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Bump. I am moving to Philly for the summer or perhaps permanently and I want to know the best pristine undeveloped beaches within a few hrs. Assateague or Chincoteague? Any Jersey alternatives?
jpdiviola is correct, but I wouldn't rule out Delaware as an alternative.
Especially if you settle in the more southerly reaches of the metropolitan area, it may be almost as quick to reach Cape Henlopen as it will be to reach Island Beach State Park, which lies in the Jersey shore's northern part and thus gets more New Yorkers than Philadelphians visiting it.
Both Cape Henlopen and Fenwick Island State Parks in Delaware have large stretches of pristine, undeveloped beaches — more of such territory proportionally than one will find at the southern Jersey Shore (the "Philadelphia" part of the Jersey shore begins at Long Beach Island, which has a state park at its northern end and part of a national wildlife refuge at its southern end, and extends southward from there).
Speaking of LBI, the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, which includes the island's southern end, may also be an option. There's also a state park at Brigantine Island's northern tip.
However, if you're looking to get away from other people, get yourself a boat. All of these places are pretty popular with visitors.
Bump. I am moving to Philly for the summer or perhaps permanently and I want to know the best pristine undeveloped beaches within a few hrs. Assateague or Chincoteague? Any Jersey alternatives?
Island Beach State Park in New Jersey will be most equivalent.
The Jersey Shore is much more developed, while south of Ocean City, MD, the Delmarva is pretty rural with just some small farm towns along the main highway (US 13) in the VA section. Overall, the Delmarva is quieter with no toll roads (except for DE Route 1 from Dover north), no beaches that charge admission or require tags, somewhat warmer water, and a more compact region regarding all the beach resorts (Lewes and downtown Ocean City are just 35 miles apart). But Delmarva has nothing like an Atlantic City with its casinos backed with a dense urban area with outlets and rail transit to a major city. Even if it has its gritty spots, it's still the most iconic of the resorts. Ocean City, MD has a small casino (Ocean Downs), but it mostly attracts small, no-name performers for entertainment with the exception of Sunfest and a couple other events.
And MarketStEl, don't forget about Delaware Seashore State Park south of Dewey Beach. Like its small counterpart, Fenwick Island SP, it's sandwiched by the major divided highway on both sides. I prefer Cape Henlopen SP the most of Delaware's three coastal state parks; it doesn't have a major highway running through it, it has a plethora of bicycle paths that includes a 1/2 mile long bridge, some WWII-era sights including lookout towers and a barracks section, and is also close enough to the Cape May-Lewes Ferry where it's an easy venture across for those coming from NJ.
Last edited by Borntoolate85; 05-30-2022 at 10:04 AM..
The Jersey Shore is much more developed, while south of Ocean City, MD, the Delmarva is pretty rural with just some small farm towns along the main highway (US 13) in the VA section. Overall, the Delmarva is quieter with no toll roads (except for DE Route 1 from Dover north), no beaches that charge admission or requite tags, somewhat warmer water, and a more compact region regarding all the beach resorts (Lewes and downtown Ocean City are just 35 miles apart). But Delmarva has nothing like an Atlantic City with its casinos backed with a dense urban area with outlets and rail transit to a major city. Even if it has its gritty spots, it's still the most iconic of the resorts. Ocean City, MD has a small casino (Ocean Downs), but it mostly attracts small, no-name performers for entertainment with the exception of Sunfest and a couple other events.
And MarketStEl, don't forget about Delaware Seashore State Park south of Dewey Beach. Like its small counterpart, Fenwick Island SP, it's sandwiched by the major divided highway on both sides, and there's no through road to get to Rehoboth Beach/Lewes from either side. I prefer Cape Henlopen SP the most of Delaware's three coastal state parks; it doesn't have a major highway running through it, it has a plethora of bicycle paths that includes a 1/2 mile long bridge, some WWII-era sights including lookout towers and a barracks section, and is also close enough to the Cape May-Lewes Ferry where it's an easy venture across for those coming from NJ.
I've explored Cape Henlopen State Park myself — you can reach it easily from the north end of Rehoboth Beach. I've also gone biking on that bike path. I share your high opinion of it.
But yes, I forgot about the bigger state park separating Dewey Beach from Bethany Beach.
I am not as familiar with the Jersey Shore Beaches but I cannot imagine them to be any more developed than Ocean City, MD. What do the Jersey Shore Beaches offer that is not offered at Ocean City MD? I feel like the argument that the Jersey Shore Beaches are more developed is not that relevant in this discussion. Unless the OP just wants see the greatest number of Beach resort cities. More than likely Ocean City will provide more than enough entertainment and he could explore beaches in the Chincoteague/ Assateague Island area if he wants a less developed beach area. Not to mention if he is going through the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel then Virginia Beach would be another option.
Also another important consideration is if you plan to go swimming. The water will be colder the further North you go. Honestly, Virginia Beach would be the best option if you want more tolerable water temperatures for swimming.
I am not as familiar with the Jersey Shore Beaches but I cannot imagine them to be any more developed than Ocean City, MD. What do the Jersey Shore Beaches offer that is not offered at Ocean City MD? I feel like the argument that the Jersey Shore Beaches are more developed is not that relevant in this discussion. Unless the OP just wants see the greatest number of Beach resort cities. More than likely Ocean City will provide more than enough entertainment and he could explore beaches in the Chincoteague/ Assateague Island area if he wants a less developed beach area. Not to mention if he is going through the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel then Virginia Beach would be another option.
There's nothing quite like Cape May on the Delmarva. Lewes, DE comes fairly close, but its on a bay with the small downtown a few blocks inland along a canal. Berlin, MD just west of Ocean City is a cool small town with a mix of art galleries, antique/vintage stores, and a few eateries, but the Jersey shore (including Cape May) has plenty of those as well. And as I mentioned, the casinos of Atlantic City. There's more of a Philly/NYC influence regarding cuisine/culture as well on the Jersey shore. There's a bit of that around Rehoboth Beach (sort of Delmarva's version of ), but Ocean City MD is mostly DC/Baltimore/Virginia/West Virginia folks. Ocean City is basically putting Wildwood and Virginia Beach into a blender.
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