Seaside Heights New Jersey Information

Located on the Barnegat Peninsula, Seaside Heights, New Jersey, is about a half square mile and it is located between Seaside Park to the south and Ortley Beach to the north.

In the early 9001s, a land development company envisioned Seaside Heights as a resort and promoted it to Philadelphia area residents as an ideal location to build summer homes. The company began running train excursions in 1909 to the beach so people could see the lots available, which sold for $100.00 apiece—for a 40-foot beachfront lot.

In 1913, Seaside Heights was incorporated as a borough formed from sections of Berkeley and Dover townships (Dover Township is now Toms River Township). On December 1, 1915, the first toll bridge was opened across Barnegat Bay, linking Seaside Heights with Toms River and the mainland. The bridge was built for just $153,477.90. At this time, there were two new hotels in Seaside Heights: the Sheridan Inn and the Sumner Hotel. The Seaside Heights Amusement Company then announced its plans to build a theater and carousel along with billiard, pool and shuffleboard rooms. Just before World War I, an amusement park opened between Seaside Heights and Seaside Park. The two communities were to share the benefits for the remainder of the 1900s.

Then came the world-famous Seaside Heights Boardwalk. The first three blocks of boardwalk took four years to build during 1917. In 1950, the Thomas A. Mathis Bridge, was built to replace the narrow wooden bridge. In 1955, a major boardwalk fire destroyed a substantial number of amusements including the original carousel that dated back to 1917. Everything was rebuilt. As a result of lengthening the boardwalk to the entire oceanfront, an array of new homes, hotels and motels were built. Summer residents, renters and vacationers followed. Today’s 17-block, mile-long boardwalk is enjoyed by the tens of thousands who visit each week in season.

While Seaside Heights has many family activities, the boardwalk here today is larger than in Point Pleasant Beach. It is also home to more of a young adult crowd because there are so many bars and clubs nearby. Coming with a family is fine, but you may want to check out Point Pleasant Beach, about 20 minutes north, if you’re looking for a more family-friendly time.

The town is now a mix of motels and hotels, as well as bars and restaurants. There are amusements on the boardwalk and Water Works is a large water park just off the boardwalk. The small town continues to be a stronghold as a summer resort town, with some amusements open year-round, which make it a top destination.