NJ Camping Info: Shore Region Attractions

Mention the Shore Region, and certain images immediately come to mind: more than 60 miles of pristine beaches from Sandy Hook down to Holgate; surfcasting off Seaside Park; perhaps some bodysurfing off Bay Head; or maybe a moonlit walk in Surf City. 

But while there¹s so much for beachgoers and water-sports enthusiasts to do in the Shore Region, history, culture and entertainment also abound here. Diversity is the hallmark of this part of the Garden State. So bring along more than a bathing suit or fishing rod if you want to enjoy all there is to offer.

Check it out:

Allaire State Park Route 524, Wall Township. Ride the Pine Creek Railroad to the 18th century historic Allaire village.

Barnegat Lighthouse State Park Barnegat Light, north tip of Long Beach Island. 31 acres of unspoiled beach surrounding historic Barnegat Lighthouse. "Grand Old Champion of the Tides", built 1857-58 at the scene of more than 200 shipwrecks. You can climb to top. (609) 494-2016

Beach Haven Walking Tours Downtown Victorian district, 08008. (609) 492-3885. Tours include 25 houses and six bed & breakfasts. Tuesdays and Fridays in the summer.

Casino Arcade Hamilton and the Boardwalk, Seaside Heights, 08751. (732) 793-0131. Video games, family entertainment.

Cream Ridge Winery Rt.. 539, PO Box 98, Cream Ridge, 08514. (609) 259-9797. Ten minutes from 6 Flags. Custom labeling, private group tours by reservation. Monthly themed wine festivals.

Englishtown Auction Route 9 and 527, 90 Wilson Ave. 50 acre flea market, over 1000 venders. Weekends. Closed in February. (732) 446-9644

Fantasy Island Amusement Park 320 West Seventh, Beach Haven. Created with a Victorian air that is timeless in its appeal. Features a family casino arcade, east coast's most spectacular Sculptured Miniature Golf Course, adult and kiddy rides, games, prizes, Victorian Ice Cream Parlor and tri-state food specialties. (609) 492-4000

Fort Hancock Gateway National Recreational Area Highlands, NJ, (PO Box 530). Beautiful beaches and the oldest operating lighthouse in the US, Sandy Hook. (732) 872-5970

Freehold Raceway Rts 9 & 33. Live horse racing. (732) 462-3800. New Jersey Off-Road Vehicle Park, Inc. - P.O. Box 501, Chatsworth, 08019 Non-profit organization dedicated to providing off-road enthusiasts safe and legal riding areas. (732) 657-6338

Historic Batsto Village Washington Township. Restored Revolutionary village in the Pine Barrens. (609) 561-0024

Island Beach State Park Seaside Park, SR 35. A 10 mile strip from Seaside Park to Barnegat Inlet. There are a nature center, kayak tours, and nature walks. (732) 793-0506

Jenkinson's Aquarium Boardwalk & Parkway, Point Pleasant Beach, 08742. Exotic fish, mammals, birds. Petting tank, fossil room. Also features 1/2 mile beach miniature railroad ride; Wednesday concerts by Jenkinson's Symphony Orchestra in the summer. (732) 892-0600

Lakewood Blue Claws Inaugural season for this South Atlantic Class A Professional Baseball Team. (732) 901-7000

Monmouth Battlefield Monmouth Battlefield State Park, off Rt. 33 (mailing address: 347 Freehold Englishtown Rd.), Manalapan 07726. Site of the longest battle of the American Revolution and of Molly Pitcher's well. (732) 462-9616

Monmouth County Arts Council/Count Basie Theater 99 Monmouth St., Red Bank. 07701 (732) 842-9000. A 1,500 seat theater featuring year-round symphonic and popular music, ballet, jazz, rock, modern dance and children's programs.

Monmouth Museum 761 Newman Springs Rd. Lincroft, 07738. (732) 747-2266. On the campus of Brookdale Community College. Exhibitions of art, science, nature and cultural history.

Monmouth Park Race Track Garden State Parkway Exit 105, Oceanport. Home of thoroughbred racing. (732) 222-5100

Navesink Light Station at Twin Lights Historic Site Off Rt. 36 on Lighthouse Rd, Highlands, 07732. Two-beacon lighthouse marks western entrance into New York Harbor. Artifacts of marine history in museum. (732) 872-1814

PNC Bank Arts Center Exit 116, GSP, Holmdel, 07733. A summer-long concert series of contemporary and classical music, dance and opera; ethnic festivals, special events at outdoor amphitheater. Picnic facilities and nature trail at Telegraph Hill Park on the premises. (732) 335-0400

Salt Water Fishing Anglers catch over 35 million fish in New Jersey each year. For a guide to New Jersey's Marinas and charter boats, write the Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife, Trenton, NJ.

Seaside Heights Amusements and Arcades Exit 82, GSP, Boardwalk & Atlantic Ocean, Seaside Heights. Big Top Arcade, Casino Arcade, Casino Pier & Water Works, Central Arcade, Coin Castle Amusements and Royal Arcade. 1-800-SEASHOR

Six Flags offers three great parks at one location, Great Adventure Theme Park, Wild Safari Animal Park (largest safari outside Africa) and Hurrican Harbor Water Park. CR 542, Jackson. (732) 928-1821

Tuckerton Seaport A working maritime village, located on a 40-acre site along the Tuckerton Creek featuring re-created historic structures, exhibits, demonstrations, seminars and hands on workshops. 120 W, Main Street. Open all year. (609) 296-8868

U.S. Army Communications Electronics Museum Bldg. 275, Kaplan Hall, Fort Monmouth (off GSP exit 105). Unique museum featuring communications electronics from 1917. Spy cameras, rare heliographs, carrier pigeon memorabilia. Guided tours of museum and fort. (732) 532-4390