Overview
Lakewood is a town in Ocean County, New Jersey.
1 sights · 6 things to do · 1 places to eat · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Lakewood
Ocean County Park
The first park in Ocean County, once an estate for Rockefeller, has a disc golf course, swimming pool, lake with beach, dog park, and sporting facilities.
Lake Shenandoah County Park
Lake Shenandoah is stocked with trout, providing opportunities for fishing.
Sister Mary Grace Burns Arboretum
Within the Georgian Court University campus, the gardens feature both native and non-native species. Some of the largest trees of their species in the county can be found here. The Italian Gardens have an eagle and drago…
Sky Zone Lakewood
Strand Theater
A theater built back in 1922, originally showing silent films. It waned as other cinemas opened nearby, but today it has a restored Art Deco and Neo-classical interior.
ShoreTown Ballpark
This stadium is the home of the Jersey Shore BlueClaws. Features a mini-golf course, a boardwalk-themed section, and a variety of fast food.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 85°F; winter lows dip to about 22°F. Wettest: Mar and Aug. (climate data from nearby Toms River)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- TTN Trenton Mercer Airport, Ewing Township — 34 mi away. Directions
- EWR Newark Liberty International Airport, Newark — 41 mi away (major hub). Directions
Take the Garden State parkway to exit 89A/B. From the west, you can take NJ-70 east or I-195 east to exit 28A.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Sky Zone Lakewood, ShoreTown Ballpark
- Lunch Smokey Hill
- Afternoon Lake Shenandoah County Park, Ocean County Park
Day 2
- Morning Sister Mary Grace Burns Arboretum, Lake Carasaljo
- Afternoon Strand Theater
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
What is now a bustling Jewish town used to be woods.
Get in
Take the Garden State parkway to exit 89A/B. From the west, you can take NJ-70 east or I-195 east to exit 28A.
Go Lakewood Terminal
Served by NJ Transit from NYC (130, 132, 136, 139) and Philadelphia (317); by Academy Bus from NYC and US-9; and by Ocean Ride.
Get around
The Lakewood Shuttle bus costs $1 to ride and is available on weekdays.
Most major roads have sidewalks, with the exceptions of undeveloped areas and US-9 south of downtown.
See
See Sister Mary Grace Burns Arboretum
Within the Georgian Court University campus, the gardens feature both native and non-native species. Some of the largest trees of their species in the county can be found here. The Italian Gardens have an eagle and dragon sculpture and urns. The fenced Japanese Garden has a garden path with 4 bridges. The Sunken Garden has a lagoon that flows to Lake Carasaljo. The Formal Garden, in front of the mansion, has a sundial and 18 flower beds. Other, smaller gardens have perennial flowers.
Do
- - located in Lakewood
Do Lake Carasaljo
Named after the daughters of Joseph W. Brick, the lake hosts a variety of activities during the spring and summer, and ice skating during the winter. The Lakewood Amphitheatre can be found near the lake's shore.
Learn
Eat
Eat Smokey Hill
A southern-style kosher BBQ.
Sleep
Nearby
Howell
City / town · 7 listings · 6 mi away
Brick Township
City / town · 5 listings · 6 mi away
Jackson Township
City / town · 12 listings · 7 mi away
Point Pleasant
City / town · 6 listings · 8 mi away
Wall
City / town · 7 listings · 8 mi away
Lakehurst–Manchester
City / town · 1 listings · 8 mi away
Point Pleasant Beach
City / town · 45 listings · 9 mi away
Bay Head
City / town · 9 listings · 9 mi away
My experience
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