Southern Ocean County

Southern Ocean County is the less densely populated part of Ocean County, New Jersey.

Understand

Tuckerton was named after its founder, Ebenezer Tucker (1758–1845).

The article covers Barnegat, Eagleswood, Lacey, Little Egg Harbor, Ocean, and Stafford towhships, and the borough of Tuckerton. Long Beach Island is considered to be a region in its own right.

Get in

Garden State Parkway Exits 58-74 serve the region, as well as US-9 and NJ-72.

NJ Transit bus 559 serves the US-9 corridor from Atlantic City.

Ocean County Airport (IATA: MJX) is on the northern edge of the region. The nearest international airports are Atlantic City International Airport (IATA: ACY) and Philadelphia International Airport (IATA: PHL).

Get around

A car is the only viable way to go between towns, but the Barnegat Branch Trail runs throughout the region.

See

Stafford Township Heritage Park, 39.6956°, -74.2612°. The refurbished Old Stone Store and the relocated Manahawkin Train Station can be found here. 2023-01-24
Out Of Sight Alpacas, 416 Wells Mills Rd, Waretown (Ocean County Route 532), 39.798°, -74.244°, +1 609-384-1840, outofsightalpacas@yahoo.com. Weekly schedule released every Sunday night (closed most M, closed if raining). You can take an hour-long tour of this farm, which not only has alpacas, but also piglets, chickens, and rabbits. After the tour, you can explore the gift shop, which has products made from alpaca fleece. $10/person (reservation required, cash only for farm tours; gift shop also accepts credit cards) 2023-01-28
Popcorn Park Refuge, 1 Humane Way, Forked River, 39.91°, -74.327°, +1 609-693-1900. 11AM-5PM daily. This is not your ordinary zoo. The animals here, ranging from native farm animals to wildlife from all over the world, have faced traumatic or other desperate situations. $8/adult, $5/child or senior, free for the military 2023-02-05
Cloverdale Farm County Park, 34 Cloverdale Rd, Barnegat, 39.757°, -74.279°, +1 609-607-1861. 7AM-dusk daily. This park was a family-operated cranberry farm until it was sold in 2004. There is a visitor center that is open F-Su 10AM-4PM. 2023-02-06

Do

Tuckerton Seaport, 39.6019°, -74.3432°. The Tuckerton Seaport has a replica of the Tucker’s Island Lighthouse, which was built in 1848 and collapsed in 1927. The replica is a museum rather than an active lighthouse, with a light that is on at night. 2022-11-14
Albert Music Hall, 131 Wells Mils Rd, Waretown (Ocean County Route 532), 39.79059°, -74.20072°, +1 609-971-1593. Sa 6:30-9PM. Live performances of country and bluegrass songs old and new can be heard here on Saturday nights. Every half-hour, a different band plays. 2023-01-24
Skydive East Coast, 100 Airport Rd, West Creek (Eagles Nest Airport), 39.667°, -74.312°, +1 609-294-5858, info@skydiveeastcoast.com. You can skydive while seeing the Barnegat Bay and Atlantic Ocean for at least 30 seconds. Skydiving certificates are handed out at the end of the experience. $195-$315 2023-02-06

Buy

Tuckerton Emporium, 2 E Main St, Tuckerton, 39.6031°, -74.3412°, +1 609-296-2424. 2022-10-25

Eat

Mud City Crab House, 1185 E Bay Ave, 39.6746°, -74.221°, +1 609-978-3660, info@mudcitycrabhouse.com. Closed winter. A seafood restaurant serving locally-sourced crabs, clams, and fish. $40 2023-01-28
The Old Causeway Steak & Oyster House, 1201 E Bay Ave, 39.674°, -74.2207°, +1 609-488-1327, info@oldcauseway.com. 11:30-midnight. Food options include a raw oyster bar and wood-fired steaks. Hosts live entertainment on weekends. $50 2023-01-28

Drink

Sleep

J. D. Thompson Inn, 149 E Main St, Tuckerton, 39.6041°, -74.3375°, +1 609-294-1331, info@jdthompsoninn.com. Check-in: 3–7PM, check-out: 11:00AM. A Victorian-style bed-and-breakfast with modern amenities. 2022-10-24
Holiday Inn Manahawkin/Long Beach Island, 151 NJ-72 W, Manahawkin, 39.696°, -74.264°, +1 609-481-6100, frontdeskgsr@holidayinnlbi.com. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. The hotel has free Wi-Fi, a fitness center and business center open 24/7, a ballroom, and a pool and hot tub. The Mainland Kitchen and Pub provides live entertainment, breakfast on weekends and a bar open until midnight. On the other side of the parking lot, there is an adventure park with go-karts, mini-golf, an arcade, and zip-lines, available for an extra fee. $140 2023-01-28