The 12 Best Jersey Shore Towns in 2025 – Enjoy Boardwalks & Beaches

We found the best Jersey Shore towns that offer the perfect blend of entertainment and miles and miles of some of the best beaches in the country.

There are actually over 40 different towns that are located along New Jersey’s picturesque shore, so picking the top 12 isn’t easy.

That’s why we’ve used our in-depth methodology to filter out the best small towns on the Jersey Shore—not just for sunbathing, but for longer visits, and for living. You’ll also discover why these gems are good for a weekend trip, a long summer vacation, or a permanent move to coastal life.

Methodology

To curate this list of best towns on the Jersey Shore, we considered a mix of visitor-friendly features and factors essential for those looking to relocate.

First and foremost, we considered the overall vibe of each town to find those that match what it truly means to be a Jersey Shore town. That includes each town’s amenities, quality of their beach, and number of things to do for families and for adults.

We also factored in livability stats like job opportunities and crime rates as those are factors that make any town great, even if it is just for a visit.

The 12 Best Jersey Shore Towns

12. Ocean City, New Jersey

Population: 11,229
Location: Check on Google Maps

If “America’s Greatest Family Resort” sounds like a bold claim, Ocean City backs it up. This town is squeaky clean in all the best ways—no alcohol sales, no rowdy parties, just sun-soaked boardwalks and wholesome fun.

But don’t let its buttoned-up reputation fool you; the miles of sandy beaches, charming boutique shops, and classic amusement rides make it one of the best towns on the Jersey Shore for both vacationers and potential residents. And let’s not forget its annual Night in Venice boat parade, a quirky spectacle that turns the bay into a floating festival of lights.

Ocean City isn’t just a great place to visit, it’s one of those towns that wraps around you like a cozy beach towel you never want to let go of.

11. Spring Lake, New Jersey

Population: 2,993
Location: Check on Google Maps

Here’s the place to sip iced tea on a porch and feel like you’ve stepped into another time. Spring Lake is the best Jersey Shore town for those who dream of quiet days and serene nights.

Victorian architecture lines its streets, and there’s a sense of refinement in every corner. It’s not a boardwalk town; it’s more of a stroll-on-the-beach, read-a-book kind of place. Living here is like wrapping yourself in a cozy sweater all year long.

10. Stone Harbor, New Jersey

Population: 866
Location: Check on Google Maps

How can something so small be so ritzy? Enter Stone Harbor, where the beaches glisten and the real estate makes your wallet cry in anticipation. Here is where the wealthy frolic. Art galleries? Check. Designer boutiques? Absolutely. But the charm lies in the way the town refuses to boast about itself—it’s humble luxury. When you’re here, you’re not just in a town, you’re in an elevated state of coastal mind.

9. Wildwood, New Jersey

Population: 5,325
Location: Check on Google Maps

Take a dash of neon, mix it with doo-wop music, and sprinkle in more than a mile of boardwalk. That’s Wildwood for you.

It’s like a throwback to the 1950s, yet somehow futuristic in its eccentricity, making it one of the best small town on the Jersey Shore for families and adults alike.

From Morey’s Piers amusement park to free beaches that stretch for miles, Wildwood doesn’t just show up—it arrives with a marching band. Relocation? Only if you’re ready for non-stop energy.

8. Seaside Heights, New Jersey

Population: 2,888
Location: Check on Google Maps

Maybe you’ve heard about Seaside Heights through reality TV, but there’s more to this place than the infamous boardwalk fist-pumps. Seaside Heights is a kaleidoscope of beach culture, boardwalk games, and carnival lights.

The iconic Casino Pier hosts thrilling rides that launch you over the Atlantic, while the surrounding arcades keep everyone—locals and tourists alike—entertained for hours.

Though it’s brimming with energy during the summer months, this town has its quieter, nostalgic side during the off-season. Its resilience after Hurricane Sandy shows why it’s one of the best small towns on the Jersey Shore—a place that rebuilds, reinvents, and never loses its boardwalk soul.

7. Avalon, New Jersey

Population: 1,334
Location: Check on Google Maps

“Cooler by a mile,” they say. Avalon is like the slightly more rebellious sibling of Stone Harbor. This town stretches out across Seven Mile Island, and its residents know how to appreciate that extra mile.

From swanky homes to laid-back seafood shacks, Avalon perfectly balances upscale living with chilled-out vibes. Also, paddleboarding here should be mandatory.

6. Cape May, New Jersey

Population: 3,607
Location: Check on Google Maps

If gingerbread houses could exist outside of fairytales, they’d all live in Cape May. This town’s Victorian charm has kept it a postcard-perfect destination. Birdwatchers flock to its shores while historians stroll down Washington Street Mall.

Move here, and you’ll be the main character of your very own period drama. Cape May just might be the best small town on the Jersey Shore for both history buffs and dreamers alike.

5. Long Beach Island, New Jersey

Population: 8,556
Location: Check on Google Maps

Affectionately dubbed LBI, Long Beach Island isn’t just one town, but a string of barrier island communities. Each one has its flavor—Surf City for surfers, Ship Bottom for quick beach access, and Beach Haven for Victorian houses.

You’re never far from ice cream stands and bike rentals here. It’s where beach days are long, and worries are short. It’s the best town on the Jersey Shore if you want endless variety in a single stretch of sand. But also take note that it’s probably one of the most popular (and crowded) towns, too.

4. Spring Lake, New Jersey

Population: 2,993
Location: Check on Google Maps

Here’s the place to sip iced tea on a porch and feel like you’ve stepped into another time. Spring Lake is the best Jersey Shore town for those who dream of quiet days and serene nights. Victorian architecture lines its streets, and there’s a sense of refinement in every corner.

It’s not a boardwalk town; it’s more of a stroll-on-the-beach, read-a-book kind of place. Living here is like wrapping yourself in a cozy sweater all year long.

3. Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey

Population: 4,606
Location: Check on Google Maps

Point Pleasant Beach may have “pleasant” in the name, but don’t be fooled—it’s bustling with activity. Jenkinson’s Boardwalk is a hub for family fun, from arcades to aquariums. The Manasquan River offers kayaking and fishing for those who prefer water without the waves. The beach itself? Soft, powdery sand, perfect for summer lounging.

Here, they know how to keep both visitors and residents happy.

2. Belmar, New Jersey

Population: 5,584
Location: Check on Google Maps

Looking for a beach town that knows how to party but still keeps its act together? That’s Belmar for you. The beach is wide, and the nightlife is wild, but mornings here are made for peaceful walks along the boardwalk.

Residents love Belmar’s ability to blend the excitement of the summer season with the quiet calm of winter, the perfect balance between thrill and tranquility.

1. Asbury Park, New Jersey

Population: 16,666
Location: Check on Google Maps

Asbury Park is rock ‘n’ roll wrapped in salt air. Home to Bruce Springsteen’s legendary music scene, this town is where creativity flourishes. From the Stone Pony to colorful murals on every corner, Asbury Park pulses with an artistic heartbeat.

And yet, there’s room for everyone here. Families picnic by the beach, while hipsters crowd coffee shops.

Whether you’re visiting or relocating, you’re in for an eclectic ride in this Best Jersey Shore town.