Spring Lake | Seaside Search

Spring Lake invites you to slow down and enjoy one of the Jersey Shore’s most picturesque seaside settings. Sandy beaches, a two-mile boardwalk, historic inns, and beautiful Victorian homes give this coastal town its distinctive charm. Start your morning with coffee and a pastry, then follow the ocean breeze to a relaxing spot on the sand. A few blocks inland, Divine Park offers peaceful lake views and wooden footbridges that practically ask you to stop for a photograph. Third Avenue brings together stylish boutiques, independent shops, cafés, and restaurants, making it easy to turn a beach day into a full-day outing. As evening arrives, settle into an oceanview dinner, enjoy cocktails downtown, or catch a performance at the community theatre. From family beach days to romantic weekends, Spring Lake offers plenty of reasons to linger. Come for the ocean, explore beyond the boardwalk, and discover the little places that make you want to return.

Spring Lake Website & Social Media

Official Borough Website | Visit Spring Lake | Chamber Facebook | Chamber Instagram | Events Calendar

Plan Your Day

Beach badges: Published 2026 rates are $12 plus a $1 service fee for daily admission, $110 for a full-season badge, $80 for a senior season badge, and $70 for a late-season badge beginning August 1. Check the Beach Department for current fees and eligibility.
Buying badges: Purchase online through the borough’s badge page, save your ticket, and present it at a boardwalk booth for a daily wristband. Purchase assistance is available at the North and South End pavilions.
Parking: Free street parking is available, including along Ocean Avenue. Arrive early on busy summer weekends and observe posted restrictions. The Third Avenue business district has a three-hour limit from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., except Sundays. Overnight street parking is generally prohibited from 3 to 6 a.m., with an exception for the diagonal spaces on the east side of Ocean Avenue. Parking and seasonal rules.
Swimming: Swim in designated areas while lifeguards are on duty. Summer coverage depends on the date, staffing, and ocean conditions.
Restrooms & accessibility: The North and South End pavilions provide seasonal restrooms and outdoor showers. Accessible facilities and ramps are available near the pavilions; contact the borough for help planning your visit.
Food & beach gear: Food and coolers are prohibited on the beach. Plan a lunch break at a pavilion or downtown restaurant. Tents and canopies are also prohibited, and visitors should bring their own beach chairs and umbrellas.
Boardwalk rules: Bicycles are prohibited on the boardwalk from May 1 through November 1. Electric bicycles and dogs are prohibited on the boardwalk year-round.

Things to Do in Spring Lake

Enjoy the beach and boardwalk. Spend the day swimming, building sandcastles, or relaxing with a book. The two-mile, noncommercial boardwalk is ideal for an oceanfront walk and a quiet moment overlooking the Atlantic.

Explore Divine Park. Follow the lakeside paths, cross the wooden footbridges, and watch for ducks and turtles. This scenic park is a lovely place for photographs, a shaded break, or a leisurely walk together.

Shop Third Avenue. Browse clothing boutiques, gift shops, galleries, and other independent businesses. Leave time for coffee, lunch, or a bakery stop along the way. Explore downtown shopping.

Catch a show. The Spring Lake Community House & Theatre at 300 Madison Avenue presents plays, musicals, concerts, and seasonal productions. Pair a performance with dinner for an easy evening out.

Discover local history. Visit the Spring Lake Historical Society Museum on the second floor of the Municipal Building at 423 Warren Avenue. Check its seasonal hours before stopping in.

Make time for an oceanview meal. Enjoy lunch, dinner, or a drink at one of the town’s oceanfront hotels. Amelia’s By the Sea and The Breakers both offer dining with views across Ocean Avenue toward the Atlantic.

Where to Eat in Spring Lake

Spring Lake’s dining scene includes oceanview restaurants, intimate BYOB dining rooms, neighborhood cafés, and bakeries. Check individual websites for reservations and seasonal hours.

Restaurants with Bars

Amelia’s By the Sea: Italian and contemporary continental cuisine inside the Grand Victorian Hotel. An upscale sit-down choice with ocean views and seasonal porch dining. Full bar.
The Breakers on the Ocean: Northern Italian dishes, seafood, and steaks in an elegant but relaxed hotel setting. Also serves breakfast and lunch, with a lounge and seasonal porch seating. Full bar.
Marée: French coastal cooking in a stylish downtown bistro with a dining room, patio, and inviting bar. A sit-down option for a leisurely meal or date night. Cocktails, wine, and beer.

BYOB Restaurants

Whispers: Refined American and contemporary dishes at the Hewitt Wellington, with seafood and meat entrées. An intimate, upscale sit-down setting for a special dinner. BYOB.
Spring Lake Seafood: Seasonal seafood, local fish, and handmade pasta in a welcoming coastal setting. A sit-down restaurant with a creative nonalcoholic cocktail selection. BYOB; sober bar available.
Arugula Modern Cuisine: Italian-inspired dishes, seafood, and chef’s specials in a comfortable sit-down setting. Offers lunch, dinner, and outdoor patio seating. BYOB.

Casual Meals, Breakfast & Coffee

Spring Lake Pizza & Bistro: Pizza, subs, salads, and Italian entrées in a casual downtown setting. Convenient for a family meal, takeout, or delivery.
Honey Berry Cafe: Pancakes, omelets, breakfast bowls, sandwiches, and salads in a welcoming sit-down café. An easy choice for breakfast, brunch, or lunch. Specialty coffee drinks.
Driftwood Coffee House: Espresso drinks, tea, and pastries in a cozy coastal café on Third Avenue. Stop for a quick cup or settle in between shopping and sightseeing. Coffee and nonalcoholic drinks.
Dune Donuts & Bagels: Fresh bagels and mini donuts in a casual breakfast shop. A convenient grab-and-go stop before heading to the beach.

Bakeries & Sweet Treats

Nick + Sons Bakery: A neighborhood bakery on Morris Avenue specializing in artisan bread and baked goods. A casual counter-service stop for breakfast treats or something to take home.
The Scone Pony: A local bakery on Washington Avenue for sweet treats and special orders. A quick counter-service stop to add to your downtown visit.
Sundae Times Ice Cream Parlor: A casual ice cream stop on Atlantic Avenue, perfect for a sweet finish to a beach day. No bar service.

A Little Spring Lake History

Spring Lake grew into a fashionable seaside resort as rail service brought visitors to its grand hotels and coastal neighborhoods. By the early 1900s, elegant estates, summer “cottages,” and prominent hotels helped shape the town’s reputation. After a major fire in 1900 destroyed hotels and businesses near the ocean, Third Avenue became the borough’s primary commercial center. Today, historic homes, inns, and the oceanfront boardwalk preserve much of that classic seaside character. Explore Spring Lake’s history.

Events & Entertainment

The Spring Lake 5 Mile Run is a Memorial Day weekend tradition, while seasonal concerts, downtown events, and theatre productions offer reasons to visit throughout the year. Check the Spring Lake Events Calendar, Chamber of Commerce, and Community Theatre for upcoming dates.

Local Churches

St. Catharine–St. Margaret Parish: Roman Catholic parish serving Spring Lake through St. Catharine and St. Margaret churches. Visit the parish website for Mass locations and schedules; the parish office is at 215 Essex Avenue.
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church: A historic Episcopal church at Third and Monmouth Avenues. Check its website for worship information.
St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church: Located at 907 Fourth Avenue, offering worship and community fellowship.