Attractions In Long Beach Island New Jersey
Long Beach Island New Jersey, a barrier island located 1-2 miles off the coast of mainland New Jersey, is known for its beautiful beaches and a relaxed, laidback atmosphere. A popular vacation destination for families, LBI has many beach rentals to suit all ages and budgets.
Getting there
Travel to Long Beach Island from the mainland by boat, air or by car via State Route 72, formerly South 40, which connects Ship Bottom to the island at Holgate and is the only access point for road vehicles over Manahawkin Bay.
The island is divided into the northern portion containing Barnegat Light, Surf City, North Beach, Harvey Cedars and Loveladies and the southern portion consisting of Ship Bottom, Brant Beach and Long Beach Township.
Getting around
The most convenient way to get around LBI is by using a rental car or taxi. The island also has a public bus system that is free to ride on.
Shopping
LBI offers a wide range of shops to satisfy your shopping needs. One of the best places to shop is at Schooner’s Wharf, which is a beachy boardwalk arcade with clothing, jewelry, food, books and souvenir shops.
Dining
There are plenty of local restaurants to choose from on Long Beach Island that serve up delicious cuisine to enjoy while you’re relaxing by the ocean. If you’re looking for something a bit more refined, check out Daymark, which has an elegant vibe and a menu filled with fresh seafood dishes.
Located along the Atlantic Ocean coast, Long Beach Island New Jersey is a family friendly vacation destination. It is home to 18 miles of white sandy beaches, amusement parks, local boutiques, sleek eateries, and historical hidden gems.
It has been ranked as one of the best summer destinations in America. It is a place where visitors can relax on soft white-sand beaches, enjoy sailing, swimming, fishing, tennis and biking.
The Atlantic Ocean #1
Long Beach Island New Jersey is an 18-mile barrier island surrounded by two bodies of water: Barnegat Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Vacationers will find six towns on the island with a little something for everyone.
The Atlantic Ocean is an essential part of the landscape and economy of Long Beach Island. It has sculpted the shoreline and created some of the most beautiful beaches in the country.
As a result of the melting and retreating of the last great ice sheet covering North America, sea level has steadily risen over the past 20,000 years. This has caused the New Jersey shoreline to migrate westward in position and elevation. This has resulted in a loss of about 2,000 feet of shoreline since the 17th Century.
This has been especially true on the northern coast of the island. This region is home to the townships of Ship Bottom, Surf City and Long Beach Township. Each of these communities have their own flavor and attract daytrippers with their conveniences and entertainment options.
The Long Island Beach State Park #2
Island Beach State Park is a popular destination for beachgoers and surfers alike. It’s home to one of the largest remnants of the barrier island ecosystem on New Jersey’s Atlantic coast, along with miles of sand dunes, freshwater wetlands and maritime forests.
It’s also known for its diverse wildlife, with 400 species of plants and animals living here. There are eight short trails, each under a mile long, that allow you to explore and learn about these habitats.
During the high season, the park can get crowded with people. So be sure to arrive early if you’re planning on enjoying the park’s beaches and amenities. The park is home to a variety of recreational opportunities for all ages, including scuba diving, fishing and kayaking.
There are also miles of hiking trails for those who want to take in the beauty of Island Beach’s natural scenery. It’s a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life and enjoy nature in its most unspoiled form. For more information, visit the Island Beach State Park website.
The Barnegat Lighthouse State Park #3
The Barnegat Lighthouse State Park is a great place to experience the history of the New Jersey coast. It is also an excellent place to birdwatch. This small piece of land contains one of the last remnants of maritime forests in New Jersey and is an important resting and feeding area for migratory birds during spring and fall migration.
The Maritime Forest Trail in the park is a short, self-guided walk through a patch of dense maritime forest that is home to black cherry, sassafras and eastern red cedar.
A number of people visited the lighthouse on Sunday, despite the chill in the air. Many of them climbed the 217 steps to the top of Old Barney to see a panoramic view of Island Beach State Park, Barnegat Bay and Long Beach Island.
The park also features an interpretive center, a fisherman’s walkway and several trails. The interpretive center is a great place to learn about the lighthouse’s 150 year history and the efforts the park has made to keep it safe.
The Fantasy Island Amusement Park #4
The Fantasy Island Amusement Park is a great place to spend a day. With rides for the whole family, a market, arcade and accommodation, there is plenty to keep you entertained.
The park’s rides have a wide variety of speeds and heights, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy. You can take your kids on a small ride like the Dragon Drench racing slides, or put your fear into motion on the fastest and highest roller coaster in New Jersey, Millennium.
There’s also a water park, so you can cool off on hot summer days. The park’s other attractions include a Ferris wheel, carousel, mini-coaster, and virtual roller coaster. The park entered administration in 2014 and was sold to Mellors Group in 2016.
The company has since made some improvements to the park’s attractions, including re-installing G-Force (a Fabbri made pendulum ride), and Jubilee Odyssey (now “The Odyssey”). In addition to these improvements, Fantasy Island is working on a new high ropes course. Hopefully, the park will be open again next year.
The Thundering Surf Water Park #5
Located in Beach Haven, the Thundering Surf Water Park is a great way to get your fix of outdoor fun without venturing far afield. It features a water park, a miniature golf course and some pretty nice eateries. For those looking for the big thrills, they have a water slides galore. The park also features a new double Flow Rider, the first of its kind in New Jersey.
The best part is that you can experience it all without breaking the bank. The park has a multi-day pass and combo tickets for the waterpark and dry attractions. It’s not hard to see why it has been a staple of Long Beach Island for the past 45 years! For more info on the Thundering Surf Water Park, please visit their website.
The Hartland Golf & Arcade #6
Hartland Golf & Arcade is one of the most beloved attractions on Long Beach Island. It’s a family favorite where the kids can compete against each other on a challenging course. With 18 holes spread over hills, under ponds, through tunnels, and past obstacles every player has the chance to win prizes!
Summer Tournaments at Hartland Golf & Arcade are held every Wednesday at 9:00am. Trophies are awarded for top scores and door prize drawings (over $200 in great prizes) make the game even more fun!
If you want to stay close to the Hartland Golf & Arcade, you can find plenty of accommodation options on the island. A great place to stay is the Adorable Bayfront Cottage, which features free WiFi, onsite parking, and a balcony. The motel also offers a picnic area and luggage storage.
For more information, you can visit the Hartland Golf & Arcade’s official website. Read genuine guest reviews for this accommodation, along with the latest prices and availability – book now! You can also view all of the Hartland Golf & Arcade’s hotels and motels below.
The Edwin B. Forsythe Refuge #7
Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge is one of the most popular and well-known wildlife areas in New Jersey. It is home to hundreds of species of migratory birds during spring and fall migration, and it offers a variety of hiking trails and an eight-mile auto loop.
It is also a great place to spot wild turkeys, white-tailed deer, squirrels, and muskrats. You can also spot mink and otters as they forage in the fresh water habitats at Forsythe.
This refuge is a vital link in the seasonal movement of waterfowl, wading birds, and shorebirds along one of the most active flight paths in the Atlantic Flyway. It is the home of more than 46,000 acres of coastal wetlands and salt marsh.
The refuge’s managers are working to preserve the area from development and other stressors such as timbering and agriculture drainage. However, it is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain the critical edge between the tidal marshes and upland forests as property development increases near this area.
Stefano’s Restaurant #8
For nearly 30 years, Stefano’s Restaurant has been a Long Beach Island staple. Since opening their doors, owners Jane and Steve DiPietro have focused on building a business that is a part of the community.
They serve a mix of straightforward Italian dishes and more contemporary items that highlight the area’s great seafood. Pan-seared Barnegat Light sea scallops over crab risotto and lamb chops with homemade garlic mashed potatoes are just a few of the standouts on their menu.
The restaurant also offers a great selection of desserts, such as coconut cake and almond cheesecakes. These desserts are popular with locals and visitors alike.
The Dipietro family has also made a name for themselves in the community through their award winning chowder. They have competed in both the red and white chowder categories at Chowderfest on Long Beach Island for over 20 years, and Stefano’s has been named Grand Champion twice in each category.
FAQs about Long Beach Island New Jersey
What is Long Beach Island known for?
Long Beach Island, also known as LBI, is a popular vacation destination on the New Jersey shore. It is known for its pristine beaches, picturesque lighthouses, and charming seaside towns. Visitors can enjoy a range of activities, including swimming, surfing, fishing, shopping, and dining on fresh seafood.
Is Long Beach Island a good place to live?
Long Beach Island is a great place to live for those who enjoy a coastal lifestyle. The island has a tight-knit community with a strong sense of community spirit. However, the cost of living is high, and job opportunities can be limited outside of the tourist season. Additionally, the island can become crowded with tourists during the summer months.
