There’s nothing that feels more summer-y than a great day at the beach. Put a few beach day trips at the top of your list this summer. If the sun, sand and surf are calling your name, we’ve gathered a great list of beaches for a day trip, meaning within a 2-hour drive from the Philly suburbs.
Each New Jersey shore town has its own personality and fans. Where you tend to go is probably where you vacationed as a kid with family or friends, but beach day trips are a fun way to try a new spot, too.
Weekdays are certainly less crowded than weekends but in either case, the earlier you head out, the better to help with parking and securing a perfect beach spot. Plan ahead and look into beach tags or badges which are required in advance. Many towns also utilize an app for beach tags and also have the ParkMobile app at meters. You may want to bring quarters and cash just in case!
Our list includes links for the most current info on beach tags but always be sure to check your destination’s site before you go. Don’t see your favorite below? Tell us about it at info@elementaryconections.com
Asbury Park
If you are a Bruce Springsteen fan, Asbury Park may conjure specific feelings and images in your mind, but Asbury Park is a great beach destination for families and is under 2 hours away. The boardwalk features mini golf, music, playgrounds, restaurants, retail shops, water parks, and more.
- Parking: Asbury Park utilizes a Pay by Plate system – click here for the metered parking map.
- Beach tags/passes: Beach passes can be purchased for $7 weekdays or $10 on weekends (Children 12 and under are free)
- Restrooms: Restroom locations are on these streets: First Avenue, Fourth Avenue, Asbury Park Convention Hall, Seventh Avenue and Deal Lake Drive.
Avon By the Sea
Avon-by-the-Sea is a beautiful spot in every season, but really shines in the summer. It is only 60 miles from Philadelphia and features clean, white sandy beaches, plus great restaurants and adorable shops. (Check out the Avon Pavilion or Maeberrie Market for lunch!)
- Parking: Parking is free but limited to on street parking. Please review this ordinance to see what streets are diagonal parking and which are parallel parking.
- Beach tags/passes: The daily wristband is $13 for people ages 12 and up, kids 11 and under are free. Wristbands are sold in person at the Sylvania Ave., Washington Ave., and Norwood Ave. tag booths when the beach is open
- Restrooms: Located on the boardwalk at Lincoln Ave and Norwood Ave. and open beginning Mother’s Day Weekend.
Belmar
With a fairly straight drive from the Philly suburbs, Belmar is a beach day trip favorite. Bonus: the longer mats on the sand make hauling your stuff to your beach spot easier, which is great with the kids in tow. Certain beach blocks are designated for boogie boards, so check before you go.
- Parking: Parking is generally free throughout Belmar, although some areas require fees using the Park Mobile app. Park near 17th and Ocean to be close to restrooms as well as places for lunch.
- Beach tags/passes: You will need beach badges ($12 for the day, kids under 13 are free!) Daily badges must be ordered via phone/mobile device prior to heading to the booth. Show QR code to booth attendant to receive your wristband and access to the beach.
- Restrooms: Bathroom Locations: 5th, 8th, 11th, 16th and 19th streets. Bathrooms open on or about May 1st. Opening/Closing times prior to Memorial Day weekend may vary.
Brigantine
Brigantine is a quiet beach town known for beautiful sunsets, great restaurants and of course, beaches. Nestled north of Atlantic City, there’s no boardwalk and it is typically a less crowded option for beach goers and therefore perfect for a beach day trip. Beach tags are required and fans we know like to park on the higher numbered streets, around 16th or 17th which are also close to the restrooms.
- Parking: The City of Brigantine offers free street or side street parking and permitted parking in several oceanfront parking lots through the ParkMobile app ($10 er day).
- Beach tags/passes: Tags are required and are $10 day. They can be purchased (cash or check only) at the Beach Fee Office, 265 42nd Street or on the beach from an inspector.
- Restrooms: Are located at 9th street, S. Roosevelt Blvd, 14th street and 42nd street as well as port-a-potties at certain beaches.
Long Beach Island (LBI)
Home to five boroughs and 17 beach towns, LBI is great for beach day trips. You’ll first arrive in Ship Bottom once you cross over the Barnegat Bay Causeway/Route 72 (traffic can be heavy on weekends). You can drive further north Surf City. Harvey Cedars (Sunset Park has restrooms and outdoor showers) or Barnegat Light with the iconic lighthouse. Head south to Beach Haven, where the amusement park Fantasy Island Amusement Park with arcade, rides and food. Centre Street has restrooms, too.
- Parking: Street parking is free in Long Beach Island, but each town has its own beach badge that is required for beach access during lifeguard hours.
- Beachtags/passes: Each town requires their own beach badge/pass and are typically required for beachgoers aged 12 and older. Most are $7 and up.
- Restrooms: All six municipalities on Long Beach Island (LBI) provide public restrooms for visitors, averaging at least 3 per town.
Margate/Ventnor
If you want to say hi to Lucy the Elephant and enjoy some large, clean beaches, Margate and Ventnor are other close options, just south of Atlantic City. You will need beach tags for both, and you can stroll or ride bikes on the boardwalk in Ventnor and check the awesome views from the fishing pier. For a day trip to Margate, a great spot for parking and restrooms is at Huntington Ave, near the Margate library and the Martin Bloom Community Pavilion.
- Parking: There is metered street parking available at both using the Park Mobile app. There is one municipal lot in Ventnor that fills quickly.
- Beach tags/passes: Beach tags are $10 and required for anyone 12 and up. Beach tags purchased in either Margate or Ventnor are valid in both municipalities.
- Restrooms: Margate restrooms are located at the Bloom Pavilion and at Beach Patrol Headquarters. In Ventnor, restrooms are located at Newport Avenue, Suffolk Avenue, The Fishing Pier and the New Haven Avenue Library.
Ocean City
It’s not called America’s Greatest Family Resort for nothing. In addition to 8 miles of beautiful beaches, the boardwalk attractions, rides and food are a major draw for families. Remember that the beaches tend to be more crowded in the middle blocks of the boardwalk from 2nd to 13th street. Head south for fewer crowds – 34th street beach has restrooms and also nearby restaurants and the Sandcastle playground. On the Boardwalk every Thursday during July and August is “Family Night,” offering plenty of free activities like face painting, karaoke, and more!
- Parking: Metered parking on the nearby streets using Park Mobile app or in municipal and private paid lots.
- Beachtags/passes: Beach tags are required for anyone 12 and up and are $10. They can be purchased at several locations or from staff at the boardwalk entries or on the beach.
- Restrooms: Restrooms can be found on the boardwalk interspersed from 1st street to 59th street.
Point Pleasant
Point Pleasant features a mile of white sand beaches and a family-friendly atmosphere, perfect for beach day trips. Park near Ocean Ave. near Broadway or in the lot at Arnold Avenue. You’ll find your favorite boardwalk food, games, rides, an arcade, mini golf and even an aquarium at Jenkinson’s boardwalk. There are bathhouses available too with a fee.
- Parking: Parking meters or pay by plate on the nearby streets, there are also large parking lots near the Manasquan Inlet, Aquarium, and Frank’s Fun Center.
- Beachtags/passes: Wristbands are required for beach access for those 12 and up at $13.
- Restrooms: Public restrooms are available along the boardwalk, including near the Aquarium and Inlet areas.
Stone Harbor/Avalon
Known as “7 Mile Beach,” charming shops, restaurants and gorgeous beaches make these towns family favorites. In Stone Harbor, 95th street (also where you get beach tags) or 122nd is probably your best bet to find parking and restrooms. Before you leave, don’t miss the homemade ice cream from Springer’s! Avalon offers free parking. You can get your beach tags, park and have access to restrooms at Community Hall (30th and the beach).
- Parking: Street parking is free most of Avalon and metered in Stone Harbor using the ParkMobile app. There is a free lot in Stone Harbor at 93rd–94th Street & Second Avenue.
- Beach tags/passes: Daily beach tags are $8 and required for individuals aged 12 and up in both towns. Avalon and Stone Harbor have a reciprocal agreement, allowing tags from one town to be used in the other.
- Restrooms: In Stone Harbor, 95th and 122nd Streets, in Avalon, 30th and the beach, 10th and Dune Drive, 29th and the beach.
Updated in April 2025