Discover Sandy Hook Peninsula to Cape May, the oldest continuously operating lighthouse in the U.S., saltwater fishing, boating, bird, whale, and dolphin watching, fun seaside attractions, and Atlantic City’s famous casinos.
This public beachfront drive extends 127 miles like to a pointing finger along the Atlantic Ocean from the Sandy Hook Peninsula in the north to Cape May at the southern tip. Hop on the Garden State Parkway at Sandy Hook Peninsula and proceed south down the shore. Sandy Hook Peninsula displays the Sandy Hook Lighthouse, the oldest continuously operating lighthouse in the country, and the Gateway National Recreation Area, which provides a glimpse of the historic New York City skyline. Quintessential seaside amusements and recreational activities will greet you at every turn.
Grab a pole and take pleasure with some saltwater fishing from the pier, dock bridge, or boat. Water sport aficionados will be in heaven, while nature enthusiasts can catch a ride on a charter boat for some whale, bird, and dolphin watching. Slip on your walking shoes or grease those bicycle chains for a walk, or a ride, on the ubiquitous concrete boardwalks or wood-plank. Travel from town to town along boardwalks or beaches while enjoying the overwhelming sight of the Atlantic Ocean.
Continue south on the parkway until you reach Atlantic City and the exhilaration of the casinos. You can still see some of Atlantic City’s popular ocean amusement piers, including the Garden Pier and the Central Pier, which has been converted to an art center and is home to the Atlantic City Historical Museum and Cultural Center. This wonderful trip finishes in Cape May, which offers Victorian bed and breakfasts and the Cape May Lewes Ferry. Cape May is also home to one more lighthouse, the Cape May Point Lighthouse, and the Cape May Point State Park. Not far from the lighthouse is Sunset Beach, where you can stare at the sun set over Delaware Bay. Magnificent! This drive provides something for all walks of life and interests, and will easily fill a day with amusing seaside attractions, beautiful scenery and water sport recreations all along the serene Garden State Parkway.
Starting Point:
Sandy Hook, PA
Distance of Drive:
127 miles
Must Eat:
Dock’s Oyster House
2405 Atlantic Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Phone: 609-345-0092
Call ahead to confirm hours of operation.
Best Time of Year for Drive:
Year round
Points of Interest on Drive:
Sandy Hook Lighthouse
Sunset Beach
Atlantic City Historical Museum and Cultural Center
Gateway National Recreation Area
Cape May Point Lighthouse
Tagged with: beach • best time:yearround • New Jersey • scenic spots
Filed under: Best Road Trips