732.389.4800New Jersey Shore Itinerary – 3-Day Coastal Escape
If you’re ready for an unforgettable trip, this New Jersey Shore itinerary will help you plan the ultimate getaway.
Beaches, dining, concerts, and more attractions—the Jersey Shore has something for everyone. We’ve planned this itinerary so you can pack as much excitement as possible into three days and see all the best sights. Remember to stay at the centrally-located Latitude Suites Tinton Falls Eatontown, so you’ll always be close to the action.
This New Jersey Shore itinerary is meant to serve as a guide, and you can swap out activities based on your interests. It’s broken up into morning, afternoon, and evening, with suggestions for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in between exciting events and fun.
Now, get ready to hit the New Jersey Shore running!
Plan Your Perfect Getaway
Experience Comfort & Convenience at Latitude Suites
Latitude Suites offers the ideal blend of comfort and convenience, whether you're here for business or leisure. Our spacious rooms, premium amenities, and central location are all designed to make your stay exceptional. Secure your reservation today for an unforgettable stay.
Day 1 – North-Central Coast Classics
(Asbury Park → Spring Lake → Sea Girt | all within 20 min of the Latitude Suites Tinton Falls Eatontown hotel)
Morning
Start your day with a refreshing cup of coffee at Social Centre Bistro. Whether you’re an early bird or like to sleep in on vacation, you can enjoy a hot breakfast buffet from 6 to 10 AM weekdays, and 7 to 11 AM on weekends. You’ll never need to waste time looking for coffee shops or waiting in long drive-through lines.
Once you’ve fueled up for the day, get ready to enjoy the Asbury Park boardwalk, which is only fifteen minutes away from the suites. Here are just a few exciting activities you can do at the boardwalk:
- Take pictures outside the Stone Pony, home stage for The Boss himself. Even if Bruce Springsteen isn’t playing during your trip, the calendar may have other artists you can see later in the day.
- Enjoy the beach. In the warmer months, you can swim or build sand castles with the family.
- Check out the Silverball Retro Arcade. Want to introduce your kids to a game that isn’t available on a screen? Or, maybe you and your friends want to reminisce about the old days. The Silverball Arcade offers pinball machines, skee ball, air hockey, and more.
Afternoon
From Asbury Park, it’s a quick trip on Route 71 to Spring Lake, an upscale beach town with unique options for afternoon fun.
Here are a few activities to consider:
- If you’re a fan of history or architecture, you’ll want to walk First Avenue and view its famous Victorian buildings.
- In the mood for a more active afternoon? You can bike the two-mile oceanfront boardwalk or go for a swim on the beach.
- Maybe you’re ready for some indoor activities instead. Spring Lake is also known for its shopping district, with stores selling everything from art to ice cream to clothing.
Getting hungry for lunch on the way to or from Spring Lake? Sea Girt, another of New Jersey’s delightful beach towns, is close by and known for its fresh-catch tacos. You can enjoy them on the beach if you’re ready to get back outside or just watch local surfers show off their moves.
Don’t forget to snap a few pictures outside of the Sea Girt Lighthouse, a historical landmark that’s been open since 1896. If you visit on a Sunday, you can even take a tour between 2 and 4 PM.
Evening
After a day of seeing the sights, return to the suites for dinner at The Social Centre Bistro & Bar. Enjoy a refined bistro and bar experience with American favorites, artisan pizzas, fresh salads, hearty sandwiches, and wings. Pair your meal with a wide selection of beer, wine, and spirits. Open for breakfast and dinner.
Day 2 – Mid-Shore Thrills
(Seaside Heights → Island Beach State Park | 30-35 min from the hotel)
Morning
Next up on your New Jersey shore itinerary is a quick trip south to Seaside Heights. Another seaside town, it’s known for family fun and boardwalk activities.
One of its best-known attractions, Casino Pier amusement park features boardwalk rides, including a Ferris wheel, bumper cars, and even a funhouse. Your kids will love the Elephant Express and Dizzy Dragons rides, and if they’re in the mood for swimming, Casino Pier also has a nearby waterpark. Meanwhile, adults and teens will enjoy the arcade games and 45 MPH Hydrus Roller Coaster.
If you’re ready for lunch, check out Casino Pier’s bucket-list sausage-and-peppers sub.
Afternoon
Only ten minutes away from Seaside Heights is Island Beach State Park, a quieter destination with ten miles of sandy beach. You can swim, fish, rent a beach cruiser, or get a picture of Barnegat Lighthouse. If you’re lucky, you may even spot a dolphin!
Evening
After your second day of adventuring, head back to your hotel for a relaxing evening. The hotel’s indoor pool and sauna are just what you need to relax any sore muscles.
For dinner, you can reheat pizza or other to-go box finds in the in-suite kitchen. Or, head to nearby Red Bank, only 15 minutes away, for a late-night meal with live music.
Whenever you return to your suite, you’ll find a 50” streaming TV, fresh towels, and a luxuriously soft bed waiting for you.
Plan Your Perfect Getaway
Experience Comfort & Convenience at Latitude Suites
Latitude Suites offers the ideal blend of comfort and convenience, whether you're here for business or leisure. Our spacious rooms, premium amenities, and central location are all designed to make your stay exceptional. Secure your reservation today for an unforgettable stay.
Day 3 – Jetty-to-Rivertown Gems
(Long Branch Pier Village → Ocean Grove → Red Bank | 15-25 min loops)
Morning
Begin your day with another delicious breakfast at the Social Centre Bistro or grab a snack to go. Our next stop is a 20-minute drive to Long Branch’s Pier Village, where you can shop at the boutiques, relax with a beachside yoga class, or check out the seaside espresso bars and restaurants. If you’re traveling with kids, they may enjoy the Pier Village carousel, mini-golf, or bowling at Pier Pins.
Afternoon
Our next stop is only five minutes to the south in Ocean Grove, where you can view the architectural marvels of gingerbread porches and the Great Auditorium. In the summer, you can also enjoy guided historical walking tours.
Hungry for lunch? A quick drive inland takes you to Red Bank for a riverfront lunch. Choose from farm-to-table bistros, jazz cafes, Italian steakhouses, and more. After lunch, you can check out some of the trendy boutiques and unique coffee houses.
Evening
For your last night on the Jersey Shore, enjoy a relaxing evening in. Slip into a luxurious robe and get comfortable in front of your 50” TV while enjoying farmer’s market finds from your trip.
Before bed, enjoy a nightcap in the hotel’s library lounge, where you can relax around a cozy fireplace. Swap stories with fellow travelers or enjoy the final evening with your family or friends.
Must-Know Travel Tips
Wondering when to visit, what to pack, or how to navigate around the Jersey Shore? We’ve got must-know travel tips to help you have the best possible vacation.
Best Times to Visit
This depends on your personal preferences. Many people like to vacation in the summer months because they can enjoy swimming, surfing, and other beach activities. Some festivals and events are also held in summer.
But because these months are so popular, travel costs are higher in summer. Planning a “shoulder season” trip in the fall or winter may save you several hundred dollars.
Additionally, some travelers don’t enjoy the warmer months or simply aren’t beach people. For them, a shoulder season trip not only saves money but also allows them to vacation in cooler temperatures.
Finally, the Jersey shore is less crowded in shoulder season, leading to shorter wait times at attractions. You can visit more locations due to reduced traffic and waiting.
Parking and Toll Advice
Many of the locations on our itinerary can be reached by using the Garden State Parkway. This is a toll highway where you can pay with E-ZPass or cash. However, cash is only taken at certain staffed toll booths.
For this reason, it may be faster to use an E-ZPass account. Many states on the East Coast use E-ZPass, so if you already have an account, you can use your transponder and existing account.
If you rented a car, you may be able to use your transponder in the rental car, but you should check with the rental agency.
Packing List: From Beach Gear to Evening Attire
Have you ever gone on a trip, arrived at your destination, and suddenly realized you forgot to pack something important? It happens to many of us, and it can throw a wrench into your vacation plans.
To help you avoid that situation, here is a list of things to remember when packing for your Jersey Shore vacation:
- For the beach: Swimsuit, sunscreen, pool toys, and scuba or snorkeling gear if you plan to do those activities.
- For the amusement park: Sunscreen, cash for tickets or snacks, and a battery-powered phone charger.
- For nightlife: A sweater or jacket in case it gets cooler after dark, stylish but comfortable clothes, and cash for drinks.
Dining Options Cheat Sheet
If you’re looking for some hidden gems or you’re in the mood for something specific, we’ve assembled this handy cheat sheet:
Searching for boardwalk bites? You’ll love these options:
- Brown’s Restaurant in Ocean City is known for its mouthwateringly good donuts.
- If you’re hungry in Asbury Park, check out Cousins Maine Lobster, Pucker Lemonades & Beach Fries (don’t forget to try the fried Oreos), and Coney Waffle.
- Sawmill Pizza in Seaside Heights is famous for its giant slices of pizza.
When you prefer a sit-down meal, check out these farm-to-table restaurants:
- The Semolina Restaurant in Red Bank features farm-to-table pasta, seafood dishes, New York strip steak, and zeppolis for dessert.
- In Sea Girt, the Scarborough Fair restaurant offers an upscale farm-to-table experience in a historical building that was originally a farmhouse.
- Trama’s Trattoria in Long Branch is a Jersey Shore staple, a Tuscan Italian eatery with fresh salads, pasta, seafood, and more.
Many visitors prefer plant-powered options, while others are looking for hidden gem coffee shops. Here are the best vegan spots and out-of-the-way coffeehouses to catch on your trip:
- In Asbury Park, you may be able to catch the Parmagianni pop-up restaurant, which serves delicious, Detroit-style vegan pizzas.
- The Driftwood Coffee House in Spring Lake serves coffee, tea, and fruit smoothies in a cozy atmosphere.
- Shore Pour Specialty Coffee in Sea Girt offers classic coffee drinks, wellness shots, and gluten-free French macarons in a variety of flavors.
- Seaside Heights is home to Pressed, which combines specialty coffee and waffles for a unique culinary experience.
- The Good Karma Vegan Cafe in Red Bank is known for its Tempeh Buffalo Wings, Savory Seitan Nuggets, and Cauliflower Crunch Wrap.
- Turning Point of Long Branch is an award-winning coffee shop serving breakfast, lunch, and distinctive coffee.
- Ocean Grove hosts Dale and Dollops, featuring classic American foods like mac and cheese, burgers, and cheese fries, all made vegan.
Local Events & Festivals Calendar
Got FOMO about missing an exciting event during your stay? We’ve compiled a list of local events and festivals so you’ll know what’s available when you plan to visit:
- January: Ring in the New Year in Ocean City, with a 70-event First Night celebration, plus a First Day at the Beach featuring a 5K and Polar Bear Plunge.
- February: Fall in love with the Asbury Park Valentine’s Bazaar, complete with live music, a Valentine’s photo wall, a flower wall, and opportunities to shop for your sweetie.
- March: The Color and Light Festival visits Asbury Park in March, with projection-mapped images set to music.
- April: The OC Con Comic Book & Memorabilia Show takes over Music Pier in Ocean City, featuring comic book heroes and lots of costumes.
- May: Ocean Grove hosts the Spring Fling Arts & Crafts Show and Spring Flea Market.
- June: Farmer’s markets are in season! Long Branch’s West End Farmer’s Market runs June 5 through October 16 from 9 AM to 3 PM.
- July: Long Branch also hosts Oceanfest for the July Fourth holiday, with live music, family activities, and lots of fireworks.
- August: If you start celebrating Halloween in summer, you’ll love the August Asbury Park Ghost Tours.
- September: The Sea.Hear.Now Festival in Asbury Park combines surfing with concerts featuring popular artists like Hozier and Blink-182.
- October: Red Bank celebrates Oktoberfest with beer and wine tastings, live music, and a kids’ zone.
- November: Ocean City’s Winterfest by the Sea Holiday Shopping Extravaganza is held in the Civic Center.
- December: Christmas at Allaire transforms Seaside Heights into a winter wonderland with caroling, ornament making, and open historic buildings.
Plan Your Perfect Getaway
Experience Comfort & Convenience at Latitude Suites
Latitude Suites offers the ideal blend of comfort and convenience, whether you're here for business or leisure. Our spacious rooms, premium amenities, and central location are all designed to make your stay exceptional. Secure your reservation today for an unforgettable stay.
Conclusion
This Jersey Shore itinerary is designed to help you pack as much fun as possible into three days. Mapping a thoughtful Jersey Shore itinerary ensures you spend more time making memories and less time stuck in traffic. You’ll love the destinations on our list and the ease of getting there with this plan.
Ready to craft a Jersey Shore getaway that fits your style? Contact the Latitude Suites Tinton Falls Eatontown to make a reservation, and let’s turn this outline into your ultimate road trip reality.
