Every summer, Memorial Day Weekend and Fourth of July, New Jerseyans speed down the Garden State Parkway to their slice of paradise: the Jersey Shore. The Jersey Shore makes up a bulk of the state’s identity; with its beachy, charming coast, it has become the “armpit of America’s” very own gem.
Around the summertime, it’s impossible to have a conversation with someone without eventually mentioning “DTS.” It is a shared sentiment across most North Jerseyans to migrate to the state’s beaches—a home away from home. While this influx of people brings crowds and chaos to locals’ quaint towns, the entire coastline still unites together to enjoy the summer season.
While obvious to beach-goers from the Garden State, the question that many out-of-staters still ask is, “What’s so special about the Jersey Shore, anyway?” Put simply: The Shore is a place that has it all, from food and attractions to soft sand and cool waves. The Shore fosters shared understandings and jokes among the people of Jersey, like locals who collectively scream and shake their heads when people go the wrong way on Route 35.
A major component that constitutes New Jersey’s identity is the food. The pizza, bagels and subs are just a few authentic staples that one can find down the shore and be highly impressed by. Although people may butt heads about whether the breakfast meat is called taylor ham or pork roll, we all can agree that bagel sandwiches are a classic for a summer morning. Pizza is one meal that truly represents the state and especially the coast. Every few blocks at the beach are equipped with at least one pizzeria, usually drowning in orders around dinnertime. Jerseyans simply cannot spend a summer week without a slice, and the shore’s pizza shops – most notably, Three Brothers, Lennys and Speakeasy Pizzeria – provide top-tier quality. Not to mention, there is almost always a Wawa nearby with a plethora of food, drinks and, most famous, free ice waters.
While primarily known for its beaches, the Shore encompasses much more that adds to its appeal. It hosts various boardwalks across many towns, such as Casino Pier in Seaside, Jenkinsons in Point Pleasant and Morey’s Pier in Wildwood. It also has amusement park attractions like Fantasy Island in Long Beach Island. Filled with arcades, rides, ice cream shops and restaurants, boardwalks serve as a Jersey staple and ensure that there is always something to do, especially at night. Waterparks, mini golf courses and clothing stores to shop at, especially on rainy days, are a few more activities that give the Shore its well-rounded nature and make it such a popular spot.
Still, the main reason many people admire the coast is for its unbeatable beaches. Jersey beaches might get a bad rap because of its cooler waters, but overall, the beaches have everything one could want: They are clean, spacious and have a beautiful aesthetic that anyone could appreciate. It serves as the perfect summer escape that brings goers the relaxation that one may think can only be found at a 5-star resort in the Caribbean.
From mid-May to September, the Jersey Shore comes alive and welcomes thousands of people to visit and enjoy its variety. While just a short car ride away, going down the shore feels like entering an entirely different world due to its vacation-esque vibe. Evidently, the beach towns’ amenities, food and sun all contribute to their appeal, but what truly makes the place is the people. There is an indescribable yet unspoken bond between goers that fosters energy unlike any other place—you just have to experience it to understand. Although going DTS may be filled with road rage and people flipping the bird to each other, it is these very relationships that ultimately make the Jersey Shore “the Jersey Shore”: the shared understanding of our culture that we all have, regardless of which exit we drive to on the Parkway.
Photo credit: “Seaside Heights, Before Sandy” by Todd Lappin is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.
