Seaside Heights in the 1990s was peak Jersey Shore. Before reality TV, before massive renovations, Seaside was a raw, loud, neon-lit boardwalk town where summer nights never seemed to end. Arcades blared, rides lit up the sky, beach badges hung from wrists, and the smell of pizza, fries, and salt air filled every block. This video looks back at Seaside Heights in the ’90s — the boardwalk culture, classic rides, packed beaches, unforgettable fashion, and the gritty charm that made it a rite of passage for so many New Jersey kids and vacationers. If you grew up going down the shore, this era probably feels like home. A time when summers felt longer, cash was king, and Seaside Heights ruled the Jersey Shore.

Take a trip back to 1982 at Willowbrook Mall in Wayne, New Jersey — where shopping wasn’t just about the stores… it was about experimentation! In this rare footage, we witness the short-lived valet parking experiment at Willowbrook Mall — an ambitious idea that aimed to make mall parking easier during the early days of suburban retail boom. With huge parking lots and growing weekend crowds at one of New Jersey’s largest shopping destinations, mall management tested offering valet service to shoppers to cut down on the long walk from lot to entrance and give visitors a more upscale, convenient experience.

A look at New Jersey native Malcolm Forbes — legendary businessman, publisher of Forbes magazine, and larger-than-life personality — captured in 1979 through his iconic hobbies and lifestyle.

A snapshot of everyday life in New Jersey during the 1980s — commuters standing on the platform, waiting for the train, heading into work long before smartphones, apps, or digital schedules. This moment captures the rhythm of NJ commuter life when routines were shared, stations felt familiar, and the daily commute was part of the culture. From packed platforms to quiet morning waits, this is a piece of New Jersey history that many still remember vividly.

A snapshot of everyday life in New Jersey’s suburbs in 1981—capturing the streets, homes, cars, and quiet moments that defined an era. From classic neighborhoods to unmistakable early ’80s vibes, this footage offers a nostalgic look at how suburban New Jersey once looked and felt.

Step back into Newark’s Ironbound in 1980 — a neighborhood where Thanksgiving blended American tradition with unmistakable Portuguese flavor. From families buying last-minute ingredients on Ferry Street, to the smell of garlic, bacalhau, and roasting chestnuts drifting from rowhomes and bakeries, the Ironbound turned the holiday into something truly its own.

Joey Harrison’s Surf Club was a legendary Ortley Beach nightclub and shoreline icon, wiped out by Superstorm Sandy in 2012. The building was later demolished, marking the end of an era. Today, the site—now owned by Toms River Township—is reserved for public use, with many locals hoping it will ultimately become a fully accessible public beach.