New Jersey in January

Summer owns the shore, but it also owns your wallet. July and August see beach town hotel rates triple, and you'll share every inch of sand with half of New York. May and September offer the sweet spot — warm enough for beach days, cool enough that locals reclaim their towns. Ocean water stays swimmable through October if you don't mind 65-degree temps. Fall in Princeton and the Pine Barrens delivers serious leaf-peeping without Vermont crowds. Winter shore towns turn ghostly quiet — romantic if you're into that vibe, depressing if you need energy. Atlantic City casinos run year-round, and hotel rates drop to almost reasonable levels. Spring arrives early here, with cherry blossoms in Branch Brook Park blooming by late April. Just avoid Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends unless you enjoy sitting in traffic for three hours.