Overview
Seaside Heights is a borough with almost 3,000 residents (2019) in the New Jersey Shore region. Seaside Heights is a beach town on a barrier island that faces the Atlantic Ocean on the east and Barnegat Bay on the west. It is connected to the mainland community of Toms River via the Thomas A. Mathis Bridge (New Jersey Route 37) over the bay. Seaside Park, directly to the south on the same island, is also covered in this article.
2 sights · 6 things to do · 8 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 8 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Seaside Heights
Casino Pier
An amusement park offering a variety of rides and large interactive play area. It has the Plymouth Rock hot tub springs for adults to relax in. (Children must be accompanied by an adult.) It also has "Patriot's Plunge," …
Boardwalk
Along the side of the beach is one of Seaside Heights' greatest attractions... the boardwalk! Funtown Pier and Beach/Casino Pier are the two sections that the boardwalk is split into. Arcades, snack shacks, and rides are…
Island Beach State Park
Boasts ten miles of undeveloped barrier island with swimming beaches, hiking trails, and a look at what the now heavily developed Jersey shore once looked like.
Sunset Beach
The main beach on the bayside.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Is a free event on the Boulevard in which many people gather to see each year on March 10th at noon.
Annual Columbus Day Parade and Italian Street Festival
It is a 3-day event in early October where many people gather together to watch and take part in. The parade takes place at 1PM on Sunday. Bands, floats, mummers, and more will take part in the parade. Food is supplied a…
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.
- ACY Atlantic City International Airport, Atlantic City — 43 mi away. Directions
- TTN Trenton Mercer Airport, Ewing Township — 45 mi away. Directions
- JFK John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York — 50 mi away (major hub). Directions
During the summer months, traffic from all directions is heavy. Traffic can vary depending on the time, day and month. Listen to local radio stations, such as WOBM 1160AM, to find out information about traffic patterns, accidents, and shortcuts. Tourist traffic usually begins in late May and continues until early September.
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 Boardwalk, Sunset Beach
- Lunch Klee's Bar and Grill
- Afternoon Annual Columbus Day Parade and Italian Street Festival, Wacky Golf Casino Pier
- Dinner Spicy Cantina
- Evening Hemingway's Cafe
Day 2
- Morning Casino Pier, Island Beach State Park
- Lunch Three Brothers From Italy
- Afternoon St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Lucky Leo's Arcade
- Dinner Maruca's Tomato Pies
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
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By car
- From New York, Northern and Southern New Jersey, travel along the Garden State Parkway until you reach Exit 82 East for Route 37. Then, take Route 37 East for 9 miles over the bridge into Seaside Heights. The trip from New York City is about 80 miles and will probably take you close to 2 hours. If you are coming from Atlantic City, you would go about 60 miles north and should expect to spend more than 1 hour on the road.
- From Philadelphia, take the Benjamin Franklin Bridge and follow signs for New Jersey Route 70 East. Take Route 70 until its junction with Route 37 East in Lakehurst, NJ. Continue on Route 37 and follow it over the bridge into Seaside Heights. The trip is about 65 miles and takes at least 1½ hours, but allow more time in case of traffic.
During the summer months, traffic from all directions is heavy. Traffic can vary depending on the time, day and month. Listen to local radio stations, such as WOBM 1160AM, to find out information about traffic patterns, accidents, and shortcuts. Tourist traffic usually begins in late May and continues until early September.
By plane
The closest large airports to Seaside Heights are:
- EWR- Newark Liberty International Airport --in Newark, NJ. A major intercontinental airport near New York City, serving as a hub for United Airlines. +1 973-961-6000
- ACY - Atlantic City International Airport -in Atlantic City, NJ. This airport is the smallest of the three and is usually is used by those within the Atlantic County area. Casino patrons are common customers, along with vacationers during the summer months. American Airlines, Allegiant, and Breeze offer flights daily. There are not many restaurants or shops within the airport, but Atlantic City is full of them. +1 609-645-7895
- PHL - Philadelphia Airport -in Philadelphia PA. Philadelphia's primary airport serves as a hub for American Airlines. +1 215-937-6937
By bus
Go NJ Transit buses
Provide numerous schedules, routes and destinations to fit customers’ needs. Along with the Seaside destination, which is offered seasonally, other locations that are also available include Seaside Park (also seasonal), Brick Township, Dover Township, Freehold, Lakewood, Newark, Newark International Airport, Hoboken, and Toms River. For schedules, fares and any other information contact the headquarters or visit the site.
By taxi
There are a number of taxi services around and within Seaside Heights, though most have offices in Toms River. Fares vary depending on the service:
Get around
By foot
The total area of Seaside Heights is 0.8 square miles. Because of this, many residents and visitors like to get their exercise by walking along the boardwalk or any other destination especially during the months of May until September.
By bike
It is common to see residents and tourists riding their bikes along the boardwalk during the summer months. Bikes are also ridden within the town to and from various destinations. Because Seaside Heights is less than a mile in total area, it is easy to get exercise and travel at the same time.
By car
When the weather begins to get a little colder and the summer is coming to an end, more and more people turn to their cars for transportation. Although Seaside Heights is not large, it is quick to reach a destination by car. Traffic can be hectic during the summer months, but it tends to slow down as September begins. Generally, parking costs $1 to $2 per hour at metered parking lots from April to October. Free parking is available year round at Grant Ave, at the town entrance, but be prepared to walk at least 4 blocks to get to the boardwalk.
By taxi
Taxi services are not really necessary during the daytime, but are usually used at night by those who take advantage of the bar scene. They are sometimes used by those who are in a real rush and do not have a car nearby.
By tramcars
This type of transportation can only be found on the boardwalk. It is a family friendly way to get around and see the boardwalk at its best.
See
See Boardwalk
Along the side of the beach is one of Seaside Heights' greatest attractions... the boardwalk! Funtown Pier and Beach/Casino Pier are the two sections that the boardwalk is split into. Arcades, snack shacks, and rides are available for children and adults to enjoy. Who knows you may even be lucky enough to win a prize at one of the many game booths located on the piers!
Do
Beach
All Seaside Heights beaches are open to the public and are at just about every block. Badges can be purchased daily and paid weekends are in effect beginning Memorial Day. Children 11 years and younger are free. $5 Seasonal Badges, $30 prior to May 14th, $35 post May 14th.
Lifeguards are available all hours that the beach is open and lifeguard towers are scattered throughout the beach. No swimming is allowed once the guards are off duty!
The surfing hotspot is at the northern end of Seaside Heights. There are natural sandbars that create some of the best waves in New Jersey.
One thing that the Jersey Shore asks of its users is to remember to keep the beaches clean!
On Thursday and Sunday evenings at the Hiering Avenue Ocean Front Stage free movies are shown on the beach. This occurs during the months of July and August. People sit on the beach with their own beach chairs or blankets. On Sunday nights, the movies are rather PG-13. No alcohol or glass are permitted to this event.
On Monday evenings at the Hiering Avenue Ocean Front stage live concerts are held. All concerts begin at 7PM. This also takes places during the months of July and August.
To the south:
Water activities
Crabbing is an activity that is fun for the whole family to enjoy. Blue crabs are native to the Bay all the way down the shoreline. Docs can be located just south of the Rt.35 bridge.
Fishing is also common in Seaside Heights. Try your luck at catching Bluefish, Fluke, Striped Bass, and Kingfish of the Casino Pier. There is a small fee for fishing and rod rentals are available. For fishing or crabbing equipment, there are many tackle stores located throughout the region. Two popular ones are The New Dolphin and Betty and Nick’s, located along Rt. 35. They are great sources of information, especially for the hotspots! Seaside Heights does not have an inlet, but if you are looking for a charter or party fishing boat, you can head seven miles north to Point Pleasant.
Parades
Do Annual Columbus Day Parade and Italian Street Festival
It is a 3-day event in early October where many people gather together to watch and take part in. The parade takes place at 1PM on Sunday. Bands, floats, mummers, and more will take part in the parade. Food is supplied and there are activities going on around the clock.
Events
- Annual Car Show Starts at 9AM. This event takes place on the Bay Boulevard where many people attend to see old antique cars for their pleasure and even take part in raffles and contests.
- Polar Bear Plunge A freezing cold plunge in late February. This is where people take part in jumping in the ocean on a not-so-summer day. It takes place at 1PM at Sheridan Avenue on the Oceanfront. This event is a fundraiser and anyone can take part in it; registration is at 9AM.
Other attractions
Do Casino Pier (Breakwater Beach Water Park)
An amusement park offering a variety of rides and large interactive play area. It has the Plymouth Rock hot tub springs for adults to relax in. (Children must be accompanied by an adult.) It also has "Patriot's Plunge," which is a six-lane racing slide where you can compete against others, and other attractions.
Do Wacky Golf Casino Pier
This mini golf course is inexpensive and takes about an hour to finish. This takes place on top of some of the shops on the boardwalk. You can look down and get a great view of the boardwalk while playing.
Buy
There is not much in the way of shopping, but little shops are also located on the boardwalk. Stores selling customized t-shirts, surf shops, and candy stores are all open from when the beach is available to the public to about 11PM.
There are many small stores along the sides of the boardwalk in Seaside Heights. Shops include, piercing parlors, beachwear outfits, t-shirt/souvenir shops as well as food/candy stores.
Shop Sunset Beachwear
This is a great place to purchase bathing suits at an affordable price. The staff is very accommodating and will assist you with finding the perfect beach wear you are looking for. Also great for souvenirs!
Eat
Eat Klee's Bar and Grill
Offers a friendly atmosphere with a wide range of food for any occasion. Appetizers, drinks, finger foods, desserts, dinners. They provide a catering service, food to go, and entertainment F Sa.
Eat Midway Steak House
They do their business out of a trailer-like station in the middle of the boardwalk path. They offer cheese steaks, cheese fries and funnel cake.
Eat Ryan’s Deli & Catering
A delicious little spot where you can stop for breakfast or lunch. They have everything from sandwiches to salads. They provide catering services, prom specials and a drug rep menu. Delivering service are available with a $10 minimal order. They accept all major credit cards and have an ATM.
Eat Sawmill Café
Home of the Green Room and known for having originated the world's largest slice. They provide fun, food and a place where you can celebrate any event. Every Friday night they have top live cover bands. On Saturdays DJ Prime spins and other featured artists perform. There menu ranges from starters such as nachos, mozzarella sticks, cheese fries, potato skins, to pizza with any topping, to their specialty cone creations.
Eat Three Brothers From Italy
Great place to stop for a quick lunch or dinner when heading on or off the beach. Well known for their overly large slices of pizza. They also have cheese steaks, big buckets of french fries and Italian sausage.
Eat Maruca's Tomato Pies
Their famous pizza ("tomato pies") has been a staple on the boardwalk since 1950. It is still run by the Maruca family.
Eat The Original Steaks
It is famous for their unbelievable cheese balls. A cheese ball is a fried ball of cheese often enjoyed with marinara sauce. Also they are well-known for cheese steaks. Their late hours attract all bar-goers after they leave the bar. It is always very busy but worth the wait.
Eat Spicy Cantina
The hottest dining/bar spot on the Seaside Boardwalk. Featuring full service Mexican cuisine, a lively atmosphere and a rocking nightlife featuring great live bands.
Drink
Drink Hemingway's Cafe
This is a premier nightclub with a large dancefloor. During the day and early evening hours it is a dining place offering pizza, steaks, seafood and pasta.
Sleep
There are many places to stay in Seaside Heights. Since the town is a vacation area there are many available accommodations to choose from. You could stay at a motel or rent a house for a short period of time. There are many realty/rental companies that would be able to assist you with your rental options.
Stay Hershey Motel
This motel has a total of 114 rooms. It is located one block from the beach and has a heated pool as well. The pricing is reasonable and is a clean place to stay. All rooms are fully air-conditioned/heated. The pool is newly renovated and there are many lounge chairs. There is a restaurant attached called the Hershey Restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Stay Aztec Ocean Resort
Located on the Boardwalk this motel is only open for a part of the year from March 6th through October 19th. There is a heated pool, restaurant, bar with entertainment, and coffee shop on the premises. Prices range from $60-150 a night, with a 2-night minimum required.
Nearby
Ortley Beach
City / town · 9 listings · 1 mi away
Toms River
City / town · 39 listings · 7 mi away
Brick Township
City / town · 5 listings · 8 mi away
Bay Head
City / town · 9 listings · 9 mi away
Point Pleasant
City / town · 6 listings · 9 mi away
Point Pleasant Beach
City / town · 45 listings · 10 mi away
Lakewood
City / town · 13 listings · 13 mi away
Lakehurst–Manchester
City / town · 1 listings · 14 mi away
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