15 Fun Things to do Near Seaside Heights

Aside from all the free things you can do in Seaside Heights, there are also many things to do near Seaside Heights. Whether it’s a sunny day or a rainy one, check out this list of 8 things to do near Seaside Heights! Click on each link for directions from our rental.

1. Explore Untouched Ecosystems

Island Beach State Park
2401 Central Ave, Seaside Park
7 Minute Drive

Just a short bike ride or car ride ($20/$12 per car entry fee on weekends/weekdays) is Island Beach State Park. One of New Jersey’s last significant untouched barrier island ecosystems.

Visitors to the park can enjoy a variety of activities, such as swimming, fishing, hiking, birdwatching, and sunbathing. The park also offers picnic areas, restrooms, and shower facilities for visitors.

Island Beach State Park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including ospreys, peregrine falcons, and diamondback terrapins. The park is particularly important for birdwatchers, as it serves as a stopover point for many migrating bird species.

2. Rollin’ for the win

Playdrome Bowling Alley
821 Conifer St, Toms River
14 Minute Drive

BYOB beer & wine! Playdrome has a 24 lane bowling center equipped with automatic scoring and automatic bumpers. They also offer pool and arcade game.

3. Look Up To The Sky

Robert J. Novins Planetarium.
1 College Dr, Toms River
15 Minute Drive

This state-of-the-art planetarium located on the campus of Ocean County College. The planetarium features a 55-foot dome and a state-of-the-art projection system, which provides visitors with an immersive and educational experience about space and astronomy.

The planetarium offers a variety of shows and features, ranging from family-friendly shows to more advanced programs for astronomy enthusiasts. Some of the most popular shows include

• “The Sky Tonight”, which highlights the current night sky and its constellations,
• “Journey to the Stars”, which takes visitors on a virtual tour of our solar system and beyond.
• A virtual reality experience, which allows visitors to explore the universe in a 3D immersive environment. You can journey through the galaxy, explore planets and moons, and witness cosmic events in real-time.

For sure, this is one of the most unique things to do near Seaside Heights.

4. Light Up The Big Screen

Marquee Cinemas – Orchard 10
1311 NJ-37 W, Toms River
18 Minute Drive

This might not be at the top of your list of things to do on your beach vacation, but, if the weather is not cooperating it is always a great option!. Seating is reserved so be sure to buy your tickets ahead of time.

5. Visit an Aquarium

Jenkinson’s Aquarium
300 Ocean Ave N, Point Pleasant Beach
20 Minute Drive

6. Go Deep Sea Fishing

Whether you’re an experienced angler or just looking for a fun way to spend the day, there are plenty of fishing charters and boat rentals available out of Point Pleasant. Try your luck at catching striped bass, bluefish, or flounder. Of things to do near Seaside Heights this is the only one that will be traveling east!

7. Visit a Micro Brew

Last Wave Brewing Company
601 Bay Ave, Point Pleasant Beach
20 Minute Drive

If you’re a beer lover visiting the Jersey Shore, you’re in luck! The Jersey Shore is home to many micro breweries, each offering their unique selection of craft brews. From IPA’s to stouts, there’s no shortage of delicious beer to sample. And let’s face it, after a day at the beach, a cold beer is just what the doctor ordered. So, come for the beach, stay for the beer, and leave with a new appreciation for the art of craft brewing!

8. AAA Baseball

Lakewood BlueClaws
2 Stadium Way, Lakewood
25 Minute Drive

Baseball fans in the family? Then you definitely should check out the Lakewood BlueClaws! The Lakewood BlueClaws are a class A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. In their first 12 seasons they have won three titles and sent many of their players up to the majors. Within a short 30 minute drive, you could be enjoying the smell of crackerjacks and a first class Minor League baseball team.

9. Go Shopping

Ocean County Mall
1201 Hooper Ave, Toms River
13 Minute Drive

Instead of heading north on 35 you could also head west on 37 and spend some time at the Ocean County Mall. Located at 1201 Hooper Ave in Toms River it features all of the normal stores any mall in the country would have.

Premium Outlets
537 Monmouth Rd, Jackson Township
38 Minute Drive

If you feel like traveling a bit further, you can hit the Premium Outlet stores in Jackson, New Jersey. The mall boasts over 70 stores, including high-end designer brands like Coach, Michael Kors, and Polo Ralph Lauren. Shoppers can also find popular clothing retailers such as Nike, Levi’s, and Gap, as well as jewelry and accessory stores like Swarovski and Kate Spade New York.

10. Tuckerton Seaport Museum

Tuckerton Seaport
120 West Main Street, Tuckerton
39 Minute Drive

There is so much to see and do at Tuckerton Seaport. You can start with the Folklife Center, which works to amplify community voice by capturing and sharing the diverse communities and traditions of the Barnegat Bay and the Pinelands. 

In the Yacht Club visit the “Life on the Edge” exhibit, where visitors can go back in time to explore New Jersey’s environmental past, present, and future within the Jacques Cousteau National Estuary (Pinelands, Great Bay, Barrier Island, and Open Ocean ecosystems). 

You can also check out the Seaport’s Floating Classroom Boat Tour of Tuckerton Creek. One hour long, a live tour guide brings along artifacts from the museum collection to aid the exploration of the folk art, history, and environment of the Barnegat Bay and Pinelands. Other things to do include:

• Climb the lighthouse
• Make-and-Take Crafts included with Admission
• Tour Museum Exhibits
• Say Hi to the Goat and Sheep
• Get Some Fresh Air on the ¼ Mile Nature Trail

11. Thrills for All!

Six Flags Great Adventure
1 Six Flags Blvd, Jackson Township
41 Minute Drive

Looking for thrills? Well, you’ve found them. In fact, you’ve found some of the fastest, tallest, wildest, most gut-wrenching rides in the country — including a few record-breakers. With over 100 rides and attractions, including the Wild Safari Drive-Thru Adventure which is home to 1,200 animals from six continents including elephants, rhinos, tigers and lions, the whole family is sure to find something fun to do here.

The 45-acre Hurricane Harbor waterpark also features a million-gallon wave pool, a half-mile lazy river, more than 25 high-speed thrill slides and two interactive water playgrounds.

Google promotions before you go, there are always deals and coupons for the park. Of all the things to do near Seaside Heights, this will be the most thrill seeking!

12. Concerts & Other Shows

PNC Bank Arts Center
116 Garden State Pkwy, Holmdel
43 Minute Drive

A bit further away, but if you are in a musical state of mind, jump on the GSP and head north to PNC Arts Center. This concert center is ranked in the top five amphitheaters in the country and ranked in the top two outdoor arenas within the New York Metropolitan area.

With concerts every weekend through the summer, all you need to do is get your ticket, bring a blanket, hang out on the lawn….and enjoy the music. Compared to other things to do near Seaside Heights this will be the loudest!

13. Wine Not

Laurita Winery
85 Archertown Rd, New Egypt
40 Minute Drive

Sustainability is the main focus of this 20,000 square foot winery. Laurita was constructed primarily from repurposed or recycled materials. The winery’s framework, was created by combining two 150-year-old barns that were slated for demolition. The winery also uses solar technology to generate eco-friendly energy for heating, hot water, steam, cooling, and refrigeration purposes.

Laurita Winery offers a variety of wines, including red, white, rosé, and fruit wines. Some of their popular red wines include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chambourcin. Their white wine selection includes Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, and Riesling. They also offer fruit wines made from blueberries, peaches, and cranberries, among others. Additionally, they have a collection of sparkling wines and a dessert wine called “Chocolate Therapy.”

Renault Winery
72 Bremen Ave, Egg Harbor City
53 Minure Drive

Nearly a century and a half old, Renault Winery is a recognized New Jersey State Historical site and one of the oldest continuously operating wineries in the United States.

• Tours run through the week (reservations recommended) and last about 40 minutes and include a wine tasting following the tour.
• If you are making a day of it, you can also include an all you can eat lunch or dinner starting with fresh tossed garden salad with homemade Italian dressing, pickled beets, pasta in chef special marinara sauce, Italian meatballs, baked sesame chicken, fresh baked Italian bread, dessert, coffee, tea, decaf coffee.

14. New Jersey Maritime Museum

New Jersey Maritime Museum,
528 Dock Rd, Beach Haven
49 Minute Drive

The hosts a variety of fascinating exhibits that offer insight into the state’s rich maritime history. One of the museum’s most popular exhibits is the Shipwreck Room, which showcases artifacts and stories of shipwrecks along the New Jersey coast, including the SS Morro Castle and the SS Andrea Doria.

Another notable exhibit is the Lighthouse Room, which features a collection of lighthouse memorabilia, including lenses, lamps, and foghorns.

The museum also has a collection of ship models and navigational instruments, showcasing the evolution of maritime technology over time.

15. Place Your Bets

Atlantic City
61 Minute Drive

The furthest thing to do near Seaside Heights on our list, take a day trip to Atlantic City. Casinos in Atlantic City include the Borgata Hotel Cassino & Spa, the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, the Ocean Casino Resort, and the Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City. Each casino offers a unique gaming experience and a range of amenities, including dining options, spas, and entertainment venues.

In addition to gaming, Atlantic City offers a variety of other attractions. The city has a famous boardwalk that stretches along the beach, featuring amusement rides, shops, and restaurants. There are also several museums and art galleries in the city, as well as historic landmarks like the Absecon Lighthouse.

Enough Things To Do Near Seaside Heights?

Have we listed enough? Seaside Heights and its surrounding areas offer a variety of exciting and entertaining things to do for folks of all ages. Whether you’re looking for a day at the ballpark, a stroll though a vineyard, or a thrilling ride on an amusement park attraction, there’s something for everyone.

With so many things to do near Seaside Heights you are sure to have a memorable and enjoyable experience, making it an ideal destination for a fun-filled vacation. So, Is Seaside Heights worth a visit? We think so.