When to Go

The shore is a great place to cool off in summer, but it can be crowded and the traffic coming and going, especially on weekends, can be daunting. If you prefer to have more of the beach to yourself, the water's still warm well after Labor Day. In winter, the shore exudes a bleak, windy, yet alluring beauty; many bed-and-breakfasts, particularly in Cape May and Spring Lake, stay open year-round or close for only one month.