Point Pleasant: Our Favorite Jersey Shore Escape

 Going Down the Shore to Point Pleasant, New Jersey

Point Pleasant Beach

If you grew up in New Jersey, you know the phrase “going down the shore” is part of our summer vocabulary. The Garden State is lined with wonderful beach towns like Belmar, Spring Lake, Bradley Beach, each with its own personality. But year after year, we find ourselves drawn back to Point Pleasant, a place that combines everything we love about the Jersey Shore: a beautiful beach, a lively boardwalk, amazing food, and plenty of family fun. Point Pleasant Beach is just a short two hour drive from Monroe, New York.  As Bruce Springsteen once sang, “down the shore everything’s alright.”

The Beach and Boardwalk

Seagull at the Beach

Point Pleasant’s beach is wide, clean, and perfect for soaking up the sun or cooling off in the surf. After a day in the sand, the boardwalk is the heartbeat of town. You can walk its full length all the way to the inlet, where you’ll see the fishing boats heading out to sea or returning with their catch.

On the boardwalk, the choices are endless. Pizza is a must—grab a slice at Joey Tomato’s, known for its huge pies, or stop by Martell’s for a quick bite with a view. For dessert, nothing beats an ice cream cone or frozen custard from Kohr’s, a boardwalk staple for generations. And of course, we never leave without a box of salt water taffy and creamy fudge from the candy shops.

Point Pleasant Boardwalk

A family favorite of ours is playing skeeball in the arcades, which never loses its charm. And every Thursday night in the summer, Jenkinson’s Boardwalk lights up the sky with fireworks, making evenings by the ocean feel even more magical.

Skeeball at the Arcade

Swing Ride on Jenkinson's Boardwalk

 

Boardwalk Highlights:

• Classic skeeball fun at Jenkinson’s arcade
• Thursday night fireworks over the beach
• A slice of pizza from Joey Tomato’s
• Kohr’s frozen custard—boardwalk perfection”

Thursday Night Fireworks at the Boardwalk

Dining at the Shore

Red's Lobster Pot Point Pleasant, NJ

Point Pleasant is home to a fantastic food scene. We’ve enjoyed meals at The Offshore, Wharfside, Boatyard, and Red’s Lobster Pot, but the restaurant we return to most is The Shrimp Box. With its fresh seafood and incredible views of the bay, it’s a spot that always delivers.

Pig and Parrot Brielle, NJ

This summer we discovered something new just across the bridge in Brielle—The Pig and Parrot. Set at the Brielle Yacht Club, it’s a Key West–style bar and grill with island eats, tropical drinks, water views, and live music. With its laid-back vibe, you feel transported straight to the Keys.

For casual dining, Surf Taco hits the spot every time. Their Tex-Mex menu is perfect for a quick bite between beach and boardwalk.

    

Surf Taco Point Pleasant, NJ

     Favorite Eateries

•  The Shrimp Box: a bayfront favorite
•  Island vibes at The Pig & Parrot in Brielle
• Surf Taco’s fresh Tex-Mex flavors
• The Off Shore for Fine Dining

Where We Stay

Our home base each summer is The White Sands Oceanfront Hotel. It has its own private beach, two outdoor pools with ocean views, plus an indoor pool and hot tub. Best of all, it’s only a short walk to the boardwalk, making it easy to enjoy the best of Point Pleasant without ever moving the car.

The White Sands Oceanfront Resort

Unique Attractions

The Point Pleasant Aquarium

Beyond the boardwalk, Point Pleasant has plenty of attractions to explore. The Point Pleasant Aquarium offers a closer look at sea life, and nearby Seaside Heights Boardwalk makes for a fun day trip.

For something different, the River Queen—a classic Mississippi riverboat replica—offers scenic cruises along the Manasquan River and Barnegat Bay. And for adventure seekers, Belmar offers whale watching tours and parasailing, giving you a bird’s-eye view of the coastline.

The Jersey Girl Whale Watching Tour

     Things To Do

• The River Queen Boat Tour
• Whale watching in Belmar
• Parasailing with a view of the Jersey Shore

Belmar Parasail

Why We Keep Coming Back

With so many great shore towns in New Jersey, what keeps us returning to Point Pleasant year after year? It’s the perfect blend of relaxation and excitement. The beach, the boardwalk, the fireworks, the food, the fun—it all adds up to an unforgettable summer tradition. For us, Point Pleasant isn’t just a destination. It feels like home down the shore.

And as Bruce Springsteen once sang, “down the shore everything’s alright.”