Summer is officially here, and we’re diving into fun! Our 2023 Summer Fun Guide, presented by Eastmont Orchards, is PACKED with things to do with the family all season long! Check out our list below for local ice cream spots, beaches, parks, mini golf, outdoor dining, fireworks, and SO MUCH MORE! Happy Summer!!!

Head to Eastmont Orchards

Head to Eastmont Orchards for some family fun this season! A truly iconic Monmouth County destination, Eastmont Orchards has been owned by the Barclay family since 1923. Eastmont takes pride in selling all of our products retail and direct to the consumer via “pick-your-own.” July kicks off the summer activities with pick-your-own peach season! No need to go to Georgia for the peaches when Eastmont has the juiciest near you! When the peach seasons over and September rolls in Eastmont starts to offer gourds, pumpkins, and more seasonal veggies. 

No admissions fees required for entry no matter what day of the week you come! Although Weekends are jamming, Eastmont Orchards also encourages customers to come mid-week to enjoy the view. If you are looking to bring school groups, or large groups with buses, they allow that as well (inquire within). No reservation is necessary! Please direct any questions to [email protected] for more information or check out our FAQ portion of their website.

Family owned and operated, Hearthly Burger is reinventing fast food! Located in Shrewsbury, NJ, Hearthly Burger uses only organic and non-gmo in all of their ingredients. The menu offers delicious burgers, chicken sandwiches, shakes, and vegan options too! Want to give the kids healthier options on the go? The kids burger is made with organic beef and cheese, and the chicken bites are made with white meat, free range, organic chicken.

Seastreak cruises are the BEST way to get the family on the water

The weather is finally getting warmer and the sun is starting to shine a little brighter, which means it’s officially time to get outdoors. Seastreak, the primary ferry provider for commuters traveling between NJ and NYC, also offers unique, seasonal routes that the family is sure to love.

Take in the NYC skyline on a Sunset Cruise: Enjoy a cocktail while cruising through New York Harbor. Pass all the most iconic sights, like the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Hudson River. A sunset cruise is the perfect activity for a unique and affordable date night.

Take in maritime history on a Lighthouse Cruise: Seastreak offers five unique routes that explore different parts of our local waters. Join us on one, or all! Each cruise is narrated by historians from the National Lighthouse Museum

Check out the beach bar of your dreams: The Sandbox at Seastreak Beach is quickly becoming one of the Jersey Shore’s favorite beach bars. NJ Digest even named it on a list of “10 Jersey Shore Beach Bars to Visit During Summer!” Summer is meant to be spent with a drink in your hand and your feet in the sand. With live music, signature cocktails, and food trucks on the premises, it’s no surprise that the Sandbox is a popular spot.

Go on an adventure looking for humpback whales: Humpback whales, sea turtles, bottlenose dolphins, pelagic birds, and sharks? Yes, they all call New York and New Jersey waters home! Whale Watching cruises depart from the Highlands terminal and in less than 15 minutes, passengers find themselves off the coast of Sandy Hook – ideal whale watching habitat. The best time to see whales is between May and October.

Spend a weekend in Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard: Seastreak also offers ferry service from New Bedford, MA to the beautiful islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. This route is available between April and December. They even offer valet parking and trip protection with the purchase of tickets. This way, you get a full refund if your travel plans change!

Celebrate Independence Day from the water: Join us on the NYC 4^th of July Fireworks Cruise! Sail from NJ to the East River for the best views of the fireworks show. Onboard, enjoy a live DJ, an indoor and outdoor bar, and complimentary beer and wine until 10 PM.

All Seastreak ferries are high-speed, luxury vessels, which makes them an excellent choice for leisure cruises. Spacious seating, an open-air top deck with 360 degree panoramic views, a fully stocked bar, and a climate controlled cabin all ensure comfortable travel.

Whether you’re craving some sun, city energy, or an adventure at sea, Seastreak can get you on the water. Can wait to see you out there!

If you’re looking for something new and exciting to do in Freehold, NJ then it’s time to try Axe Throwing! What could be more fun than throwing axes at a wooden target with friends? The sport of axe throwing is a Canadian past time that’s becoming increasingly popular across the U.S., and now in Freehold, NJ. Throwing hatchets is both fun and stress relieving at the same time, plus axe throwing is a great group activity!

Book an axe throwing session in Freehold, NJ at Bury The Hatchet.

When you visit the City of FUN, you’ll be amazed by what one of New Jersey’s largest indoor amusement parks has to offer. iPlay America features the NEWEST and greatest rides and attractions, a massive arcade, unbeatable food and more!

NEW rides and attractions and hundreds of games in the arcade. Experience go-karts, 2-level laser tag, Topgolf Swing Suite, NEW attractions like XD Dark Ride and Ballocity and so much more. The FUN never ends at iPlay America. Choose from hundreds of video, skill, and crane games at New Jersey’s largest indoor arcade.

Summer Season Pass

iPlay America’s Summer Season Pass is back! Get UNLIMITED rides for UNLIMITED FUN all summer long. Unlimited rides include Freedom Rider, Go-Karts, Crazy Cabs, High Flyer and so much more. Passes on sale NOW thru September 30. Buy yours today! Learn more about the Summer Season Pass and everything iPlay America has to offer at iPlayAmerica.com.

  Escapology Escape Rooms are high adrenaline exciting games where players are immersed inside a series of themed rooms and must race against the clock before time runs out. During the 60-minute adventure, players must find clues, discover secret rooms, solve puzzles and escape!  6 themed escape rooms are available from finding the hidden treasure in Lost City, proving your innocence in Mansion Murder, saving Air Force One from sabotage in Mayday, put on your detective hat in Budapest Express, save the world in Antidote or finding the vault in Vegas Hangover!

 Head to Jenkinson’s Boardwalk

 Jenkinson’s Boardwalk is one of the premier family destination spots on the Jersey Shore. Located in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ, Jenkinson’s Boardwalk is conveniently located in close proximity to the greater New York City and Philadelphia areas. As one of the most family-friendly boardwalks in New Jersey for 95 years, Jenkinson’s Boardwalk offers a wide range of fun and exciting activities for the whole family – including a mile-long beach, amusement park, aquarium, arcades, games, restaurants, mini golf, a night club, shops, and much more! Whether you’re visiting for the day, the weekend, or the entire summer…you’ll never run out of things to do!

Walk the Boardwalks

Monmouth County is home to a few boardwalks full of family fun!

• Pier Village
• Asbury Park
• Keansburg

Head to a Local Fair or Festival

What’s more fun than a local fair?! We’re so excited to ride the rides, eat fried oreos, and play all the games! Here’s a bunch happening in our area this summer:

Head to the Beaches, Pools, and Splash Pads!

Monmouth County is full of beautiful beaches perfect for some family fun! Check out out our Guide to Local Beaches & Pools with the link below!

Visit a Monmouth County Park

We love our Monmouth County Park system, and with good reason! You could spend the entire summer visiting the parks, going fishing, hiking trails, and renting boats and canoes! Here’s a list of must-tries if you’re new to the area, or haven’t been yet!

Discover Local Activities

• Monmouth Museum
• Hot Sand of Asbury Park
• Escapology
• Oasis VRX
• Gravity Vault of Middletown
• iPlay America
• Keansburg Amusement Park
• Silverball Pinball Museum
• Monmouth Park Racetrack
• The Basie Center
• Pier Village Boardwalk Fun n’ Games

Pictured Here: iPlay America

Go for a Bike Ride

The Henry Hudson Trail or Sandy Hook are perfect for a long bike ride! We got our bikes from the Trek store in Middletown. If that’s too far for you, check out Brielle Cyclery or Asbury Park Cyclery!

Visit a Local Winery

Have a babysitter for the evening? Visit or pick-up some local wine and do a tasting at a local winery! We’ve listed some below!

Learn More at Monmouth County Library!

Our library system is home to dozens of classes for all ages, with branches located all throughout Monmouth County. Head to the library to cool off, grab some summer reading books, and learn something new! Check out their website for the latest events and programs available.

Check out Fun & Free Local Activities!

Looking for summer fun that won’t break the bank? Check out our latest guide below!

Play a Round of Mini Golf

• Monster Mini Golf of Eatontown
• Jenkinson’s Boardwalk – Pt. Pleasant
• Asbury 18 Mini Golf – Asbury Park
• Swing Time Family Fun – Howell
• Shipwreck Island – Bradley Beach
• Bluegrass Mini Golf – Oceanport

Head Out for Ice Cream

Check out some Fireworks!

• Atlantic Highlands Fireman’s Fair -July 7th
• Aberdeen- July 1st
• Freehold – July 2nd
• Asbury Park – July 4th
• Keansburg – July 3rd
• Matawan – July 2nd
• Long Branch – July 4th
• Keyport Fireman’s Fair – August 4th
• Union Beach – TBA
• Wall – July 2nd
• Ocean – July 1st
• Hazlet – July 2nd
• Manasquan- July 2nd
• Bradley Beach – July 3rd
• Highlands – August 5th
• Belmar – June 30th
• Sea Bright – June 30th
• Brielle- TBA
• Colts Neck – July 3rd
• Freehold Borough – July 2nd

Catch a Movie

Check out a movie at one of Monmouth County’s local theatres!

• Cinemark, Hazlet
• AMC, Freehold
• AMC, Eatowntown
• The Atlantic Movie House
• The Showroom Cinema Asbury Park

Dine Outside

Our 2023 Outdoor Dining Guide is full of local spots to enjoy the outdoors and some great food! Enjoy!

Check out local canoe rentals, kayaking, SUP lessons, parasailing, and more on the Jersey Shore! Click here!

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