We’ve rounded up all the hot spots you need to make your next trip down the Shore the best ever.

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Best Smoothies
Juice Girl
Stone Harbor
juicegirlfarmacy.comDo your body good with one of the super-healthy smoothies made by Juice Girl Christine Patton. She uses only the best fresh, local ingredients, and she’ll even deliver your smoothie to your Shore house or blanket on the beach.
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Best Creative Night Out
Just Bead It
North Beach Haven
justbeadit.netGrab your BFFs for a BYOB craft night at this Shore shop. You and your friends will learn how to get creative and make fun and funky jewelry while having a blast together.
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Best Place to Beat the Heat
Harbor Square Movie Theatre
Stone Harbor
harborsquaretheatre.comOn those extra-hot days, step inside the cool theater to catch new blockbusters and classic flicks on the big screen. Plus, you can bring food – and even adult beverages – from next door’s Harbor Burger Bar to enjoy while you watch.
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Best Way to Roll Through Vacation
Zippy’s Bikes
Wildwood
Zippysbikes.comZippy’s has all the bike gear you need to have fun on two wheels during your Shore stay. You can rent beach cruisers, trikes, trailers and even tandem bikes for a few hours or the whole week.
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Best New Place to Rock in A.C.
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Atlantic City
hardrockhotelatlanticcity.comThis new must-see spot just turned the excitement in A.C. up to 10. The world-class venue plans to host nearly 300 live shows within the first year and boasts tons of dining and nightlife options for an amped up experience at the Shore.
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Best Kid-Friendly Monday Mornings
Long Beach Island Historical Museum
Beach Haven
lbimuseum.comStart your kids’ week off on a fun note inside the makerspace at the LBI Historical Museum. Kids 6 and up will create a fun Shore-related project from 10:30 am till noon every Monday through August.
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Best Reason to Wed at the Shore
The Grand Hotel
Cape May
grandcapemay.comFrom the beautiful oceanfront setting to the top-notch food, The Grand Hotel knows how to make weddings unforgettable. The outstanding staff takes care of every detail, so couples can enjoy their big day in wedded bliss.
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Best Snack on the Go
Johnson’s Popcorn
Ocean City
johnsonspopcorn.comIf you’re looking to make your trip to the beach pop, don’t skip grabbing a bucket of Johnson’s mouth-watering, hot-caramel tossed popcorn. Ask for the lid off, and they’ll give you a little extra in the bag to enjoy while you stroll the boards.
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Best Way to Give Yourself the Heebie-Jeebies
Ghosts of Cape May Trolley Tour
Cape May
capemaymac.orgAs this ghostly tour winds through the dimly lit streets and towering Victorian homes of Cape May, you’ll learn about the town’s haunted inhabitants. Try not to squeeze the person next to you too tightly!
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Best Way to Wear Your Jersey Pride
Design Nation
Ventnor
shopdesignnation.comDon’t just say it, wear it. At this custom T-shirt shop, you first pick your blank apparel (they’ve got everything from tanks to tote bags, in loads of colors), then choose one of the pre-made designs and watch as your slogan is printed right before your eyes.
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Best Way to Support Shore Artists
The Noyes Art Garage
Atlantic City
artsgarageac.comThe artist shops and studios inside The Noyes Art Garage are filled with everything from one-of-a-kind paintings and photographs to handmade jewelry and furniture.
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Best Next-to-Impossible Dinner Reservation
Chef Vola’s
Atlantic City
chefvola.comChef Vola’s is so exclusive it can be a challenge getting a spot at this reservation-only Italian restaurant that’s been a city-wide legend for decades. (Unless you’re Beyoncé or one of the many other stars who’ve dined at this legendary place.) Those who have made it rave about the classic fare and intimate environment.
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Best Boardwalk Nights
The Wildwoods
wildwoodsnj.comWhen the sun goes down, fun on the Wildwood Boardwalk is just getting started. Hot summer evenings are packed with live entertainment, family movies, neon tours, Friday night fireworks and so much more.
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Best Crab Cakes
Rio Station
Rio Grande
riostation.comYou haven’t really lived until you’ve had one of Rio Station’s delicious crab cakes. Their original recipe is decades old – and perfected.
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Best Instagram-Worthy Desserts
Peace Pie
Ocean City & Cape May
peacepieworld.comFew things are as Instagram-worthy as one of these delicious frozen treats. Made with a layer of pie filling, these ice cream sandwiches come in far-out flavors like key lime pie, blueberry cobbler and Irish coffee.
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Best Place to Get Your Fingers Sticky
Mallon’s Homemade Sticky Buns
Sea Isle City, Avalon & Ocean City
mallonsstickybuns.comYou won’t be able to resist getting your hands on these homemade sticky buns. They’re one of the sweetest ways to wake up at the Shore.
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Best Taco Pizza
Tony Boloney’s
Atlantic City
tonyboloneys.comThis one-of-a-kind pie can only be ordered on Thursdays (pre-ordering is encouraged) and is stacked high with tacos, then topped with even more sauce, guacamole and cheese.
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Best Boost in a Bowl
Bungalow Bowl
Ocean City
bungalowbowls.comThese deliciously colorful acai bowls are loaded with the good stuff and are topped with nutrient-packed fruits, granola and chia seeds for an awesome snack that will leave you feeling satisfied and healthy.
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Best Frozen Treat
Bashful Banana Bakery & Café
Ocean City
bashfulbananacafe.comIf you think ice cream is good, you have to try a banana whip. This unique boardwalk favorite takes frozen bananas, whips them up into a soft-serve consistency and tops it with whatever you like.
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Best Lobster Rolls
Crab & Seafood Shack
Wildwood
crabandseafoodshack.comAnother summer, another well-deserved accolade for the lobster rolls at this Shore eatery. Trust us, you need to try them!
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Best Beach-Side Breakfast
Northend Beach Grill
Ocean City
facebook.com/Northend-Beach-GrillYou’ll have to wander up to North Street Beach to find this tiny, white bungalow facing the ocean. There’s no better way to enjoy an early Shore morning than sliding into one of the bench seats on the open porch and watching surfers catch waves while you enjoy breakfast.
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Best Seaside Stage
Cape May Stage
Cape May
capemaystage.orgBroadway classics and Pulitzer Prize-winning plays come to life on this seaside stage. Shows often star well-known performers, including Oscar-winning actress Anne Hathaway’s mother, Kate McCauley Hathaway.
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Best Way to Bake at the Shore
Crazy Susan’s
Ocean City
crazysusanscookies.comBaking at the Shore has never been so fun. Susan will personally show you her crazy kitchen moves and baking secrets when you sign up for one of her baking classes. Plus, you’ll get to take home more than two pounds of yummy cookies and her special s’mores recipe!
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Best Place to Put Your Chopsticks to Work
Tomatoe’s
Margate
tomatoesmargate.comTomatoe’s in Margate has delicious seafood, pasta and other entrées, but it’s their sushi menu that leaves a lot of mouths watering. This restaurant serves up huge, fresh rolls, like the Calvin (tuna, crab and avocado topped with spicy lobster) and Naruto (tuna, salmon and crab, wrapped in cucumber).
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Best Way to Sneak in Leg Day on Vacation
Barnegat Lighthouse
Barnegat Light
state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/barnlig.html
At the northern tip of Long Beach Island, this lighthouse (and state park) is a must-see. Those 217 steps to the top are quite the workout, so wear comfortable sneakers and do some light stretching before you try to tackle them all.
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Best Doughnuts Worth the Drive
Frog Hollow Bakery
Greenfield
facebook.com/FrogHollowBakery/Pile in the car now, because this is one drive worth taking. This little hidden bakery has been making the warm, sugary doughnuts the same way for decades. And when you go, be sure to say hi to Jimmy the resident donkey!
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Best Afternoon Eats
Brine
Wildwood Crest
brinebythebay.comEvery day at 4 o’clock, the kitchen at Brine starts turning out awesome appetizers, fresh seafood, big burgers and a whole lot more. There’s no reservations, so head there early – and often.
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Best Reason to Extend Your Vacation
The Reeds at Shelter Haven
Stone Harbor
reedsatshelterhaven.comThe elegant accommodations, outstanding amenities, five-star dining and stunning setting all add up to a vacation you’ll never want to leave (trust us when we say a week isn’t enough).
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Best Way to Brunch for Good
Enlightened Café
Ventnor
hansenfoundationnj.orgIf you’re looking for good food that comes with good vibes, Enlightened Café offers a locally grown organic menu, live music, poetry, community yoga and meditation classes. The best part: proceeds go toward scholarships for individuals seeking substance abuse treatment.
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Best Place to See a Concert & Stay Overnight
Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa
Atlantic City
theborgata.comThere’s nowhere better to play and stay at the Shore. Hit the awesome Event Center to catch an unbelievable show from A-list entertainers like Cher and Stevie Wonder, then head upstairs to unwind in one of the hotel’s luxe rooms, complete with stunning views.
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Best Place to Hang Poolside
Ocean Club Hotel
Cape May
oceanclubhotel.comThe large pool at this boutique Shore hotel is like an oceanfront oasis you won’t want to leave. And why would you, when the beautiful sundeck boasts sun beds, swanky cabanas, poolside food and drink service, and live entertainment every day.
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Best Look Beyond the Boards
Morey’s Piers & Water Parks
Wildwood
moreyspiers.comGet a rare look at what happens behind the scenes at Morey’s Piers during the Beyond the Boards VIP tour. Each 75-minute walking tour is led by a member of the Morey family and showcases the people who make the park hum, like mechanics, carpenters and welders. Be sure to wear your closed-toe shoes!
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Best Rooftop Pool
Flip Flopz Bar & Grill
North Wildwood
flipflopzbarandgrill.comFlip Flopz takes fun in the sun to a new level. The rooftop pool has fabulous views of the ocean, a full menu, live entertainment and drinks served poolside.
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Best Sip & Stay Packages
Montreal Beach Resort
Cape May
montrealbeachresort.comMontreal Beach Resort has rolled out the welcome mat for beer, wine and spirit lovers. You can choose from packages that include a VIP tour and tasting at Nauti Spirits Distillery, Hawk Haven Vineyard & Winery or Cape May Brewing Company, followed by a relaxing oceanfront stay. Cheers!
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Best History Lesson
African American Heritage Museum of Southern NJ
Atlantic City
aahmsnj.orgAtlantic City might be a party destination, but this boardwalk empire is also rich with history. The African American Heritage Museum is home to exhibits honoring black history in AC and beyond, including memorabilia from the Northside, the once-segregated section of the city.
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Best Super Summer Getaway
Reges Oceanfront Resort
Wildwood Crest
Regesresort.comMaking family memories has never been easier, thanks to the five-night Super Summer package at Reges. It includes two dinners for two adults and two kids, along with two passes to Morey’s Piers and two rounds of mini golf. Then, at the end of each fun-filled day, you can enjoy the view from your comfy oceanfront room.
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Best Crafts with Critters
Cape May County Park & Zoo
Cape May Court House
cmczoo.comKids ages 3 to 10 can get wild at the zoo from 1 to 3 pm every Sunday afternoon. Each week features a new craft and a cool new animal for the kids to meet.
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Best Spa Day
Immersion Spa at The Water Club
Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa
Atlantic City
theborgata.com/spas/immersion-spaClear your calendar, because you’ll want to spend the entire day unwinding at this gorgeous spa. Treat yourself to a relaxing massage, indulge in a luxurious facial and then let your worries float away while you enjoy the whirlpool with sweeping views of the Shore.
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