Jenna Giustino 
Road trips make some of the best memories. And the best kind of road trips are the ones with Jersey Shore destinations. As magical as a vacation to Cape May, Wildwood, or LBI can be, as locals, we know that the Garden State Parkway can be a buzzkill, and sometimes a drive straight to the beach seems impossible. That’s why we’ve curated a list, broken down by exit on the GSP, of places we love to stop, so the trip down or from the shore doesn’t feel so intense. Keep reading for a guide on where to stop on the way to or from the Jersey Shore.
Exit 109
YESTERcades | 80 Broad Street, Red Bank
JSG Suggests Stopping If You’re Craving: A chance to get out of the car to play games and feel nostalgic.
YESTERcades is a retro arcade in Red Bank. It’s a good stop when heading back up north from visiting the shore. Yestercades has pinball machines, air hockey, a pool table, and nostalgic games from the 80s and 90s. It also has a cozy section with a couch that makes you feel at home while playing consoles like Nintendo and PlayStation.
Read More: We Visited Every Rest Stop on the GSP; Here’s What We Liked at Each
Exit 105
Baseline Social | 675 Oceanport Way, Oceanport
JSG Suggests Stopping If You’re Craving: An opportunity to catch a sports game mid-road trip.
Baseline Social is a massive sports bar in Oceanport. If you are coming back from a weekend at the beach, and someone in your car is begging you not to miss a critical sports game before making the drive back home, Baseline Social is the go-to spot. It has an LED viewing wall that feels like a movie-theater experience for watching a game. Baseline Social also has golf bays if you want to stretch your legs before getting back in the car.
The Plant Lady’s House | 1800 NJ-35 Unit 2, Oakhurst
JSG Suggests Stopping If You’re Craving: A spot to grab a coffee… and a houseplant.
The Plant Lady’s House is a coffee + plant shop in Oakhurst. It’s a good stop if driving to or from the Jersey shore because its coffee bar has plenty of options ranging from French press to cappuccino to lattes, which might be a necessity if you have a long drive. The Plant Lady’s House also (of course) has fun house plants to shop for, which is a cool Jersey Shore souvenir.
Exit 100B
Jersey Shore Premium Outlets | 1 Premium Outlets Boulevard, Tinton Falls
JSG Suggests Stopping If You’re Craving: A shopping trip (and a good discount).
The Jersey Shore Premium Outlets are in Tinton Falls. It has over 125+ stores, including Michael Kors, Victoria’s Secret, Express, and more. The Jersey Shore Premium Outlets features a food court for quick bites and a Coach Coffee Shop, a must-try for outlet visitors.
iPlay America | 110 Schanck Road, Freehold
JSG Suggests Stopping If You’re Craving: An opportunity to tire out the kids before driving home.
iPlay America is an indoor entertainment venue in Freehold. If you have kids in the car who need a fun activity mid-road trip, iPlay America is a good place to stop. iPlay has go-karts, rides, arcade games, two-level laser tag, and more. iPlay also has a restaurant and a candy shop if you need food or treats before the drive home.
Exit 102
Cardinal Provisions | 513 Bangs Avenue, Asbury Park
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JSG Suggests Stopping If You’re Craving: Brunch.
Cardinal Provisions is a restaurant in Asbury Park specializing in brunch plates. It has toasts, bowls, sandwiches, and breakfast-style plates. Cardinal Provisions is beloved by locals for its fresh-baked pastries, fun tea drinks, and rotating specials, so it’s a necessity to stop if you are a foodie looking for a Jersey Shore breakfast experience.
Wolfe + Kron Books | 808 1/2 Fifth Avenue, Asbury Park
JSG Suggests Stopping If You’re Craving: A book (for the passenger princess or beach read lover).
Wolfe + Kron Books is a woman/queer owned bookstore in Asbury Park. Wolfe + Kron has a diverse range of new, old, and collectible titles in fiction and nonfiction. It also has poetry, memoirs, pop-science, and the classics. The cute shop is a good stop if you’re seeking a book to read on the ride back from the beach.
Exit 95-98
Hey Peach Bakery | 126 Main Street, Bradley Beach
JSG Suggests Stopping If You’re Craving: Baked goods for the car ride.
Hey Peach Bakery is in Bradley Beach. Hey Peach Bakery has a quaint coastal vibe, and it specializes in handmade breads and pastries that you’ll instantly smell upon arrival. Hey Peach Bakery also has coffee and tea, and the JSG suggests arriving here early before any popular items sell out.
Vic’s Italian Restaurant | 60 Main Street, Bradley Beach
JSG Suggests Stopping If You’re Craving: A classic Jersey Shore pizza experience.
Vic’s is an Italian restaurant in Bradley Beach. Vic’s has been a staple Jersey Shore spot for pizza since 1947. JSG recommends ordering a large 14-inch pizza, which comes with eight slices. This spot has other comfort food choices like lasagna, chicken parm, and garlic bread.
Exit 98
Jenkinson’s Boardwalk | 300 Ocean Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach
JSG Suggests Stopping If You’re Craving: Boardwalk games.
Jenkinson’s Boardwalk is in Point Pleasant Beach. It’s a classic Jersey Shore stop for family-friendly entertainment, featuring tons of boardwalk games, an aquarium, batting cages, and oceanside dining options. FYI: If the timing works out, Jenkinson’s has fireworks on Thursdays in the summer. For more information, click here.
Joe Leone’s | 510 NJ-71, Point Pleasant Beach
JSG Suggests Stopping If You’re Craving: A sandwich for the beach.
Joe Leone’s is a specialty Italian market in Point Pleasant. Since 1997, locals have been loving Joe Leone’s for its homemade breads, handmade mozzarella, gourmet sandwiches, and prepared foods. If heading toward the beach and wanting to grab quality food for a coastal picnic, Joe Leone’s is the go-to place.
Exit 91
Meemom’s Brick | 56 Chambers Bridge Road, Brick Township, 1383 NJ-35, Middletown Township, (Exit 114) + 1825 NJ-35, Wall Township, (Exit 98)
JSG Suggests Stopping If You’re Craving: Comfort food.
Meemom’s has locations in Brick, Middletown, and Wall. For the Brick location, take exit 91. Meemom’s is known for its comfort-style breakfast food featuring standout plates like French toast bowls, breakfast bowls, and pancakes + waffles. Meemom’s is a good fit for those looking for a homey vibe after a long and active weekend at the shore.
Exit 82
Kohr’s Frozen Custard: The Original | 301 Boardwalk, Seaside Heights
JSG Suggests Stopping If You’re Craving: A classic Jersey Shore ice cream or frozen custard cone.
To visit Kohr’s Frozen Custard: The Original in Seaside Heights, take exit 82. Kohr’s is a staple Jersey Shore frozen custard ice cream shop established in 1919. Kohr’s is known for its fresh fruit orangeades and its orange and vanilla ice cream swirl, both of which are classic choices.
Island Beach State Park | 2401 Central Avenue, Seaside Park
JSG Suggests Stopping If You’re Craving: A tranquil space to participate in watersports.
Island Beach State Park is in Seaside Park. For those who spent the weekend in Cape May, Wildwood, or LBI, Island Beach State Park is a good stop if looking for one more active day before heading north. Island Beach State Park has a variety of activities, including surfing, windsurfing, swimming, fishing, and kayaking tours, as well as numerous trails. For more information, click here.
Exit 63
Ship Bottom Bay Beach | 1621 Long Beach Boulevard, Ship Bottom
JSG Suggests Stopping If You’re Craving: A Jersey Shore sunset.
LBI has many bay beaches, but JSG’s favorite is the one located in Ship Bottom. If you’ve spent a weekend in LBI, the Ship Bottom Bay beach is a good stop before crossing the bridge back into Manahawkin to head home. Two major bonus points for Bay Beaches are that its shallow waters are safe for children, and the sunsets over the water are a pretty view.
Exit 4B
(Retro) Wawa | 418 West Rio Grande Avenue, Wildwood
JSG Suggests Stopping If You’re Craving: A hoagie.
Wawa is a family-owned convenience store and gas station chain. Over the years, Wawa has become a staple Jersey Shore stop, known for its hoagies, which are must-haves for the beach. JSG recommends going to the one in Wildwood, which has a retro doo-wop inspired aesthetic.
The Madison Resort Wildwood Crest | 7201 Ocean Avenue, Wildwood Crest
JSG Suggests Stopping If You’re Craving: An overnight stay.
The Madison Resort is in Wildwood Crest. JSG is adding this one to the list if you’ve decided to stop overnight by the beach. The Madison Resort’s pool is the first lure, with its cute string lights, pink decor, and lounges in the water that we love as a floating reading nook.
See More: 13 Classic Jersey Shore Bars to Visit When You’re DTS
Exit 0
Exit Zero Filling Station | 110 Sunset Boulevard, Cape May
JSG Suggests Stopping If You’re Craving: A twist on a traditional diner.
Exit Zero Filling Station is in Cape May. Exit Zero is a retro-style diner vibe with outdoor seating that is dog-friendly. Exit Zero also has a Chevy Farm truck on its premises, which has been transformed into a cozy cabin, available for reservations or no extra charge (call 609-241-2326).
