Arts & Culture

Asbury Park African-American Music Project (Asbury Park, NJ). This volunteer-run, community-driven non-profit organization celebrates the stories of Asbury Park’s Springwood Avenue. Its mission includes sharing the music, cultural heritage, and stories of Springwood Avenue through oral histories, research, writing, and programs; developing accessible resources that reflect Asbury Park’s African-American music heritage for the City of Asbury Park and others to use as a basis for interpretive heritage projects; addressing a lack of representation in traditional historic resources and giving voice to the stories of Asbury Park’s African-American community; and engaging all who live in and visit Asbury Park in the active exploration, interpretation, understanding, and preservation of the city’s African-American cultural heritage.

Asbury Park Music Foundation (Asbury Park, NJ). This non-profit organization provides life-changing music programs to under-resourced youth, giving them confidence, discipline, and relationship-building skills that improve their future success and economic mobility, preserving Asbury Park’s rich musical legacy, bringing the community together for free, live music and supporting musicians with opportunities to perform locally.

Asbury Park Beach Badge Fund (Asbury Park, NJ). Since 2018, the Asbury Park Beach Badge Fund has provided beach badges to those in the community who otherwise could not afford them, and prevent potentially dangerous after-hours, unguarded, swimming.

Bridge of Books Foundation. This non-profit organization works to provide an ongoing source of books to underserved children throughout New Jersey in order to support the development of literacy skills and encourage a love of reading.

Concerned Citizens of Whitesboro. (Middle Township, NJ). Located in Middle Township (Cape May County), Whitesboro was established in 1901 as a town exclusively for African-Americans in response to growing racism in Cape May City at the time. Named for former North Carolina Congressman George H. White, other early investors included Booker T. Washington, Rev. J.W. Fishburn, and poet, novelist, and playwright Paul Laurence Dunbar. Concerned Citizens of Whitesboro, Inc., promotes educational opportunities, scholarships, civic awareness, recreational and cultural programming, job creation, and affordable housing for all members of the community.

Jersey Collective. Jersey Collective promotes the arts, historic preservation, nature, exploring New Jersey, local businesses, and challenges misconceptions people have about the Garden State. Since its March 2014 inception as an Instagram account, it has since grown to include IRL meet-ups, gallery shows, a book published by Rutgers University Press, a sticker vending machine stocked with work by New Jersey artists, and a book club.

Jersey Shore Arts Center (Ocean Grove, NJ). Operated by the Ocean Grove Historic Preservation Society, Inc., and housed in the old Neptune High School, the Jersey Shore Arts Center provides affordable programs, events, professional opportunities, and work space for local artists and arts-related educators, who in turn develop opportunities for the broader Jersey Shore community to experience and engage with the arts.

Long Beach Island Arts and Science Foundation (Loveladies, NJ). Founded in 1948, this non-profit organization promotes the arts and sciences on Long Beach Island and surrounding communities by enlightening, educating, and stimulating thought and discussion about current trends in the arts and sciences through educational and cultural programs for all ages.

Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University (Atlantic City, NJ). As the cornerstone of the AC Arts District, the Noyes Arts Garage’s mission is to promote education, provide resources for emerging artists, and enrich the community.

Stone Pony (Asbury Park, NJ). The Stone Pony has been the anchor of the Asbury Park music scene since opening its doors in 1974. Locals like Bruce Springsteen, Southside Johnny, and Steven Van Zandt helped put the Pony on the map, while today’s top artists and rising stars continue building a musical legacy.

Tony Mart Presents (Somers Point, NJ). Levon & the Hawks (including future The Band members Robbie Robertson and Levon Helm) were playing legendary Somers Point nightclub Tony Mart in the summer of 1965 when Bob Dylan called to invite them to become his backing band. Though the venue itself is long gone, its spirit lives on through Tony Mart Presents, which hosts top-quality local musicians and national recording artists with free concerts on the the Atlantic City Boardwalk and on the beach in Somers Point (the latter was named “Best Free Outdoor Concert Series in America” in a 2023 USA Today readers poll).

Wooden Walls Project (Asbury Park, NJ). This collaborative initiative enriches the sociocultural and socioeconomic landscape of Asbury Park through public artwork generated by a local, national, and international stable of artists.

Food & Drink

Cats Luck Vegan (Neptune City, NJ). This woman-owned, radical vegan bakery is all about the animals and not calories, which means a menu chock full of delicious freshly baked treats. While you’re at it, pick up a cup of joe from Steady Hand Cafe & Collective (and a copy of the latest Beach Badge).

Hayday Coffee (Atlantic City, NJ). Given AC’s surprising dearth of fresh coffee options, Hayday (located on the beach block of New York Avenue, in the city’s Orange Loop district) is a welcome antidote to overpriced, underwhelming chains like Starbucks and Dunkin. Named for the inventor of Atlantic City’s famous boardwalk rolling chairs, Hayday serves up their signature drip coffee, barista-crafted espresso drinks, teas, baked goods, and more.

JBJ Soul Kitchen (Red Bank, NJ, and Toms River, NJ). Run by the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, JBJ Soul Kitchen is a non-profit community restaurant that serves paying and in-need customers. Customers are encouraged to effect change by making a suggested donation for their meal, and the restaurant offers a Pay-It-Forward program, where each additional $20 donation provides meals for those who are unable to donate.

Kaya’s Kitchen (Belmar, NJ). Dine in or take out at this flavorful all-vegan restaurant that also features a rotating array of fresh desserts. Walk a few blocks east to the Belmar Public Library and see the giant Fender Telecaster, at the southeast corner of 10th and E, that commemorates Bruce and band’s early days.

Kubel’s (Barnegat Light, NJ). A Barnegat Light institution since 1927. Even Sinbad, the US Coast Guard’s scrappy canine mascot, drank here until his passing in 1951.

Point Creamery (Point Pleasant, NJ). Homemade premium ice cream, including several rotating vegan/non-dairy options, in a wide variety of creative flavors.

Siam Basil (Sea Girt, NJ). Freshly prepared Thai food, with robust menu that will satisfy omnivores, vegans, and everyone in between.

Tony Boloney’s (Atlantic City, NJ). Sure, you can get a classic cheese pizza here, but Tony Boloney’s menu offers so much more, most of which can be made vegetarian/vegan upon request. Additional locations in Hoboken, Jersey City, and Margate.

Union Market & Gallery (Tuckerton, NJ). Cozy waterfront coffeeshop featuring a menu sure to please omnivores, vegans, and everyone in between. Located at Tuckerton Seaport Museum.

Vegans Are Us (Atlantic City, NJ). Flavorful, plant-based soul food located at AC’s Tanger Outlets. You can also visit their original location in Vineland, NJ.

Wonder Bar (Asbury Park, NJ). This Asbury Park institution is known for great live music, tasty food, and the world famous Yappy Hour—where dogs run the show.

History

Absecon Lighthouse (Atlantic City, NJ). Absecon Lighthouse was one of three lighthouses constructed along the New Jersey coast by General George Gordon Meade, of the US Army Corps of Engineers, who later gained wider renown as commander of the Union forces at Gettysburg. (The base of the lighthouse’s 228 steps is featured on the cover of Beach Badge No. 3.)

Asbury Park Historical Society (Asbury Park, NJ). The Asbury Park Historical Society is headquartered in the Stephen Crane House, which the author of The Red Badge of Courage inhabited from 1883 to 1892. In addition to preserving the city’s past, APHS has a cool online store featuring their annual calendar and holiday ornaments depicting local landmarks like the Carousel House, Convention Hall, and the Stone Pony.

Barnegat Light Historical Society & Museum (Barnegat Light, NJ). Located in the town’s former one-room schoolhouse, the Barnegat Light Museum houses a trove of area artifacts, including Old Barney’s original first-order Fresnel lens.

Historic Village at Allaire (Farmingdale, NJ). The Historic Village at Allaire was once an iron-producing, factory-town known as the Howell Iron Works Co. This interactive museum offers visitors an opportunity to experience all aspects of this self-sustaining community, including a carpentry and pattern-making shop, a blacksmith shop, a bakery, a boarding house, a blast furnace, mills to finish iron products, a school, a church, a general store with a post office, and workers’ homes. It also plays host to a variety of events throughout the year; the monthly flea market always yields something of interest.

Lighthouse Challenge of New Jersey. This annual event (held the third weekend in October) challenges visitors to visit 10 land-based lighthouses, three lifesaving stations, one museum, and one virtual site over the two day weekend. The route covers the Atlantic Coast from Sandy Hook to Cape May and the Delaware Bay and River Coast from Cape May to Paulsboro. 

Long Beach Island Historical Museum (Beach Haven, NJ). Housed in the former Holy Innocents Episcopal Church (1882), the Museum has served as a seasonal portal to the island’s past since 1976.

Lucy the Elephant (Margate, NJ). Built to lure real estate investors in the early 1880s, Lucy was one of three such novelty structures designed by James V. Lafferty (and the only one still standing). Over the course of her life Lucy has operated in a variety of capacities, including as a hotel, tavern, and of course, a tourist attraction.

New Jersey Maritime Museum (Beach Haven, NJ). Established in 2007, this registered non-profit organization is staffed by a small group of dedicated volunteers and operates entirely on donations. Open year-round (seven days a week during summer; Friday through Sunday in the off season).

Palace Depression (Vineland, NJ). Using nothing more than the resources on hand in his Vineland junkyard, the enigmatic George Daynor constructed his “Palace” (sometimes called “Palace of Depression”) in the 1930s as a monument to human resilience during the dark days of the Great Depression. The original structure fell into ruin following Daynor’s death in 1964. Subject to repeated vandalism, the City of Vineland razed the original structure in the late-1960s (a special set was created for scenes in the 1983 movie Eddie and the Cruisers). However, in recent years, a handful of industrious locals have been working to resurrect Daynor’s original vision.

Toms River Seaport Society & Maritime Museum (Toms River, NJ). Founded in 1976, this non-profit organization is dedicated to the preservation of the rich maritime heritage of the Toms River and Barnegat Bay.

Tuckerton Seaport Museum (Tuckerton, NJ). As South Jersey’s Mystic Seaport, this living museum’s mission is to preserve, present, and interpret the rich maritime history, artistry, heritage, and environment of the Jersey Shore and the unique contributions of its baymen.

Twin Lights Historic Site (Highlands, NJ). In 1899, Guglielmo Marconi placed an antenna and receiving station at the lighthouse to demonstrate his wireless telegraph, making Twin Lights the nation’s first wireless telegraph station capable of sending and receiving messages on a regular commercial basis.

Whitesbog Preservation Trust (Browns Mills, NJ). This 501(c)(3) non-profit organization serves as caretaker of Whitesbog Historic Village, a small cranberry farming village founded in 1857. The Trust maintains the buildings and trails, hosts events, and keeps the history of Whitesbog alive.

Wildwood Historical Society (Wildwood, NJ). The Wildwood Historical Society operates and maintains the home and contents of the George F. Boyer Historical Museum for the Wildwoods, their citizens, and visitors. It also promotes public support, knowledge of and interest in history, culture and art, and expands the historical, cultural, and artistic horizons of the citizens and visitors of the Wildwoods with educational programs and events. Check out their online store for a wild array of unique Wildwood ephemera.

Nature

Barnegat Lighthouse State Park (Barnegat Light, NJ). In addition to its namesake beacon, Barnegat Lighthouse State Park is also home to one of Long Beach Island’s last remnants of maritime forest.

Cattus Island County Park (Toms River, NJ). This 530-acre park features seven miles of trails (with numerous vistas of nearby Barnegat Bay), a 1,000-foot wheelchair-accessible boardwalk, a newly renovated environmental center, butterfly garden, and more.

Double Trouble State Park (Bayville, NJ). Double Trouble State Park’s 200 acres include the site of a former company town that prospered in cranberry and lumber production for nearly 200 years. While the origins of the village’s name are uncertain, according to the park’s website, “Thomas Potter is often credited with giving this area the name in the 1770s when heavy rains damaged the earthen dam on the mill pond twice in one season, causing first trouble and then double trouble.”

Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge (Oceanville, NJ). The Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge protects more than 48,000 acres of southern New Jersey coastal habitat, 78 percent of which consists of tidal salt marsh. Part of Forsythe’s eight-mile Wildlife Drive incorporates former railroad bed from the short-lived Brigantine Beach Railroad, which at one time connected Brigantine Island with the mainland.

Friends of Asbury Park Environmental Shade Tree Commission (Asbury Park, NJ). The Friends of Asbury Park Environmental Shade Tree Commission (APESTC) is a non-profit volunteer group with tax-deductible status. While the Environmental Shade Tree Commission is a funded and appointed city commission, the cost of creating and maintaining public gardens around Asbury Park exceeds budget limitations. Donations to APESTC go towards buying the plants, soil, mulch, compost, and tools needed to keep these gardens looking their best all year round. All labor involved in planting and maintaining these gardens comes from a group of dedicated volunteers who gather twice a week (or more!) to plant, weed, prune, and mulch.

Great Bay Boulevard Wildlife Management Area (Little Egg Harbor Township, NJ). Great Bay Boulevard WMA preserves nearly 6,000 acres of fresh, brackish, and saltwater estuary and islands. Its two-lane namesake, which began as a would-be connector between Atlantic City and the mainland that never came to be, offers spectacular views of wildlife and other points of interest, including the ruins of a fish factory that processed menhaden (bunker) from 1930 to 1969.

Island Beach State Park. Located just south of Seaside Park, Island Beach State Park’s 10 miles of storm-shaped barrier island feature miles of dunes, white sandy beaches, and a wide variety of maritime plants and diverse wildlife that remains much the same as it was thousands of years ago. (Pro tip: Get there early during the summer season, as the gates are closed as soon as the park reaches capacity.)

Marine Mammal Stranding Center (Brigantine, NJ). Formed in 1978, this 501(c)(3) organization’s mission is the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of marine mammals and sea turtles. The Marine Mammal Stranding Center is the only Federally-authorized animal hospital in the State of New Jersey that responds to these animals in distress and provides medical treatment.

Pinelands Preservation Alliance. This non-profit organization is dedicated to preserving the Pine Barrens ecosystem, promoting wide public engagement in their preservation, and advancing acquisition of land and development rights by private and public conservation agencies. Its two primary initiatives consist of Pinelands Adventures, an outdoor recreation program aimed at fostering public understanding of and devotion to the Pinelands, and Rancocas Creek Farm, a sustainable, chemical-free farm connected to the Alliance’s mission of protecting the Pinelands.

Popcorn Park Animal Refuge (Forked River, NJ). Established in 1977, Popcorn Park serves as a permanent home to over 200 animals and birds, including exotics, wildlife, farm animals, and birds who have suffered abandonment, cruelty, injury, illness, handicap, exploitation, old age, inappropriate ownership, or who could not be safely returned to the wild.

Wetlands Institute (Stone Harbor, NJ). This 501(c)(3) non-profit organization promotes appreciation, understanding, and stewardship of coastal and wetland ecosystems through programs in research, conservation, and education. The Wetlands Institute also works to restore, preserve and protect wetlands and coastal ecosystems for a healthy environment for people and wildlife.

Shopping

Asbury Book Cooperative (Asbury Park, NJ). The Asbury Book Cooperative is an independent, community-run bookstore that serves as a literary hub and community space in the vibrant and diverse shore town of Asbury Park, New Jersey. Join them in this project of community leadership, economic democracy, and BOOKS!

Asbury Park Fun House (Asbury Park, NJ). These days, Asbury Park is home to some world-class public art, thanks to the Wooden Walls Project – and, thanks to Asbury Park Fun House, you can find much of it adorning some high-quality merch (such as this beach towel featuring artist Jeffrey Fulvimari’s popular “Ode to the Ocean”). (A portion of the proceeds supports the artists as well as the Wooden Walls Project.) Fun House also carries AP-themed patches, pins…even a delightfully ironic Ocean Grove shot glass.

Atomic Books (Baltimore, MD). Purveyors of “literary finds for mutated minds,” Atomic Books is an independent bookstore full of objects made of paper, vinyl, plastic, and various other actual materials at the edge of time. (And yes, legendary “Pope of Trash” John Waters receives fan mail by way of Atomic.)

Atomic Vintage LLC (Belmar, NJ). Atomic Vintage is Belmar’s one-of-a-kind resource for original art, vintage clothing (from Hawaiian shirts to concert tees), mid-century modern furniture, and an expertly curated selection of CDs and vinyl (with a particularly keen eye for punk, surf, and garage).

Berlin Farmers Market (Berlin, NJ). Since 1940, the family-owned and operated Berlin Farmers Market has grown to include more than 85 indoor retailers as well as a vast outdoor market (open Saturdays and Sundays).

Columbus Farmers Market (Columbus, NJ). Columbus is the Delaware Valley’s oldest and largest flea market. Its 65 vendors feature an eclectic array of goods ranging from pickles and biker gear to freshly roasted peanuts and local wine. But the big draw is the outdoor market (open Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, year-round), where you never know what you’ll find.

Connor Kane Photography (Asbury Park, NJ). Based in Asbury Park, local photographer Connor Kane enjoys chasing golden hours and local shows. You can catch him walking the boardwalk and selling prints down the shore in venues like Asbury Fresh Pop-Ups and the Sea Streak Summer Pop-Up at the Sand Box, and of course online.

Down the Shore Publishing. Down the Shore is an independent publisher specializing in beach and coastal subjects, the Jersey Shore, and New Jersey in general. Its catalogue includes regional history, literary anthologies, pictorial books, historical videos, notecards, and Jersey Shore calendars.

The Escape Plans (Atlantic City, NJ). From custom itineraries to exclusive merchandise (including this awesome handmade Black Flag-inspired “Rise Above” t-shirt), let The Escape Plans expertly curate your Atlantic City travel experience. Learn the best places to stay, eat, and explore, as well as insider tips and hacks to make your trip to AC as stress-free as possible. (They also cover Philly and Vegas.)

Hidden Gems Literary Emporium (New Brunswick, NJ). Founded by two Rutgers University alumni, this family-owned, non-profit community bookstore works to make literature accessible, affordable, and fun for all ages while remaining dedicated to cultivating knowledge, wisdom, and truths to all readers.

Iron Fox Typewriters. Iron Fox is committed to the preservation, alteration, and proliferation of the last great equalizer: the typewriter.

New Egypt Flea Market Village (New Egypt, NJ). Established in 1959, this unique shopping village – one of the last unpaved, low-key, old-time country markets – offers a wide variety of vendors in a quaint and convenient location. Here you’ll find books, antiques, collectibles, furniture, gift ware, music, electronics, toys, clothing, hardware, household items, tools, bicycles, lawn equipment, jewelry, coin and gold exchange, and more. Open every Wednesday and Sunday, year-round, rain or shine.

NJ Shore Art (Asbury Park, NJ). Jersey Shore-themed original artwork with a bit of quirk, such as this unique Asbury Park Beach Badge/Boardwalk ornament.

Pencil Revolution Press (Baltimore, MD). Pencil Revolution Press LLC is a small bookbinding and zine publishing company that started out as a blog in 2005, a zine in 2020, and became Straight Legit in 2022. All books are made by hand, in Baltimore City, with extra care and heart.

Sinkhole (A Novel). Publishers Weekly calls regular Beach Badge contributor Davida Gypsy Breier’s novel Sinkhole – a psychological thriller set in 1980s central Florida – a “mesmerizing debut” whose “clever plot and astute characterizations help drive this coming-of-age tale with a malevolent twist.”

True Jersey. If you’re Jersey and you know it…

Underground (Smithville, NJ). Located in the heart of Historic Smithville, Underground hearkens back to old-school rock-n-roll shops like Philly’s Zipperhead with a wide selection of punk rock clothing, jewelry, True Jersey merch, and more.

Wildwood Gift Shop. Your online source for all things Wildwood, including a talking plushy version of the boardwalk’s in/famous tramcars in four different sizes!