There’s something altogether invigorating about the New Jersey Shore. This coastal enclave on the Atlantic Ocean is filled with glittering fanfare. Seemingly endless traffic peppers the Parkway, as all roads lead to the iconic Atlantic City Boardwalk. The Jersey Shore is indelibly etched into our collective DNA; it defines us.
Visitors across the Garden State and within the tri-state area understand the Jersey Shore's real-deal appeal. When the weather warms up in spring, and the mercury reaches fever-pitch levels in the summer, the Jersey Shore comes alive.
Many folks have pleasant memories of this or that spot along the shore. And why not? It’s a beautiful stretch of oceanfront properties filled with extravagant entertainment, idyllic beaches, and more tourist hotspots than you can shake a stick at.
But the secret spots interest us the most, those precious gems that only locals are privy to. Of course, you’ll have to squeeze them pretty hard to spill the beans. They don’t want all the out-of-towners ruining the local vibe.
There are always plenty of tourists streaming into town, some from as far afield as New Zealand. For some of these folks, anything even vaguely related to Atlantic City has to do with the casino vibe. And if you take these folks a little bit too far away from Atlantic City, they start wondering how to do online casinos NZ and how to implement it while just outside of Atlantic City.
For the locals, this can get a little bit tedious. It’s understandable; additional tourism causes congestion and raises prices. Ultimately, it’s the locals who are forced out of their favorite hotspots. But we’re lucky here today; we’ve got dibs on the hidden gems along the Jersey Shore, courtesy of local, New Jersey folks who don’t mind sharing some of the many treasures in the area.
Motts Creek Inn – Galloway
The ritz and glitz of Atlantic City, New Jersey, is never too far away from the treasured gems along the Jersey Shore. Hidden in plain sight is none other than Motts Creek Inn. This spectacular little watering hole is far enough away from the hustle and bustle of the Jersey Shore, but close enough to it to remain appealing to locals.
It’s a favorite haunt for regular folks, bikers, and fishermen. There are blue skies, plenty of green grass, and just enough emptiness to make it thoroughly appealing to those who frequent it. It’s one of those bayfront towns that appeals to the senses; it’s just moments away from the Oyster Creek Inn, a spectacular waterfront ensemble with fabulous seafood.
South Cape May Meadows Preserve
For all the birdwatchers out there, few eastern shore states are quite as beautiful as rustic, rural, and natural as New Jersey. It’s a haven for birdlife. And nowhere is better than South Cape May Meadows, nestled in West Cape May and the Lower Township. It’s quite the destination location for avid outdoors people.
Imagine your delight when you happen upon 200+ acres of meadows, dunes, and wetlands. This preserve also features a mile of protected oceanfront. Visitors can enjoy the guided walks, courtesy of the New Jersey Audubon’s Cape May Bird Observatory. Few Jersey Shore mini expeditions are quite as rewarding as this one. Make sure to put it on your list of hidden gems along the Jersey Shore to-do list.
The Commercial Township and Strawberry Avenue
At first glance, Strawberry Avenue, in the Commercial Township looks like you’ve arrived in nowhere land. This is a part of the Jersey Shore that few people visit. And yet, the Strawberry Avenue Boardwalk is simply beautiful. There are fields of trees and visually stunning landscapes, a jagged creek and plenty of grass.
Out in the distance, you’ll catch a glimpse of Delaware Bay. Granted, you’re unlikely to see the Commercial Township and Strawberry Avenue in any Jersey Shore postcards or brochures. But, you can safely say that you’ve been there and that is worth its weight in memory gold.
Little Egg Harbor on Great Bay Boulevard
The name is important, because several other Egg Harbors exist, notably, Egg Harbor Township, and Egg Harbor City. Little Egg Harbor in Great Bay Boulevard is different. It is nestled in the southernmost part of Ocean County. It’s a piney town and a shore town all in one. Sightseers can head down Great Bay Boulevard, passing the Wawa in Tuckerton and Tuckerton Seaport.
It’s a pretty isolated stretch of land, with a fine sprinkling of homes all over the place. You’ll notice Atlantic City off in the distance, but there’s plenty of bay and marshland in between. Visitors to this part of town get a real sense of isolation and distance from the hustle and bustle of Atlantic City.
Keep these precious gems near and dear to your heart. We certainly don’t want too many out-of-towners packing these precious spots!
