Jersey Shore

Point Pleasant Beach hits the sweet spot for families - clean beaches, a manageable boardwalk, and Jenkinson's Aquarium for rainy days. The Windrift Hotel puts you steps from the sand, though book early for summer weekends. Asbury Park draws the music crowd with its revitalized downtown and venues like The Stone Pony. Stay at The Asbury Hotel for boutique vibes, or The Berkeley Oceanfront for old-school charm. Spring Lake offers Victorian elegance without the chaos - think manicured beaches and the historic Chalfonte Hotel. Cape May at the southern tip serves up Victorian architecture and some of the shore's best restaurants. But here's the thing: traffic on the Garden State Parkway turns a 2-hour drive into 4 hours on summer Fridays. Plan accordingly.