Somers Point welcomes travelers with its charming seaside ambiance and a wealth of activities waiting to be explored. Whether you’re a beach enthusiast, a culinary adventurer, or simply seeking a relaxing getaway by the bay, this quaint town offers a diverse range of attractions and experiences. Join us as we delve into the hidden gems, local delights, and coastal beauty that define Somers Point as a captivating destination on the Jersey Shore.
A fishing village turned rock ‘n roll hub, Somers Point NJ was the drinking nightlife counterpoint to dry Ocean City – a bridge away. It still is. Though 50’s/60’s rock venues like Tony Mart’s (mythologized in the movie Eddie and the Cruisers) have shuttered (headliners moved ten miles away to Atlantic City), Somers Point is still the place to go for surprisingly good grub and cocktails, as Ocean City remains a dry town.
There’s a large liquor store at the Somers Point end of the bridge, which is considered the “last stop” for booze before entering OC.
Somers Point history touches on Tripoli, Arnold Palmer, Bob Dylan, Bill Haley and the Comets, Diners Drive-Ins and Dives, and more. With great restaurants and nice hotels, Somers Point makes for a unique and cool getaway.
For more on the Jersey Shore, visit these towns the Getaway Mavens way: Atlantic City NJ and Point Pleasant NJ.
Looking for more weekend getaway ideas? Check out our massive list of romantic getaways in the Northeast.
Things to Do in Somers Point NJ
TOUR/PHOTO OP: Somers Mansion
This 3-story brick home, overlooking Great Egg Harbor, was built by the grandfather of Richard Somers in 1725. Finished in the Flemish Bond pattern, it’s the oldest home in Atlantic County NJ. The namesake of the town, Col. Richard Somers was a Revolutionary War Naval hero who was born here and died fighting pirates off the Barbary Coast in the Mediterranean Sea. Open Sat/Sun 9:30-3:30.
VISIT: Somers Point Historical Society
You’re all invited to “dig up your family tree” in the repurposed 1886 West Jersey Baptist Church where you’ll find a good amount of information about this small bay-front town. Of course, there are documents and publications about the town’s namesake, Richard Somers.
In 1804, at the age of 26, Somers commanded the “fire ship,” Intrepid, during the First Barbary War. The Intrepid, stocked with a hundred barrels of powder, was rigged to explode near a flotilla of pirate ships.
Somers was on the ship as it snuck into Tripoli Harbor and blew up prematurely – killing him and his men. He is still buried in Tripoli. Somers’ descendants and locals have been working hard to repatriate his remains.
The Historical Society also keeps stacks of loose-leaf binders, categorized by theme and crammed with thousands of historic pictures. “Lots of people come in just to reminisce about the old times,” says Director Sally Hastings. “Sometimes they spend hours with notebooks and recorders. These organized photographs are what makes this museum unique.”
Tony Mart’s Club
My favorite was the book of ad clippings from Tony Mart’s Club, one of the most prominent music venues in town. Notices promoted Haley and the Comets, Levon Helm, Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, Conway Twitty (before he went country), and other rock legends.
After WWII, Somers Point, which had always been a drinking town, became a rock and roll hub. “In the ’50s and ’60s, you couldn’t walk down Bay Ave without bumping into hundreds of college kids going from nightclub to nightclub.”
Tony Mart’s house band, The Hawks, often opened for other acts. Though he never came to Somers Point, Bob Dylan heard about the Hawks and later hired them to be his backup. They subsequently renamed their group, The Band.
VISIT/PHOTO OP: Somers Point Library
The 1906 Town Hall/Police Station had fallen into disrepair by the time concerned citizens banded together in the late 80’s. They formed the Somers Point Historic Preservation Commission, to save the structure. Builder/Historian, Kirk Gerety, appealed to locals for funds and then reached out to casino owners in Atlantic City. Almost all, including Merv Griffin, helped restore the building. (The one exception was Donald Trump, according to fundraisers).
The result? A stunning redo, and wonderful town library. Its exterior is cloaked in a fantastic mural depicting the story of Richard Somers, who perished while fighting in the little known Barbary Wars. (These battles resulted in the protection of trade routes off of North Africa, where merchant ships from the newly established USA were often hijacked by pirates).
DO: Go Crabbing in Patcong Creek – Assault on Patcong Creek, Fun Time Crabbing
Somers Point is surrounded by water on three sides – Patcong Creek is the waterway on its “backside.” Crabbing is so rewarding here, the sport now has its tournament, “Assault on Patcong Creek.” Sponsored by Bass Pro Shop, this annual event draws crabby people from all over the country on the third weekend in June.
If you’d like to try crabbing, especially if you have kids, enlist the experts at Fun Time Crabbing Charter.
DO: Duke O’ Fluke
Fish for flounder in the Bay on this 30-person pontoon “party boat” – which is a party since guests celebrate catching fish, and not by getting blind drunk. To catch flounder, after all, “you’ve got to drift – quietly,” says a local.
The Duke takes you out for 3 ½ – 4-hour jaunts (8am, 1pm). Nature Tours, sponsored by the Wetlands Institute, leave the dock on Wednesday evenings at 6:15 in July and August.
DO: Bike Path to Pleasantville NJ
This 8-mile tree-lined scenic path cuts through mostly residential neighborhoods, mostly alongside First St. It is beautifully maintained.
WALK/BIKE/SUNSET: Route 52 Causeway
This stunning 2-½ mile span links Ocean City to Somers Point. It features exits to fishing piers amid Great Egg Harbor Bay and an Ocean City Visitor’s Center on one of its center islands. But this causeway is also a popular walking and biking trail (separated from traffic by a barrier). Every evening, it turns into a “Key West-like” gathering spot, where sometimes hundreds witness the sunset over the bay.
DO: Kayak
There are so many places to “put in” in Somers Point. Chief among them: from the fishing pier island in the middle of the Ocean City Bridge span. And from a boat launch at the pretty Kennedy Park.
DO: Golf at Greate Bay Country Club
In the early 1950’s, Arnold Palmer served as a physical fitness instructor as Yeoman in the Coast Guard. Often, he’d drive from his post in Cape May to play golf at the Greate Bay Country Club.
GO: Gateway Playhouse
Built in 1912 as a warehouse and serving as a live and movie theater from the 30’s until 2006, this regional theater opened in Spring 2017 after an extensive renovation.
GO: Friday Night Beach Concert at William Morrow Beach
This small “pocket” beach turns into a swarm of humanity when musicians take the stage Friday nights in summer. It’s family-friendly, with no alcohol permitted, and draws over 1,000 locals and visitors every week.
Somers Point NJ Restaurants
EAT: Gregory’s Restaurant and Bar
Do you ever wonder who invented the phrase and concept, Taco Tuesday? Mystery solved. It’s humble Gregory’s in Somers Point.
From the outside, the place looks like your typical old-school neighborhood bar, but Gregory’s has a couple of surprises inside. First of all – décor is updated and beautiful. And the food, well, lets just say that Chef Paul was recently asked to appear on Top Chef (but declined due to family duties). You won’t find your ordinary tavern grub here.
So Many Gregory’s
Brothers Walter and Elmer Gregory had just survived the battles of WWII when they returned to Somers Point to fish and drink the rest of their lives. The two eventually took ownership of a 1908 hotel building purchased for them by Dad, Walter David Gregory. They turned it into a tavern, installing an 80 ft. long horseshoe mahogany bar.
Each brother had kids. Their kids had kids. And now the third Walt (I know, very confusing) – 2nd Walt’s son – and Gregory, Elmer’s son (yes, Gregory Gregory) both run the place. Gregory’s son, Chef Paul, commands the kitchen.
The locally sourced, nothing frozen menu includes the likes of Formica Bros. bread and rolls from Atlantic City, Ahi Tuna with Humus and White Bean Salsa, Clams Casino with whole clams (not chopped) smothered in cheese, the signature Crispy Seared Panko Encrusted Crab Cakes, and its award winning Breakfast Bacon Burger.
Taco Tuesday Explained
And what is that about Taco Tuesday?
In 1979 when Walt and Gregory took over the business, they drew diners by serving discounted tacos every Tuesday. “Taco Tuesdays” became so popular, the Gregory’s trademarked the name. But they neglected to brand it nationally.
As a result, in 1982, Taco John’s claimed the phrase. But patrons of Gregory’s in Somers Point, especially those who wolfed up Tacos on Tuesdays in 1979, know better. And now you do, too.
EAT: Anchorage Tavern
The Anchorage has been a town landmark since 1874 when it was the Trenton Hotel. Back then, it catered to seasonal visitors and “bird gunners.” By the 1970s, the bar was best known for its “7 Beers for $1,” which gives you an idea of the establishment’s clientele at that point.
But in 1999, Culinary Institute of America- trained chef, Don Mahoney, purchased the aging icon. Despite a devastating fire on 9/11/2006 that closed it down for a year (angel-soul Mahoney continued to pay his employees anyway), the Anchorage recovered and then some.
There’s typically a two-hour wait for a table in the summer, when the bar is in full swing and patrons come from dry Ocean City and far beyond. The popularity might have something to do with its 15 minutes of fame on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, a gift that keeps on giving as the episode keeps on repeating.
This popularity extends to off-season, too. The warren of clubby rooms was packed on a cold midweek November night, with locals and repeat customers ordering the signature Gorgonzola Flounder with Lump Crab Stuffing, Bourbon Street Mahi, and Danny’s Favorite Meatball Ricotta. Which is now a favorite of mine, too.
EAT: Locals Recommend
Other recommended eateries include The Crab Trap for seafood (tending to draw an “older crowd,” the parking lot is “never empty”– even people who don’t know where Somers Point is know this place). Crabby Jack’s – the open-air shack behind Crab Trap – a favorite of boaters who can pull right up to it. Charlie’s Bar for “best wings.” and Smitty’s Clam Bar right on the Bay for great Clam Chowder.
Somers Point NJ Hotels
STAY: Sonesta ES Suites
Formerly a Marriott, this sprawling apartment-like hotel, overlooking a salt marsh a mile from town (across from the Greate Bay Golf Club), was recently renovated and rebranded.
Rooms are clean, cool, and contemporary, with punches of color and updated granite sink bathrooms. The new bedding is crisp and clean. Full-updated kitchens are stocked with tableware, tools, and utensils. In the morning, a cold breakfast buffet comes complimentary with the room.
STAY: Pier 4 Hotel
With 69 newly refreshed traditional rooms, this waterfront hotel offers great views of the bay.
Author
-
by
-
