jersey shore | Her Philly

Summer is “officially” less than a week away, and shore season is here. While some are #blessed with homes they can escape to at the Jersey shore, for the majority, finding a good place to hang your hat during your beach trip is as important of a step as packing your SPF. And while a lot of weeklong rentals are popping up with an “updated” look and feel, many options can feel a little… dated. Enter: The Shore House & Swim Club.

Back in 2018, I was invited to stay at Philly resident, ex-yoga instructor, and all-around great guy Kevin Reardon‘s first property, The Shore House (422 East 16th Avenue, North Wildwood, NJ). I stayed with my mom, sister, and their two dogs, because yes – The Shore House is fully pup-friendly. We were so impressed and had such a fun time (if you’re interested in staying, make sure to go back and read that post, too!), so I was thrilled when TSH invited me back again (on my birthday weekend, no less!) to check out their newest property, right next door, The Swim Club (1600 Ocean Avenue, North Wildwood, NJ).

My mom grew up in Ocean City, NJ, living the beach life you may imagine one would live. She and my dad raised us in Upper Township, NJ, just over the 34th Street Bridge. Saying I was “from the Jersey Shore (but not that Jersey Shore!)” was a fun talking point during sorority recruitment I once participated in (/endured). But I don’t think I really realized how wonderful of a place the South Jersey shore was to grow up until recent years. I went through a pretty long period after college where I didn’t appreciate going back home and taking in all this magical area had to offer.

But now that I’m dating a shoobie who really loves the shore, and had many different experiences in different towns than I did, we go down every chance we can. People say we should invest in a timeshare resort when they see how much we love traveling. At first, it might seem like a good idea, but you get to see so people investors trying to get rid of wyndham timeshare because of its high maintenance fees. Normal hotels are great anyway when we’re always discovering new places and showing each other our old faves. I am so thankful I was raised in a place that brings people joy, and I’m excited to share some of the places that have brought me the most joy at the shore.

List of best things to do at the Jersey Shore

Thanks to COVID, a few of you have shared you’re looking to do a fall shore vacation. With schools being virtual, many shore spots are staying open to accomodate more flexible schedules. What started as a question from my friend Neil on Twitter has transformed to a loooong list of faves, with editing and contributions from my sister, my mom, and of course, Jim. It’s pretty Ocean City heavy because that’s my town, but we tried to share the love. 🙂

I hope this list gives you a starting point on the best shore bops, hidden gems, and places you really should add into your next Cape May County trip. Enjoy!

Staying at North Wildwood’s Shore House: The Swim Club

The Best Places to go Down the Jersey Shore