Since the late 1800s and early 1900s, visitors arrived by train to escape the heat of the city. Families played at the water’s edge, and the sound of the ocean became part of summer memories that lasted a lifetime. More than a century later, not much has changed. The sights and sounds of the beach still make the Jersey Shore one of the best places to slow down and relax.

Think you know how to say New Jersey town names? Think again. From shore favorites to North Jersey staples, locals can spot a tourist instantly just by pronunciation. In this video, we break down some of the most commonly mispronounced towns across the Garden State - and how to actually say them like a local.

Founded in 1972 in the Asbury Park music scene, the E Street Band took its name from a small garage on E Street in Belmar, New Jersey, where they rehearsed in the early days. That local Jersey Shore sound would soon power some of the biggest albums in rock history.

The Asbury Park Boardwalk takes on a completely different feel in the winter. With the summer crowds gone, the ocean air turns crisp, the waves crash a little louder, and the historic shoreline feels calm and reflective. In this video, we explore Asbury Park during the offseason - when the boardwalk slows down and the character of this iconic Jersey Shore destination really shines.

Windmill first opened in 1963, in Long Branch, NJ. It started as a small roadside stand and quickly became a Jersey Shore staple. Their hot dog style is a Jersey Shore flat-grilled dog. They also have the best cheese fries.

Lakewood in the 1940s was a quiet resort town in transition. Grand hotels from its past still lined the streets, winter and summer visitors arrived from New York City and Philadelphia, and Clifton Avenue served as the small, but steady downtown hub. What Lakewood would eventually become - the version we hear about in the news- was still decades away.

In the 1980s, Action Park in Vernon, New Jersey wasn’t just a waterpark - it was a rite of passage. Known nationwide as “Class Action Park,” this North Jersey amusement park pushed the limits with rides like the Alpine Slide, Cannonball Loop, and the freezing cold Tarzan Swing. Teenagers from across New Jersey packed into Vernon Township every summer for a day of chaos, thrills, and stories they still tell decades later. If you grew up in NJ, you already know.

Step inside an Atlantic City casino in 1983 and experience the atmosphere that defined the era. From the nonstop ringing of slot machines to the haze of cigarette smoke and the buzz of crowded gaming floors, this is what peak Atlantic City felt like during its early casino boom. Before luxury mega-resorts and digital screens, these casino floors were loud, gritty, and full of character - a mix of hope, luck, and late-night energy that made Atlantic City one of the most iconic destinations on the East Coast. If you remember this era, you were there. And if you don’t, this is a glimpse into a world that no longer exists.

In the 1950s, Plainfield was a thriving Union County city known for its stately Victorian homes, busy downtown shops, and strong middle-class neighborhoods. Nicknamed “The Queen City,” Plainfield bustled with commuters heading to New York, families strolling Park Avenue, and kids packing movie theaters and soda fountains. It was a time of postwar growth, community pride, and classic small-city charm in central New Jersey.

This historical map of New Jersey was tucked inside a 1928 guidebook made for early motorists. It didn't just tell you where to drive, it told you what mattered. Churches. Battlefields. Taverns. Crossroads. What town are you looking for first?

New Jersey has its own language. If you understand all of this, you’re either born and raised… or you married into it. . We don’t go to the beach - we go down the shore. We don’t make left turns - we take jughandles. We don’t ask where you’re from - we ask what exit. And yes, it’s either Pork Roll or Taylor Ham. Choose wisely.

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.