The Guide to Free (Or Almost Free) Jersey Shore Parking


Because you have five-dollar ice-cream cones to buy, here’s how to save money on parking when you’re …

Gambling in Atlantic City

Free Parking!

A few restaurants–Ruth’s Chris and the Tun Tavern at the Seraton–offer it with validation. Ditto for the A.C. library, though only for an hour. Tropicana is free if you earn five points on its gaming card (about five minutes of slot-playing).

The Low-Cost Alternative:

Bally’s charges $5 for the day with a “gold” membership, and sign-up is free.

Secret Spots:

Park free on a city side street in the Chelsea section, south of the casinos (but be careful of the signs that limit parking to residents or three hours). Take the jitney ($2.25) into town.

Taking the Kids to Ocean City

Free Parking!

Wesley Avenue (but it can be tough to find a spot); the beach block on West 4th Street at Brighton; the 6th Street lot between West and Asbury.

The Low-Cost Alternative:

Asbury Avenue shopping district parking is 25 cents for a half hour (max three hours).

Secret Spots:

Bring your sneakers: If you’re willing to park five or six blocks west of the busy Boardwalk, then free street spots can be had.

Partying in Sea Isle

Free Parking!

Sea Isle Public Library (but only non-library-designated spots); Landis Avenue north of 36th, 47th through 50th, and south of 51st; Pleasure Avenue (beach block, holler!) south of 32nd, except for 38th to 41st.

The Low-Cost Alternative:

JFK Boulevard, the main drag into town, offers meters at a buck an hour (see signs for maximum time).

Secret Spots:

Central Avenue, a block west of Landis (the main street), offers more spaces and is free except for two blocks (29th to 31st).

Shopping in Stone Harbor

Free Parking!

Everywhere, except where you need it most: the business district.

The Low-Cost Alternative:

Metered lots north of 96th Street and on the south side of 97th are $1 an hour (no time limit).

Secret Spots:

Days, especially on weekends, can be a nightmare because of the famed shopping. But the 95th Street lot is free after 5 p.m. So shop late and then go for a nice dinner.

Strolling Cape May

Free Parking!

The lot of the Cape May elementary school on Lafayette. Bonus: complimentary shuttle takes you to beach and shopping and runs noon to 11 p.m. daily. There are no meters on Beach Avenue on the east end of Cape May, where beaches are also less crowded.

The Low-Cost Alternative:

Metered parking at the Mall. Bank Street charges $160 per season, if you can make your way up the wait list.

Secret Spots:

There are 30 free spots on Elmira Street near the Acme, but they fill up fast with working locals; get there early to nab a spot.

This article originally appeared in the June 2012 issue of Philadelphia magazine.