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New Jersey beaches

Baltimoresun.com Staff

• Photo gallery
• Weather report

New Jersey's Shore towns are as diverse as they are many. In addition to Victorian Cape May, there's doo wop Wildwood, family-friendly Ocean City, the high-rolling Atlantic City and many others. Here are some highlights.

HOTELS

Atlantic City
Harrah's Casino, 777 Harrah's Blvd., 609-441-5000.

Wildwood
Starlux, 305 E. Rio Grande Ave., 609-522-7412.

DINING

Ocean City
Piccini Wood Fired Brick Oven, 1260 West Ave. (609) 525-0767. There's always a wait, but once you try the margherita pizza, you'll understand why.

Atlantic City
Buddakan, 1 Atlantic Ocean, 609-674-0100. A temple to modern Asian cuisine.
Bobby Flay Steak, Borgata Hotel & Casino. The celebrity chef's take on the steakhouse.

NIGHTLIFE

Atlantic City
The Borgata, One Borgata Way. In addition to the traditional casino, the Borgata has several nightclubs, including mur.mur and Gypsy Bar.

Other Atlantic City casinos

FUN

Outdoors
Atlantic City boardwalk
Wildwood boardwalk
Morey's Piers, Wildwood
Ocean City boardwalk

Rainy days
Strand 5 Theatre, Ocean City

SHOPPING

Atlantic City
The Quarter at Tropicana, Atlantic City. The mall includes high-end stores such as Melonie de France and Swarovski as well as more affordable shops like Boardwalk Corner Store.

The Pier at Caesars, One Atlantic Ocean. High-end stores such as Betsey Johnson and Coach.

Ocean City
The downtown area around Asbury Avenue includes many shops like Candle Company, Colette's and Kelly's Creations Salon & Spa. Find a list of shops here .

EVENTS

June
CAPE MAY HARBOR FEST -- Various locations / 609-884-5508 or capemaymac.org. Times vary. June 20-22. Activities include storytelling, the Summer Solstice Bonfire, a street festival and more. Most events are free.

TOAST TO THE COAST FOOD & WINE SPECTACULAR -- Various locations / 800-736-1420. A series of events featuring celebrity chefs, culinary demonstrations, wine samplings, cookbook signings and more. Tickets are $15-$150.

Find more events BEACH INFO

Wildwood
Pass required: No.
Pets allowed: No.
Lifeguard hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in North Wildwood and until 5:30 p.m. in Wildwood and Wildwood Crest.
Rentals: Chairs, umbrellas, boogie boards.
Public Restrooms: Restrooms at Rambler Road, portable toilets at various locations.
Showers: At Rambler Road.
Concession stands: No.
Parking: Street parking with free and metered spots.
Fishing allowed: No surf fishing in bathing areas during bathing hours.
Camping: No.
Worth noting: Sunset Cinema shows first-run movies on the beach during the summer

Atlantic City
Pass required: No.
Pets allowed: No.
Lifeguard hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. July 1 - Labor Day. Select beaches are guarded starting on Memorial Day.
Rentals: Chairs.
Public Restrooms: Yes.
Showers: Yes, outdoor showers are at the Lifeguard District Stations. Changing stations are at Albany Avenue and at South Carolina Avenue.
Concession stands: No.
Parking: Meters and paid lots.
Fishing allowed: Yes, on the jetties and boardwalk.
Camping: No.
Worth noting: Atlantic City has several beach bars.

Ocean City
Pass required: Yes. Tags can be purchased for the season, week or day.
Pets allowed: Not during the summer season.
Lifeguard hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Select beaches have guards starting Memorial Day, and most are guarded by the last week in June.
Rentals: Only on the beaches downtown.
Public Restrooms: Yes, at 34th, 9th and 6th streets.
Showers: There's a bathhouse at 12th Street and the boardwalk.
Concession stands: Yes.
Parking: Street, meters and paid lots, depending on the section.
Fishing allowed: Yes, at the fishing pier, select beaches and state park.
Camping: No.
Worth noting: Ocean City is a dry town.

MORE INFORMATION

State of New Jersey Tourism
NewJerseyShore.com