For Jersey Shore locals, summer comes with mixed emotions. From June to September, the entire state of New Jersey flocks to our little sanctuary, bringing with them lines, traffic, and usually, an attitude (that’s a joke… kind of). Crowds and chaos abound, we’d still choose a Jersey Shore summer every time — and if you’re reading this, we’re guessing you would too. That being said, our team of locals has worked hard to create the ultimate Jersey Shore summer bucket list. We don’t use that superlative lightly: our list includes 50 local activities that we believe every resident should experience at least once — and can, with ease.
Our free and downloadable bucket list of activities includes food spots to enjoy, activities to do, outdoor adventures, history adventures — all the things that make our area special. All of the picks are vetted by our team of local residents, based on our own experiences in the community. We won’t spoil all the fun, but here’s a sampling of what to expect:
- create your own trucker hat at The Pretty Charming Co.
- cozy up at an Asbury Park bonfire
- go on a self-guided ice cream tour
- see a show at The Music Man, Lavallette’s singing ice cream shop
- head to a classic Jersey Shore bar (just to say you did)
And of course, this is just 50 ideas to get you started; the opportunities and options are ENDLESS. We write about them every day on our site, The Jersey Shore Girl. We’re a team of locals who love to explore and learn about all the things happening at the Jersey Shore. There’s also an ongoing calendar of events you can peruse each weekend here, and of course — add your own! It’s a free community resource.
To download our PDF guide to a local Jersey Shore summer, click here.
Enjoy your summer, and tag us @thejerseyshoregirl_ on social media in your adventures!
Groundbreaking Ceremony at Netflix’s New Facility Near the Jersey Shore
On May 13th, 2025, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy was joined by Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos, Sopranos creator David Chase, and several local leaders to celebrate the groundbreaking of a new Netflix facility in Monmouth County. The site, former Army facility Fort Monmouth, will become a 500,000 square foot production space for Netflix, and will include sound stages, workspaces, and community amenities. The project is the result of a partnership between the state of New Jersey and Netflix. Read on for more about the new use of Fort Monmouth.
Photo via Instagram @firstladynewjersey
About the Project
Fort Monmouth was an Army facility from the mid-1910s until its closing in 2011. The facility was originally called Camp Little Silver and renamed Fort Monmouth in 1925. In 2005, it was selected for closure as part of the nationwide Base Realignment and Closure effort, which saw dozens of un- and underused military facilities shut down. The closure took place in 2011, and since then, the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority (FMERA) has been working to find a productive use for the site.
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In January 2021, New Jersey opened bidding for the purchase of the site, and Netflix was an early participant. In October 2022, Netflix was selected as one of the top bidders, and in December 2022, it was announced that Netflix was the winning bidder.
Read more: There’s a Taylor Swift-themed Airbnb at the Jersey Shore: Our Stay at The Evermore Estate
Netflix plans to transform the facility, which is 292 acres in size, into a cutting-edge production hub on the East Coast. The company plans to invest $1 billion to build 12 soundstages and other workspaces, plus community amenities.
“Netflix is proud to invest in American innovation and the creative community,” said Ted Sarandos, co-CEO of Netflix, said in a statement. “We estimate that these studios will create thousands of jobs for New Jersey residents, billions of dollars in economic output, and many other cultural benefits to the region and state. Over the past four years, Netflix has contributed $125 billion to the US economy and hired more than 140,000 cast and crew members. And we’re excited to continue our investment in the US and New Jersey in the coming years.”
“As the birthplace of the motion picture industry, New Jersey couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome Netflix — a name synonymous with 21st century entertainment — to the Garden State,” said Governor Murphy in a statement. “The Netflix studio at Fort Monmouth further solidifies New Jersey’s reputation as a global leader in film and television production, attracting some of the world’s top filmmakers and creators to the state. We are grateful to Netflix for choosing New Jersey as its new home on the East Coast and for committing to an investment that will fuel economic growth, generate thousands of new jobs, and bring more patrons to our local businesses.”
See more: Hoboken’s Historic YMCA Voted to Be Restored
Demolition is expected to take around 13 months, and the studio is projected to open in 2028. However, further approvals are required before Netflix Studios Fort Monmouth can fully undertake construction. Several leaders praised New Jersey's tax incentives for luring the company to the Garden State, in particular the state's Film and Digital Media Tax Credit Program, which will run through 2039.
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