The New Jersey Shore is the scene of an exodus from Bucks County every summer. New Jersey’s coastline is 141 miles from Perth Amboy to the southern tip of Cape May, and beaches cover 130 miles of the New Jersey Coast —from Sandy Hook to Cape May. And this vast oceanfront is only a short drive for us. There is no other place like the Jersey Shore and that’s why Bucks Countians travel, stay and play there.
When at the NJ Shore, you can stand on a beach early in the morning and see the sun come out of the Atlantic gradually lighting the blue ocean as it brings jetties out of the shadows. And if you stay long enough, the sun will be shining in full force bringing its devotees out with their body boards, beach chairs, blankets and umbrellas. If you turn 180 degrees from facing the ocean, you will see the boardwalk or large, beautiful beach houses with gardens full of flowers. And if you venture off the beach, past the boardwalk and beach houses, you will more than likely be on the main street of a New Jersey beach town. There you will see stores for souvenirs, beach supplies, fishing equipment, art, hi-end clothing, little breakfast nooks and fine restaurants.
If it you are out in the evening and decide to walk on the boardwalk at Wildwood, Atlantic City, Asbury Park, Ocean City, Point Pleasant or Seaside, you can ride a beautifully lit Ferris wheel or sit on a bench by the sea and eat a slice of pizza or a foot-long hot dog. You can smile as you see children begging their parents to go on a ride or buy them a hermit crab. On the boardwalk you can eat, people-watch, shop, be pushed in a rolling chair, stop in a beach bar for a cocktail or a beer or you can simply walk and listen to the sound of the sea.
The thing that makes this 130 mile stretch of the New Jersey beaches so special is the diversity you will find as you visit different towns and beaches. The beaches have different kinds of sand, ranging from very fine and white to coarse and beige. Some towns have boardwalks and others do not. Some boardwalks are packed with amusements, while others offer a quiet walk by the beach. Some of the streets are lined with night clubs and brand name stores, while others are lined with gorgeous summer homes.
Vacations down the shore come in all sizes. You may go for a week, renting a cottage or at a B&B or maybe one of the doo wop designed hotel along The Wildwoods’ beaches. You may want a longer summer vacation and rent a large house for entertaining and be able to invite others to stay with you. You may want to go to the shore anytime you wish and buy a summer home, which can range from a small cottage to a mansion on the beach. Or you could go to the New Jersey Shore permanently and buy a retirement home. Many retirement communities are found on the Ocean county shoreline, in areas such as Toms River, Manchester, Whiting, and Berkeley. Right along the coast people buy retirement homes on Long Beach Island, especially Surf City, Beach Haven and Ship Bottom. Retirement along the coast is also found in Sea Girt, Linwood and Little Egg Harbor Township.
The New Jersey Shore is a major vacation choice for Bucks Countians and is also a place where we can go for day trips. It has much to offer for all ages and is a desirable destination for family fun. Let this guide help you as you navigate Bucks County’s favorite place to take a summer vacation.