Anyone from New Jersey will tell you that there’s nothing like a summer spent down the shore. Some of my favorite childhood memories were made on sandy New Jersey beaches with a cooler full of Wawa subs and a face full of sunscreen. From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, travelers and locals alike flock down the Garden State Parkway for beautiful, free beaches, buzzing boardwalks, live music, sandcastle building, and homemade ice cream. Thanks to its prime location on the East Coast’s shoreline, there’s no shortage of great beaches in New Jersey to enjoy on short day trips, overnight NYC escapes, or longer getaways. Below, we rounded up some of the best to visit this summer, with things to do and places to eat in every shore town, from Long Branch to Cape May. We also made sure to include options for where to stay, whether you’re planning a quick weekend getaway with friends from New York City or a weeklong family vacation.