Toms River
Toms River is much more than just a gateway to Seaside Heights and other shore
points. Located right off of exits 81 and 82 of the Garden State Parkway, Toms River is
the seat of Ocean County. Although Toms River’s 40+ square miles are mostly land, the
town is also home to Ortley Beach, Normandy Beach, Monterey Beach, Ocean Beach,
Chadwick Beach and Silver Beach.
Bordered by the beautiful river that gives the town its name,
Toms River is a cultural center featuring one of the most
diverse and dynamic downtowns in Ocean County. Visitors
can experience riverboat dining, concerts in a riverfront park,
entertaining street festivals, outstanding dining, a variety of
shopping experiences, local museums and galleries and
much more. The award-winning Ocean County Library is
home to a diverse catalog of media and activities. The notfor
profit economic revitalization organization Downtown
Toms River is committed to creating a community centered
around the arts, with plans for upcoming art exhibits,
sculpture displays and community mural projects downtown.
Accessible parking makes it easy to spend an entire day
downtown, and visitors who come by water can dock their
boats just a block away. Popular Toms River events include
the Chili & Salsa Cook-off in May, Summer in the Street
Festival in July, and the Harvest Arts Festival in October,
along with weekly Farmers’ Markets from May through
November.
46 www.sparkexploreocean.com
Toms River is also the headquarters for the Ocean County
Vocational Technical School, offering over 40 career majors
including Marine Academy of Technology & Environmental
Sciences (MATES) in Manahawkin and a Performing
Arts Academy. The school’s Center for Culinary Arts
proudly operates Cuisine on the Green at the Atlantis Golf
Course in Little Egg Harbor, serving locally sourced food
and responsibly caught seafood using environmentally
conscious practices.
Toms River has a rich dining culture with something for
everyone. What’s the best way to find the best dining in
town? Ask the locals! And the folks of Toms River have plenty
to say about the best places to grab a bite or celebrate a
night out in their hometown. From picture-perfect waterside
dining, mouth-watering Italian specialties, spectacular freshfrom
the boat seafood, vegan and eclectic nouveau cuisines,
raw bar, sushi and Asian fusion, you’ll find dining to suit
every taste, as well as lively nightspots with chill cocktails
and great local and live entertainment featuring the music
the Jersey Shore made famous.
H5
Photo by M. Motsay
