Published Oct 28, 2024

If You Only Have One Day to Visit This Small Town in New Jersey, Here’s Everything You Absolutely Can’t Miss

There are so many great things to do in Pitman, New Jersey, that it makes the perfect day trip.

Published Oct 28, 2024

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Published Oct 28, 2024

The Remote Town in New Jersey We Simply Can’t Get Enough Of

The best small town on the Jersey Shore can be found on the southern end of Seven Mile Island, and a day in Stone Harbor is a great adventure.

Published Oct 28, 2024

Written by

Raymond Goldfield

I love exploring the Jersey Shore, whether it's in the bustling summer months or the laidback off-season. I spend plenty of time each year in tourist hubs like Asbury Park, Point Pleasant Beach, and Cape May, of course, but more and more I'm being drawn to the best small towns on the Jersey Shore. Avalon is pretty well known, but its nearby neighbor to the south, Stone Harbor, is just as charming and full of delightful sights, attractions, and dining destinations. While the town is partially seasonal, it's a community of just under 800 people year-round, which means there's always a reason to visit, and every time I do, I'm filled with a little desire to just stick around long-term.

Stone Harbor is a true small-town gem in a less-visited area of the Jersey Shore, located on the beautiful Seven Mile Island. The laidback town of just under 800 actually used to be home to Taylor Swift and her family for several years, and today it brings throngs of visitors every summer to enjoy its beautiful scenery and great beach scene.

The beach here is beautiful, especially at dusk. It can get crowded in the summer, but never like the bigger guns, and it appeals to families and long-term visitors, rather than a party crowd. Seven Mile Beach is also a beloved spot for seashell hunting, and the town is known as a great launch point for surfing.

The town's charming downtown is the perfect place to explore after a day at the beach. The Stone Harbor Museum is always home to new and interesting exhibits, hosting a Taylor Swift exhibit recently. The dining scene is great too, with classics like Fred's Tavern sharing space with hotspots like Buckets Cantina. And if you're here during warmer months, make sure to stop in for a sweet treat at Springer's Homemade Ice Cream, one of the state's most unique ice cream parlors with a massive variety of flavors ranging from classic chocolate to herbal teaberry.

Have you visited Stone Harbor before? If you think this is the best small town on the Jersey Shore, tell a friend and plan a visit! If you have another town in mind, make sure to let us know via our nomination form! And if you're looking for a place to stay in town, The Reeds at Shelter Haven is a gorgeous luxury resort right by the water with rave reviews.

Trip Ideas|Small Towns

Published Sep 18, 2024

The Small Town in New Jersey That Will Make You Feel Like a Cast Member in Jersey Shore

Seaside Heights, New Jersey is the home of the famous (or infamous) reality TV show Jersey Shore, but there is so much more to see and do here.

Published Sep 18, 2024

Written by

Raymond Goldfield

I'm New Jersey born and raised, and yeah...we have some mixed feelings about the iconic MTV reality show "Jersey Shore". The show, which ran from 2009 to 2012 and spawned a media empire, made real-life characters named "Snooki" and "The Situation" the public's first frame of reference for our great state - and many of them weren't even from New Jersey! But I had to admit - the carefree summer fun on the show they were having looked pretty great, and you don't have to be a "Guido" or "Guidette" to enjoy it. Seaside Heights, New Jersey is one of the best towns on the Jersey Shore, a bustling tourist attraction during the summer that stays lively into the fall. A few days here is the perfect way to unwind - and if you're a fan, you can even get pretty close to the world of the show!

The Jersey Shore is a beautiful place, and Seaside Heights might be one of the most iconic towns. This bustling boardwalk town brings countless tourists to it every summer, but it has over 2,000 full-time residents who have built a great place to live.

The town took much of the brunt of Hurricane Sandy in 2012, losing some beloved attractions - but rebuilt stronger than ever. Many of the attractions are open year-round, and the boardwalk is a great quirky place to enjoy summer all year round.

The beach here can get very crowded during the summer, but in the early fall it's bliss - a cool sea breeze sweeping in, and plenty of room to bask in the sun.

Of course, the most famous spot on Seaside Heights is Casino Pier, the beloved boardwalk amusement park. Weekend trips here are a teenage tradition that some people never get too old for - and the park remains open on weekends through October 13th.

The famous Jersey Shore house where the cast members stayed during their summer adventures is still standing - and can actually be rented for $3500 a night. Calling all superfans!

But even if you're just spending the day, Seaside Heights is one of those destinations that can only be described as Pure Jersey - and we don't need a reality show to tell us that, we just need one night ride at Casino Pier!

Have you spent a vacation in Seaside Heights, New Jersey? Let us know about your visit here in the comments section - and feel free to tell us your opinion on "Jersey Shore"! You can find out more about the town on the official Seaside Heights town website, and if you're in town when it's open, make sure to check out our past coverage of Casino Pier and Breakwater Beach. If the Jersey Shore house is out of your rental budget, another iconic spot to stay in the town is the Boardwalk Sand & Surf Beach Motel, one of the shore's most famous budget motels.

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