Need a relaxing bayside retreat with great seafood and shore town charm? Head to Somers Point! Located on the mainland just west of Ocean City, Somers Point offers waterfront dining, beach access, and a laid-back coastal vibe. Whether you're kayaking the bay, enjoying a crab dinner, or catching live music on the water, this historic Jersey Shore town is a hidden gem.
Somers Point, NJ Highlights:
- For Adventurous Travelers: Kayak or paddleboard on Great Egg Harbor Bay – Enjoy calm waters and scenic views along the Intracoastal Waterway.
- For History Buffs: Walk through Somers Mansion – Tour one of New Jersey’s oldest colonial homes with sweeping bay views.
- For Shoppers: Visit Bay Avenue boutiques – Explore local shops with beachwear, gifts, and art just minutes from the water.
- For Couples: Dine al fresco on the bayfront – Enjoy sunset cocktails and seafood with a view at a marina-front restaurant.
- For Families: Spend the day at William Morrow Beach – Family-friendly beach with lifeguards, a playground, and summer concerts.
When I like to visit Somers Point, NJ
The best time to visit Somers Point is late spring through early fall (May through September). Summer offers beach days, live outdoor music, and fresh seafood. Early fall brings smaller crowds and beautiful weather perfect for waterfront walks.
Tips for getting to Somers Point, NJ
- If you are traveling by car: Somers Point is located off the Garden State Parkway (Exit 30), just minutes from Ocean City and about 1 hour from Philadelphia or Atlantic City.
- By Bus: NJ Transit offers bus service from Philadelphia and other nearby cities to Somers Point and Ocean City.
- By Train: The nearest train stations are in Atlantic City, with connections via NJ Transit and shuttle options to Somers Point.
Where I like to stay in Somers Point, NJ
- Sonesta ES Suites Somers Point – Spacious suites with kitchens, pool, and easy access to Ocean City.
- Econo Lodge Somers Point – Budget-friendly option just minutes from the beach and boardwalk.
- B&Bs in nearby Ocean City – For a more romantic stay, consider charming inns just across the bridge.
Unique Attractions
1. Great Egg Harbor Bay
Great Egg Harbor Bay was named for the plentiful nesting birds which once made their home in this bay. The bay lies between Atlantic and Cape May counties along the south coast of New Jersey. Today the bay is best known for its Ocean City Boardwalk and Ocean City Beach, both of which are popular meeting places for locals and visitors. You can also have a look at the Ocean City Music Pier which is home to an historic entertainment venue which still hosts live music concerts and events. The John F. Kennedy Park is a great outdoor family destination which has a kiddies’ playground, picnic facilities and a boat ramp.
Great Egg Harbor Bay, Somers Point, NJ 08244
2. Gateway Playhouse
Built in 1910, the original Gateway Playhouse has had many incarnations over the last 100 years, hosting silent movies, “talkies” and many other nostalgic offerings of the movie industry. The playhouse staged its first live performance in 1976, but the building was showing signs of deterioration. The theatre you see now has been virtually rebuilt from the foundations and reopened for business in 2017. The playhouse operates a Gateway to the Arts program for children to encourage talented performers to get ready for the big stage. Gateway Playhouse produces a regular calendar of musicals and live-theatre each year and deserves a place on your Somers Point itinerary.
Gateway Playhouse, 738 Bay Ave, Somers Point, NJ 08244, Phone: 609-653-0553
3. Greate Bay Country Club
Established in 1923, the Greate Bay Country Club is a popular Somers Point recreational facility offering a championship golf course, a state-of-the-art fitness club, a spa and great dining. The golf course has a team of PGA instructors who offer lessons to any golfer, regardless of your golfing prowess. The comfortable clubhouse offers casual dining in the cozy pub or white-linen service in the Park Room, which also caters for weddings and special events. The adjacent Greate Bay Racquet and Fitness Club offers two indoor tennis courts, squash courts and an excellent range of fitness programs including indoor cycling, boxing, personal training and more.
Greate Bay Country Club, 901 Somers Point – Mays Landing Rd, Somers Point, NJ 08244, Phone: 609-927-5071
4. Fish Tale Charters
If you fancy a bit of deep sea or bay fishing while in New Jersey, Fish Tale Charters is waiting to give you a great day out on the water. Your captain Craig Peters knows the New Jersey coastline like the back of his hand and has been fishing these waters for over 40 years. All that experience means that he knows just where to take you to give you the best chance of catching a big one. Your charter boat is the 25ft Fish Tale, which offers all you need for a wonderful safe day on the water, including a toilet. After a fun day of fishing your captain will clean and bag your catch for you to take home.
Fish Tale Charters, 162 Pleasant Ave, Somers Point, NJ 08244, Phone: 609-391-8230
Where to Eat
5. The Crab Trap
You cannot leave Somers Point without enjoying a fresh seafood meal and you cannot go wrong by choosing the Crab Trap, which has been pleasing New Jersey palates for over 50 years. The Crab Trap first opened its doors as the Maenner’s Club in 1967, boasting a wooden horse-shoe shaped bar and dirt floors. Today you can look forward to enjoying a selection of freshly caught fish and seafood in a comfortable 400-seater waterfront restaurant overlooking Great Egg Bay. The eatery still serves several of the original dishes which made them famous, complimented by new seasonal fare to ensure there is something on the menu to please all palates.
The Crab Trap, 2 Broadway, Somers Point, NJ 08244, Phone: 609-927-7377
Where to Eat in Somers Point, NJ
6. Fitzpatrick’s Deli and Steakhouse
For over 30 years Fitzpatrick’s Deli and Steakhouse has been a Somers Point favorite. The deli is family owned and run and in 2011 it became a full-service restaurant called Fitzpatrick’s Deli and Steakhouse. The restaurant is locally famous for their excellent value New-York Deli-style buffet breakfasts and lunches, which include daily specials like their legendary corned beef special or pastrami Reuben. In the evenings the mood shifts to more formal dining and the dinner menu features mouth-watering Black Angus steaks, wild-caught seafood and New Jersey favorites like crab cakes. For the lighter appetite there is a selection of sandwiches, burgers and wraps.
Fitzpatrick’s Deli and Steakhouse, 650 New Rd, Somers Point, NJ 08244, Phone: 609-653-8155
7. Windjammer Diner, Bar and Grill
Steve Tiniakos, owner of the Windjammer Diner, Bar and Grill has been learning all there is to know about the restaurant business since 1972 when he arrived in the US from Greece. Today he and his family are proud of their latest restaurant venture and you will always find a member of the family in the Windjammer to make sure everything is top-notch. The Windjammer is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner 6 days a week, serving up delicious freshly-prepared American classics. The lunchtime menu includes favorites like soups, salads and sandwiches while the dinner menu takes things up a notch, serving delicious fish, beef and salmon grills.
Windjammer Diner Bar and Grill, 18 MacArthur Blvd, Somers Point, NJ 08244, Phone: 609-365-8056
My favorite local events:
- Somers Point Beach Concert Series (Summer Fridays) – Free outdoor concerts right on the bay, with lawn chairs and food trucks welcome.
- Good Old Days Festival (September) – Community event with live music, games, food, and family fun at Kennedy Park.
- Restaurant Week (Fall) – Sample multi-course meals from top local eateries at special prices.
My favorite day trips within 30 Minutes of Somers Point, New Jersey:
- Ocean City (5–10 min) – Classic boardwalk fun, mini golf, shopping, and beaches just over the bridge.
- Atlantic City (20–25 min) – Casinos, live shows, shopping, and nightlife just up the coast.
- Margate City (15–20 min) – Visit Lucy the Elephant and enjoy upscale beach town vibes.
- Estell Manor Park (25–30 min) – Forested trails, historic ruins, and peaceful nature walks inland.
- Ocean View and Sea Isle City (30 min) – Quieter coastal towns with uncrowded beaches and local charm.
Plan Your Trip