Now updated for Summer 2016! This Jersey Shore Bucket List is full of fun things to do, places to see, and all that you need for the quintessential Jersey Shore Summer.
We put our heads together and came up with a list of can’t miss things to do in Monmouth and Ocean County that will get your heart pumping, your stomach growling, and keep your curiosity piquing. There’s something for everyone whether you’re a history buff, an adrenaline junkie, or just looking for a new family activity. So pack up your things and get ready to start living the true Jersey Shore lifestyle.
And if you work up an appetite doing all these fun activities, be sure to check out out Jersey Shore Foodie Bucket List!
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Spend the Day in Seaside Heights
The very center of the Jersey Shore, a vacation destination, and the setting of that one reality show that we’re not going to name, Seaside Heights is the place to go for a true Jersey Shore experience. Hit the boardwalk to enjoy the rides at Casino Pier or splash around at Breakwater Beach for some waterpark fun. Seaside Heights also hosts exciting events all summer long, including free movies on the beach, bonfires, fireworks, concerts, and so much more!
Eat Through Our Guides to Jersey Shore Restaurants
We’ve done all the dirty work for you this summer, now it’s up to you to see our favorite restaurants in our local guides! Make your way through Monmouth and Ocean County’s culinary scene. Set your alarm for Jersey Shore breakfast and brunch, try some legendary sandwiches, treat yourself to one of many succulent lobster dishes, or his up a happy hour with awesome food. In LBI for the day? Don’t worry, we’ve got that area scoped out for good eats too, with our guide to LBI restaurants. This Jersey Shore Bucket List item just requires you to have a hearty appetite.
Take advantage of a beautiful beach day!
So we may be stating the obvious here, but one of the best things that the Jersey Shore has to offer is our gorgeous beaches. You know you’re a Jersey Shore driver when you’ve sat in standstill traffic on your way to the beach – it’s because everyone is dying to be there! No matter what town boasts your beach of choice, be sure to practice good beach etiquette, which we’ve explained in detail for any visitors. If you get hungry, be sure to check out one of our favorite oceanfront restaurants.
Thirsty Thursday at Lakewood BlueClaws
Beer. Baseball. Hot dogs. It really doesn’t get more American than that! Catch up with the Lakewood BlueClaws, the Phillies Minor League team, as they battle it out with conference rivals. Get in on the action and the specials with their Thirsty Thursday specials. From the gates open until last call, all Coors and Coors Light drafts are just a buck at the WRAT Trap. It’s definitely a home run kind of night!
Enjoy all that the Point Pleasant Boardwalk has to offer
Jenkinson’s Boardwalk is by far one of the best places to take the family for a day of fun. Enjoy rides and arcade games, or pay the penguins a visit at Jenkinson’s Aquarium. Maybe enjoy a little adult fun with a frozen cocktail at the legendary Martell’s Tiki Bar. Top it all off with an ice cream cone from Jenkinson’s Sweet Shop, and you’ll be ready to cross a few things off your Jersey Shore Bucket List.
Spend a Day at the Races at Monmouth Park
No matter what kind of experience you’re looking for, Monmouth Park has fun for everyone. Don’t miss the $1,000,000 Haskell Invitational on July 31st, or bring the kids out for FREE Family Fun Day every Sunday. And of course, they’ve got a variety of food festivals and exciting events throughout the summer. Not to mention live horse racing every weekend! Place your wager and enjoy a beautiful day in Oceanport!
Find Some Fun on a Rainy Day
Sometimes it’s just not a beach day, and we have to deal with it. Whether there are scattered thunderstorms in the forecast, or it’s just too hot to be outside, there are tons of indoor activities for kids, adults, or the whole family to do at the Shore! Spend the day painting or bringing out your inner artist, try out glassblowing at Hot Sand Studios, get active and do some climbing at The Gravity Vault, have the ultimate indoor fun experience at iPlay America… the possibilities are endless.
Enjoy live music and a few drinks at a Jersey Shore Outdoor Bar
Picture this: the sun is shining, live music is playing, you’ve got a beer in your hand, and you’re surrounded by happy people. We came up with a guide to our favorite outdoor bars in Monmouth and Ocean so you could skip the guesswork and go have a great time. Al fresco. What could be better?
Fly High at Superfly in LBI
For those craving an exhilarating thrill that is definitely worthy of a Jersey Shore bucket list, take a sky-high ride above the Barnegat Bay thanks to some very cool technology from Superfly NJ. Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie or just looking to try something new before the summer comes to a close, “flying” should definitely top the list. When you’re finished, be sure to head to one of our favorite LBI restaurants to anchor yourself back down on Earth.
Take in a Sunrise at the Beach
Set the alarm to witness one of the beautiful sunrises that the Jersey Shore offers each morning. Bring a beach chair and some coffee as you watch the night sky turn from black to blazing colors of orange, yellow, and blue. A picture may be worth a thousand words, but witnessing it yourself is priceless.
Enjoy a Sunset From a Waterfront Restaurant
Take advantage of a number of waterfront restaurants with west facing decks and water views for sunsets that rival those in California. Or, if you just can’t pull yourself away from the beach, head to one of many oceanfront restaurants for sweeping views of the Atlantic. Locals continue to head to favorite restaurants including Klein’s, Asbury Festhalle & Biergarten, Eventide Grille, Water’s Edge and On the Deck for unrivaled picturesque water views of the waterfront sunsets.
Rent a Boat and then Dock & Dine
There are no shortages of beautiful waterways where you can spend a day out on the water. Again, no boat? No problem! There are plenty of places to rent a boat for a three-hour tour or even the whole day. Top off your day as Captain with a true “dock and dine” experience. From Water’s Edge in Bayville to River Rock Restaurant Marina and Bar in Brick to Windansea in the Highlands, there are plenty of places to impress your first mates.
Go for a scenic walk, run, or bike ride
If you enjoy the outdoors (and really, who doesn’t), there’s really nothing quite as great as lacing up your sneakers and hitting the dirt. We’re taking your workout outside with our list of the best places to run, walk or bike at the Jersey Shore, featuring the best (and most scenic) running trails in Monmouth and Ocean County!
Spend the day on the water
Nothing says the Jersey Shore quite like the catch of the day, but why wait for it at your favorite seafood restaurant when you can get it yourself! No boat? No problem! Hop aboard the Miss Belmar for a day out on the open sea where you’ll fish for blues, sea bass, fluke and stripers. Or, get the full sailing experience with Kathleen D Sailing Catamarans, based out of Highlands. You can take in the Sandy Hook sunset, or spend the day on a sailing adventure! Kayaking, scuba diving, and swimming optional!
Experience the one of a kind downtown Asbury Park
In the past few years, Asbury Park has made an incredible upswing to become a major destination on the Jersey Shore. Go for a stroll on the boardwalk and get up close with the iconic convention hall, catch a show at the legendary Stone Pony or the new and interesting House of Independents, enjoy one of many incredible restaurants, have a cold one on Asbury Festhalle & Biergarten‘s rooftop, shop local vendors at the Art Star Craft Bazaar on July 30 & 31… You may have a hard time fitting everything into one day!
Take a Jersey Shore Lighthouse Tour
Just because school’s out doesn’t mean a little history would hurt. Take the Jersey Shore Lighthouse tour with visits to Twin Lights in Atlantic Highlands, Sea Girt Lighthouse, Barnegat Light in LBI and even Sandy Hook Light in Fort Hancock. Climb to the top to get a bird’s eye view of the incoming boats and maybe even imagine how happy sailors were in the past to see these lights after long voyages out in the Atlantic.
Enjoy Day Trip to Tuckerton Seaport
A working maritime village and museum situated in the seashore town of Tuckerton, the Tuckerton Seaport has everything from charming shops to exhibits and hands-on activities that combine the Jersey Shore’s maritime traditions of the past and present. Learn more from decoy carvers, boat builders and basket makers as you walk throughout the village. And if you’re craving that perfect seafood dish, drive a few minutes away to Panini Bay where the bounty of today’s fishermen are front and center on your dinner plate.
Bring your pup out for some four-legged fun!
It’s always heartbreaking leaving your furry friend at home while you go off to have fun. Check out our list of dog-friendly places in Monmouth & Ocean, from beaches and dog parks, to shops and restaurants!
Dig for Shark Teeth in the Big Brook
This Jersey Shore Bucket List adventure is definitely not new… because it’s anywhere from 67 to 74 million years old. At Big Brook in Marlboro & Colts Neck, you’ll find fossilized shark teeth and maybe even some teeth from the Mosasaur dinosaur! Do your best archeologist impression and bring home a Jersey Shore treasure left behind from some of the first “locals.”
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