2016 Jersey Shore beach guide: Ventnor

Sunset in Ventnor City, Atlantic County.
Source/ventnorcity.org

Located right next to Atlantic City, Ventnor offers a more laid-back day on the boardwalk while still being within easy driving distance to AC's happening nightlife.

You can fish from the pier at Cornwall Avenue, check out some of the city's chicest seaside real estate or work on your form at the city's seven tennis courts. Want to explore the town from top to bottom? Walk along the boardwalk — it's 1.7 miles long — until it connects with Atlantic City's.

Beach tags:

Ventnor just announced that, for the first time, visitors will be allowed to buy beach badges through a mobile app called Viply. Just show the app to a beach inspector, who will then give you a physical tag to use for future visits.

If you're not into all this high-tech stuff, though, then you can buy tags at Ventnor City Hall (6201 Atlantic Ave.) or from a beach tag checker.

Weekly tags cost $10. Seasonal tags are $15 ($7 if purchased before May 31) or $3.50 for seniors. There are no daily tags.

Lifeguard hours:

Lifeguards are on duty 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Beach rules:

Surfing is allowed next to the fishing pier at Cornwall Avenue during daylight hours.

Alcohol, picnics and ball playing are not allowed on the beach or boardwalk during the summer.

Dogs are not allowed on the beach from May 15 through Sept. 30 and are never allowed on the boardwalk.

Bike riding is allowed on the boardwalk during daylight hours, except on weekends from July 1 to Labor Day, when it is only allowed from 6 a.m. to noon.

Kayaking is allowed during daylight hours at the beaches next to Princeton Avenue and between Surrey and Suffolk avenues.

Public parking:

Metered and non-metered parking is available. The rate varies according to location. There is also a municipal parking lot on Newport Avenue between Atlantic and Ventnor avenues.

Events:

Enjoy free concerts on Newport Beach every Wednesday from May 25 to Sept. 7. Genres include indie, folk, blues, country and jazz. Click here to learn more.

On June 5, families can bike 14 miles up and down the shore at Le Tour de Downbeach. The ride starts in Ventnor at the boardwalk at Newport Avenue at 9 a.m., goes up to Atlantic City, turns back down and goes to Margate and Longport, ending with a BBQ lunch courtesy of Tomatoe's in Margate.

More information:

ADA-accessible beaches are available at Suffolk and Newport avenues, and the Beach Patrol has beach wheelchairs (call 609-823-7948).

Check out the municipal website here.