The Jersey Shore is more than just sandy beaches and boardwalks, it’s a playground for drama and luxury, especially for The Real Housewives of New Jersey. While RHONJ cast members Melissa Gorga, Jennifer Aydin, and Rachel Fuda all own beach houses at the Jersey Shore, the rest of the cast — such as fan favorites Teresa Giudice, Margaret Josephs, and Dolores Catania — have no qualms about heading down the Garden State Parkway to take on coastal beach towns for a weekend of pools, parties, and pettiness. From beach bars and waterfront dining to local smoothie shops and mini-golf courses, we’ve rounded up a list of spots at the Jersey Shore that have served as iconic backdrops on the hit Bravo reality show. Read on to learn more about the Jersey Shore destinations that have been featured on The Real Housewives of New Jersey.
Asbury Park
Brando’s Citi Cucina | 162 Main Street
On Season 13, Episode 13, Jennifer Aydin teamed up with Teresa Giudice’s daughters, Gia, Gabriella, Milania, and Audriana, to throw Teresa a surprise bridal shower party at Brando’s Citi Cucina in Asbury Park. RHONJ cast members Dolores Catania, Margaret Josephs, Jackie Goldschneider, Melissa Gorga, and Danielle Cabral, were all in attendance. Brando’s Citi Cucina serves up classic and updated Italian fare in an elevated atmosphere. Surprisingly, no tables were flipped and no wine was thrown at this party.
Read More: A Guide to the Jersey Shore’s Best Boardwalks
Playa Bowls | 1200 Ocean Avenue
While visiting Gia down the shore, Teresa met up to grab Gia’s “favorite” Jersey Shore snack: Playa Bowls. Though the on-screen caption labeled the location as Point Pleasant, the scene from Season 12, Episode 6 was recorded at the Playa Bowls on the Asbury Park Boardwalk next to the Convention Hall. In the scene, Teresa and Gia enjoyed their Playa Bowls on the boardwalk and discussed how fast Teresa’s relationship with her now-husband, Luis Ruelas, was moving.
Bay Head
Playa Bowls | 68 Bridge Avenue
Melissa Gorga met up with RHONJ’s iconic troublemaker Danielle Staub for a friendship-breakup conversation at Playa Bowls in Bay Head, New Jersey. In Season 10, Episode 15, Melissa speaks on behalf of all of the cast members to let Danielle know that none of the other cast members want her around anymore. In the episode, Melissa and Danielle are seated outside on the water — facing Charlie’s of Bay Head — and a Playa Bowls waitress comes to take their order. Jersey Shore locals know that Playa Bowls is a quick, counter-service acai and smoothie shop that doesn’t have waitress service… so this aspect was added just for the filming of the show.
Belmar
Belmar Mini Golf | 1110 NJ-35
View this post on Instagram
Melissa, Jackie, and Margaret went to a mini golf course that, frankly, all Jersey Shore residents forget even existed. Belmar Mini Golf, located in the Marina Grille parking lot overlooking the Shark River, is not one of the most popular or exciting mini-golf courses in the area. Located right on Route 35, many don’t even realize it is there. But, as Margaret states in Season 10, Episode 15, she’d rather be there playing mini golf than spending a day with Jennifer…
Belmar Parasail | 608 River Road
View this post on Instagram
In Season 10, Episode 15, Jennifer, Dolores, and Teresa embark on an adventure parasailing over the Jersey Shore coastline. The trip was not without a bit of nausea and burping… But to everyone’s surprise, Teresa did go up for the ride! Belmar Parasail is family-owned and operated and is a fun activity for any thrill-seekers visiting the Jersey Shore.
Marina Grille | 905 NJ-35
View this post on Instagram
The six RHONJ ladies reconvened for a nosh at the Marina Grille post-mini golf and parasailing sessions during the filming of Season 10, Episode 15. Marina Grille is a popular waterfront eatery with live entertainment and gorgeous sunset views. Upon arrival, Jen went into the bathroom to change out of her bathing suit and into the infamously petty “Sorry Not Sorry” t-shirt.
Brielle
Waypoint 622 | 622 Green Avenue
View this post on Instagram
During Season 10, Episode 14 the Housewives and their significant others kicked off their weekend down the shore at dinner in Brielle. Waypoint 622 is a waterfront restaurant with marina views, a patio bar, and live music. The drink of choice for the table was a Garden State Lemonade, one of Waypoint 622’s handcrafted cocktails that is made with Skyy Vodka, pureed blueberry, lemonade, and club soda.
Freehold
618 | 618 Park Avenue
To celebrate the beginning of New York Fashion Week, Danielle Cabral hosted a “Boujie Brunch” — sponsored by her brand Boujie Kidz Inc. — at 618 in Freehold. Cast members Rachel Fuda, Jennifer Ayden, Jackie Goldschneider, Melissa Gorga, Dolores Catania, and Teresa Giudice were all in attendance for the Season 14, Episode 5 taping and donned sparkly outfits, as per the request of Danielle. 618 is a full-service restaurant, banquet hall, and wedding venue that serves up creative American cuisine and handcrafted cocktails.
Forked River
The Waterfront | 361 East Lacey Road
View this post on Instagram
In Episode 2 of Season 14, Danielle hosted a “Celebration of Life” party for her husband Nate Cabral, who had undergone intense surgery to remove a cyst on his brain six years prior. Party signage featured in the episode stated, “Nate, not just surviving but thriving!” The party took place at The Waterfront in Forked River, which has indoor and outdoor dining, a riverside lounge, a rooftop bar, and live music. Housewives’ cast members Melissa Gorga, Joe Gorga, Teresa Giudice, Luis Ruelas, Margaret Josephs, Joe Benigno, Jackie Goldschneider, Evan Goldschneider, Dolores Catania, Rachel Fuda, John Fuda, Jenn Fessler, Jeffrey Fessler, and Jennifer Ayden all attended the party for Nate.
Long Branch
The Butcher’s Block | 235 West Avenue
View this post on Instagram
Before the Giudice and Gorga families were divided, they spent a lot of time together down at the Jersey Shore. The in-laws got together for dinner at The Butcher’s Block with Melissa’s sisters, Kim and Lysa. The Butcher’s Block is a popular, farm-to-table steakhouse in Monmouth County.
Point Pleasant
Jenks Club | 300 Ocean Avenue
View this post on Instagram
The RHONJ cast visited the beach bar of Jenks Club in both Season 10, Episode 15, and Season 12, Episode 4. Jenks is an incredibly popular indoor-outdoor club on the beach that features DJs, live bands, and several bars. Plus, the Gorgas have a lot of history at Jenks. “That’s actually where I met Melissa,” Joe Gorga revealed in the episode. “Every weekend I was down here looking for her.” His sister Teresa also revealed that Jenks was a go-to hangout when she was younger. “I used to come here always in my 20s with my ex-boyfriend,” she told the Housewives, “This was our spot.”
Jenkinsons Boardwalk | 300 Ocean Avenue
Jenkinson Boardwalk is a classic, all-American Jersey Shore destination. The family-friendly Point Pleasant tourist spot has amusement rides, arcades, an aquarium, mini-golf, and, of course, a plethora of boardwalk food. In Season 10, Episode 15, Bill Aydin challenged Evan Goldschneider at the water gun and fishing games while Teresa and Jennifer picked up sweatshirts and tchotchkes for their daughters at one of the many boardwalk gift shops before returning to their friends at Jenks Beach Bar.
See More: 10 Hudson County Locations the Real Housewives of NJ Have Visited
Red Bank
Count Basie Center for the Arts | 99 Monmouth Street
Andy Cohen sat down with his New Jersey housewives for the Season 3 reunion on the historic stage of the Count Basie Theatre, now known as the Count Basie Center for the Arts. The most shocking part of Season 3, Episode 20, titled “Reunion: Part 1,” was that O.G. cast member Jacqueline Laurita did not show up for the taping. Season 4 was already in production while the Season 3 reunion was filming. The night before the reunion an “incident” had occurred at the infamous and annual Posche Fashion Show that made Jaqueline Laurita unable to be in the same room as Teresa Giudice. The Red Bank reunion included former cast members Caroline Manzo and Kathy Wakile.
