Yes, I’m a Jersey girl…and I do love Bruce (obviously!).  Bruce is right, down the shore everything really is alright.  For me, some of my favorite childhood and young adult memories were made there!

Every summer, we’d gather with my mom's family for two weeks down the shore. All of us packed into a house in Avalon, New Jersey. Those were my two favorite weeks of the entire year. Mini golf and ice cream. Days in the sun followed by afternoon naps. Day trips to Cape May and the amusement park in Ocean City. Great laughs, total relaxation, just pure fun. The kind of summer memories that stay golden no matter how many years go by.

As we got older, my mom fell deeper in love with the coast. She really wanted to buy a house down the shore. It took some convincing for my dad, but she got there. When I was in high school, she finally persuaded my dad, and they bought their first beach house in Long Beach Island (LBI), New Jersey.

Whenever we drove over the bay and onto the islands, I always felt a physical release. My mom would always turn off the AC and roll the windows down to smell the ocean air.  We’d breath away anything negative and leave it behind on the mainland. 

It was in LBI that I first truly understood on a deep, cellular level that a connection to the coast could be something so much more than those fun, sun-soaked summer days. I’ve shared more of that personal story in my Substack linked here.  From that moment on, I knew that I always needed to live close to the water. 

With the incredible response to our newly launched Down the Shore Hook Pillow (which I designed as a heartfelt nod to my own memories at the shore) I am realizing just how many of you share my deep love for the Jersey Shore!

 I thought it would be fun to put together an coastal edit with NJ in mind and share some of my favorite destinations down the Shore!

SHOP THE EDIT

Enjoy my fellow Jersey girls (& guys)!

xx Meg 

LONG BEACH ISLAND  (LBI)

The island stretches 18 miles and is made up of a string of distinct towns, each with its own personality.  It's a wonderful place to visit, especially with kids! Whether you prefer a peaceful beach day or a packed itinerary, LBI delivers that quintessential Jersey Shore experience in the best possible way.

Must-Sees:

•       Explore the island's many shore towns from north to south: Barnegat Light and its famous lighthouse, Harvey Cedars, Surf City, and Beach Haven each have their own distinct character.

•       If you have kids, go to Beach Haven and visit Fantasy Island Amusement Park and mini golf!

AVALON & STONE HARBOR

Growing up we always rented in Avalon, but we spent a lot of time going into Stone Harbor for restaurants and shopping. Both are absolutely beautiful towns and great for families.  Known white sand beaches, tall dunes, and warm Atlantic water, it’s one of the most pristine stretches of the Shore.

Must-Sees:

• Springer’s Homemade Ice Cream: A beloved ice cream parlor that’s been a shore tradition since the early 1960s.
• The beaches here are exceptionally beautiful, you won't want to leave.  Bring a book!

Credit: Y Travel

SPRING LAKE

If you love classic coastal architecture, Spring Lake is the place to be. The town is filled with stunning Victorian homes, wrap-around porches, and perfectly manicured lawns. The boardwalk here is completely non-commercial, making it wonderfully quiet and peaceful.

Must-Sees:

• Walk or bike the two-mile non-commercial boardwalk — one of the few remaining on the Jersey Shore, perfect for a peaceful morning stroll.
• Admire the Victorian architecture along the tree-lined streets.  Spring Lake has one of the most intact collections of late 19th-century homes on the shore! 

Credit: New Jersey Monthly

Credit: Anderson Campanella

BAY HEAD & MANTOLOKING

Famous for their classic cedar-shake homes that look like they belong in Nantucket or the Hamptons. Bay Head has a tiny, charming downtown area and gorgeous, private-feeling beaches. It is very residential and deeply tranquil.

Must-Sees:

•       Bay Head Cheese Shop & Bottles Too is a seasonal gem for gourmet cheeses, wine, homemade quiche, and charcuterie.  It's the perfect stop for a beach picnic!

•       Simply be. Bay Head and Mantoloking are about slow mornings, long beach days, and evening walks past extraordinary homes.  They're quieter towns with picturesque beaches - divine!

CAPE MAY

If you love historic charm, Cape May is entirely unique. The whole city is a National Historic Landmark.  It is famous for its colorful, gingerbread-style Victorian homes, incredible bed-and-breakfasts, and a phenomenal culinary scene. It feels a bit more vibrant and historic than a traditional “beach town.”

Must-Sees:

• The West End Garage is a marketplace with over a dozen small businesses under one roof: vintage clothing, artisanal food products, and handcrafted home décor.

•      Stroll and bike along Beach Avenue. Cape May is wonderfully walkable, with Victorian homes, ocean views, and ice cream shops at every turn.

Credit: Conde Nast Traveler

Credit: The Jetty Motel