New Jersey is 170 miles long and claims 130 miles of coastline. A ratio that leads us to one very important, very simple conclusion: the Jersey Shore is no joke. And because we think that you, in your honeymooning bliss, would be utterly remiss if you failed to devote some quality time to this mass amount of sand and seaside, we have a wedding present just for you: a few of New Jersey’s best beaches and boardwalks.

Boardwalks

Giving Coney Island a run for its money, boardwalks and boardwalk culture are tied to New Jersey’s history. In fact, the first boardwalk as we recognize them today was constructed in 1870 in Atlantic City and that same boardwalk is currently the longest in the world. Typical boardwalk characteristics include family-friendly pedestrian zones, restaurants and rides and kid-geared arcades – along with your sandy beach, of course. Point Pleasant Beach’s Jenkinson’s Boardwalk is a favorite and has a wide beach and first-rate aquarium, while Wildwood Boardwalk is referred to as “two miles of smiles” and features amusement piers, roller coasters and a water park. Asbury Park Boardwalk, however, is not to be outdone. Mini golf, a water park, arcade and a couple of legendary music venues put this plank board promenade firmly on the map.

Beaches

Moving to the white sand and water below, the Jersey Shore – or “The Shore,” to locals – is a destination unto itself and an especially popular one for nearby New Yorkers and Pennsylvanians. Beaches of all types and traits make up the Shore, from family-oriented and boardwalk-friendly to quiet, private and perfect for solitude. Most beaches in the state require visitors purchase a “beach badge,” which grants access to beaches in daily, weekly, or seasonal increments. We like Sea Grit beach for the old fashioned boardwalk and lighthouse, and Spring Lake for an upscale approach to the seashore. Victorian homes, tree-lined streets and a noncommercial boardwalk are all part of the charm. Strathmere, in Upper Township, is rumored to be the most secluded spot around and a good location for relaxed sunbathing.