Jersey Shore Family Vacations

Jersey gets a bad rap. People who have never visited the Garden State tend to conjure images of Tony Soprano, Atlantic City casinos, or the infamous smokestacks and oil drums of the New Jersey Turnpike -- images that don't exactly scream "kid-friendly destination." But, the coastal towns of this colorful little state are far removed from the scenes you see depicted in movies. Fresh, salty air; funnel cakes and zeppoles on the boardwalk; amusement parks and doo-wop motels, straight out of the 50's; and calm, sandy beaches are the reality there. There aren't many beach towns left that offer the unique ambience and flavor of a Jersey Shore vacation.

But, families that have visited know that already. The shore (you'll never hear it called "the beach") is full of good, old-fashioned fun for families. The coastline is vast, spanning 127 miles from Sandy Hook all the way south to Cape May. The Jersey Shore is probably most famous for its boardwalks, the most well-known of which are in Point Pleasant, Seaside and Atlantic City.

Choosing which shore town to visit depends on what vibe you're going for. Whether it's the casual, low-key fun of Long Beach Island, the historic charm of Cape May or the hopping boardwalks of Seaside and Wildwood, there really is something for everyone.