This Jersey Shore Haven Is the Epitome of a Classic American Summer

There are beach towns that you visit once, and then there’s Long Beach Island—the kind of place people return to for decades. I’ve been coming to LBI for most of my life, first as a kid wedged between beach chairs and boogie boards in the backseat, and now alongside a new generation of kiddies, armed with ice cream-sticky hands and sandy feet. The arrival at this special Jersey beach town is a ritual that continues to feel the same: Somewhere on the drive, the windows are rolled down, Jack Johnson’s In Between Dreams starts to play—“Banana Pancakes” serving as the island’s unofficial soundtrack—and on cue, the Fantasy Island amusement park’s Ferris wheel appears in the distance. This welcome is all to really say: Once you’re in LBI, your “real life," wherever that may be, can wait a little while.LBI has been a beloved Jersey Shore escape since the late 19th century, when wealthy Philadelphians first built breezy summer cottages along its narrow barrier island dunes. More than a century later, the old-school Americana spirit is as strong as ever, now a summer sojourn for families and folks from all over New England. Here, you’ll find sand splattered onto most of the main roads, pastel bikes being ridden everywhere, and old seafood shacks that haven’t yet lost their edge. Surf shops are packed with sun-faded hoodies, hermit crabs are sold in pretty much every gift shop, and Bay Village, the center plaza of shops and eateries, buzzes with groups carrying armfuls of saltwater taffy, tweens lined up for henna tattoos, and kids begging for one more arcade game before dinner.Beyond the beaches, the restaurants, and the nostalgia, what makes LBI so special is how people gather here. Sunset picnics stretch for hours, multigenerational families claiming the same patch of sand summer after summer. Loved ones arrive in waves throughout the week, greeted barefoot at the driveway. This 18-mile strip of a beach town holds some of my favorite memories, and to the summer crowd that returns year after year, LBI stops being a destination and becomes a piece of local lore we're all in on. Read on for all the insider tips on where to eat, stay, and play on Long Beach Island to kick off your own lifetime of summer returns.Where to eat in Long Beach IslandWhere to stay in Long Beach IslandWhere to play in Long Beach IslandWhere to eatThe fresh seafood spread at Tuckers Tavern is one of the tastiest on the island. Tuckers TavernSit outside at Tuckers Tavern, where you'll feel the bay breeze while indulging. Tuckers TavernLBI’s dining scene works best when you lean fully into the contrasts: old-school breakfast counters in the morning, dockside seafood lunches in a swimsuit by afternoon, then cold beers, live music, and perfectly plated coastal dinners at sunset. Some restaurants are beloved because they’ve been around forever; others because they've mastered the art of the modern beach town dinner reservation. The sweet spot? Hitting all of the above in the same weekend.For longtime visitors, certain meals on LBI are practically mandatory. Mornings begin early at Uncle Will’s, where pancake stacks and massive breakfasts have fueled beach days ahead since 1965. Late nights almost always end at The Chicken or the Egg (widely known as “Chegg”)—an institution where spicy wings, breakfast platters, and nachos taste better closer to midnight. For classic Jersey nostalgia right on the water, Dockside Diner remains one of the island's great easygoing staples, where all kinds of vacationers overlap over coffee refills and oversized classics before another day on the surf. LBI Table is another stellar pick for oceanside omelets and pancake flights. Whether you’re staying at The Sea Shell or not, make sure to go for lunch at The Palm Grill and Tiki Bar for a lively waterside scene—and a menu with anything from sushi to quesadillas.Elsewhere, the BYOB setup and intimate dining room have made Blue Water Café a staple for dinners with bowls of clam chowder and utterly delicious Philly cheesesteaks, which you can also take out to enjoy on the beach. Bird and Betty’s has become one of the island’s defining nightlife and dining destinations, pairing live music, rooftop cocktails, and bayfront sunsets with wood-fired pizza, fresh seafood, and a full wine list. Tuckers Tavern is another elevated pick, ideal for burgers and a raw bar, while Skipper Dipper is where generations of families line up after dinner for towering ice cream cones that melt almost as quickly as the sunsets over the bay.Where to stayOne of the many colorful suites at Daddy O in North Beach Haven. Ann CoenIf there’s one thing that I’ve learned from years of coming to LBI, it’s to book as early as you possibly can. The best accommodations don’t last on the market for long, and by the time peak summer rolls around, availability tightens fast. If you’re planning on visiting in the warmer months, I’ve found that locking in a stay by early March or April tends to open up the best range of options—whether you’re after ocean views, walkable neighborhoods, or something tucked closer to the bay. LBI is made up of distinct pockets: Beach Haven with its restaurants and nightlife, Ship Bottom as a central hub, and Surf City for its classic, family beach feel.For hotels, I gravitate toward places where the beach is immediate. Spray Beach Oceanfront Hotel and The Sea Shell in Beach Haven are ones I’ve personally returned to most often when I'm not in a vacation rental—each is home to fun beach bars, a pool, robust dining options, and direct access to the sand (with some dolphin sightings from your room if you’re lucky). Nearby, you’ll also find quirky hotel Daddy O. The retro seashore exterior meets to play with its younger crowd, who are typically drawn to the hotel bar and rooftop scene. While not directly on the beach, Hotel LBI, in Ship Bottom, sits between the bay and the ocean, and is another great pick for a rooftop pool with more modern amenities.If you’re traveling with a larger group, for an extended period of time, or are simply craving your own space, booking a rental property is probably your best bet. If you want to stay longer than a weekend, you should ideally reserve these bad boys earlier than you would at a hotel. That being said, there are plenty of great picks to choose from. For a smaller group, look into this paradise bungalow in Ship Bottom for cozy comfort and a central location. Also in Ship Bottom, this charming cottage has a saltwater pool to splash around in, and can squeeze up to eight people in its colorful embrace. For smaller groups, this oceanfront condo is in a prime location, tucked along the sea in Beach Haven.For a simple, family-friendly home, this updated property in Long Beach offers direct beach access and fits up to 10 guests. Nearby, this sand-hued home is as spacious as can be and walkable to the beach. If you want to be closer to the bay and you're traveling with a larger group, this spacious Ship Bottom cottage has a pool, rooftop deck, and a dock to indulge in. With a charming porch and welcoming design, this Victorian home in Beach Haven is equipped with modern amenities, a private garden, and sleeps up to three guests.A full moon rising alongside the Barnegat Lighthouse, at the northernmost point of LBI. GettyThe sweet, towering Ferris wheel for thrill seekers at the Fantasy Island Amusement Park. GettyWhere to playPart of what makes LBI so enduring is that it seems to deliver a kind of classic American summer that people worry no longer exists. It’s an island that doesn't try too hard—because it doesn’t need to! Entertainment is woven naturally into the landscape: boutique shops beside seafood shacks, arcades glowing after dinner, bike baskets filled with beach towels, and families lingering outside ice cream shops after sunset. Entire days disappear easily on LBI, often without much of an agenda at all. Spend the morning at the beach, wander into town for lunch, play a round of mini golf before dinner, and somehow end the night listening to live music bayside with sandy feet dusting the floorboards of the bar.There’s a handful of quintessential LBI experiences that any visitor must try at least once: Fantasy Island, for one, is the crown jewel of fun, an amusement park that remains the emotional centerpiece of Beach Haven. Opened in the ’80s and lovingly restored in recent years, the park still holds a timeless charm of bright lights, rides, and carousel music that carries into the night. Nearby, Thundering Surf Water Park and Adventure Golf and Hardland Golf and Arcade are both the epitome of kid-friendly fun, continuing the tradition of water slides, mini golf, and retro arcade games.In terms of where to beach, wide stretches of sand in Beach Haven remain some of the Jersey Shore’s most desirable, drawing surfers at sunrise, families hauling coolers and striped umbrellas by midday, and sunset walkers lingering until the sky fades pink over the dunes. At the northernmost point of LBI, find Barnegat Lighthouse State Park for one of the region’s most scenic spots, where visitors climb the historic red-brick lighthouse for panoramic Atlantic views and spend quiet afternoons fishing or walking the jetty below. For shopping, don't miss out on Island Gypsy. This staple boutique has all the beach-chic packing items you'll keep for summers on end.Though already mentioned as a great place to eat, please make sure to spend some time at Bird and Betty’s. The late-night crowd and live music post-dinner is truly something special. Don’t miss live bands performing at Nardi’s Tavern, either—the long-time hot spot offers party buses as well as a full schedule of fun-filled events all summer long.