With every new year comes a chance for reinvention. It could involve developing a new hobby or learning a trade. Or, this is the year for pushing out of the comfort zone that has existed for many years. Sometimes, the options for activities to reach those New Year’s resolutions can get overwhelming. The Jersey Shore has many activities that can help everyone achieve their goals for the new year, and we narrowed it down to 15 of our favorites. Keep reading for a guide to 15 activities down the Jersey Shore to help kick-start 2025.
Try a Wellness Class or Service at Artemis ETHOS | 708 Cookman Avenue, Asbury Park
Artemis Ethos is a holistic hair salon in downtown Asbury Park — it’s the go-to spot for positive vibes to start 2025. Artemis Ethos has a wellness class schedule with breath-work sessions to help participants kick-start the new year in peace. It also hosts frequent events focused on alignment, well-being, and healing, such as its vision board workshops, reiki sound + creative healing event, and self-defense seminar. Artemis Ethos also has services like its headspa, meditation, sound healing, and various options for massages.
Read More: 7 Must-Visit Alpaca Farms Near the Jersey Shore
Focus on Your Mental, Physical, and/or Spiritual Health at Balance Wellness Center | 1999 NJ-88, Brick Township
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Balance Wellness Center has a multidisciplinary wellness team in Brick to help customers get out of pain and improve their spiritual, physical, and mental health. Balance Wellness Center has services to help the body, like chiropractic care, acupuncture, foot baths, an infrared sauna, and red light therapy. If 2025 calls for care of the mind, it has guided meditation, sound baths, reiki massage, and psychology and mental health services. Balance also has health and wellness coaching and nutrition services.
Explore Bell Works | 101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel
Bell Works is a large-scale mixed-use building in Holmdel — known as a metro burb; it has access to everything one might find in the city, all in one place. Bell Works houses offices, retail, entertainment, health, wellness, and fitness spaces, making it a fun and convenient way to explore various opportunities for the new year. If 2025 feels like the year for trying new hobbies, Bell Works has indoor golf and a basketball court, and it also has spaces to learn, like the library or martial arts academy.
Volunteer at Covenant House | 227 North South Carolina Avenue, Atlantic City + 520 + 522 Prospect Avenue, Asbury Park
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Covenant House is a nonprofit charitable organization focused on helping youth experiencing homelessness. A new year means a new chance to make a difference. Covenant House has two locations on the Jersey Shore — Asbury Park and Atlantic City, both of which could use additional support. Besides donations, those interested can volunteer, create a fundraising campaign, or join the sleepout. For anyone wanting to expand their charitable work in 2025, click here to learn how to get involved with Covenant House.
Book a Coworking Day Pass at Fleur de Mer | 3316 Sunset Avenue #8, Ocean Township
Fleur de Mer is a flower bar, curated gift boutique, and event space in Ocean County. Fleur de Mer often hosts feel-good events for a fresh start that are cute and fun like its crafting club. For anyone working from home and looking for a way to get out of the house this year, JSG loves its co-working day pass. Customers get five stems at the flower bar for $20, access to the cold brew bar by @brownsbrew, fast wifi, large worktables, and 10 percent off storewide.
Attend a Storytelling Event with Generation Women | Red Bank
Generation Women is a multigenerational storytelling event — picture performers in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s+ sharing an original true story on a shared theme. For those with a New Year’s resolution devoted to connecting and learning with others, the Generation Women event is a shared human experience that helps everyone in the room to relate to one another no matter the race, sexuality, or faith of the individual. The next show is February 19th at Triumph Brewing in Red Bank — click here to learn more.
Join the Jersey Shore Running Club | Multiple Locations
The Jersey Shore Running Club is a nonprofit organization, a chapter of the Road Runners Club of America, and it is New Jersey’s biggest running club, with over 700 members. For a runner with a goal for the new year to find friends with the same passion, JSRC has group runs several times a week and planned social events in various Jersey Shore towns. JSRC also hosts numerous races for people looking for a challenge this new year.
Experience a Luxury Health Club at Lifetime Fitness | 230 Half Mile Road, Red Bank
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Lifetime Fitness is an athletic country club located in Middletown-Red Bank. The health club has indoor and outdoor pools, various amenities, an expansive workout floor, pickleball courts, and childcare. For those with a New Year resolution connected to bettering the body, Lifetime has classes, activities, and programs to help support all those fitness goals.
Get Pampered at Milagro Spa | 1904 Atlantic Avenue, Manasquan + 325 Maple Avenue, Red Bank
Milagro is a spa + salon with two Jersey Shore locations — Manasquan and Red Bank. JSG recommends visiting Milagro as it is the go-to spot for all those beauty necessities and is the location to visit for a relaxing start to the next year. Milagro has facials (including the popular Hydrafacial), massages, and body treatments. The salon also has nail or hair care, eyelash or eyebrow treatments, and makeup and waxing services to begin 2025.
Receive an Aura Reading at Mineral Shop | 923 Main Street, Belmar
Photo Credit: Mineral Shop
Mineral Shop is a gift store in Belmar that sells crystals, plants, and vintage items. JSG suggests visiting the Mineral Shop as an activity to kick off 2025 because it has aura photography. Customers can choose to get an aura photo + reading to help identify how to use their energy best, uncover inner strength, and track personal progress for the new year.
Learn a New Trade at Monmouth County Vocational School District | 4000 Kozloski Road, Freehold
Monmouth County Vocational School District provides career and technical education to the county’s residents. JSG recommends browsing adult education programs, which connect learners with local industries and could be a fun way to start a new career or learn a new trade in 2025. Monmouth County Vocational School District has courses like its cosmetology and licensed practical nursing program. Still, it also has classes that are more related to building a hobby, such as floral design or meditation courses.
Channel Your Creativity at Over the Moon Art Studios | 808 Springwood Avenue, Asbury Park
Over the Moon Art Studios is a creative space in Asbury Park with art workshops and classes for individuals of all skill levels. If wanting to spark creativity in 2025, Over the Moon has multiple opportunities to express a newfound artistic skill through different programs. The studio has an art school with watercolor classes and various workshops like its monthly creative collage challenge. Over the Moon Studio is also the spot for people to advance their artistry by renting a studio space or becoming an art educator this new year.
Attend a Silent Book Club of Monmouth County Meet-Up | Various Locations
The Silent Book Club of Monmouth County is an organization led by three women devoted to bringing together those who love reading in a community-like atmosphere. Its mission is to connect like-minded booktroverts — the organization hosts fun reading experiences in cool venues around Monmouth County. The monthly meet-ups are always free to attend, and there’s typically time allotted to socialize, along with silent time to read. For those book lovers who want to find reading friends this year, follow its Instagram page here to get updated information about the next meet-up.
Take a Cooking Class at Taste + Technique | 560 River Road, Fair Haven
Taste + Technique is a cooking studio located in Fair Haven. For those who want to learn new culinary skills this year, Taste + Technique has a variety of themed cooking courses for adults and children, ranging from participation to demonstration-style classes. Taste + Technique also hosts well-known area chefs in its featured restaurant classes, and attendees can bring home a full meal + a copy of the recipe for the rest of 2025 and beyond. FYI: The adult classes are BYO, so JSG suggests bringing a bottle of wine to complement the meal prepared.
See More: Alcohol-Free Activities in Hoboken + Jersey City
Make New Friends at The Shaka Club Event | Various Locations
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The Shaka Club is a social community that hosts various events to help people meet new friends of similar age living in the same neighborhood. If a goal for the new year is to find like-minded individuals, The Shaka Club’s large parties, intimate happy hours, and special activities are a way to do so. The Shaka Club has upcoming Jersey Shore events, such as its happy hour in Asbury Park on January 23rd and the Valentine’s Happy Hour on February 12th. JSG suggests clicking here to learn more.
50+ Ways to Spend a Winter Day at the Jersey Shore
Everyone knows the Jersey Shore is the place to be in the summer. But something everyone forgets is that those beloved shore towns still exist in the winter, as do many small businesses that make these neighborhoods lively during the warmer months. The winter is a fun time for locals to make a reservation at a restaurant that is always crowded during peak season or try out an indoor activity that is fun yet sometimes overlooked. Keep reading for a guide to spending a winter day at the Jersey Shore.
Asbury Park
- See a show at The Stone Pony, an anchor venue for the Jersey Shore music scene that has hosted national acts since 1974.
- Visit House of Independents, a versatile entertainment space featuring fun events such as live music, themed dance parties, and comedy shows.
- Bowl at Asbury Lanes, a vintage bowling alley and concert venue.
- Listen to live music at Soundbooth at The Asbury Hotel, a boutique hotel steps away from the beach.
- Take a cookie-baking or decorating workshop at Sweet Dani B, an interactive kitchen studio and cooking class studio.
- Try an immersive glass experience at Hot Sand.
- Play a pinball game at Silverball Retro Arcade, located directly on Asbury Park's boardwalk and is BYO.
- Go boutique shopping: check out the downtown Asbury Park shops, or keep warm at The Shoppes at the Arcade, the town's indoor shopping mall.
- Attend a themed book club meeting at Asbury Book Cooperative.
- Visit the lounge at Catsbury Park, New Jersey's first cat cafe, which helps at-risk cats gain a new lease on life.
- Take your dog on Asbury Park's boardwalk, or have your pup play with other local dogs at AP's dog beach; both are open to pets from September 15th through May 15th.
- Explore new restaurants with Taste of Asbury Food Tours.
- Mark your calendar to join the annual Asbury Park Santa Run + receive your own Santa suit with registration along with chip-timed results, a closed course in Asbury Park, and access to after-parties all over town.
Read More: 18 Alcohol-Free Activities to Try at the Jersey Shore
Atlantic Highlands
- Visit the Strauss Mansion, a 21-room Victorian Mansion with exhibits on local history.
- Take the Seastreak Ferry into Manhattan for the day.
- Go on a brewery tour of Carton Brewing Company.
- Experience First Avenue Playhouse, a dessert theatre that serves sweets with a show.
Avon-by-the-Sea
- Shop for macaroons at The Macaroon Shop, an Avon-by-the-Sea bakery beloved by locals since 1930.
- Stop by Meaberrie Market for breakfast, brunch, or lunch, and then browse its market for a curated selection of vintage and new homewares.
Belmar
- Experience an all-you-can-eat experience at Flames Brazilian Steakhouse.
- Take a candle-making workshop at Midnight Candle Company.
- Warm up at a hot yoga class at either Metta Yoga or Heatwave Hot Yoga, both studios located in downtown Belmar.
Bradley Beach
- Get a bar pie at Vic's Italian Restaurant, a staple to the Jersey Shore since 1947.
- Satisfy all those comfort-food breakfast cravings at The Buttered Biscuit, a cozy cafe serving biscuits known for being addicting.
- Get the ultimate BYOB brunch experience at Hatch 44 — a cafe with an aesthetic fitting for the start of a girls' day.
- Stay overnight at The James Bradley, a stylish boutique hotel with elevated rooms and private accommodations.
Long Branch
- Taste mead at Beach Bee Meadery.
- Explore Pier Village, an oceanfront shopping center with shops, retail, dining, live public events, and year-round activities.
- Test your problem-solving skills at Escape the Puzzle, an entertainment venue with themed rooms where visitors can unlock clues and solve puzzles to escape.
- Go to Whitechapel Projects, a versatile venue dedicated to incorporating art into everyday life through food, drink, performances, events, or other types of artistic expression.
- Relax during a luxury spa experience at Wave Resort + Spa — an oceanfront leisure retreat.
- Take a pottery class at Blue Skies Pottery.
Manasquan
- Grab handmade mozzarella or a gourmet sandwich from Joe Leone's Centro Market.
- Get vegan and gluten-free baked goods from Papa Ganache.
- Play darts, listen to live music, or watch sports at Leggetts Sand Bar, a staple to the Jersey Shore bar scene.
- See a show at Algonquin Arts Theatre, a local non-profit theatre hosting plays, concerts, comedians, and musicals.
- Go ice fishing at Manasquan Reservoir.
Ocean Grove
- Appreciate art at Main Avenue Galleria, an art gallery with classes, events, and art collectibles for viewing.
- Take in the nautical decor and BYOB to Seagrass Restaurant, a seafood restaurant open all year long in Ocean Grove.
Point Pleasant
- Visit Jenkinson's Aquarium to see exhibits such as Atlantic and Pacific sharks, coral reefs, penguins, and seals.
- Go to the annual indoor Holiday and Lights Spectacular, Sea of Lights, located inside the Jenkinson Pavilion and the Jenkinson Aquarium. This festive event features holiday entertainment and visits from Santa.
- Get competitive at Jenkinson's South Arcade or Jenkinson's Pavilion Arcade.
- Scout out antiques at Point Pleasant Antique Emporium or Canvas House Antiques + Design Center.
- Spend the night laughing at Uncle Vinnie's Comedy Club, a casual comedy club with a line-up of professional comedians and a dinner and show menu.
Sea Bright
- Get Italian food at Anjelica's Restaurant.
- Go to happy hour at The Rum Runner, a seafood restaurant with a pretty riverfront deck.
Sea Girt
- Get breakfast at Ray's Cafe, a hidden gem serving Sea Girt for over thirty years.
- Make it a date night at Scarborough Fair, a 19th-century farmhouse made into a special occasion restaurant.
- Receive a psychic reading at The Psychic Gallery.
See More: 12 Ways to Make New Friends in Montclair + Essex County
Seaside Heights
- Participate in the annual Polar Bear Plunge, which helps support the New Jersey Special Olympics.
- Try the pizza at Maruca's Tomato Pies, a Jersey Shore classic known for its signature tomato sauce swirl.
- Go to Lucky Leo's, a family-owned entertainment center open year-round in Seaside Heights since 1953.
Spring Lake
- Get your sugar fix at Third Avenue Chocolates, a homemade candy store that has been in business for over thirty years.
- Eat inside a grand Victorian hotel across the ocean at Amelia's by the Sea.
- Check out Bare Wires, a surf shop open year-round.
