Toms River - Toms River

Toms River is the county seat of Ocean CountyNew Jersey. It is a few miles west of the beaches of the Jersey Shore Region, midway between New York and Philadelphia and a short distance from Atlantic City. Toms River is easy to get to by car as the Garden State Parkway bisects the town, and it is served by express bus service to and from New York City.

Get in

By plane

Toms River is 90 minutes from Newark Liberty International Airport and an hour from Atlantic City International Airport. Travelers wanting to travel to the nearby regions including Atlantic City itself can use the SJTA TransIT Link shuttle to travel between Atlantic City International Airport and the Pleasantville Bus Terminal. At the Bus Terminal you can catch another NJ Transit bus to Ocean County. Car rental services are available at both airports.

By train

Amtrak does not have a station in Toms River, but at stations in Point Pleasant approx. 20 miles away and in Trenton, New Brunswick, and Princeton Junction, approx. 40 miles away. New Jersey Transit trains also serve Point Pleasant, which is about 30 minutes away by car.

By bus

New Jersey Transit buses arrive approximately twice every half hour, once en route from New York to Atlantic City and once en route from Atlantic City to New York.

By car

Toms River is located off the Garden State Parkway exit 82(A) which leads visitors to the main commercial corridor, Rt. 37, which rides directly into the Jersey's Shore's own Seaside Heights Borough.

Get around

By car

A car is the best method for getting around Toms River and the surrounding area. Local New Jersey Transit bus service runs up and down the main north / south route (Route 9) between Lakewood, NJ, and Atlantic City, NJ. The bus terminal is located about 15 minutes by foot from the heart of downtown Toms River. Express buses leave for the New York City every hour, and take about an hour and fifteen minutes to get to NYC depending on traffic. If you plan on visiting the beach area over the bridge, there are places to rent bikes to get around for the day.

By taxi

There are a number of taxi services around and within Toms River as well as services like Uber and Lyft. Fares vary.

Historic Stewart House

See

Downtown Toms River: This half-hour walk will visit the local historical sites as well as museums and hall-of-fames dedicated to them. The walk includes visits sites such as Huddy Park, a Revolutionary War site, The Toms River Seaport Society Maritime Museum, and the 1850 courthouse. Be sure to visit the many local cafes and shops as well as the newly renovated Ocean County Library. (More information about the walking tour can be found on tomsriveronline.com.)

  • Huddy Park. This park in downtown Toms River hosts a replica constructed in 1931 of the Revolutionary War fort that was once standing near the site. The town played host to a short skirmish during the Revolution in which Captain Joshua Huddy was captured by a group of Loyalists while defending the Toms River Blockhouse and hanged without trial. Nearby is one of the anchors of the USS Randolph, an aircraft carrier which played a role in the Pacific Theater of Operations during WWII. (updated Aug 2020)
  • Cattus Island Park: One of a number of county parks in the area, Cattus Island Park has many miles of trails with unspoiled views of Silver Bay. There is a small Environmental Center to learn about local flora and fauna of this bayside environment. In the park, there are places to go fishing, crabbing, cycling, and picnic. Admission and parking is free.
  • Toms River: The body of water the town is named after is actually a tidal inlet from the Barnegat Bay. There are several companies that provide kayak and sailboat rentals for exploring by boat.
  • Insectropolis (The Bugseum of New Jersey), 1761 Route 9 (Route 9 northbound), ☏ 1 (732) 349-7090. Insectropolis is the museum that has everything about insects! Here you can not only learn about bugs, but also see them live. $10, free for children 2 and under. (updated Aug 2020)

Do

Beach: In the summer months, take the Rt. 37 bridge to the seaside towns only 5 minutes away. People from Toms River frequent the beaches in Ortley, Seaside, Normandy, and Point Pleasant. Daily and weekly badges must be purchased during the summer months, but the beaches are free before Memorial Day in the spring and after Labor Day in the late summer. The beaches are beautiful and all have lifeguards during the summer months. Water temperatures are best in the late summer. Arrive early to get a prime spot on the sand and a parking space. In Seaside Heights you have to pay for parking but parking is free in Ortley Beach. For a more secluded beach experience, go to Island Beach State Park.

Other Options:

  • Route 37 Water Sports, 3430 Route 37 East, ☏ 1 732-270-0075. Jet Ski / Waverunner and boat rentals in Toms River NJ. Located before bridge to Seaside Heights on Route 37 
  • Marquee Cinemas, 1311 Route 37 West, ☏ 1 732 341-7469. Marquee Cinemas is a new and big theater featuring the latest movies and stadium seating. 
  • Playdrome Lanes, 821 Conifer St, Toms Rive, ☏ 1 732-349-5345. Have fun bowling with your friends and family at Playdrome Lanes. 
  • Winding River Skating Center Ice Skating Rink, 1211 Whitesville Rd, ☏ 1 732-244-0720. 
  • Bey Lea Golf Course, 1536 N. Bay Ave, ☏ 1 732 349-0566. 

Buy

You will find shops downtown and the Ocean County Mall on Hooper Ave. There are several large grocery stores that serve the area as well as a number of smaller specialty stores.

Historic A A Brant House

Eat

  • Boston's Restaurant and Sports Bar, 1356 Fischer Boulevard, ☏ 1 732 608-0104. This new restaurant and features great food as well as many different televisions to watch sporting events. 
  • Caffe Italia Toms River is home to many family-owned Italian restaurants. One of the best is Caffe Italia where you can choose from traditional Italian dishes as well as pizza.

Call 1 732-929-0808 for directions.

  • Capone's Family owned Italian restaurant
  • Hana Japanese Restaurant, 1 732-286-4465. This Japanese sushi and hibachi restaurant features authentic tatami tables and an array of fresh fish delivered daily.
  • Lobster Shanty, 1 732-240-4800. Great waterfront restaurant in the downtown area to visit in the summer months to enjoy fresh seafood and watch as the boats pull into the docks at the end of the day. It is moderately priced with a full bar.
  • The Office Lounge, 1 732 349-0800, [1]. This popular restaurant is busy all times of day, especially during lunch, when it is packed with workers from downtown. Also a popular bar on weekend nights.
  • Shogun, 1536 North Bay Avenue (on Bey Lea golf course), ☏ 1 732-286-9888. Serves fresh Japanese cuisine. They have hibachi tables which are great for birthdays and a group of people. Also has tables for sushi and other menu selections. 
  • Surf Taco, 1887 Hooper Ave, ☏ 1 732 255-3333. 

Drink

  • The Bamboo Bar, on "the strip" in Seaside Park. A 5-minute drive over the bridge, is packed every night in the summer as it doubles as a nightclub. It offers nightly specials, especially for ladies.
  • Club Karma, 401 Boulevard Seaside Heights, ☏ 1 732 793-0021. Club Karma, featured on MTV's Jersey Shore, is a five minute drive over the bridge. It's one of the popular locations for the summer night life featuring drink and cover specials. 
  • Hemingway's Cafe, ☏ 1 732 830-1255. Hemingway's Cafe is a new restaurant and bar located in Seaside Heights. For lunch and dinner they offer a great menu including sushi. At night, Hemingway's Cafe has become one of the new hot spots. 
  • Joey Harrison's Surf Club, 1900 Ocean Ave, ☏ 1 732 793-6625. The Surf Club is located right on the beach. At night they have a DJ, drink specials, and sometimes live bands. 
  • Mulligan's Bar & Grill, 1850 Hooper Ave, ☏ 1 732 255-3900. Mulligans Pizza Bar & Grill has a great menu with something for everyone. It's a great place to hang out, drink, eat, and watch sports. 

Sleep

Go next

Routes through Toms River
Newark ← Lakewood ← N Garden State Parkway S → Jct WAtlantic City ExpresswayE → Somers Point → Cape May
New York City ← Lakewood ← N US 9.svg S → Pleasantville → Cape May
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