Jersey Shore Spots Locals Say Are Overrun By Tourists

Every summer, the Jersey Shore transforms from a peaceful coastal paradise to a bustling vacation hub. While tourism brings economic benefits, locals often find themselves avoiding certain hotspots during peak season.

Here are some Jersey Shore destinations that year-round residents say have become overwhelmed with out-of-town visitors.

1. Boardwalk Mayhem At Seaside Heights

Summer weekends turn this iconic boardwalk town into a people-packed playground that locals increasingly avoid. The MTV show “Jersey Shore” only amplified its popularity, bringing waves of curious visitors hoping to spot filming locations.

Traffic backs up for miles on Route 37, and finding parking becomes a competitive sport. Many residents now save their Seaside visits for weekdays in May or September when the crowds thin out.

2. Point Pleasant Beach: Parking Nightmare

What was once a charming seaside escape has morphed into a weekend traffic jam. Families circle endlessly looking for non-existent parking spots near Jenkinson’s Boardwalk during July and August.

Locals have learned to bike in or visit during off-hours. The beach fills up by 10 AM on summer weekends, with out-of-state license plates dominating the scene and hour-long waits at favorite restaurants becoming the norm.

3. Hipster Haven Asbury Park

Once a gritty comeback story, Asbury Park now draws Instagram influencers and city dwellers seeking beachfront cocktails. The Stone Pony and Cookman Avenue shops can barely contain weekend crowds.

Year-round residents reminisce about quieter days before the renaissance. While the economic revival benefits many, locals often retreat to neighboring towns like Ocean Grove during peak season to escape the influx of visitors posing for photos at every mural.

4. Red Bank’s Weekend Transformation

This riverside gem turns from peaceful small town to bustling hub when weekend warriors arrive. Broad Street becomes a parade of out-of-towners hunting for parking spots and filling restaurant reservations.

Locals have developed strategic timing – grabbing coffee before 9 AM and dinner after 9 PM to avoid the crush. The Count Basie Theatre events create particular congestion, with some residents reporting they’ve given up trying to visit downtown on summer Saturdays altogether.

5. Wildwood’s Beach Chair Battlefield

Those famous wide beaches become a sea of umbrellas and chairs during July, with early birds claiming territory by sunrise. The boardwalk transforms into a slow-moving human river where walking becomes an exercise in patience.

Year-round residents know to avoid the infamous tram car during peak hours. Many locals retreat to the quieter North Wildwood or Wildwood Crest sections, lamenting how the town’s unique doo-wop architecture gets overlooked by day-trippers focused only on rides and water parks.