Atlantic City is loud. It’s neon. It’s the smell of salt air mixed with industrial-sized HVAC systems and the frantic clicking of slot machines. Most people think that once you cross the bridge back to the mainland or drive past the city limits, the "vacation" basically ends until you hit the Parkway.
They’re wrong.
Honestly, the real magic of the Jersey Shore isn't usually found under the glowing lights of a casino floor. It’s tucked away in the little pocket communities that circle the "Gambling Capital of the East Coast." If you’re only looking at the boardwalk, you’re missing the quiet bays, the bird-filled wetlands, and some of the best Italian food on the Eastern Seaboard.
The "Downbeach" Trio: Ventnor, Margate, and Longport
If you head south on Atlantic Avenue, the casinos start to fade. The buildings get shorter. The vibe shifts from "tourist trap" to "old money beach house" almost instantly.
Ventnor City
Ventnor is like Atlantic City’s cooler, more laid-back sister. It actually shares the same boardwalk as AC, but the minute you cross the border at Jackson Avenue, the casinos disappear. You’ve got these massive, historic Victorians lining the oceanfront.
Kinda feels like a different world.
The dining scene here is surprisingly legit. You won't find the celebrity chef price tags, but places like Stella offer that perfect "brunch with a bay view" experience. It’s walkable, bikeable, and generally much quieter than the glitz next door.
Margate City
Everyone knows Margate because of Lucy the Elephant. She’s an 1881 novelty sculpture that you can actually walk inside. It sounds like a gimmick—and it is—but she’s a National Historic Landmark for a reason.
Beyond the giant wooden pachyderm, Margate is where the nightlife gets sophisticated. It’s got a very "adult" energy. The restaurants here, like Steve & Cookie’s By the Bay, are staples for locals who want a high-end meal without the casino floor chaos.
Longport
Then there’s Longport. It sits at the very tip of the island.
Basically, it's just houses. Very, very expensive houses. There are almost no commercial businesses here, which is exactly why the residents like it. It’s the kind of place where you go to watch the sunset over the Great Egg Harbor Inlet and wonder what you need to do for a living to afford a $5 million bungalow.
Brigantine: The Island That Feels Like an Island
If you go north instead of south, you hit Brigantine. You have to drive through a bit of Atlantic City to get there, crossing over the Brigantine Bridge, but once you’re across, the transformation is total.
Brigantine feels isolated in the best way possible.
It’s a barrier island with one way in and one way out. The beaches are wider here. They’re cleaner. And if you’re into the outdoors, the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge has a massive presence on the north end of the island.
Expect to see:
- Ospreys and piping plovers.
- People driving 4x4s onto the sand (with a permit, obviously).
- A lot of "Free Brigantine" bumper stickers.
The locals are fiercely protective of their "quiet" reputation. It’s a dog-friendly town where the pace of life slows down to a crawl. You’re only 10 minutes from the Borgata, but you might as well be in another state.
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The Mainland Gems: Smithville and Somers Point
Not everyone wants to stay on the sand. Sometimes you want trees, history, or a decent dive bar that isn't charging $18 for a domestic beer.
Historic Smithville
Smithville isn't really a "town" in the traditional sense—it's more of a curated village experience that evolved from a 1950s stagecoach stop. It's located in Galloway Township, about 20 minutes from the AC boardwalk.
It’s got cobblestone paths and over 60 little boutique shops. If you go in the fall, the foliage around Lake Meone is incredible. The Smithville Inn is the centerpiece, serving up a legendary chicken pot pie that feels like a warm hug on a cold day.
Somers Point
If you want to know where the locals actually hang out, go to Somers Point. It’s the "Gateway to Ocean City," but it has its own distinct personality.
It’s a hub for boaters and seafood lovers. The Anchorage and Gregory’s Restaurant & Bar have been around forever. Somers Point is also home to the William Morrow Beach, which hosts free concerts on Friday nights during the summer. You can sit on the sand, listen to a local band, and look across the water at the Ocean City skyline without paying for a beach tag.
Why People Get These Towns Wrong
The biggest misconception is that these places are just "overflow" for Atlantic City.
They aren't.
Each one has a distinct tax base, a unique culture, and very different rules. For example, Ocean City (just a few miles south of Longport) is a "dry" town—you can’t buy alcohol there. Meanwhile, Margate and Ventnor have thriving bar scenes.
People also worry about flooding. It's a real thing here. In places like Ventnor Heights or the back bays of Brigantine, high tide during a full moon can turn a street into a canal. If you’re looking to move to the area, checking the elevation maps is more important than checking the school ratings.
What You Should Do Next
If you're planning a trip or a move, don't just book a room at a casino and call it a day.
- Take the "Back Way": Instead of the Atlantic City Expressway, try driving down Route 9 or Shore Road. You’ll see the "real" South Jersey—the old ship captain houses in Absecon and the historic taverns in Somers Point.
- Check the Event Calendars: Towns like Smithville and Somers Point have massive festivals (like the Smithville Italian Festival or the Somers Point Bayfest) that offer way more "soul" than a weekend in a windowless gaming room.
- Visit in the "Local's Summer": That's September and October. The water is still warm, the crowds are gone, and the restaurants in Margate and Ventnor actually have tables available.
Explore the outskirts. The best parts of the Jersey Shore are usually the ones without the neon signs.