The greatest thing about every single Jersey Shore town – NJ.com

New Jersey is composed of 565 municipalities and scores more sections and hamlets. I, Pete Genovese, have spent a lifetime wandering around and writing about this incredible state. Now, I have compiled the ultimate list: The greatest thing about every single town. Yes, all 565.

Landmarks, attractions, parks, historical tidbits, museums, restaurants — unique features that give each borough, city or township (every type of municipality is a “town,” for this project) its special character or personality.

My mission: to show the richness, charm and wonder of New Jersey; no state is more mocked, maligned and misunderstood.

In this, the fifth and final part of our series, we’ll look at the Jersey Shore — Monmouth, Ocean, Atlantic and Cape May counties.

Yes, we realize large chunks of Monmouth, Ocean and Atlantic counties are not near the Shore, but it made the most sense to put all four counties together instead of breaking them up in scattershot fashion.

Enjoy, and to catch up: Monday we visited parts of North Jersey (Bergen, Essex and Hudson counties), Tuesday we hit North Jersey again (Morris, Sussex, Union and Warren counties), Wednesday we explored Central Jersey and Thursday was all about South Jersey.

ATLANTIC COUNTY

Absecon: Hi-Point Pub

The Hi-Point was founded in 1958 by a descendant of Abraham Lincoln named Maryann Louise Lincoln-Holmes, who was a bootlegger during Prohibition. She moved to Absecon and courted Taylor Ham owner Edgar-Allan Taylor. They married, but one day Maryann found hubby and mistress in bed, whereupon she hanged them from the highest point in the county. Tall tale? You betcha. “The entire story is of course not real,” informs the bar’s website. “We just didn’t know what to put on this page and the history of a bar everyone already knows seems a little boring, doesn’t it?” In these troubled times, a bit of humor goes a long way.

Atlantic City: World’s Most Famous Boardwalk

The mother of all boardwalks was founded by Alexander Boardman, a railroad conductor. He and hotel owner Jacob Keim were tired of people tracking sand into train cars and hotel lobbies, so they built a wooden walkway. Magnificent hotels such as the Traymore and Shelburne once graced the 48-block-boardwalk. Spectacular neon displays rivaled Times Square. Besides the Steel Pier, there was the Heinz Pier, the Million Dollar Pier and the Steeplechase Pier. Legendary performers, diving horses, magicians, high-wire acts and other sideshows turned Atlantic City into the country’s greatest seaside stage. Today, casinos and one-too-many tacky souvenir shops fill the space.

Brigantine: Marine Mammal Stranding Center

One of the more unusual and educational attractions on the Jersey Shore, the Marine Mammal Stranding Center cares for stray or injured dolphins, whales, seals and other marine mammals until they can be returned to the water. Founder Bob Schoelkopf and his wife were putting on dolphin and sea lion shows on Steel Pier when their help was sought for an ailing pygmy sperm whale that had washed up on the beach. They opened their first center in Atlantic City in 1977, moving to Brigantine in 1983. Currently, the center is open every day but Monday.

Buena: Bellview Winery

New Jersey is home to 50-plus wineries, from Alba and Amalthea to William Heritage and Willow Creek. Bellview Winery s located on farmland the Quarella family has worked the past century. Well-drained sandy loam soil make for optimum wine grape production. Dry reds, whites, fruit and after-dinner wines are available by the glass, bottle, or in flights. One must: The Dandelion Wine, “following a 50-year-old formula passed on to us by our great Aunt Ida.” Thank you, Aunt Ida.

Buena Vista: African-American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey

Ralph Hunter started collecting African American cultural artifacts 30 years ago; his first find, in a North Carolina antique shop, was an original edition of “Little Black Sambo” by Helen Bannerman. “I bought it to take it off the market,” Hunter says. His collection soon grew to overwhelm his apartment. The mayor of Buena Vista offered him a space, and the museum was born. Paintings, ceramics and advertising memorabilia on display portray African-Americans “in both a flattering and unflattering way,” according to the website. “They may make some uncomfortable, but they also serve to start the larger conversation about the true African American experience.” There is a satellite location at the Noyes Arts Garage in Atlantic City.

Corbin City: Corbin City Baptist Church

Corbin City, just west of Ocean City, is not much of a city — population, about 500 — but what it lacks in dazzle it makes up in small town delight. There’s a beach and boat ramp on the Tuckahoe River, and two parks. The Corbin City Baptist Church has a rich history. It started as the Tuckahoe Baptist Church in 1771; in 1885 a new church was built, the name changing to Corbin City Baptist in 1962. The peak-roofed, white shingled church is on Main Street.

Egg Harbor City: Renault Winery Resort & Golf

Louis Renault’s first attempt to grow vines, in California, was dashed by phylloxera, a plant louse. Then he heard of a “miracle grape” said to thrive in New Jersey. In 1864, he established his vineyard; in 1870 he began production of his New Jersey Champagne, becoming the largest distributor of champagne in the U.S. In the late 1960s, Johnny Carson served as Renault’s spokesman. A gourmet restaurant opened in 1980. What began as a modest little vineyard is now a winery, resort and golf course, and the East Coast’s “premier vineyard wedding destination.”

Egg Harbor Township: Storybook Land

Storybook Land opened on Route 40 in 1955, a year after the Land of Make Believe opened in Hope. The whimsical amusement park is built around nursery rhyme characters, and if you think that sounds woefully out-of-touch, you should visit the place on a busy spring or summer day, or in December, when one-million-plus lights throughout the park create the state’s most magical holiday display. The admission fee includes unlimited rides, and how many other parks allow you to bring food or a cooler in, as Storybook Land does?

Estell Manor: Estell Manor Park

Atlantic County may lead the state in smallest cities; Estell Manor boasts a mere 1,728 people. “Small City Charm in the Pines” is the town — sorry, city — slogan. Estell Manor Park, 1,700 acres in all, is the county park system’s most popular park. There are 20 miles of trails, picnic ares, camping sites, a canoe/kayak launch, soccer and softball fields, and more.

Folsom: Henri’s Hotts Barbecue

You can never go wrong with barbecue joints with a venerable old smoker out front, or a sign that reads, “This is not fast food If you want fast food, go to McDonalds.” You’ll see that smoker, and sign, at Henri’s Hotts. Excellent ribs, the pulled pork is the real deal, and the sides may be the heftiest of any barbecue joint in the state. Not to mention the fried chicken is the best I’ve had in a long while.

Galloway: Smithville

Call Smithville the anti-mall, a great side trip from Atlantic City, and just a cool place to shop and hang out. It started as a one-room stage coach stop and is now a quaint and folksy burg with 60 shops in an attractive park-like setting. The Historic Smithville Inn — the original one was built in 1787 — is here, plus three other restaurants, and you can even spend the night in town, at the Colonial Inn Bed and Breakfast. My favorite places at Smithville include the Smithville Bakery and Underground, the latter for all your punk rock merchandise needs.

Hamilton: ‘Largest Municipality in New Jersey’

I always got a kick when I showed a slide reading “Hamilton — Largest Municipality in New Jersey” at one of my lectures (yes, sometimes I publicly speak!) and asked what county was it in. “Mercer” was the inevitable answer. No, Atlantic, with Hamilton featuring 110.9 square miles of land area (nearby Galloway also claims to be the state’s largest municipality, but they’re counting land and water area, which doesn’t seem fair.) Anyway, last time I checked, Hamilton has signs saying it’s the state’s largest, and Galloway doesn’t. The town is home to Hamilton Mall and Mays Landing, the county seat.

Hammonton: The blueberry capital of the world

Blueberries are New Jersey’s leading crop — it’s an $80 million annual business — with Hammonton producing about 80 percent of that, with 50-some farms in and around town. Russo Fruit Vegetable Farm has been in operation since 1940. Others include Blueberry Bill, Rosedale and DiMeo. South Haven, Michigan also calls itself the blueberry capital of the world, but apparently Hammonton beats them in fresh blueberry production — so there!

Linwood: Linwood Arboretum

I was almost tempted to put Bakeria1010 — best pizzeria in a health clinic in New Jersey — but let’s go with Linwood Arboretum. It opened in 2009, on the site of a former electrical substation. Allen Lacey, then-garden columnist for The New York Times, was its first curator. The arboretum, known especially for its camellias, is free and open every day of the year. It’s a charming little green oasis.

Longport: Smiley Face Water Tower

Water towers are benign and boring, except for Longport, which boasts a giant smiley face on its 500,000-gallon structure. It was painted there in 1982 but it “disappeared” around 2012 due to renovation work. The smiley face, fortunately, is back. “It makes Longport look like a happy town and we are happy,” the local historian told the Atlantic City Press. Maybe they should just change Longport to Happytown?

Margate: Lucy The Elephant

How many states have a six-story-high, 137-year-old elephant on the National Register of Historic Places? That would be one. Lucy the Elephant, the state’s most whimsical landmark, was built in 1881 out of a million pieces of timber and 12,000 square feet of tin. It’s a magnificent must-see. Lucy, patterned after an Asian elephant, is by name a she, although those tusks of hers are found only on male Asian elephants. You walk up one of Lucy’s legs to reach the informative museum. Lucy was listed as an Airbnb rental for three days last year, and Valentine’s Day this year, but lodging is not available on a regular basis. And if you’ve never been to the world’s most famous wooden elephant, shame on you.

Mullica: Sweetwater Marina and Riverdeck

Sweetwater Casino, opened in 1927, was never a casino, but it operated as a speakeasy during Prohibition. It soon became a popular restaurant and bar. In 2008, a fire caused by a lightning strike destroyed the building. New owners took over in 2016 and re-named it the Sweetwater Marina and Riverdeck. The Riverdeck, “a local slice of paradise,” fronts the grand and graceful Mullica River.

Northfield: Northfield Museum and Casto House

Northfield has a rich history as a farming, seaport and shipbuilding center, and that history comes alive at the Northfield Museum and Casto House. Exhibits include shoes and hats from the late 1880s, a daily ledger of purchases at the old-time general store, and the police log from 1937. The museum is open 1-3 p.m. Sundays and Wednesdays and by appointment.

Pleasantville: Minos Bakery

Ignore the no-frills interior of Minos Bakery; the wedding cakes made here are legend, and the doughnuts are the best for miles around. “OMG you’re killing me,” read a recent Facebook message from someone who had moved well away from town. “I am so lonely for a trip to Minos.”

Port Republic: Harry Bowen Memorial Field

Never heard of Port Republic? Neither has most of New Jersey. I named tiny Port Republic No. 1 on my list of the 25 best Jersey Shore towns. No New Jersey municipality lives up less to its official “city” designation than this sleepy hamlet of barely 1,000 residents. Thousands of people drive past this picture-postcard town every week without realizing it — it’s to your left as you cross the Mullica River southbound on the Garden State Parkway around milepost 50. There are modest tree-shaded homes on sizable lots. Atlantic City is minutes and another planet away. There’s not much to “see” in Port Republic, but that’s just the point. Begin your Port Republic sojourn in Harry Bowen Memorial Field, a peaceful green oasis in one of New Jersey’s most idyllic towns.

Somers Point: The Clam Bar

Somers Point gets lost in the discussion of great Shore towns — Ocean City, after all, is right across the Route 52 bridge — but there’s plenty here to keep you occupied, and happy. The Point Diner, Charlie’s Bar & Restaurant, The Anchorage Tavern, and Crabby Jack’s (behind The Crab Trap) are all worth a visit, but start at the Clam Bar, also known as Smitty’s. It gets crowded during the summer, and reservations are not accepted, but there are outside tables and benches. The clam chowder is a must, and you can’t go wrong with any of the baked or fried seafood dishes.

Ventnor: The fishing pier

There are ocean fishing piers up and down the Jersey coast, but Ventnor’s, at 1,000 feet, is the longest. It’s open 24 hours a day for fishing and sightseeing and the daily fishing fee for adults is $10, for seniors, $5. The first pier was built around 1914. Fire destroyed the second one in 1940 and a storm swept away the third one in 1963. The current one underwent renovation in 2007 and re-opened in 2008. Hopefully, it’ll last longer than any of its predecessors.

Weymouth: Dorothy Post Office

Weymouth, named after an English beach resort, is home to the tiny community of Dorothy, straddling either side of the railroad tracks. The post office, in a red-shuttered, white frame house, is one of those charming little small-town post offices found throughout New Jersey.

CAPE MAY COUNTY

Avalon: Avalon Freeze

There is nothing sweeter in summer than a lick of creamy soft-serve. But soft-serve gets little respect, at least in New Jersey. “Hard” ice cream rings up most of the dollars and gets all the publicity. Soft-serve? It’s regular ice cream’s distant, often-neglected cousin, the one that never gets gifts at Christmas. Avalon Freeze opened in 1957 and its retro exterior practically begs you to step up to the counter. There are just three flavors of soft-serve — chocolate, vanilla and twist, but the first two are silky-smooth. Here’s my list of the state’s best soft-serve spots.

Cape May: The victorian homes

The southern tip of New Jersey is a victorian jewel, with the highest concentration of these ornately styled homes outside of San Francisco. Cape May is also impossibly romantic, touts a lively dining scene and an excellent beach. Plus a grace period on your parking meter! Cape May does the Jersey Shore experience like no other town. But it’s not stuffy, encompassing everything from fanciful B&Bs to the hole-in-the-wall Hot Dog Tommy’s. Speaking of food, Cape May was named one of the nation’s top 20 food cities by Conde Nast Traveler magazine.

Cape May Point: Lake Lily

You might say, “why isn’t Cape May Point State Park here?” Because it’s in Lower Township, that’s why. Lake Lily takes up a healthy chunk of the 0.3-square-mile Cape May Point. Pirates loved the lake. They would anchor their boats offshore and reach the lake by small boats, filling their water barrels with the lake’s freshwater. The legendary Captain Kidd was said to have buried treasure here. Cape May Point is farther south than parts of Maryland, Virginia, even Kentucky.

Dennis: Jersey Shore Haven

New Jersey is chock fall of campgrounds, but none quite like Jersey Shore Haven. It’s an Airstream-only campground; you can’t go rolling in there in your Winnebago. There are 98 campsites on 38 wooded acres, a screened pavilion, even a heated swimming pool. You’re welcome to drive in with your car and check it out, but observe those 5 mph speed limit signs.

Lower: Sunset Beach

Sunset Beach, with its gift shops and restaurant — and sunsets, of course — is a popular stop for those who want to escape Cape May’s crowded beaches. The ghostly remains of the concrete ship Atlantus sit several hundred yards offshore. One of the Shore’s most touching moments happens every day at dusk, when the American flag is lowered. Marvin Hume, who served in the Navy Air Force in the South Pacific during World War II, started the flag-lowering ceremony 40 years ago. A brief bio of each veteran was read as Kate Smith sang “God Bless America.” Those who helped Hume lower the flag signed up for flag duty on a calendar in the main gift shop. Hume passed away in 2015, but his son, Larry, intends to keep the ceremony alive. It was not held last summer, but did resume this summer.

Middle: Cape May County Park & Zoo

Cape May County Park & Zoo is New Jersey’s own wild kingdom, near the end of its busiest highway, the Parkway. It opened in 1978 with an African lion, spider monkeys, some Jersey wildlife and farm animals. It is now home to 550 animals — parrots, macaws, kookaburras, bongos, ostriches, ring-tailed lemurs, giraffes, bison, Burmese python, elk, a red panda, black bear, lions and the world’s largest rodent, not to mention flamingos from Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch. And the 87-acre zoo, amazingly, is free.

North Wildwood: New Jersey state barbecue championship

One of the Jersey Shore’s most colorful events, the state barbecue championship draws teams from as far as North Carolina and Florida to compete for top pork, brisket, chicken and best-in-show honors. The names may be nonsensical — the Wauhatachie Stump Jumpers, the Porkitects, the Cookin’ Commando — but the competition is fierce. The event, a fundraiser for the Anglesea Volunteer Fire Co., and accompanied by a blues festival, is held in mid-July.

Ocean City: The Baby Parade

Kids dressed as pirates, surfers, lifeguards, princesses, angels, vegetables and more, being towed in coolers, red wagons, schoolhouses, farm stands, diners and floats down the boardwalk. It must be the ridiculously adorable Ocean City Baby Parade, the single greatest spectacle at the Jersey Shore every summer. It started in the early 1900s, and attracts 400 or more entries each year. Grand marshals have included Joe DiMaggio and Pete Rose. It was held Aug. 12 this year.

Sea Isle City: Fish Alley

In the early 1900s, commercial fishing boats docked along the canals of what Sea Isle City founder Charles K. Landis called “Venicean Park,” and the neighborhood soon acquired the nickname Fish Alley. Today, it’s a popular spot stocked with restaurants, bars and boats. My favorite spots: The outdoor bar at The Oar House, and Casa Taco Bayfront Taqueria, just around the corner. Sea Isle’s Welcome Center is located next to the “Fish Alley” sign.

Stone Harbor: Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary

A bird sanctuary smack in the middle of a seashore resort? Why not? The area was a birder’s heaven as far back as the late 1800s. When the 96th Street bridge opened in 1911, birders no longer had to trudge across four miles of marsh to get there. The Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary, which formally opened in 1947, is one of the few completely within municipal boundaries. There are four paths and you might see the brown thrasher, glossy ibis, great blue heron, osprey and northern flicker, among other birds.

Upper: Strathmere

Upper’s Jersey Shore hideaway Strathmere is notable for what it doesn’t have: no boardwalk, no amusement parks or water slides, no parking meters, not even a pizzeria. The post office is on the ground floor of a faded white house. But there’s The Deauville Inn (whose website asks “Where the hell is Strathmere?”), Uncle Bill’s Pancake House, and The Old Shack, a sandwich spot. And don’t forget Twisties, a red-shingled neighborhood bar with a great bayfront setting. The bar was one of ten finalists in our N.J.’s best bar showdown two summers ago.

West Cape May: Beach Plum Farm

There’s much to love here. Beach Plum Farm serves breakfast and lunch, with ingredients picked from the 60-acre farm, in the Beach Plum Farm Kitchen, an Amish barn. One must-try: the homemade doughnuts. You can also pick up fresh herbs and flowers, eggs and produce, the best locally made condiments, and quality handmade goods from Cape May County.

West Wildwood: Westside Saloon

West Wildwood is the forgotten Wildwood, lost amidst the much brighter lights of North Wildwood, Wildwood and Wildwood Crest. “Small town charm on the back bay” is the official slogan, and Glenwood Avenue is the only way in by land. It winds past Bedrock Golf, a miniature golf course; the whitewashed municipal building; and the Westside Saloon, which may be the narrowest bar in Jersey, at least at one end. That’s it for nightlife in West Wildwood. If you want action and excitement, head elsewhere.

Wildwood: ‘Watch the tram car, please!’

The Five Most Annoying Words at the Jersey Shore every summer are not “Your license and registration, please” or “We are all booked up,” but a quintet of seemingly innocuous words that, when strung together, have managed to grate on generations of visitors to Wildwood: “Watch the tram car, please. Watch the tram car, please …” The Voice may be stern and scolding, but it belongs to a sweet senior citizen who retired from South Jersey Gas and now does volunteer work for a church and food pantry. She recorded the message in 1971. “I just spoke into a tape recorder and said it over and over,” Flo Stingel once told me.

Wildwood Crest: Free beach!

I would like to have said “the great 50s retro hotels,” but most have been bulldozed in recent years to make way for spanking new condos and townhomes. A few remain, including the Caribbean Motel. All three Wildwood beaches — North Wildwood, Wildwood and the Crest — are free. And impossibly wide. You’ll get more exercise just reaching the water than anything else you’ll do that day.

Woodbine: Sam Azeez Center for Woodbine Heritage

Woodbine was founded in 1891 as a haven for Eastern European Jews persecuted by Czarist regimes, according to the township website. Millionaire railroad tycoon Baron de Hirsch’s foundation bought 5,300 acres of land to begin a settlement and Woodbine was incorporated as a borough in 1903. The Sam Azeez Center for Woodbine Heritage, in the Woodbine Brotherhood Synagogue building, houses exhibits on town history, farming and factories, arts and culture, the Baron de Hirsch Agricultural School, and more. It is temporarily closed.

MONMOUTH COUNTY

Aberdeen: Livoti’s Old World Market

Aberdeen, formerly known as Matawan Township, is home to one of the state’s great Italian markets, Livoti’s. Its slogan, “The complete gourmet Italian supermarket,” may be an understatement. Pastas, sauces, olives, canned goods, deli, seafood, bread, bakery — it’s one stop Italian food shopping. The Aberdeen store, which opened in 2010, was the first of three Livoti’s stores; others are in Marlboro and Middletown.

Allenhurst: Allenhurst Garden Club

Two women having a conversation over a picket fence. That’s how the Allenhurst Garden Club started, in 1995. Sixteen years later, the club is up to 38 active members, “who are proud and pleased to have planted, pulled and clipped their way” toward the town’s beautification, according to the tiny town’s website. They are responsible for the planters brimming with flowers along Main Street and the ocean boardwalk, among other projects.

Allentown: Heritage Park

Allentown is one of the state’s most charming small towns, with 200-plus homes and buildings dating to pre-1860. If you do nothing else while you’re there, take the path leading to Heritage Park — no ballfields, no buildings, just a great open space with a path made for walks, exercise or reflection.

Asbury Park: The Stone Pony

The Jersey Shore’s most legendary music club, the Stone Pony has counted Bruce Springsteen, the Allman Brothers, Jimmy Cliff and the Ramones among its endless ledger of performers over the years. In the summer of 1982, Springsteen played almost every Saturday night at the Stone Pony; he kicked off the “Born in the U.S.A.” tour there on a hot June night in 1984. If you go, make sure to leave time for the dozens of signed guitars along the club walls — it seems every rock star of the last 40 years has left his or her mark.

Atlantic Highlands: Mount Mitchill

The Mount Mitchill Scenic Overlook, 266 feet above sea level, offers jaw-dropping views of Sandy Hook, the Atlantic Ocean, the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and the New York City skyline. The site is named after naturalist and botanist Samuel Mitchill. The 12-acre park also is home to Monmouth County’s official 9/11 Memorial. A stone base bears the names of the 147 county residents who lost their lives in the terrorist attack.

Avon-by-the-Sea: The Macaroon Shop

It’s hard to imagine Avon-by-the-Sea without the Macaroon Shop. It’s known for its delicious coconut and almond macaroons, but the store also carries cakes, cookies, pastries and pies. “When Taste Matters” is the slogan of the quaint Main Street shop, which opened in 1930.

Belmar: New Jersey Sandcastle Contest

How’d that song go — “Castles in the sand/they’ll never never stand.” Well, those castles, plus mermaids, forts, fish, pyramids, dinosaurs, dragons and the occasional bathroom stand for hours at the annual New Jersey Sandcastle Contest. The competition draws amateur and professional sand sculptors, creating their sandy works of art with sand, shovels, water, food coloring and abundant imagination. It’s one of the Jersey Shore’s more unique summer events.

Bradley Beach: Del Ponte’s Bakery

Del Ponte’s is a Jersey Shore fixture, but the bakery’s roots are in Brooklyn’s Sheepshead Bay section, where the first store opened in 1963. There were subsequent stores in Sayreville, South Bound Brook, Sayreville and Monroe, but Bradley Beach is the only Del Ponte’s still open in the state. If there’s a larger selection of biscotti in New Jersey, I don’t know of it.

Brielle: River Queen

Sightseeing cruises, buffet luncheon cruises, fireworks cruises, murder mystery cruises, and don’t forget weddings, corporate events, private parties and special events — the River Queen offers adventures of all kinds. The paddle boat — it looks like a two-story funnel-topped birthday cake — plies Manasquan River, Point Pleasant Canal and Barnegat Bay with daily 90-minute sightseeing cruises. Bars on both decks, and don’t worry about waves. One of the website’s FAQs: “Will I get seasick?” Answer: “It is very unlikely. The River Queen cruises only calm, inland waters.”

Colts Neck: Delicious Orchards

The state’s most irresistible food market, at far as I’m concerned, is Delicious Orchards, which began as an apple orchard in 1911. Today, it stocks a staggering 400 kinds of produce. There are meat and seafood counters, a deli, juice and smoothie bar, cheese section, bakery (I have a weakness for their trolley buns), plus outdoor dining in the Cider Cafe.

Deal: Deal Casino

It was never a casino (the word ”casino” referred to a gathering place in Victorian days), but Deal Casino is a popular beach club in this tony Shore town. You can rent a beach cabana for the season for $4,200, a deluxe bathhouse for $2,750, or just a day peak pass (Friday, Saturday, or Sunday) for $30.

Eatontown: F. Bliss Price Arboretum and Wildlife Sanctuary

Eatontown, at first glance, looks hopelessly built up, but wander off Route 35 and head to the F. Bliss Price Arboretum and Wildlife Sanctuary. It’s a heavenly haven of peace and quiet with few amenities, but popular among walkers and hikers.

Englishtown: The Baklava Lady

You might wonder why the massive Englishtown Auction Sales is not here. One good reason: it’s not in Englishtown (see Manalapan entry). The Baklava Lady, a sweet little cafe in the heart of town, is more than just baklava; Turkish specialties include Ezogelin Corba (red lentil soup with Turkish bread), sausage, egg and cheese borek (baked pastry). There are a half dozen or so kinds of baklava available each day; the chocolate hazelnut is pricey ($12 for a big piece) but near-perfect. And the baked rice pudding shames every diner rice pudding out there.

Fair Haven: Nicholas Creamery

Nicholas is Nicholas Harary, owner of Restaurant Nicholas in Middletown, whose ice cream shops, in Fair Haven and Atlantic Highlands, produce small-batch ice cream “using natural dairy and working directly with local farmers and food artisans to source the freshest, seasonal ingredients.” The ice cream is uber-rich and impossibly creamy. The Monster Mash is a killer mint ice cream. I named Nicholas the best ice cream shop in Monmouth County.

Farmingdale: Main Street

“Today’s Town with Yesterday’s Touch” is the slogan of Farmingdale, incorporated in 1903. Main Street, which follows the route of a Native American path toward the Manasquan River, includes the post office, fire department, an old-fashioned pharmacy (no Rite Aids here), a barber shop, several churches and Connie’s Restaurant, open 46 years. Main Street is the very model of small town Americana.

Freehold Borough: Federici’s

A Jersey thin crust legend, Federici’s celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. Mike and Ester Federici started the business to feed boarders in the old Wolcott Hotel. Thin-crust pizza was added to the menu in 1946. Some years later, a local resident named Bruce Springsteen would start eating here. One neat touch: to-go pizzas are put in bags, the old-fashioned way. Order a sausage and peppers pizza. You’ll thank me later.

Freehold Township: Georgia Road Schoolhouse

The Georgia Road Schoolhouse and the West Freehold Schoolhouse are the only two original schoolhouses in the township. The former, a still-sturdy-looking white-pillared building, is situated on a parcel of land granted to the township in 1735 by the proprietors of East Jersey. The schoolhouse is located at Jackson Mills Road and Georgia Road.

Hazlet: Airport Plaza

“Where Hazlet shops” could be the motto of Airport Plaza, on Route 36. Dentist, cigar store, bagel shop, chiropractor, mattress store, check cashing outlet, liquor store, chocolate shop, pharmacy, barber shop, Motor Vehicle agency, laundromat, a Carvel, nail salon, vape shop, massage therapist — did I miss anyone?

Highlands: Twin Lights

The nation’s first set of Fresnel lenses was installed at Twin Lights in 1841, and in 1898 it became the nation’s first electrically-powered lighthouse. Decommissioned by the Coast Guard in 1949, it remains a popular attraction.

Holmdel: Bell Market

Bell Market is the food court portion of the Bell Works building, a vast retail/office space. Food options include Honeybell Bakery, Broadfork Greens + Grains, Jozu (sushi, ramen, robata), Bubz Deli and Corbo & Sons, which serves excellent Neapolitan-style pizzas.

Howell: St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

This is one of the grandest, most glorious churches in New Jersey, a golden-domed magnificence at Alexander Avenue and Route 9. The church was established in 1936, and has remained under the auspices of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. There are seven buildings on the 12-acre site, including the cathedral, the original church (Our Lady of Tikhvin), the parish hall and rectory.

Interlaken: Deal Lake

Maybe the most under-the-radar Shore town, Interlaken is squeezed amidst Deal, Allenhurst, Loch Arbour, Asbury Park and Ocean Township. The town website proclaims it as a “small, quiet residential community.” Yeah, no kidding. Lawn mowers, leaf blowers and chainsaws are prohibited on Sundays, “unless in the case of emergency.” Not sure what that means. Deal Lake is its calm, quiet centerpiece; across the way is Asbury Park. No two towns could be further apart in looks and style.

Keansburg: Keansburg Amusement Park

The state’s oldest amusement park was devastated by Hurricane Sandy, but it’s back and bustling, with nearly 50 rides — Frog Hopper, Pharaoh’s Fury, roller coaster, merry-go-round, tilt-a-whirl, even bumper cars. There are nearly 20 food stands offering everything from fries, zeppoles, kabobs and pizza to ice cream, Hawaiian shaved ice and cotton candy. One must-try: The Olde Heidelberg Inn. Runaway Rapids waterpark is also here.

Keyport: Broad Street Diner

Best diner in the diner capital of the world? The Broad Street Diner, winner of our N.J.’s best diner showdown in 2015. There were bigger, flashier diners in the competition, but none combined great food, friendly service and retro atmosphere like the Broad Street Diner. The small town gem started as Palace Lunch in the 1920s and was later called the Seaport Diner and Stanley’s Seaport Diner. My favorite dish here: the chocolate babka French toast.

Lake Como: Bar A

The Jersey Shore’s best-known bar, Bar A — nobody calls it Bar Anticipation, its rightful name — is a party destination and throbbing nightclub rolled into one ever-amazing package. There’s a restaurant — the Mahogany Room — in there somewhere, and you can even rent one of nine VIP cabanas. Bands, booze, country line dancing, nonstop partying; Bar A is an essential Shore experience.

Little Silver: Sickles Market

Harold Sickles and his wife, Elsie, started selling fruits and vegetables to local stores 111 years ago. Today Sickles Market is still in the family, and offers everything under the sun— grocery items, produce, butcher, bakery, deli, sushi, cheese, and more. There are homemade soups, excellent salads, and all-around goodness everywhere. There is another location in Red Bank.

Loch Arbour: Deal Lake Bar & Co.

There’s not much to Loch Arbour, the third-smallest municipality by size in New Jersey. Deal Lake Bar & Co., which replaced McGillicuddy’s, features three bars, a large dining area, and a 90-seat outdoor patio, with views of Deal Lake and Asbury Park. Entrees includes pistachio crusted lamb chops and pan seared black bass, and for boozy desserts, it doesn’t get any better than a DLBC Shake — amaretto, heavy cream, chocolate sauce, club soda and choice of fruit, either banana, strawberry or orange.

Long Branch: Church of the Presidents

It came down to The WindMill or the Church of the Presidents here, and history beats hotdogs any day of the week. The church is aptly-named: seven presidents — Woodrow Wilson was the last — attended services here. Built in 1879, it was first known as St. James Chapel. There were plans to raze it in 1953, but the Long Branch Historical Association stepped in and raised funds to renovate and save it. The museum inside is temporarily closed.

Manalapan: Englishtown Auction Sales

Not in Englishtown, as commonly believed, but Manalapan, Englishtown Auction Sales is home to 2,000 outside vendors and another 250 or so inside, in five buildings packed with a head-spinning array of merchandise. Steve and Katie Sobechko opened the business in 1929 as a farmer’s auction for livestock and farm equipment. In 1945, the retail end started. First-time visitor? Plan to spend a good part of a day here as it’s gigantic.

Manasquan: Manasquan Inlet

A great place to watch fishing and party boats stream to sea or back to port, Manasquan Inlet separates Manasquan from Point Pleasant Beach. Carlson’s Corner, a longtime breakfast, lunch and ice cream spot, is there. The inlet was one of my favorite places when I lived in Manasquan.

Marlboro: Sri Guruvaayoorappan Temple

A magnificent edifice with a staircase fronted by two gaily-painted stone elephants, the temple opened in 1988 on a 30-acre property in Marlboro’s Morganville section. Temple services and a wide range of cultural activities, many organized for children, are held here. There’s even a cow sanctuary — Goshala — on the premises. All dairy products used in the temple come from the cows.

Matawan: Papa Ganache

Papa Ganache is not only one of the state’s best-known vegan and gluten-free bakeries, but a school of sorts, where children with behavioral challenges learn about conflict resolution, coping and other skills. The owner is Lisa Siroti, a psychotherapist. Cupcakes, biscotti, cakes, muffins. croissants, donuts and dozens of other delicious items are on the menu.

Middletown: Belford Seafood Co-Op

Belford Seafood Co-Op, two miles from Route 36 and a world away from the Jersey most of us know, is one of the state’s six commercial fishing ports. Founded in 1953, it is the smallest and maybe hardiest of them all. Fish doesn’t get any fresher than what’s available in the co-op’s seafood market. Check the co-op’s Facebook page for daily updates.

Millstone: Clarksburg School

Millstone’s town hall is one of the more striking in New Jersey as it’s headquartered in historic Clarksburg School, built in 1925. Despite Millstone’s “wealth” of history and folklore, George Washington never slept here, although his troops stayed in the Rising Sun tavern, according to the township website.

Monmouth Beach: My Kitchen Witch

Karyn Jarmer, owner of My Kitchen Witch, is obsessed with witches — her cell phone plays the Wizard of Oz instrumental score. She ran a catering business for 15 years and clients included Rosie O’Donnell and Regis and Kathie Lee. She opened My Kitchen Witch in 2005. Dishes include Wicked Witch of the Shore (pork roll, peppers, onions, pepper jack); Auntie M (bacon, Granny Smith apples, Brie) and Emerald City (fresh mozzarella, grape tomatoes, pesto). No, Toto is not on the menu.

Neptune City: Pete and Elda’s

Pete and Elda’s (also known as Carmen’s) may be the Shore’s best-known pizzeria, as its perpetually packed parking lot and cavalcade of awards can attest. There’s a bar and two dining rooms. Become a member of the Whole Pie Eater’s Club (and win a T-shirt saying so) by eating an entire double-extra-large pizza by yourself in one sitting. Thin-crust pizza doesn’t get much thinner than the one at Pete and Elda’s, and the pizzeria’s admirers wouldn’t have it any other way.

Neptune Township: Ocean Grove

There is no Jersey Shore locale quite like Ocean Grove. Oceanfront setting, charming main street (Main Avenue), cute shops, ample restaurants, maybe the state’s most splendid structure (the Great Auditorium). And did we mention the 100 or so tents residents call home in the summer (rules: no barbecues, no dogs, and definitely no loud music). That’s Tent City. Founded as a Methodist summer resort, Ocean Grove calls itself “God’s Square Mile at the Jersey Shore.’’

Ocean Township: Kane Brewing Co.

Michael Kane opened Kane Brewing in August 2011 in a space once occupied by a casket company. The front of the building may remind you of a dentist’s office, but out back is a warehouse-sized space with pallets of beer cans stacked to the ceiling. Kane is one of the most-respected Jersey brewers; popular beers include Head High (an IPA), Sneak Box (pale ale) and Mexican Brunch (Imperial milk porter).

Oceanport: Monmouth Park

Monmouth Park is back, with a full season of horse races highlighted by the prestigious $1 million Haskell Stakes. Races will be held Friday-Sunday through the end of August. Free admission and parking for every event except the Haskell. The William Hill sportsbook includes the swanky Race and Sports Bar, with about 30 tables, two long standup tables at either end, dozens of screens, and betting counters. Sign at entrance: Please remove sunglasses and hats before approaching counter.

Red Bank: Count Basie Center for the Arts

Count Basie Theatre (later Count Basic Center for the Arts) opened as Reade’s Carlton Theater in 1926, and was re-named after jazz great William J. “Count” Basie in 1984. It’s long been recognized as one of the country’s best performing arts centers; Art Garfunkel once said, “This hall is to a singer what Steinway is to a pianist.” Concerts on the Plaza, in front of the theater, are being held in 2021.

Roosevelt: Ben Shahn Mural

Renowned artist Ben Shahn created a 45-foot fresco portraying the history of the Jersey Homesteads in Roosevelt, one of about 100 communities built in the 1930s during the Roosevelt Administration. The mural shows Jewish immigrants disembarking at Ellis Island, the tenements and sweatshops where they lived and worked, and the factory and farms in Roosevelt. The mural can be seen in Roosevelt’s elementary school.

Rumson: Murphy’s Tavern

This wonderfully oddball bar is situated inside a house on a residential street. There’s no neon sign, no parking lot. Just walk down the driveway and listen for music. The Ward Lane bar opened in the midst of Prohibition, and quickly became a familiar haunt to rumrunners and smugglers navigating the nearby Navesink River. Murphy’s was one of ten finalists in our N.J.’s best bar showdown in 2015. Oh, and try the pork roll fries if they’re on the menu.

Sea Bright: First town on the Jersey Shore

Sandy Hook is just to the north, but Sea Bright is the first town on the 131-mile-long Jersey Shore (we’re not including bayfront towns). Sea Bright has no shortage of bars and restaurants — Donovan’s Reef, Woody’s Ocean Grille, Tommy’s Tavern + Tap, The Rum Runner — but my favorite spots are Gracie and the Dudes Homemade Ice Cream and GiGi’s Pizza. The latter’s Pepi-Roni pizza may be the state’s best pepperoni pie.

Sea Girt: National Guard Militia Museum of New Jersey

It looks like a giant concrete egg, or mouse, or antique rocket ship. The Intelligent Whale, a 28-foot-long hand-cranked submarine that was supposed to be a secret Civil War weapon, can be found at the National Guard Militia Museum of New Jersey, a criminally overlooked attraction. In the museum’s military vehicles storage area, you’ll also find a dune buggy-like vehicle used in the Persian Gulf conflict, a guided-missile transporter from the Vietnam War and a Ford amphibious seagoing Jeep vehicle, the only automobile to have circumnavigated the globe. Parking and admission are free.

Shrewsbury Borough: La Rosa’s Pastry Shop

Call La Rosa’s New Jersey Cannoli Central. About nine million cannoli are made here every year. In 1901, then-29-year-old Salvatore LaRosa started selling cannoli for two cents apiece from a push cart in Manhattan. There was later a store in Staten Island, and then Shrewsbury. Chocolate truffle cannoli, chocolate mousse cannoli, peanut butter cannoli, Oreo cannoli — the options seem endless.

Shrewsbury Township: New Jersey’s smallest town

Townships are never smaller than the same-named boroughs, except when it comes comes to Shrewsbury. The township is a minuscule .097 square miles; Shrewsbury Borough is 23 times bigger. The township was once 1,000 square miles and included all of present-day Ocean County. Over the years, 74 municipalities separated from Shrewsbury. That’s how it got so tiny.

Spring Lake: Divine Park

Divine Park lives up to its name, a tree-shaded oasis in the center of Spring Lake, one of the Jersey Shore’s most charming small towns. “The Jewel of the Jersey Shore,” incorporated in 1892, says its two-mile walkway is the longest uninterrupted, noncommercial boardwalk in the state.

Spring Lake Heights: St. Stephen’s Green Publick House

Spring Lake has often been called the Irish Riviera because of the influx of Irish immigrants there in the early 1900s, so it’s no surprise to find a few Irish pubs in the area. Named after a park in Dublin, St. Stephen’s Green features several dining rooms, plus a handsome, dark wood bar. Try the Irish kettle chips, topped with crispy Irish bacon and melted Irish cheddar.

Tinton Falls: Jersey Shore Premium Outlets

Tinton Falls is bordered by nine municipalities, which is not easy to do in New Jersey (its weird configuration — nine miles in length but just 1 1/3 miles wide — accounts for this). Jersey Shore Premium Outlets, just off the Parkway, features 125 stores and brands such as Adidas, J. Crew, Coach, Kate Spade New York, Lacoste and my favorite, Eddie Bauer.

Union Beach: International Flavors and Fragrances

IFF creates flavors for soda, soup, candy and toothpaste, and fragrances for women’s perfume and men’s cologne, but keeps a relatively low profile. The fragrances are made from fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers. IFF’s Botanical Gardens contains the world’s largest collection of aromatic orchards. Union Beach is also home to the company’s global research and development headquarters. Another IFF facility is across the highway, in Hazlet.

Upper Freehold: Historic Walnford

Walnford, part of the Monmouth Country park system, includes an elegant 1774 home, a 19th-century grist mill, carriage house, farm buildings and some beautiful countryside. The buildings are open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. The park is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through Labor Day, 8 a.m to 4:30 p.m. thereafter.

Wall: The Historic Village at Allaire

The New Jersey Museum of Transportation — bet you didn’t know it existed — is one of the many attractions at Allaire Village. It was known as the Howell Works in the early 19th-century, when it was a thriving industrial community. The buildings, which remain today, include a general store, blacksmith shop, foreman’s house, carpenter’s shop and a church. There are re-enactments and other events throughout the year, plus a visitor center and museum and the Pine Creek Railroad.

West Long Branch: The Great Hall at Shadow Lawn

The Great Hall at Monmouth University is one of the state’s grandest campus buildings. Limestone quarried in Indiana and 50 varieties of marble went into its construction. In 1985, it was designated a National Historic Landmark and the building appeared in the movie “Annie.” Formerly known as Woodrow Wilson Hall, the name was removed in 2020, citing the former president’s “racist values.”

OCEAN COUNTY

Barnegat: Unshredded Nostalgia

Barnegat is one of the Shore’s overlooked towns, and its “downtown” is packed with antiques shops, restaurants and the fun, funky Unshredded Nostalgia. It’s a warren of rooms filled with collectibles, toys, magazines, antiques, ephemera — don’t you dare call it junk. Old-time board games, movie posters, typewriters, vinyl records, monster magazines, dolls — there’s even a New Jersey Room filled with vintage Jersey-ana. The amount of stuff in here is staggering.

Barnegat Light: Old Barney

Barnegat Light is the state’s best-known lighthouse and the country’s second tallest. No trip to Old Barney is complete without a climb to the top — all 217 steps. The view from the balcony is a heart-stopping 360-degree panorama of ocean and sky. It’s the most spectacular view anywhere along the Jersey Shore. The lighthouse is open from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Bay Head: Mueller’s Bakery

Jersey Shore legend and makers of one of the state’s best crumb cakes, Mueller’s opened in 1890. The sign outside advertised “Bread Cake Pie Bakery.” Mueller’s sells about 10,000 pieces of crumb cake a week in the summer. It’s on Bridge Avenue, steps from Charlie’s of Bay Head.

Beach Haven: The Chicken or the Egg

Maybe the state’s best-known wing joint, the Chicken or the Egg — locals call it the Chegg — started as a tiny luncheonette next to Bill’s Barber Shop in 1991; it moved across the street in 1993. A mere 18 sauces and two dry rubs are available with the wings, from hickory BBQ, garlic parmesan and teriyaki to original hot, zapper and ludicrous, the hottest.

Beachwood: Mister Softee

Yes, Mister Softee still lives. The company was founded by William Conway and James Conway in Philadelphia in 1956. There are 350 franchisees operating 625 Mister Softee trucks in 18 states. The Beachwood location is one of six Mister Softee stores or stands in New Jersey. The company, still run by the Conway family, is headquartered in Runnemede.

Berkeley: The Bayville Dinosaur

The dinosaur, built in the 1930s and said to have been an attraction at the 1964 New York World’s Fair, still stands watch over the highway despite being whacked and smacked repeatedly over the years (its head nearly leans over Route 9). A restoration project was completed in 2018, with artist Janelle Keneske and assistants bringing the beast back to life. The Berkeley Township Historical Society raised $15,000 to restore New Jersey’s most famous dinosaur.

Brick: Mantoloking Bridge County Park

There’s something special about a county park with awesome waterfront views. The two-and-a-half acre Mantoloking Bridge County Park is a bit off the beaten track — it’s on the Brick side of the Mantoloking Road bridge over Barnegat Bay leading into Mantoloking — but it’s a great spot for fishing, crabbing, or just avoiding the summertime Shore crush. There’s a 70-foot-long pier, boardwalk, picnic area, and gazebo.

Eagleswood: Fire Department Chili Cook-Off

Cook-offs are a Jersey tradition, with home chefs competing for top honors in barbecue, burgers, chili and other categories. The Chili Cook-Off hosted by the Eagleswood Volunteer Fire Co. Station 52 is held at the Sea Pirate Campground every June. All proceeds go to the fire department. Music, beer and chili bragging rights make for a festive event.

Harvey Cedars: Neptune Market

”The best little grocery store on Long Beach Island” is Neptune Market’s slogan, and we won’t argue with that. They also offer “simply the best food on LBI.” Hmmm…. This is one of those grocery stores/delis the Shore simply cannot do without, with fruit, produce, breakfast, fresh-squeezed orange juice, sandwiches, fried chicken and the best cup of coffee on the island. So they say.

Island Heights: The Pavilion

Island Heights is the Jersey Shore town many have never heard of, much less visited. Minutes from frenetic Seaside Heights and perched sleepily along the Toms River, Island Heights was formed, like Ocean Grove, as a religious camp meeting and summer resort in the late 1800s. There’s no public beach here, no commercial boardwalk, no rides, no food stands. But there is The Pavilion, a two-story structure with benches underneath and a second floor deck. It’s great place to take in Island Heights’ quiet charm.

Jackson: St. Vladimir Memorial Church

The onion bulb domes, glowing in the late afternoon sun, mark St. Vladimir’s, one of the state’s most majestic churches. In the 1930s, Russian immigrants started gathering at Rova Farms here — first on summer vacations, then in homes they built. Services are held in the church, part of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. Sorry, Six Flags Great Adventure. We love you, but St. Vladimir’s earns top billing here.

Lacey: Popcorn Park Zoo

New Jersey’s best-known animal refuge started in 1977 with a single raccoon. It was caught in a leg trap, and park employees rescued and treated it. Today, 200-plus animals and birds who have suffered abandonment, cruelty, injury, illness, and improper ownership call Popcorn Park home. It’s open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. You can buy peanuts and air-popped popcorn to feed the birds and some of the farm animals.

Lakehurst: The airship capital of the world

Well, it was at one time, and that’s how the borough still calls itself. Commissioned in 1921, the Lakehurst Naval Air Station (actually in Manchester) became the hub of U.S. lighter-than-air research and development. The massive Hangar No. 1 housed the dirigibles; the first one was the Shenandoah. In 1929, it hosted the Graf Zeppelin, then making the first around-the-world trip. But the Hindenburg’s crash in 1937 — 36 people died — marked the end of commercial airship travel.

Lakewood: Jersey Shore Blue Claws

About 40 minor league teams were disbanded by Major League Baseball in 2020, but the Jersey Shore Blue Claws (formerly the Lakewood Blue Claws) survived the cut. The team, a High-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies — Ryan Howard and Cole Hamels came through the ‘Claws — played its first home game in April 2001, and has won three South Atlantic League championships. The ballpark, with 6,588 seats, 16 luxury seats, two party decks and two picnic areas, is one of the best in minor league baseball.

Lavallette: The Gazebo

Gazebos make for choice wedding photos and Lavallette’s may be the state’s most picturesque. It’s situated along the bayfront in Hankins Park. The town is named after U.S. Navy Admiral Elie A. F. LaVallette, who distinguished himself in the battle of Lake Champlain and later commanded the U.S.S. Constitution. He legally anglicized his name to Lavallette in 1830.

Little Egg Harbor: Great Bay Boulevard

This is one of the state’s great drives, a long stretch of moody, beautiful lonesome once you get past a scattering of homes. At the end are two narrow, rickety wooden bridges that seem likely to dump your car into the water. The 116,000-acre Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve is located near the beginning. After your visit, head down the road toward those rickety little bridges. There’s marsh and bay and birds, LBI and Atlantic City in the distance, and an overwhelming sense you’re not in New Jersey anymore. It manages to be both gorgeous and scary.

Long Beach: Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and Sciences

Long Beach Township encompasses 12 miles of ocean beach and 19 communities, including Brighton Beach, Brant Beach, Haven Beach, Holgate and Loveladies, named after hunter and sportsman Thomas Lovelady. The community is home to the Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and Sciences, founded in 1948. It hosts a variety of activities and programs — summer camp, ceramics, yoga and fitness classes, kayak eco-tours, art exhibitions and more.

Manchester: Tuskegee Airmen Park

In the 1940s, leaders within the Army Air Corps did not believe African-Americans had the “intellectual capacity” to become successful military pilots, according to nps.gov. Pressure by civil rights groups and Black leaders, however, led to training of pilots at Tuskegee Institute and Morton Field in Alabama. About 1,000 pilots, plus 10,000 men and women in support roles, underwent training there. Tuskegee Airmen Park, located at the end of Richard Drive in Manchester, includes a monument honoring the Black fighter unit.

Mantoloking: Mantoloking Yacht Club

Damn, I wish I owned a yacht. As it is, I own a kayak, which I have taken out on the water exactly twice in five years. And I live on the water! The Mantoloking Golf and Yacht Club was built in 1900 and the name was changed to the Mantoloking Yacht Club in 1907. Ten members have gone on to be Olympians. The club hosts various races, including the National Sandpiper Regatta in July.

Ocean: Albert Hall

Albert Hall in Waretown is not just the state’s pre-eminent venue for bluegrass and old-timey music, it’s an unforgettable slice of Americana. In the early 1970s, brothers George and Joe Albert and friends would play in the brothers’ secluded deer cabin. The event became so popular they rented space at Waretown Auction. The building burned down in 1992, and Albert Hall moved to an elementary school and then to its current location. There are Saturday evening shows (adult admission $5) and Sunday afternoon bluegrass shows (adult admission $10).

Ocean Gate: Anchor Inn

Ocean Gate is another under-the-radar Shore destination. The Anchor Inn is an old-school restaurant, a step back in time and an antidote to all those stylish, cheerless Shore restaurants and bars out there. Known for its pasta dishes, seafood and steaks, the Anchor Inn sure ain’t fancy, but it may well have you re-considering your plans the next time you’re heading to Seaside.

Pine Beach: Pine Beach Chapel

White-shingled Pine Beach Chapel is a non-denominational church that has served the riverfront community since 1910. “Good afternoon, everyone!” read the pastor’s recent Facebook post. “I know, it is a typical Monday in New Jersey. Overcast and boring. How about a verse to bring your spirits up. This comes from the book of Romans …”

Plumsted: Emery’s Berry Farm

The best pies in South Jersey can be found at Emery’s farm market, located just off Route 539. The farm is a popular pick-your-own spot. Of the 60 acres, 20 are devoted to blueberries. The trifecta pie, with blueberries, cherries and peaches, is one of my favorite pies anywhere.

Point Pleasant: Riverfront Park

Point Pleasant doesn’t have ocean beaches like neighboring Point Pleasant Beach, but it’s packed with riverfront parks and vistas. Riverfront Park, on the Manasquan River, is on the site of the former Point Pleasant Hospital. There are grills, a pavilion, bocce court and horseshoe pit, and a compact sandy beach. Bonuses: free parking, and no beach tags necessary. One rule: “No amplified music, please.”

Point Pleasant Beach: Martell’s Tiki Bar

The state’s — maybe the world’s — best-known tiki bar, Martell’s, on the Point Beach boardwalk, is a sprawling complex of bars, decks and dining space. It’s far from cozy or intimate but it sure is fun, with tons of drink and food options, plus bands and a dance floor. They go through a staggering amount of fresh-squeezed orange juice every summer. Best place to eat: Martell’s Shrimp Bar, just inside the entrance.

Seaside Heights: Casino Pier

New Jersey’s most iconic seaside amusement park is located on the Shore’s liveliest boardwalk. Casino Pier, which opened in 1932, was destroyed by Hurricane Sandy, but it’s back and better than ever. There are rides and attractions for everyone from “1 to 103,” according to the website. What happens if you’re 104? Roller coaster, Ferris wheel, tilt-a-whirl, bumper cars, Shore Shot, Sky Ride, kiddie boats — all the classic rides are here.

Seaside Park: The Sawmill

The legendary Sawmill, the only building on the Seaside Park boardwalk to survive both Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and the disastrous fire in 2013, once advertised the world’s biggest pizza. It now says it’s home to the “world famous jumbo Sawmill pizza.” Whatever, it’s a behemoth — a whole pizza is 27 inches in diameter. The Sawmill started as a small hot dog stand outside the entrance to Funtown Pier in 1977.

Ship Bottom: The Sand Trap

What’s a Jersey Shore summer without a round of miniature golf? Seemingly every Shore town has a least one putt-putt course, and the Sand Trap is one of the more delightful. “LBI’s most challenging mini golf course” is the slogan at the Sand Trap, open 46 years. It features fountains, waterfalls and a lighthouse, and is colorfully landscaped with flowers. There are tournaments for girls and boys every Tuesday at 10 a.m.

South Toms River: ‘The Little Town with a Big Heart’

This may be my favorite town slogan in all of New Jersey. South Toms River, incorporated in 1927, is indeed little — 1.2 square miles. The municipal building is located on one of the state’s most colorfully-named streets — Double Trouble Road. The story behind the name: Rats twice made a meal of a mill dam back in the 1830s. When the mill owner saw what the rats did the first time, he shouted, “Here’s trouble!” The second time: “Here’s double trouble!”

Stafford: Lucille’s Country Cooking

Good breakfasts and Piney hospitality are the draw at Lucille’s Country Cooking, also known as Lucille’s Luncheonette, in Warren Grove. It’s near the south end of Route 539, one of the state’s great drives. The bacon and egg sandwich is the biggest I’ve ever had in New Jersey. They make good pies; the fruit forest pie, with strawberry rhubarb, blackberries and blueberries, is my favorite. Owner Lucille Bates-Wickward passed away in 2016, at the age of 74.

Surf City: Surf City 5 & 10

You name it, this five-and-dime has it. Basketballs, batteries, bikes, board games, boogie boards, bilge pump plumbing kits — and that’s a highly abbreviated list of just the Bs. Surf City 5 & 10, which opened in 1952, boasts 10,000 or so items. The big seller last summer: ukuleles. Don’t ask. In an age of shiny, spacious general merchandise and souvenir stores, this classic five-and-dime, a presumed vanishing slice of Americana, thrives, at least on LBI.

Toms River: Insectropolis

The ickiest attraction in New Jersey? Insectropolis, New Jersey’s Bugseum, with thousands of beautiful and bizarre insects from around the world. Exhibits tell the creepy crawly story of the bug world. In the Creepy Tavern you’ll come face to face with everyone’s favorite bug — tarantulas! There are a dozen kinds here, from the King Baboon and Brazilian giant orange tarantula to giant white-kneed and the Mexican red rump (I kid you not). Iridescent-blue butterflies, ghostly walking sticks, sinister-looking scorpions and much more. You’ll be initially frightened and eventually fascinated. The museum is temporarily closed.

Tuckerton: Tuckerton Seaport

A Wawa sits smack in the middle of Tuckerton, but don’t hold that against this atmospheric bayfront town. Named after Ebenezer Tucker, Tuckerton, settled by Quakers in 1699, was formerly known as Clamtown, Fishtown and Middle-of-the-Shore. Tuckerton Seaport is a maritime village with 17 historic and recreated buildings, including a sawmill, oyster house, decoy shop and boat works. A short walk away is a classic Stewart’s Drive-In.