Toms River, NJ Road Trips

The body of water the town is named after is actually a tidal inlet from the Barnegat Bay. The first settlers of the area included many that were exiled from nearby colonies on basis on religion. Toms River was founded in 1767, then known as Dover Township. The involvement of Toms River in the Revolutionary War has often been overlooked. The town had America's sole garrison, making it one of the key targets for the British Loyalists, who attacked the settlement at least thrice. The first attempt was unsuccessful, but the second and especially the third attacks breached the town's defenses. Captain Joshua Huddy, one of the defenders, was captured by a group of Loyalists while defending the Toms River Blockhouse and hanged without trial. The town was subsequently razed by arson, with the exception of two houses. Despite this, the founders sought to rise back up from the rubble. New industries, such as the iron and then the charcoal industries, had come and gone. The first Mormon Branch in the state was established here in 1838. The 1850s saw an abrupt rise of cranberry farming in the vicinity. It was also when Dover Township, encompassing much more that it occupies today, became the county seat of the newly formed Ocean County. A new railroad through Toms River fueled further growth, although the population didn't rise above 10,000 for the first half of the 20th century.

The Hidden History trail passes by local historical sites as well as museums and halls-of-fame dedicated to them. There are QR codes to learn about each site. Also, look out for statues on Washington Street and murals near Main Street. 1 Cattus Island Park, 1170 Cattus Island Blvd, ☏ +1 732-270-6960. 7AM-dusk. Includes 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 picnicking. Free. (updated Oct 2022) 2 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 park is named after Joshua Huddy. Nearby is one of the anchors of the USS Randolph, an aircraft carrier which played a role in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. (updated Jan 2022) 3 Insectropolis (The Bugseum of New Jersey), 1761 Route 9 (Route 9 northbound), ☏ +1 732-349-7090. F-Su 10AM-3PM, school summer vacation M-F 10AM-3PM. The museum that has everything about insects! Here you can not only learn about bugs, but also see them live. There is a praying mantis statue on the road to the museum. $10, free for children 2 and under. (updated Jan 2023) 4 John F. Peto Studio Museum, 102 Cedar Ave, Island Heights, ☏ +1 732-929-4949, [email protected]. Apr-Dec Sa Su 1-3PM, by appointment otherwise. A showcase of John Frederick Peto, known for trompe l’oeil-style paintings. Fully accessible.

1 Winding River Skating Center, 1211 Whitesville Rd, ☏ +1 732-244-0720. Public skating, indoors: M W F 10AM-noon, Tu Th 10AM-2PM, Sa Su 2-4PM; Public skating, outdoors: W 4-6PM, Sa Su 10AM-noon. There is an outdoor rink and an indoor rink, which has vending machines and an upper seating area. There is a DJ every Friday 8:30-10:30PM and Saturday 8-10PM. General admission: $7-10/adult, $6-8/child or senior; $4-5 skate rental; Freestyle $15-20; DJ Skate $15; Open Hockey $15. 2 Bey Lea Golf Course, 1536 North Bay Ave, ☏ +1 732-349-0566. Mar, Dec 9AM-dusk, Apr, Sep-Nov 8AM-dusk, May-Aug 7AM-dusk. This golf course is on the easier side, with larger greens than usual. Golf attire required. $34 weekdays, $41 weekends. (updated Jan 2023) 3 Exit 82 Theatre, 73 Main St (2nd floor), [email protected]. A nonprofit performing arts organization with theatrical programming featuring its own performing arts academy of secondary school students, as well as adults. A BYOB venue for those over 21. $30. (updated Oct 2022) 4 Jakes Branch County Park, 1100 Double Trouble Rd, Beachwood, ☏ +1 732-281-2750. 7AM-dusk. Tucked in the Pine Barrens, this park provides several miles of trails, sports fields, and an educational nature center with an observation deck. Free. (updated Jan 2023) 5 Toms River Skate Park, 1545 N Bay Ave (next to the Castle Park playground). The skating facility, with a bowl and structures for street-style skating, is illuminated after dusk. Free (waiver required, available at 1555 N Bay Ave).

1 Clarion Hotel & Conference Center, 815 Route 37 West, ☏ +1 732-341-2400. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. Along with a conference center, this hotel also has an outdoor pool, business center with computers, restaurant and fitness center. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel. $150. (updated Oct 2022) 2 Days Hotel, ☏ +1 732-244-4000. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. The employees there can cater to those who speak a foreign language and those with disabilities. An indoor pool. The on-site Palms Restaurant serves breakfast and dinner. Two ballrooms, a business center, and a gym are also available on the premises. $160. (updated Oct 2022) 3 Howard Johnson Hotel, 955 Hooper Avenue, ☏ +1 732-244-1000, toll-free: +1 732-908-7694. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. Two-storey, pet-friendly hotel with an indoor pool, restaurant, free Wi-Fi and breakfast. $130. (updated Oct 2022) 4 Mathis House, 600 Main St, ☏ +1 732-818-7580, [email protected]. A Victorian-style bed and breakfast with modern luxuries. Every suite has its own feel. $140. (updated Oct 2022) 5 Ocean View Inn & Suites, 2122 NJ-37 E (Westbound side), ☏ +1 732-929-3333, [email protected]. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 10AM. A budget hotel with balconies (albeit without an ocean view), basic amenities and a pool. (updated Jan 2023)

Toms River is 90 minutes from Newark Liberty International Airport and an hour from Atlantic City International Airport. Those wanting to travel to the nearby regions including Atlantic City 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. 1 Ocean County Airport (MJX IATA), 101 Airport Rd, Bayville, ☏ +1 732-797-1077, [email protected]. A general-aviation airport served by Ocean Aire. The airport hosts the Ocean County Fair every July. (updated Jan 2023) Amtrak does not have a station in Toms River, but at stations in Point Pleasant approximately 20 miles away and in Trenton, New Brunswick, and Princeton Junction, around 40 miles away. New Jersey Transit trains also serve Point Pleasant, which is about 16 miles away by car and is connected by Ocean Ride to Lakewood Terminal, which in turn is served by NJ Transit buses to Toms River. New Jersey Transit buses arrive approximately four times an hour, twice en route from New York to Atlantic City and twice en route from Atlantic City to New York. The local New Jersey Transit bus service runs up and down the main north-south route (Route 9) between Lakewood and Atlantic City. Those from Philadelphia and points west can ride the bus to Atlantic City, which is directly connected to Toms River by bus. The main bus station is on Highland Parkway South, within walking distance of downtown.

A car is the best method for getting around Toms River and the surrounding area. There are free parking lots along West Water Street and metered streetside parking by the Ocean County Library and other downtown streets. 2 Municipal Garage (Public Parking), Main St and W Water St. M-F after 5PM, Sa-Su. A three-level parking garage. Free on Saturdays. 3 Ocean County Garage, Madison Ave (Next to Hooper Ave). A multi-level parking garage. Free. (updated Feb 2023) There are a number of taxi services around and within Toms River as well as services like Uber and Lyft. Fares vary. 1 Ocean Taxi, 1350 U.S. 9, ☏ +1 848 448-1231. 4AM-2AM. Email via online contact form. (updated Feb 2023) Downtown is more walkable than other sections of the town. The bus terminal is about 15 minutes by foot from the heart of downtown Toms River. There are places to rent bikes to get around for the day.

You'll be glad to hear that crime isn't as prevalent in Toms River compared to cities such as Atlantic City, Camden and Trenton.