One of the Best Summer Travel Spots in the U.S. is in New Jersey

Every year, millions of people visit the Jersey Shore between Memorial Day Weekend and Labor Day Weekend. You will see tens of thousands of visitors flood into each New Jersey Shore Town to check out the beaches, boardwalks, and popular eateries around the islands.

Rated one of the Top Family Vacation Towns in New Jersey, Ocean City has been a popular summer destination community for over 100 years. Located in New Jersey's southernmost county, Ocean City is famous for its boardwalk with numerous attractions from amusement parks to arcades, and don't forget about the plethora of great eateries.

Ocean City is one of only a few New Jersey Shore Towns that can be accessed from multiple Garden State Parkway Exits. OC (Exits 30, 29, and 25)is on this exclusive list with Coastal Communities such as The Wildwoods (Exits 6 and 4), and Atlantic City (Exits 36, 37, 38, and 40).

But now one publication has named Ocean City, New Jersey one of the Best Summer Travel Destinations in the United States for the second straight year.

Who Named Ocean City One of America's Best Summer Destinations?

A panel of 14 Travel Experts along with USA TODAY Editors, have come together for the third straight year to make their list of 10 best summer travel destinations across the United States for the 2025 Summer Season.

For the second straight year, Ocean City was nominated for this list and they have been ranked as the second-best summer escape in America. Here is what USA TODAY wrote about the popular South Jersey Shore Town:

"This family-friendly vacation spot on the Jersey Shore is known for its exciting boardwalk, with shops and eateries galore, views of the Atlantic, plus vintage amusement parks. Playland’s Castaway Cove is one such park, with go-karts, thrill rides including roller coasters, a fun house, and mini golf. And if parks aren’t your thing, there’s miles and miles of relaxing beaches on which to get in some sun and swimming."

Here are USA TODAY's Top Ten Best Summer US Travel Destinations for 2025:

10. Amelia Island, Florida
9. Cody, Wyoming
8. Minneapolis, Minnesota
7. Block Island, Rhode Island
6. Tybee Island, Georgia
5. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
4. Saratoga Springs, New York
3. Catalina Island, California
2. Ocean City, New Jersey
1. Mackinac Island, Michigan

For those who are curious about why Ocean City is so beloved and popular, here are some of the top reasons for why so many South Jersey Locals and Regional Vacationers come to Ocean City each summer:

Here's What Makes Ocean City So Special

You told us about the place or thing that makes Ocean City, NJ special to you

Gallery Credit: Eddie Davis

10 Favorite Things about Cape May County, NJ

The history of Cape May County predates the formation of the United States of America by about 100 years as it was one of the first counties established in what was originally known as the West New Jersey Provence. Cape May County's historical records go back as far as 1685 and the County was originally established in 1692. Cape May County has been a huge part of my life and that of my family's for decades, so I wanted to share with you my favorite aspects of the southern most County in the state of New Jersey.

Gallery Credit: Josh Hennig/Townsquare Media