Ocean County is one of those places where you can spend the morning walking through a quiet nature preserve, grab lunch near the water, hit the beach in the afternoon, and finish the day on a classic Jersey Shore boardwalk.
Stretching from Point Pleasant Beach and Toms River down through Long Beach Island and Tuckerton, Ocean County offers much more than beaches alone. There are state parks, hiking trails, historic sites, museums, amusement parks, wildlife attractions, waterfront towns, and plenty of places worth exploring away from the ocean.
If you’re wondering what there is to do in Ocean County, New Jersey, here are some of the places worth putting on your list.
1. Explore Island Beach State Park
If you want to experience the Jersey Shore without the boardwalk atmosphere, Island Beach State Park is one of the best places to start.
The park stretches for roughly 10 miles along a barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and Barnegat Bay and preserves more than 3,000 acres of dunes, beaches, maritime forest, wetlands, and tidal marshes. It’s also home to New Jersey’s largest osprey colony.
Visitors come here for more than swimming. Depending on the season, you can hike short nature trails, surf, fish, kayak along the bay side, watch wildlife, or simply find a quieter stretch of shoreline.
Good for:
Beach days, nature, birdwatching, kayaking, photography and fishing.
Location: Seaside Park, NJ
Local tip: Summer weekends can get busy enough that the park temporarily closes when parking reaches capacity, so arriving earlier in the day is usually worth it.
2. Visit Barnegat Lighthouse State Park
Few landmarks are more closely associated with the northern end of Long Beach Island than Barnegat Lighthouse, better known locally as Old Barney.
The original lighthouse was lit in 1859 and once served as an important navigational point for vessels traveling along the New Jersey coast. Today, visitors can explore the lighthouse area, walk the Maritime Forest Trail, visit the interpretive center, fish along Barnegat Inlet, and take in views of Barnegat Bay and Island Beach.
The park itself has no entrance fee, although seasonal fees may apply for climbing the lighthouse.
Good for:
History, photography, walking, fishing and waterfront views.
Location: Barnegat Light, Long Beach Island
3. Spend a Day at Point Pleasant Beach and Jenkinson’s Boardwalk
Sometimes you want the full Jersey Shore experience: beach, boardwalk food, games, rides and an arcade all within a few blocks.
That’s where Jenkinson’s Boardwalk comes in.
Located in Point Pleasant Beach, the boardwalk includes amusement rides, arcades, miniature golf, games, food, shops and the aquarium. Jenkinson’s current boardwalk map lists 14 rides, multiple arcades, attractions, games and more than 20 food-and-drink locations.
The adjacent beach makes it easy to turn the trip into an all-day outing.
Good for:
Families, kids, date days, classic Jersey Shore nostalgia and summer visitors.
Location: Point Pleasant Beach, NJ
4. Experience Seaside Heights
Seaside Heights offers another version of the classic Shore day, with a beach and boardwalk surrounded by rides, games, food and entertainment.
Ocean County Tourism lists Seaside Heights Beach and Boardwalk among the county’s major beach destinations, with attractions including Casino Pier and Breakwater Beach nearby.
But Seaside doesn’t have to be an all-day amusement trip. You can just as easily walk the boardwalk, grab something to eat and spend some time watching the ocean.
Good for:
Boardwalk trips, families, groups, summer evenings and people looking for a lively Shore atmosphere.
Location: Seaside Heights, NJ
5. Walk the Trails at Cattus Island County Park
You don’t have to travel far from Toms River to find more than 500 acres of trails, wetlands and Barnegat Bay scenery.
Cattus Island County Park covers approximately 530 acres and includes about seven miles of trails. The park also features scenic boardwalks, birdwatching areas, a butterfly garden and the Cooper Environmental Center, which has exhibits focused on the natural environment of Barnegat Bay.
There’s also an accessible 1,000-foot ADA boardwalk.
It’s one of those places that can easily be overlooked if you associate Ocean County only with beaches and boardwalks.
Good for:
Walking, nature, birdwatching, families and photography.
Location: Toms River, NJ
2026 note: Ocean County says the eastern half of the park’s Main Trail is scheduled to close beginning in early October for the first phase of a shoreline restoration project, so visitors should check current trail conditions.
6. Make a Day of Long Beach Island
Long Beach Island, or LBI, isn’t really one attraction. That’s exactly why it deserves its own spot on this list.
You can build an entire day around exploring the island: beach time, small downtown areas, restaurants, ice cream, shopping, water activities and the communities that stretch along the barrier island.
Ocean County Tourism includes Long Beach Island among the county’s primary beach destinations, while Barnegat Lighthouse anchors its northern end.
And because each part of LBI feels a little different, it’s worth exploring beyond whichever beach you normally visit.
Good for:
Beach days, restaurants, shopping, couples, families and day trips.
7. Ride the Coasters at Six Flags Great Adventure
Not every Ocean County adventure involves saltwater.
Jackson Township is home to Six Flags Great Adventure, one of the county’s biggest attractions.
The park combines major roller coasters and family rides with the adjacent Wild Safari, a roughly 350-acre safari experience featuring animals from six continents. Hurricane Harbor is also located alongside the park for summer water-park trips.
That makes Jackson an easy full-day destination, particularly for families and thrill-seekers.
Good for:
Roller coasters, families, teens, groups and full-day outings.
Location: Jackson Township, NJ
8. Discover Ocean County’s Maritime History at Tuckerton Seaport
If you’ve ever wondered what life around the Jersey Shore looked like before beach badges, boardwalks and summer rentals, head south.
Tuckerton Seaport Museum focuses on New Jersey’s coastal heritage and maritime culture. The site offers museum exhibits along with educational programs and experiences on the water.
It’s particularly useful for understanding the connection between Barnegat Bay, fishing, boating and the communities that grew around the water.
Good for:
Local history, families, maritime culture and educational trips.
Location: Tuckerton, NJ
9. Visit Popcorn Park Animal Refuge
For something completely different, head to Forked River.
Popcorn Park Animal Refuge is operated by the Associated Humane Societies and provides a home for rescued animals.
The refuge is currently open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., weather permitting, with admission ending at 3:30 p.m.
It’s an especially easy addition to a family day out when you’re looking for something that doesn’t revolve around the beach.
Good for:
Animal lovers and families with children.
Location: Forked River, NJ
10. Get Off the Tourist Trail at an Ocean County Park
Some of the most underrated places in Ocean County aren’t on the boardwalk at all.
The county park system includes destinations such as Wells Mills County Park in Waretown, Jakes Branch County Park in Beachwood, Cloverdale Farm County Park in Barnegat and Ocean County Park in Lakewood.
County parks generally do not charge an admission or parking fee, and environmental centers at several parks offer free educational programs.
These are great options when you want hiking, biking, nature or just somewhere quieter to spend a few hours.
Good for:
Hiking, biking, nature, inexpensive outings and exploring beyond the Shore.
What Can You Do in Ocean County Besides Going to the Beach?
Quite a lot.
Ocean County has amusement parks, nature preserves, museums, historic landmarks, hiking and biking trails, wildlife attractions, boardwalks and waterfront communities. The county’s tourism office lists everything from theme parks and museums to beaches, cultural attractions and outdoor recreation.
That variety is part of what makes the area interesting. You can have two completely different weekends without leaving the county.
What Are the Best Free Things to Do in Ocean County?
For a lower-cost day out, start with the area’s public parks and outdoor attractions.
Cattus Island County Park and other Ocean County parks do not charge general admission or parking fees. Barnegat Lighthouse State Park also has no general park entrance fee, although lighthouse-climbing fees can apply seasonally.
Walking a boardwalk itself can also be free, although beach access, rides, parking and attractions may carry separate charges.
Is Ocean County Worth Visiting Outside of Summer?
Yes. In fact, some places are arguably easier to enjoy outside peak summer weekends.
Spring and fall can be excellent for hiking, birdwatching, lighthouse visits and exploring places such as Cattus Island, Wells Mills, Island Beach State Park and Tuckerton. Many attractions also offer seasonal fall and holiday programming.
Just check operating schedules before heading out because beach services, rides, museums and other attractions often reduce their hours outside peak season.
There’s More to Ocean County Than the Shore
The beach may be what first brings people to Ocean County, but it’s far from the only reason to explore it.
From the natural coastline of Island Beach State Park and the history surrounding Barnegat Lighthouse to boardwalk nights in Point Pleasant Beach, trails in Toms River and maritime history in Tuckerton, there’s always another corner of the county worth discovering.
And sometimes the best way to get to know an area isn’t by reading statistics about it.
It’s by spending a Saturday there.
About Michael Tumminelli
Michael Tumminelli, Broker Associate, works throughout Ocean and Monmouth Counties and regularly shares information about the towns, neighborhoods and local places that make this part of New Jersey home.
Michael Tumminelli | Broker Associate
📞 848-333-3420
📞 732-473-1700
📧 [email protected]