Summer on the Jersey Shore can be amazing. For some, it is an opportunity to explore the Boardwalk while tasting different meals along the beach. For others, the warm weather offers a chance to swim in the cool waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
In the evening, you can have fun at one of the best casinos in Atlantic City. You could drink authentic beer at a local brewery or enjoy your company inside a nice hotel room.
New Jersey offers a little bit of everything for thrill-seekers. In fact, there's too much you can do in Garden State whether you're on a three-day visit or plan to spend the entire summer on Jersey shore.
In this guide, we’ll highlight the best places and things to do in NJ this summer. Let’s get started:
1. Plan a Camper Getaway
Summer is an excellent time to take a break from your busy work life in the city and enjoy time with family in a quiet, scenic camp. New Jersey is home to more than 100 campgrounds and RV Parks. The best examples include:
- Ponderosa Campground
- Turkey Swamp Park
- Great Divide Camp
- Adventure Bound Camping Resorts
Ponderosa Campground is located in Cape May Court House, a few miles from the beach. It offers two playgrounds, a swimming pool, a basketball court, and bike rentals.
Turkey Swamp is a great alternative for fishing fans, trail hikers, and general sports fans. Similar to Ponderosa, this campground features tents, cabin-style, and trailer options.
Both the Great Divide and Adventure Bound Camping Resorts are great camping options. Adventure Bound Camping, for example, has free RVs for hire, cabin rentals, and tents. By comparison, the Great Divide is a pet-friendly paradise for fishing enthusiasts.
2. Have Fun at the Casinos
There are few better ways to spend a weekend evening than at a casino in Atlantic City. Whether you choose to stay at Borgata or Tropicana, you're assured of luxurious hotel rooms, delicious meals, and a ton of slots and table games.
New Jersey’s top casinos are truly outstanding in customer satisfaction. They offer beautiful, spacious rooms with all the amenities you need—spas, swimming pools, gyms, Wi-Fi and bar lounges.
When it comes to casino entertainment, you’re spoilt for choice. Every casino in AC has more than 100 slot machines and at least a dozen table games. The slots are loud and beautiful while card rooms look elegant.
If you need to explore more games, the best NJ online casinos by casinos.us feature an assortment of games from the best software providers in the world. They have slots inspired by ancient Egypt, the Scandinavians, Michael Jackson, and TV shows.
Some online casinos also feature live dealer games, meaning you can play table games like blackjack, roulette, and poker with your friends in real-time.
3. Breeze along the Beaches and Boardwalks
A summer vacation in NJ isn’t complete without a trip to the beaches and boardwalk. A visit to the coastline offers warm sandy beaches, cool breezes, and memorable views of the Atlantic Ocean.
NJ is home to every type of beach you would want. Some are quiet and private while others are free and crowded. Whether you like to surf, watch dolphins, or brisk in the sunshine, there's something for everyone.
If want to have fun with your family on the beach, Ocean City is your best option. It is long and clean. It has lifeguards and offers go-karts, a mini golf club, and access to the boardwalk.
If you want a quiet and peaceful beach for you and your family, consider Pearl Beach or Poverty Beach. Both beaches are located in Cape May albeit a bit far away from the crowded areas.
4. Tour the Lighthouses
Garden City’s famous lighthouses are historic and picturesque. If you’re a history buff, go see the Absecon Lighthouse, the third-tallest lighthouse in the country. Located in Atlantic City, Absecon is a popular tourist destination.
The lighthouse offers stunning views of Atlantic City. But more importantly, it takes you on a trip back in time to learn about the importance of lighthouses during war times.
While you need to climb 228 steps to get top views of the Absecon, the Barnegat Lighthouse offers you an option to view everything from the ground. It has cameras installed on the top section to give you a glimpse of what you can see from up there.
Sandy Hook Lighthouse is one of the oldest operating lighthouses in the country. It is located in the Gateway National Recreation Area. It's beautiful and well-preserved. If you need to see more lighthouses, check out Cape May, East Point, Hereford Inlet, and Finns Point Range lighthouses.
5. Attend a Minor Baseball Game
Minor League Baseball is big in New Jersey. The explanation is that Minor baseball games are entertaining, cheap, and competitive. They also provide a chance to tailgate, hang out with friends, and enjoy the game all in one.
There are more than 20 minor baseball teams in the state, ranging from the Atlantic City Surge to the Trenton Thunder. Some of the teams are not in the official minor league. But they offer entertaining baseball, nonetheless.
If you're not a big baseball fan, Garden City is a sports state. You can attend a hockey game at the Devils Hockey. You can watch football at the Jets Football, attend a soccer match, or watch track and field athletics.
6. Take an Adventure in NJ's National Parks
One of the best ways to have fun in NJ is to interact with nature at one of the 60+ national and state parks in the state. You can hike, camp, and watch wildlife at the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.
You can also go bird-watching, fishing, and boating at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. If you like to go on bicycle rides, archery, bird watching, or boating, we suggest you visit the Gateway National Recreation Area.
There are more parks in Garden State, each packed with fun activities for tourists. They include the Thomas Edison National Historic Park, Patterson Great Falls, and the New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve.
