Tourism in New Jersey keeps climbing. Last year, the state hit record highs with more than $50 billion spent by visitors. Beaches, history, boardwalks, food… you name it. And as 2025 nears its final quarter, it is shaping up to be even busier.
World Atlas recently highlighted 10 Jersey towns that keep showing up on travelers’ lists. Some are famous, others are smaller and tucked away, but they all have something that hooks people. Here they are, alphabetical style.
Asbury Park
Asbury Park is that Shore town everyone thought was past its prime years ago, and then it came back swinging. Music is still the heartbeat (the Stone Pony hasn’t gone anywhere), but now you’ve got art, bars, murals, boutique hotels, even a poolside rooftop hangout at The Asbury Hotel. The boardwalk is alive again. Honestly, this place has personality and a restaurant scene that most towns would kill for.
Atlantic City
Atlantic City is pure energy. Casinos, concerts, food—it’s busy day and night. Sure, gaming is the headline, but families head for the aquarium, and history buffs tackle the 228 steps up the Absecon Lighthouse. It’s the third tallest in the country. You’ll feel it in your legs when you reach the top.
Avalon
Avalon keeps it classy. Seven miles of clean, quiet sand, and the vibe is more relaxed compared to rowdy neighbors down the coast. You can fish, sip cocktails at The Sandbar Village, or hit the Arts & Seafood Festival in the fall. A lot of Jersey Shore towns are loud. Avalon doesn’t need to be.
Cape May
Cape May is like stepping into a Victorian postcard. Painted houses, trolley tours, and seafood joints that locals brag about. Oysters, crab cakes, fish tacos—it’s all here. If you want to do something different, hop on a boat cruise in the back bays. It’s part history trip, part beach getaway.
Clinton
Clinton looks like small-town America frozen in time. The Red Mill Museum Village, the old iron bridge, riverside views — it’s all walkable. Dinner at the Clinton House feels like a tradition. The place has been serving since the 1700s, and you can tell.
Frenchtown
Frenchtown leans artsy and outdoorsy. The Delaware & Raritan Canal Trail cuts through town, and kayakers love it. Every July, they throw a Bastille Day party with music and food that feels straight out of France. Wild Fern Brewing pours craft beers in a space that feels more like a friend’s living room than a bar.
Haddonfield
Haddonfield mixes Revolutionary War history with small-town theater life. The Indian King Tavern is a landmark, but today you’ll find live shows, cozy taverns, and a walkable main street. Brewer’s Towne Tavern is the local hangout for football nights and karaoke. It feels like a community, not just a town.
Lambertville
Antique hunters love Lambertville. Flea markets, four-story emporiums, little galleries — you could spend an entire weekend here and not see it all. Add in riverfront views and a boutique inn in a converted train station, and it’s no wonder people keep coming back.
Morristown
Morristown wears its history proudly. Washington and his army camped here, and the national historical park tells that story in detail. For something hands-on, Fosterfields Farm lets kids and adults try old chores like feeding chickens or husking corn. And the Morris Museum adds a modern balance with art and live performances; and a pizzeria that rivals some of the state’s best.
Ocean City
Ocean City still calls itself “America’s Greatest Family Resort,” and the boardwalk proves why. Rides, games, shops—it’s packed all summer. The beaches are safe, lifeguards everywhere, and families return generation after generation. The inflatable Aqua Park is new enough to feel fresh, but the charm is that Ocean City doesn’t really change.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.