Ocean County is home to one-third of the fabulous Jersey Shore--44 miles of the Atlantic Ocean coastline with sandy beaches, inviting surf, fantastic fishing and great water sports.

Three major resort areas dot our coast - Point Pleasant Beach Boardwalk with Jenkinson's Aquarium and Seaside Heights Boardwalk featuring an antique Dentzel/Looff Carousel and their boardwalks, Long Beach Island with its activity-packed Beach Haven and Fantasy Island. Add two fabulous oceanfront state parks - ten-mile long Island Beach State Park in Seaside Park and the famed Barnegat Lighthouse State Park in Barnegat Light.

But, the Ocean in Ocean County is only half of it! We also boast the gentle breezes of the protected water playland of Barnegat Bay , not to mention rivers, big and small and great mainland attractions.

Whether you want to relax at a hotel or motel, escape to a quaint B&B, rent a cottage or sand castle at the shore or be informal at one of dozen campgrounds, it's all here. And, we're within a two-hour drive of New York's Broadway, Philadelphia's Liberty Center , the excitement of Atlantic City and Trenton , the state capitol.

For vacation information, call 1-800-ENJOY33 or visit www.oceancountygov.com for "Tourism Links," attractions, photographs and information about the things to do and see.

From our scenic coast to mainland attractions, Ocean County has something for everyone.

Water recreation attracts visitors of all ages. From swimming and surfing to SCUBA diving, or deep-sea fishing, we are the shore at its best. Enjoy motor or sail boating, parasailing or wind surfing on the friendly, sheltered waters of Barnegat Bay Cruise our rivers on one of three paddle wheelers.

Throw a crab trap into the water or for " BlueClaws " of another kind, catch a pro-baseball game of the Philadelphia Phillies affiliated team.

Shake the sand out of your shoes and go to the mainland for fun at Six Flags Great Adventure, Blackbeard's Cave or New Egypt Speedway. Try your hand at a U-pick farm. Youngsters will enjoy a visit to the Popcorn Park Zoo , the award winning Cattus Island County Park , or the New Jersey Forest Education Resource Center. For a relaxing experience, play a round of golf at one of Ocean County's courses or canoe or kayak a Pineland's stream.

Shop at Viking Village, Ocean County Mall or 100 independent antique dealers in Point Pleasant Beach or Jackson Premium Outlets.

The fun has just begun!

Ocean County offers diverse year round entertainment.

Save time for a night of live entertainment at Surflight Theatre in Beach Haven, Historic Strand Theater in Lakewood, Fine Arts Center at Ocean County College, Ritacco Center in Toms River and the songs of the Pinelands at Albert Music Hall in Waretown.

Spend an evening with the Garden State Philharmonic Symphony and be sure to attend the educational and entertaining pre-performance presentation.

During most summer nights, bring a beach chair or blanket to enjoy outdoor concerts.

Boat festivals, regattas and juried fine arts and crafts shows abound, many held along the scenic rivers or bay fronts.

Enjoy informal dining at a chili cook-off or seafood festival. Stop at the Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and Sciences in Loveladies or watch stars, inside and out at the Robert J. Novins Planetarium in Toms River.

Browse through the fine art galleries on Long Beach Island, Island Heights - home of the Ocean County Artist's Guild - or the seaside village of Bay Head.

Let Us Entertain You.

In 1850, Ocean County's roots were farming, fishing and boating, and much of it has been preserved for your visit.

To explore the life and times of the area's baymen in a very unique way, visit the 40-acre maritime village, Tuckerton Seaport . In Toms River, the Seaport Society and Maritime Museum keeps the region's boating tradition alive. The annex at the Charles and Anna Hankins Museum in Lavallette , and the New Jersey Museum of Boating in Point Pleasant show how those boats were built.

Experience the Shore's rich traditions at the Ocean County Museum in Toms River , with its Victorian setting and changing exhibits, the Long Beach Island Museum with its nautical flair or the dozen or more community museums that help bring the past alive or, take a historical tour.

Interested in military history? Check out the tours and information center at Lakehurst Naval Air Engineering Station or stop in at the Colonel Charles Waterhouse Museum and art gallery in Toms River.

Revolutionary War Re-enactments are held at Huddy Park in Toms River and Manahawkin Lake Park in Stafford Township.

A Step Into the Past.