Free things to do at the Jersey Shore

With your toes in the sand and the sun on your face, what more could you want at the Jersey Shore? Well, chances are good that your family might actually want to do more than play in the surf all day. And while boardwalk amusements and ice cream treats are great, they get expensive when you add it all up. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to keep your family happy and entertained without spending a lot of money.

Here’s a guide of free things to do when you visit the Shore this summer. Jump to the pastime that intrigues you:

Whether you need something to do on a rainy day or you’re just looking to learn something new, a museum is always a great choice. There are several along the Jersey Shore that offer free admission.

Anyone with an interest in art should make it a point to visit the Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University. The free and open-to-the-public art and community space features curated art exhibits, artist studio and retail spaces, and a 1,200-square foot satellite gallery of the Noyes Museum of Art of Stockton University and the African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey. The unique space is actually a converted parking garage that has inner studio spaces that artists can rent. Watch artists at work in their studios and talk to them about their pieces. While you’re there, visit the Ducktown Community Garden. The staff started this free community garden, and they hold free events on the second Friday of each month with live music, artist talks, and more. Masks are still required.

2200 Fairmount Ave., Atlantic City, artsgarageac.com, @artsgarageac

There are so many cool museums dedicated to the history of the Jersey Shore, but Beach Haven’s New Jersey Maritime Museum’s claim to fame is that it’s considered the most extensive collection of maritime history and artifacts in the state. Located on the southern end of Long Beach Island, it’s home to over 10,000 rare and historic photos, logs, videos, and artifacts spanning over 100 years. We’ve all heard of the Titanic, but are you familiar with the ill-fated liner Morro Castle? The maritime museum has an entire room dedicated to the 1930s luxurious cruise ship that caught fire, killing 137. Come for a few hours, or visit for an entire rainy day. There are so many things to discover here.

528 Dock Rd., Beach Haven, njmaritimemuseum.org

Ocean City is known for its beaches, boardwalk, and family-friendly entertainment, but it wasn’t always that way. Learn about the Native Americans who lived on Ocean City’s shores, the founding of the city by four Methodist ministers, and how it became known as “America’s greatest family resort.” Did you know that there’s a ship buried under the sand near the 17th Street beach? Or which princess spent her childhood summers vacationing in Ocean City? Find out here.

1735 Simpson Ave., Ocean City, ocnjmuseum.org, @ochistoricalmuseum

If you’ve ever seen a story about an injured whale, dolphin, or sea turtle and wondered who helps them, the answer is the Marine Mammal Stranding Center. Located in Brigantine, the center was started in 1978; since then, they’ve responded to over 5,600 strandings of seals, dolphins, whales, sea turtles, and even the occasional manatee. The museum has an amazing collection of artifacts including a sperm whale’s jawbone, shark teeth, skulls, and a dolphin spinal column. Learn about the lives of marine animals and how you can help protect them. Take a guided tour or explore on your own.

3625 Atlantic Brigantine Blvd., Brigantine, mmsc.org, @marinemammalstrandingcenternj

Head to the Cape May County Zoo & Park to meet Jambazi the Giraffe, Ziggy the Zebra, Marty the Camel, and more than 500 of their friends. The Cape May Zoo is one of the few zoos in the country that is free, including parking. (Donations are, of course, appreciated.) And it’s open every day of the year except Christmas. This is a great place to visit for a relaxing morning, when most of the animals are out and about. It’s a completely manageable size and easy to navigate. Afterward, enjoy a picnic and let the kids loose on the large playground right outside the entrance.

707 U.S. 9 North, Cape May, cmczoo.com, @capemaycountyzoo

You and your children can learn all about the vast coastal environment in Wildwood Crest this summer, and who better to teach you than marine science and ocean literacy educator Miss Ocean. Each session begins with a short presentation at the Rambler Road Beach, and then you’ll take a short guided walk to different areas to explore and discuss different topics. No registration is necessary. This year, the program operates on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning June 21.

Rambler Road Beach, Wildwood Crest, wildwoodcrest.org, @visit_wildwood_crest

Search the shores for diamonds, Cape May “diamonds” that is. While they’re not really diamonds at all, these pure quartz crystals can easily trick the naked eye. The Kechemeche Indians were the first to find these beautiful stones and believed they bring success and good fortune. The stones originate in the upper reaches of the Delaware River; the running streams erode the quartz, breaking off pieces that travel 200 miles before washing up on the shores of Sunset Beach near Cape May Point.

When driving on the highway, the Jersey-Atlantic Wind Farm is one of the first signs (besides the obvious billboards) that you’ve reached AC. It’s the first coastal wind farm in the United States and the first wind farm in New Jersey. The Wastewater Treatment Facility also has a 500-kilowatt solar generation plant. Take a one-hour tour to find out how it helped reclaim the area’s back bays for fishing, shellfishing, and swimming. And throw on a hardhat to get an up-close look at a wind turbine, and (if you’re feeling brave) peek inside a wastewater treatment basin. If you have kids with you, fit in a stop at the Environmental Park at their Egg Harbor Township location 15 minutes away. Park at the Geo Building and walk around the back for a playground made out of recycled materials (including a tire swing and recycled plastic crawl-through tunnel), and eat lunch at a picnic table made from recycled plastic. Also here: The Atlantic County Utilities Authority’s Poetry Trail. Explore nature while reading short, sweet poems. And visit the native plant garden and rain garden. There’s always something in bloom.

ACUA Wastewater Treatment Plant: 1801 Absecon Blvd., Atlantic City, ACUA Environmental Park: 6700 Delilah Rd., Egg Harbor Township, acua.com, @acua_green

Listen to music just about every night (and during the day on weekends) right on the beach. Laguna is a great spot for food and drinks, but what really sets it apart is its outdoor stage in the sand. There’s no cover charge, and you don’t need to make a reservation to enjoy the music and vacay vibes. Take a break to enjoy a meal inside or outside the restaurant, or just hang out and listen to the music. There’s a walk-up outdoor bar if you want to enjoy a drink while you relax. (Insider tip: Bring a few small sand toys for the kids.)

1400 Ocean Ave., Brigantine, lagunagrillandrumbar.com, @lagunarumbar

Back in 2011, three guys brewed their first batch of Cape May IPA. They kegged it up and sold it to a bar up the street. Today, they run New Jersey’s largest craft brewery and offer free interactive, self-guided tours. There’s also a tasting room, brewtique (where you can shop), beer garden, and a new dog-friendly “Brewtanical Garden.”

1288 Hornet Rd., West Cape May, capemaybrewery.com, @capemaybrewco

Car shows are a regular event in most Shore towns, and they’re almost always free to attend.

jersyshorecarshows.com

When it comes to saltwater angling, New Jersey does not require you to have a recreational saltwater license. This includes fishing in a bay, in the ocean, or from the surf. Popular spots include Sandy Hook Bay, Barnegat Lighthouse State Park in Long Beach Island, and Corson’s Inlet State Park in Ocean City.

When you think of the beauty of nature at the Jersey Shore, sandy beaches and rolling waves probably come to mind. But there’s even more to discover. National Geographic lists Cape May as “a world’s best destination for birding.” Two particularly good spots for hiking, exploring, and birding are Cape May Point State Park, 303 County Highway 629, Cape May, and Harbor Township Nature Reserve, 318 Zin Rd., Egg Harbor Township.

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Many of the Jersey Shore towns host free weekly events throughout the summer months. After a day in the sun, your family can enjoy free entertainment such as music, movies, and activities for kids.

Here are just a few of these free community events.

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Michelle Reese is a freelance writer who also runs the kids activities blog Sweet Mini Moments. She has been going down the Shore for her whole life. She lives in Bucks County.