By Jillian Diamond
Summer is coming, and as the weather gets warmer, you’ll be thinking about taking beach trips with your family.
Pennsylvania and Delaware are largely landlocked, so for Delaware Valley residents of those states, the best bet for finding a good beach where you can spend a weekend or family vacation is the Jersey Shore. For those willing to travel a bit further up north, New York also has some fun and family-friendly beaches with plenty of things to do.
Whether you like swimming, surfing, making sandcastles or just cracking open a good beach read, these beaches are sure to provide endless fun for the whole family!
Cape May, NJ
Cape May is considered one of the earliest resort towns in the United States, and the first seaside resort in the country. Its history is clearly visible in the Victorian architecture common in the town. History buffs can stay in one of Cape May’s many bed and breakfast inns, many of which operate out of historic Victorian mansions.
While Cape May is old, it’s far from outdated. The Cape May Promenade, which runs alongside the beach, is home to many arcades, candy stores and small businesses. Guests can spend a day shopping or play games for prizes. There are many restaurants in the area as well, with plenty of options for all kinds of cuisine, especially seafood.
Cape May is also a great vacation spot for animal lovers. The Cape May County Park and Zoo is free to enter and home to species including lions, monkeys and giraffes. Currently, the zoo is working to implement penguin and flamingo habitats. There are also several options for boating expeditions where guests can spot whales and dolphins. If you’re looking for something a bit more unorthodox, try Jersey Shore Alpacas, an opportunity to hang out with friendly alpacas.
Wildwood, NJ
Wildwood (with its multiple beaches often referred to as the Wildwoods) is a paradise for amusement park fans and a nostalgic vacation destination for many who grew up in New Jersey. It’s home to the iconic Morey’s Piers & Beachfront Waterparks, an amusement park with more than 100 rides across three boardwalk piers. The park has rides for all ages and comfort levels, from thrilling roller coasters and waterslides to calmer, smaller rides built with young children in mind.
If you’re not a fan of roller coasters, there’s still plenty to do on the Wildwood Boardwalk. The boardwalk spans 2.5 miles and features arcades, midway games, mini-golf courses and, of course, plenty of food. It’s a magical scene at night, when all the stalls and amusement park rides are lit up.
Wildwood’s beaches are no slouch, either. They’re all completely free, and there’s even dog-friendly beaches if you’re traveling with a furry friend.
If you’re looking for something especially unique to do, check out the Doo Wop Experience and Neon Sign Garden—a museum dedicated to memorabilia from the ’50s and ’60s.
Asbury Park, NJ
Asbury Park is relatively small compared to some of the other beaches on this list, but its quaint atmosphere gives it a unique charm. The beachfront town is especially iconic for its music scene and history, as it was a common performance spot for artists like Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Count Basie and The Clash. Today, Asbury Park is home to the iconic concert venue The Stone Pony, with popular bands and musicians performing there throughout the year.
Asbury Park’s boardwalk is home to a variety of different restaurants, from less expensive offerings like hot dogs and popcorn to sit-down restaurants and bars. If you’re in the mood for something sweet, stop by Coney Waffle, a world-famous ice cream parlor best known for its waffles and crazy milkshakes.
Depending on when you come to Asbury Park, there’s always something happening in the seaside town. In October, the beach becomes infested with zombies at the annual Asbury Park Zombie Walk, a parade where participants dress up as zombies. For the artistically inclined, there are many music and film festivals throughout the year, including the Sea.Hear.Now Festival, which celebrates music and surfing, and the Garden State Film Festival. Asbury Park has a long history with the LGBTQ community, so it’s also the home of the Jersey Gay Pride Parade.
Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk, NY
Rockaway Beach made the news in 2012 when it was partially destroyed by Hurricane Sandy. In the years since then, the beach has made a massive recovery and is now a popular travel destination for native New Yorkers and tourists alike. It’s only a short ferry trip away from New York City, and its beaches are the only ones in the state that are legal for surfing. Guests can rent paddle boards and surfboards from local businesses, which also offer lessons on how to use them.
The area is home to a boardwalk with many diverse restaurants and the famous Rockaway Hotel & Spa. Rockaway Beach also offers many opportunities for activities and sports, such as handball, pickleball and volleyball courts, roller hockey and a thriving skating scene with several skate parks.
If you’re in the area during May or June, you might even be able to see horseshoe crabs—they come to the beach to lay their eggs in the late spring and early summer, and the hatchlings return to the sea a few weeks later.
Brighton Beach, NY
Just a short distance away from the legendary Coney Island amusement park, Brighton Beach is a thriving area with tons of places and activities to explore. If you’re in the area during the winter, try ice skating at the Abe Stark Skating Arena or go under the sea and learn about aquatic wildlife at the New York Aquarium. The area is also home to many famous playgrounds where younger children can play without having to shell out for a park ticket.
Brighton Beach itself is a bit quieter than Coney Island and has a rich history as an enclave for Russian, Georgian and Uzbek immigrants. If you like Russian food, or want to try it for the first time, there are many restaurants in the area offering Russian cuisine. Many stores in the area also go beyond the traditional beachside gift shops, offering more unique collectibles inspired by the owners’ homelands.
