Welcome to This Week in Seaside Heights!

Each week through the fall, we’ll be telling you about fun events and activities in the family-friendly resort just across the road from Exit 82!

Image: kjarrett via Flickr Creative Commons

The 2016 season will be the best yet in Seaside Heights. It began in February with the Polar Bear Plunge and ends on New Year’s Eve with First Night Ocean County.

Image: Special Olympics New Jersey

The summer season kicked off last month with the Jersey Shore Festival and WCBS-FM’s Scott Shannon in the Morning 2016 Summer Blast-Off show. The town was packed over the holiday weekend. Many also just enjoyed the first three weekends of June, a slightly quieter time before the summer season goes into overdrive once schools close and the vacations begin.

Now, with most area schools out for the summer, stayed tuned for a diverse array of exciting major and weekly events, including free concerts, bonfires, movies, camping, and more! And of course, let’s not forget the bay and ocean beaches, arcades, restaurants, games of chance, and Casino Pier & Breakwater Beach.

You can see all events — along with lodging, entertainment, dining, and more information — here. And, you can always take a peek at what’s happening in Seaside Heights on the live cam here.

Seaside Heights: Clean beaches that are continually voted some of the best at the shore, delicious restaurants, family friendly entertainment, and a boardwalk that will make anyone smile. 

“Your home for family fun since 1913!”

So whether it’s crabbing off the pier, relaxing on the beach, enjoying a drink while watching a live band, dining at one of the restaurants, testing your luck at a game of chance, flying down a waterslide, going for a thrill on a Casino Pier ride, or simply strolling the boards, come join us this weekend!

Need some ideas? Why not start the day off with a stroll along the boards before hitting the beach for some rest and relaxation. If you’re looking to buy or rent a surfboard or bodyboard, stop in at Pier Surf on Casino Pier.

How about a chair, umbrella, kids beach toys, and much more? Before arriving in Seaside Heights, head a few minutes south of town in Seaside Park and stop in at Shore and More General Shore. Tell Dominick and Deborah you heard about their store here!

For lunch, your options are nearly limitless. A quick walk on the boardwalk will reveal mount-watering sandwiches, pizza, ice cream, and much more. How about some chocolate covered bacon or fried Oreos? You’ll find it here!

When it’s time for dinner, try Spicy Cantina on the boardwalk, and try to grab an outdoor table upstairs for sweeping views while enjoying a margarita and Tex-Mex fare. If you’re looking for something a bit more formal, head down to the Boulevard for a romantic dinner at Savor Lounge, offering “land, sea, and pasta” options and of course their delicious sangria! They also offer a $26 three course prix fixe menu from 4 to 6 daily and all day on Thursday.

After dinner, there’s still plenty to do, whether it’s another stroll on the boards to walk off dinner, Casino Pier rides, and perhaps just people watching. If you’re in the mood for a few drinks and some live music, we recommend checking out JR’s Ocean Bar and Grill on the boardwalk (where you can also grab a late night slice of the world famous Marcua’s pizza).

Sneak peak at upcoming events…

July 4 – Fourth of July Fireworks Extravaganza

Monday at 9:30 PM! A spectacular fireworks display on the oceanfront. Fireworks are viewable from anywhere on the Seaside Heights Boardwalk. Sponsored by Coca-Cola.

July 10 – Budweiser Clydesdales to parade throughout Seaside Heights

For two hours during the afternoon, the iconic Budweiser Clydesdales will parade around town! Visit here for more information.

PLUS: Tribute Band Concert Series, Boardwalk Concert Series, Bonfire on the Beach, Family Fun Nights, Movies on the Beach, and “2-for-1” Family and Friends Appreciation Days!

And now for some local history….

Did you know? From seasideheights.org: “Back in the late 1800s, the outer islands were not much more than large sand dunes. The appearance would not be much different than can be observed today in the northern section of Island Beach State Park. Between Bay Head and Barnegat Inlet, there were only 7 houses.”

An aerial tour of the boardwalk at night: