!”

Family Fun at Point Pleasant Beach

Sunrise to well past sunset, Point Pleasant Beach has something to keep you going almost every hour of the day – from morning beach yoga and boot camps to Thursday night fireworks and even Friday night movies on the beach – you’ll be pleasantly surprised that boredom is not an option here.

Truly, no visit to Point Pleasant Beach is complete without enjoying some of the classic (and not so classic rides) at Jenkinson’s Boardwalk. With summer specials including a 4-hour wristband to $18 wristband day and night, everyone can enjoy the ride. These Jersey Shore towns offer family friendly beachside fun that may start on a ride, but end watching the sharks eat at the Jenkinson’s Aquarium or even sinking a hole-in-one on the mini golf course.

Food wise, Point Pleasant hits the jackpot. Well known for offering everything from your classic Italian dinners like Clams over Linguini at Spano’s Ristorante Italiano on Arnold Avenue to eating a spicy burrito at Bubbakoo’s Burritos to diving into a plate of Lobster Cocktail and Oysters at Martell’s Lobster House, all of a traditional beach town’s “required indulgences” are served (and served very well we might add.)

It’s really no wonder we’re stuck on the seafood for this Jersey Shore Local Guide to Point Pleasant Beach and Point Pleasant Borough. After the completion of the Point Pleasant Canal, which divides Point Pleasant in half, boats easily come and go as they please, making their way along the entire east coast, then docking at Point Pleasant’s shores. This means you’re enjoying the freshest catch that the Jersey Shore has to offer, next to catching it yourself.

And of course, a day at the beach requires boardwalk specific goodies including one of our favorite boardwalk treats – waffles and ice cream or a funnel cake (preferably a funnel cake with ice cream). For those looking for a slightly more adult evening out, there’s no place quite like dancing the night away at Jenk’s Club.

No matter if you’re visiting in the dog days of summer or the frigid days of winter, Point Pleasant Beach and Point Pleasant Borough will make you smile. Be sure to check out their annual Seafood Festival in September and Jenkinson’s Boardwalk arcade when it’s snowing outside, but summer on the inside.

Just know, that this Jersey Shore Local Guide to Point Pleasant Beach and Point Pleasant Borough would not be complete without mentioning two absolute musts when it comes to these Jersey Shore towns – a ride on the Tornado (or Flitzer if you’re more courageous) and lunch (with a tropical cocktail) at Martell’s Tiki Bar.

Each week, Jersey Shore in Motion will spotlight towns along the Jersey Shore sharing their history, local favorites, and unique attractions. Last week we visited Manasquan and Brielle. Stay tuned for next week’s Local Guide to Atlantic Highlands & Highlands.