SUMMER HAS ARRIVED AND NEW JERSEY’S BEACHES, ATTRACTIONS, PARKS, AND SEASONAL WONDERS ARE SPRUCED UP AND READY TO WELCOME YOU BACK! THE NEW JERSEY DIVISION OF TRAVEL & TOURISM WEBSITE VISITNJ.ORG IN ADDITION TO THE SITES BELOW IS A STELLAR, INFO-RICH RESOURCE TO REFERENCE WHEN MAKING ALL YOUR GRAND SUMMER PLANS

BY LAURA D.C. KOLNOSKI

BEACHES AND BOARDWALKS
Each town along the state’s 127-mile coastline has its own personality, amenities, events, rules, and fees. Some don’t allow coolers on the sand, and two Atlantic City and Wildwood have free beach entry. Get your knowledge on to create your best shore experience.

Asbury Park: cityofasburypark.com; apboardwalk.com

Atlantic City: cityofatlanticcity.com; atlanticcitynj.com

Atlantic Highlands: ahnj.com Avalon: avalonboro.net; visitavalonnj.com

Avon-by-the-Sea: avonbytheseanj.com

Nicole Spread

Bay Head: bayheadnj.org

Belmar: belmar.com; visitbelmarnj.com

Bradley Beach: bradleybeachnj.gov

Brigantine: brigantinebeach.org; brigantinebeachguide.com

Cape May: capemay.com; capemaymac.org

Highlands: highlandsborough.org; highlandsnj.com

Keyport: keyportonline.com; visitkeyport.org

Long Beach Island: visitnj.org/city/ long-beach-island

Long Branch: longbranch.org

Manasquan: manasquan-nj.gov

Margate: margate-nj.com

Ocean City: ocnj.us; oceancityvacation.com

Ocean Grove: oceangrovenj.com; oceangrove.org

Point Pleasant Beach: pointpleasantbeach.org

Sea Bright: seabrightnj.org

Sea Isle City: sea-isle-city.nj.us; visitsicnj.com

Seaside Heights: seaside-heightsnj.org; exit82.com

Seaside Park: seasideparknj.org; seasideparknj.com

Spring Lake: springlakeboro.org; springlake.org

Stone Harbor: stoneharbornj.org; stoneharborbeach.com

The Wildwoods: wildwoodsnj.com; wildwoods.org

COUNTY PARKS
The state’s county parks are experiencing record numbers of visitors. A vast array of active and passive recreational options can be found via the links below.

Atlantic County: atlantic-county.org/ parks

Bergen County: co.bergen.nj.us/ departments-and-services/parks

Burlington County: co.burlington.nj.us/235/parks

Camden County: camdencounty.com/ service/parks

Cape May County: capemaycountynj.gov/493/activities-recreation

Cumberland County: cumberlandcountywesite.com

GOLF
Public, private, semi-private, county the Garden State is full of lush green golf courses. To see them on a map, visit golfingnewjersey.com. Need a directory? Njgolf.com has that, and everything you need to know, including deals, packages, events, and more.

When it comes to mini golf, the state has many beyond those on the boardwalks, with all kinds of fun and wacky twists on the game. For a sampling, visit funnewjersey.com and bestofnj.com.

GET FRESH: FARMERS MARKETS & ORCHARDS
The New Jersey Department of Agriculture – Find agritourism activities, pick your own fruits and veggies locations, and recipes from Garden State chefs. Findjerseyfresh.com, pickyourown.org/NJ
Garden State Wine Growers Locations and information. Newjerseywines.com

Grown in Monmouth – Complete directory for nurseries, garden centers, farmers markets, wineries/ breweries/distilleries, produce distributors, and equine locations. Growninmonmouth.com

BREWERIES, DISTILLERIES, & WINERIES
newjerseycraftbeer.com Updated info, listings by county, and an interactive map.
visitnj.org lists breweries and craft beer locations by company name.

brewersguildnj.com Member listings and industry information.

newjerseywines.com has the scoop on tasting events, wine trails, live music, food options, and more from the Garden State Winegrowers Association

NATIONAL & STATE PARKS
Alliare Village, Allaire State Park, Wall state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/allaire

Cheesequake Park and Lake state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/cheesequake

Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge fws.gov/refuge/edwin_b_forsythe

Island Beach State Park state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/island.html

Lake Hopatcong state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/hopatcong.html

Round Valley state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/ round.html

Wharton State Forest/Batsto Village Hammonton Batstovillage.org

Sandy Hook/ Gateway National Recreation Area nps.gov/gate/planyourvisit/sandyhook-hours.htm

Spruce Run state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/spruce.html

For Happy Campers – The New Jersey Campground Owners Association has a complete guide to the state’s camping destinations by region. campnj.com

MARINAS, CHARTERS, PARTY BOATS, EXCURSIONS
The state’s fishing fleets and marinas provide all manner of watercraft, fishing and sightseeing trips, and nautical fun, including a treasured New Jersey tradition – crabbing. Find yours at: njfishing.com, state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/marinas, njboating.org, and fishingbooker.com.

Atlantic City Cruises: atlanticcitycruises.com

Big Blue Cruiser/Whale Watcher, Wildwood: bigbluesightseer.com

Classic Boat Rides, Atlantic Highlands: classicboatrides.com

Manasquan Reservoir Boat Tours, Howell: monmouthcountyparks.com

Manutti Municipal Marina, Belmar: belmarmanuttimarina.com

Pirate Adventures Jersey Shore, Brick: jerseyshorepirates.com

River Lady Cruises, Toms River: riverlady.com

Seastreak, Atlantic Highlands/ Highlands: seastreak.com

Spirit of Cape May: spiritofcapemay.com

LOVELY LAKES
Atsion Lake & Recreation Area, Hammonton Bestofnj.com/best-nj-lakes

Island Beach, Mountain Lakes bestofmountainlakes.com, Facebook

Lake Absegami, Tuckerton bestofnj.com/best-nj-lakes

Lake Marcia, High Point State Park, Sussex bestofnj.com/best-nj-lakes

Shepherd Lake, Ringwood bestofnj.com/best-nj-lakes

Spruce Run Recreation Area, Clinton visitnj.org/nj-all-beaches/spruce-runrecreation-area Stateparks.com/spruce_run_state_park

Swartswood Lake, Stillwater and Hampton Townships bestofnj.com/best-nj-lakes

Round Valley Recreation Area, Lebanon njparksandforests.org/parks/round

OFF THE BOARDS
Cape May
In addition to the beach and famous lighthouse, New Jersey’s Victorian showcase resumes welcoming visitors for a variety of trolley, golf cart, house, boat, walking, and ghost tours, all sponsored by the Cape May MidAtlantic Center for the Arts. A Craft and Collectible Show is scheduled for June 6, and the Gardens of Cape May Tour takes place June 12. The Craft Beer, Music & Crab is on for August 14. Capemaymac.org

Diggerland
Drive, ride, and operate specially engineered real construction-themed heavy machinery at this increasingly popular attraction that also includes a water park, rope course, rock wall, food, and special events. Birthday parties and group events can also be booked. 856.768.1110, 100 Pinedge Dr., West Berlin, diggerlandusa.com

Grounds for Sculpture
Stroll 42 acres of lush grounds graced with nearly 300 works of art. Advance timed ticket reservations required. The indoor museum recently reopened its doors, and the delightful Rat’s Restaurant and outdoor Van Gogh Café are open. 80 Sculptors Way, Hamilton, 609.586.0616, groundsforsculpture.org

Land of Make Believe
Rides for all ages, a water park, live farm animals, an arcade, boardwalk games, an Off Road Safari Adventure, food, and more, all located on a former dairy farm. Family operated since 1954. 908.459.9000, 354 Great Meadows Road, Hope, lomb.com

Monmouth Park Racetrack
Thoroughbred horse racing at an historic venue with mini golf, picnic areas, and the Blu Grotto restaurant and Beer Garden. 175 Oceanport Ave., Oceanport, monmouthpark.com

Mountain Creek
Open four seasons, summer offers a waterpark, bike park, the Appalachian Lodge Resort, zip tours, golf, Treescape Aerial Adventure Park, and dining options. 973.827.2000, 200 Rt. 94, Vernon Twp., mountaincreek.com

Rail Trails
New Jersey now has 54 total rail trails covering 334 miles for walking, biking, and enjoying nature. Some of the former railroad tracks converted to paved pathways traverse several towns. New Jersey’s ultimate rail trail experience awaits at the Garrett Family Preserve near Cape May, where rail bikes allow riders to pedal along actual, inactive railroad tracks on a specialized conveyance past creeks and salt marshes, and through wildflower fields where wildlife abound. Traillink.com/state/nj-trails, railstotrails.org, NJhiking.com/ njbike-trail, seashorelines.org

Six Flags Great Adventure
The drive-through animal safari and theme park are open with safety protocols. Pre-visit reservations are required. The new Jersey Devil roller coaster opens this year. 1 Six Flags Boulevard, Jackson Township, 732.928.2000, sixflags.com/ greatadventure

Storybook Land
Family owned since 1955, the award winning 20-acre amusement park for the young and young at heart is meticulously maintained and offers myriad attractions. Walk through nursery rhymes and classic fairy tales, picnic, visit the water play area, and make memories. Pre-registration required. 6415 E. Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Twp., 609.646.0103, storybookland.com

Sussex County Fair
37 Plains Road, Augusta August 7–14. Carnival rides, games, and attractions, live performances, 4H exhibits, and a horse show. sussexcountyfairgrounds.org

The Nature Conservancy
The Conservancy, a worldwide environmental organization, maintains five nature preserves in New Jersey spanning north to south. Walk miles of trails through myriad ecosystems marveling at birds, wildlife, views, and acres of trees, shrubs, and flowers. nature.org/newjersey.

The Wetlands Institute
Outdoor programming has resumed at the acclaimed nature facility on South Jersey’s Seven Mile Island. Its 6,000 acres of protected wetlands serves as a living laboratory for education, conservation, events, research, and natural beauty. 609.368.1211, 1075 Stone Harbor Blvd., wetlandsinstitute.org

Tuckerton Seaport & Baymen’s Museum
The restored 40-acre historic maritime village along a boardwalk on a tributary of Pohatcong Lake recently reopened with safety protocols and requirements. Gain a wealth of knowledge about the area’s rich maritime history from local experts. 120 West Main Street (Rt. 9), Tuckerton. 609.296.8868, tuckertonseaport.org

MUSIC, THEATER, FESTIVALS
Concerts on the Green Presented by Count Basie Center for the Arts, live shows are scheduled through August at an historic golf course that was once part of a former U.S. Army base. Performances include Judy Collins (June 16), The Indigo Girls (June 22 & 23), Max Weinberg’s Jukebox (July 16 & 17), and Pink Martini (Aug. 13). Tickets available only via Ticketmaster. Health and safety protocols will be enforced. Suneagles Golf Course, 2000 Lowther Dr., Eatontown. thebasie.org, ticketmaster.com

Concerts in Palmer Square Presented by McCarter Theatre
From 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Sundays through June 30, family-friendly, free outdoor live concerts will feature professional musical performances in varied genres. Food and drink vendors, too. 3 Palmer Square, Princeton, mccarter.org/palmersquare

Drive-in Concert Series Presented by the Mayo Performing Arts Center
The Jersey Tenors, The Nerds, and The Sensational Soul Cruisers are among the six performances scheduled June 17–August 19 at Fosterfields Living History Farm, 73 Kahdena Road, Morristown, mayoarts.org

“Up On the Roof” Presented by the Axelrod Performing Arts Center and Asbury Boardwalk redeveloper Madison Marquette.

The Vogel Concert Series, running through August 25, takes place on rooftop space at Bell Works in Holmdel, and at the Arthur Pryor Bandshell, recently restored above the Asbury Park Boardwalk. Performers, some from Broadway, include Constantine Maroulis, The Wicked Divas, the Doo Wop Project, and Ace Young & Diana DeGarmo. Axelrodartscenter.com
Wings & Things Arts and Crafts Festival.

Live music, vendors, activities, demonstrations, food, and fun. June 26, Naval Air Station, Wildwood Aviation Museum, 500 Forrestal Rd., Rio Grande. usnasw.org, Facebook

ATLANTIC CITY
Lucky Snake
Headline News: Showboat presents Lucky Snake, a 100,000 square foot arcade on the hotel’s former casino floor. A planned phased opening also will debut a large sports bar with an e-sports section, a boxing ring, performance stages, a speakeasy, and a $100 million indoor water park. showboathotelac.com

The Beach Bars are Open!
The city’s wildly popular oceanfront beach bars are again rockin’ with live music, DJs, new menus, and the chance to day party on the sand. Visit these casino/hotel websites for entertainment calendars at Resorts’ Margaritaville Landshark, the Chelsea, (across from the Tropicana), Bally’s Beach Bar, the Hard Rock, Borgata’s Beer Garden, and the Deck at the Golden Nugget on Farley Marina.

Atlantic City Beer and Music Festival Presented by Caesar’s Entertainment and Good Time Tricycle Productions.

Relocated to Bader Field airport from its indoor location at the boardwalk’s Convention Hall, this marquee event is celebrating 15 years. Three sessions are scheduled Friday, June 4 through Saturday, June 5. The focus is on craft beer, with almost 400 varieties presented and 100 breweries represented. Pair cuisine from area restaurants and take part in demonstrations, seminars, contests, an arcade, and vendors. Set to perform are bands The Early November, Less than Jake, and Face to Face. acbeerfest.com

CASINO CONNECTIONS
Bally’s
609.340.2000, 1900 Pacific Ave., caesars.com/bally’s

Borgata/Water Club
609.317.1000, 1 Borgata Way, theborgata.com

Caesar’s
609.348.4411, 2100 Pacific Ave. & Boardwalk, caesars.com

Golden Nugget
609.441.2000, 600 Huron Ave., goldennugget.com/atlantic-city

Hard Rock
609.449.1000, 1000 Boardwalk, hardrockhotels.com/atlantic-city

Harrah’s
609.441.5000, 777 Harrah’s Blvd., caesars.com/harrahs

Ocean Resort
866.506.2326, 500 Boardwalk, theoceanac.com

Resorts
800.334.6378, 1133 Boardwalk, resortsac.com

Tropicana
609.340.4000, 2831 Boardwalk, tropicana.net