Things to do / Travel Guide
During the peak summer months the Jersey Shore swells with vacationers. While the region is a favored hotspot for travelers with more means at their disposal, the Jersey Shore is also known to allow for a more affordable vacation than other, rival East Coast getaway spots. Shoppers will be relieved to know that there is no retail tax on clothing or shoes. And though nearly all New Jersey beaches charge about $5 for a daily beach “pass” or “tag,” Atlantic City, North Wildwood, Wildwood, and Wildwood Crest beaches are free.
Lodging Costs in the Jersey Shore
With luxurious casino-hotels located along and in the immediate vicinity of its famed boardwalk, Atlantic City is decidedly the most expensive Jersey Shore spot when it comes to lodging. Cape May's beautiful historic inns and elegant restaurants can also be pricey. That said, many Atlantic City casinos offer weekend hotel package deals, which allow you to stay in the heart of the action without having to lay out too much money. And budget motels and affordable dining venues are available throughout the Jersey Shore. Clean, comfortable lodging arrangement in close proximity to the beach can often be found for under $100 a night. Those looking for a more rugged and rustic money-saving stay will find it at almost every Jersey Shore campground.
Dining Costs in the Jersey Shore
Dining costs on the Jersey Shore aren't excessively high, whatever your taste buds desire. Posh restaurants in Atlantic City will, understandably, cost more to dine at, but many affordable places to eat can be found there, too, as well as in other towns all along the Jersey Shore, such as Cape May and Wildwood. And of course, you (and a partner) can always get by for lunch on an inexpensive Philly cheesesteak!
Transportation Costs in the Jersey Shore
Getting around the Jersey Shore, however, may incur a few extra expenditures. Gas prices in the region are generally a little less expensive than in other New Jersey locations, save for Atlantic City's per gallon rates, and tolls are charged on the New Jersey Turnpike and the Atlantic City Expressway.
Public transportation within the region is quite affordable. New Jersey Transit offers Family Supersaver Fares for trains and buses both on weekends and holidays; two children travel free with a paying adult. A free shuttle is also available between the Atlantic City Rail Terminal and all Atlantic City casinos.
Attraction and Activity Costs in the Jersey Shore
Most Jersey Shore attractions, botanical gardens, and nature preserves have an admission fee of under $10, and a visit to a Jersey Shore lighthouse usually costs even less (some merely request donations). More adventurous activities are, predictably, more costly: A one-hour helicopter ride costs around $270; while open-cockpit biplane rides can be even more expensive. Tickets to shows and concerts can cost anywhere from $50-$250, depending on who's headlining and where the show is, but early bookings often come with discounts.
Free Attractions in the Jersey Shore
The Jersey Shore region also offers several attractions worth incorporating in your itinerary if you want to have fun for free. Admission to Atlantic City Art Center on Garden Pier in Atlantic City is free of charge, as is entry to the Cape May County Zoo. The Atlantic City Laser House on Grand Boulevard offers free laser shows nightly, and Monday nights at the House of Blues are free of charge. You can swim or sunbathe in Highland at three Sandy Hook Bay beaches (Miller Street, Snug Harbor, and South Bay Avenue), as well as at the beaches in Atlantic City, North Wildwood, Wildwood, and Wildwood Crest. Longstreet Farm in north Jersey Shore's Holmdel Park is also freely open to the public year-round.
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