Blake Walsh

16 Best Things to Do in Absecon, NJ

  • Published 2023/03/09

Featuring a namesake creek and bay, Absecon in Atlantic County, New Jersey, offers many water-based recreational activities.

An enchanting barrier island similarly named Absecon also looms just west of the city.

With its history dating back to 1716, the city of Absecon boasts many historical points of interest as well.

These historic landmarks in Absecon include not only buildings but also many quaint road corridors.

These roadways make for convenient exploration of many of the best things to do in Absecon, New Jersey, which you can see on the following list.

Dine at Black Cat Bar & Grill

Exterior of Black Cat Bar & Grill

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It’s hard to miss Black Cat Bar & Grill as its trademark feline looms like a rooftop sentinel overlooking the junction of North Shore Road and White Horse Pike.

Offering a spacious parking lot, this bar and grill is a great place to stop, relax, and unwind.

It offers a wide selection of beers and wines and a varied menu with choices for everyone.

Patrons troop to Black Cat Bar & Grill in the evenings especially during major game nights, with the telecasts shown on large-screen TVs in-house.

Other offerings, like happy hour and open mic, further make Black Cat Bar & Grill an Absecon standout.

Catch a Presentation at the Howlett Hall Museum

The Howlett Hall Museum is housed in a quaint brick building on the corner of New Jersey Avenue and Station Avenue.

The Absecon Historical Society, the custodian of the city’s charming past, runs this museum.

The Howlett Hall Museum not only keeps and displays ephemera and artifacts related to the history of Absecon; it also holds lecture presentations about the city’s past and U.S. history in general.

In addition, the society hosts the Annual Walking Tour of Historic Absecon traditionally held in September.

Enjoy a Summer Concert at Heritage Park

Visitors of Absecon during summer can enjoy Sunday evening music concerts at Heritage Park.

This park is located at the southeast corner of Blenheim Avenue and Ambassador Drive behind the Municipal Complex.

Besides the varying genres of musical performances at its gazebo during the summer concerts, it also offers various amenities.

The lush woodlands of Heritage Park have two jungle gyms, monkey bars, climbing areas, five slides of varying heights, and fenced play areas.

Visitors can also enjoy the park’s picnic facilities and a centerpiece lake for fishing and hiking.

Go Fishing via the Absecon Bay Sportsman Center

The Absecon Bay Sportsman Center is located on Natalie Terrace on the north banks of Absecon Creek.

This facility has been operating since 1985, offering fishing charters around the waters of Absecon Bay.

It first became popular for summer flounder fishing and later drew more clients with its specialization in inshore and Back Bay fishing.

Absecon Bay Sportsman Center also provides a wide array of anglers’ supplies like bait and tackle.

With such supplies, anglers visiting Absecon can fish onshore or launch their own boats from two public ramps in the city.

One of these facilities, Turner Cove on White Horse Pike and Turner Avenue, is also a popular spot for crabbing.

The other option for water access is the Faunce Landing Boat Ramp at the intersection of Faunce Landing Road and 4th Street.

Pick a Shooting Lane at Range 129

State-of-the-art facilities draw shooting aficionados to Range 129 on Pleasant Avenue.

Established in 2018, this shooting range boasts 20 pistol lanes set at 25 yards in an indoor setting.

Riflemen, on the other hand, can choose from nine lanes at 100 yards, the only shooting facility of its kind on the East Coast.

These indoor ranges have independent multi-stage filtration to ensure the shooters’ health and comfort.

Range 129 boasts 32,000 square feet of space and also runs an outdoor archery range.

It also offers gun and archery instruction and training for groups and individuals.

Shooting equipment rentals, firearms, ammunitions, apparel, and accessories are available at Range 129.

Savor Italian Cuisine at Villa Rifici

Drop by the Italian restaurant Villa Rifici on West Absecon Boulevard for an exquisite dining experience.

A family-owned-and-operated restaurant, it has developed a loyal following in the Absecon/Galloway Township Area since its opening in 1978.

When it comes to fine Italian cuisine, its patrons swear that Villa Rifici has no equal locally.

The delightful offerings of this restaurant include classic entrees like shrimp scampi, veal parmigiana, and chicken francese.

Villa Rifici’s menu also features rare Italian offerings like Pappardelle Pistachio and braised short ribs with cheese polenta.

Food and drink specials are tempting treats available during the restaurant’s happy hour.

Try the Sushi Starter at Mount Fuji of Absecon

Satisfy your craving for Japanese dishes at the hibachi and sushi bar of Mount Fuji of Absecon.

Since the 2004 opening of this restaurant on West Absecon Boulevard, its menu offerings have expanded along with its customers.

The restaurant is known in the Atlantic County area for its sushi starters which include sliced octopus with scallion and ponzu sauce.

As an alternative for appetizers, its kitchen can deliver shrimp tempura or steamed soybean edamame.

Follow-ups of miso soup, sashimi a la carte, and rice with red clam topping can seal a delightful dining experience at Mount Fuji of Absecon.

Unwind with Drinks at White Horse Wine and Spirits

The family-owned-and-operated White Horse Wine and Spirits is more than a liquor store.

The 32,000 square feet of commercial space that it occupies is one of the anchors of the strip mall Marketplace of Absecon on White Horse Pike.

Opened in 2009, White Horse Wine and Spirits is the first self-service liquor store in Atlantic County’s coastal region.

Its gourmet kitchen also sets it apart in the liquor trade, making White Horse Wine and spirits also a venue for take-out dining, drinking, and entertainment.

The food items it offers are prepared fresh daily, with sandwiches, soups, salads, and smoothies among the choices.

Feast on Crabs and Lobsters at Bob’s Seafood

Fresh bounty from the ocean brings plenty of eager diners to Bob’s Seafood on Mill Road.

This restaurant injects enthusiasm among its customers through its made-to-order meals.

Here, you can browse the restaurant’s fresh, raw seafood display and pick the items you want to be cooked or prepared.

One of the favorites among Bob’s Seafood customers is the restaurant’s party trays, with picks like lobster and shrimp extravaganza good for 16 to 20 diners.

For single orders, the choices include boiled snow crab clusters, medium shrimp, and little neck clam with corn and potato.

Indulge in Asian Cuisine at the China Sea of Absecon

Absecon’s restaurant row on White Horse Pike gets an Asian twist in the China Sea of Absecon.

This family-owned-and-operated restaurant opened in 1995 and subsequently became a local favorite, consistently winning awards for its Chinese cuisine.

China Sea of Absecon specializes in delicious Mandarin–Szechuan-style cuisine.

The popular picks in this restaurant include hot and sour soup, shrimp toast, crispy fried tofu, and chicken with broccoli and mushrooms.

China Sea of Absecon is also known for its gluten-free and vegan food options.

Discover Rare Spices at the Gokul Farmers Market

The Gokul Farmers Market, located on South New Road, is a retailer specializing in hard-to-find spices from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

It is also one of the best local sources of fresh fruits and vegetables.

For the most part, though, Gokul comes as heaven-sent for chefs or cooks out to unlock the full flavor of Indian cuisine.

The Indian ingredients available at this unique store include black mustard seeds, papadum, powdered fenugreek seeds, and paneer.

Gokul Farmers Market also sells a large variety of Indian sweets including the flavorful Gulab Jamun.

Other Things to Do Nearby

Explore the Absecon Lighthouse

Exterior of the Absecon Lighthouse

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The historic Absecon Lighthouse, built in 1857, is one of the most popular attractions of Atlantic City, 14 minutes from Absecon.

Standing 171 feet high, this lighthouse is located on South Rhode Island Avenue, about eight miles southeast of its namesake city of Absecon.

Visitors can climb the 228 steps of Absecon Lighthouse and enjoy panoramic views of the Atlantic City skyline.

At the top of the lighthouse, the visitors can inspect its original Fresnel Lens which has been a helmsmen’s beacon for more than 100 years.

Aerial view of the Absecon Lighthouse

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The expansive grounds of the lighthouse also feature a museum, a replica of the lighthouse keeper’s house, and a gift shop.

In addition, annual summer events are set at the lighthouse grounds.

These include a farmers’ market and Wacky Wednesdays with themes like pirates, mermaids, and fairy tales.

The lamp of the Absecon Lighthouse

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Experience Premier Golf at Seaview

Welcome sign of Seaview

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Its two world-class golf links and a 296-room five-star hotel make Seaview one of the top attractions in the township of Galloway.

The Seaview golf courses are located off South New York Road, about three miles northeast of Absecon.

One of these courses is the Bay Course which opened in 1914 and has hosted prestigious PGA and LPGA tournaments.

This 18-hole course with a 60 rating offers par 71 play over 6,397 yards from the longest tees.

The course offers dramatic sea views across its Scottish-style links with small undulating greens and deep pot bunkers.

The other Seaview layout, the Pines Course, opened in 1929 and has also hosted PGA tournaments.

This 18-hole layout also plays at par 71 and stretches over 6,731 yards from the longest tees.

The course, which has a 72 rating, has large bunkers, several doglegs, and elevation changes across its lush fairways and sloping greens.

Go Birdwatching at the Absecon Wildlife Management Area

The Absecon Wildlife Management Area is located between the barrier islands of Brigantine and Absecon.

This area can be conveniently accessed by water from the boat ramp on East Faunce Road in the city of Absecon.

There’s much to explore in the wildlife management area, as it encompasses more than 3,700 acres.

This area is an open marsh habitat for plenty of shorebirds which include eight species of herons and summer birds like osprey and glossy ibis.

Late September is the best time to visit since at this time of the year, the visitors are fewer and the marsh still teems with birds; the fishing is good as well.

The Absecon Wildlife Management Area is in Brigantine, 11 minutes from Absecon.

Bask under the Sun at Brigantine Beach

Sunset over Brigantine Beach

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About eight miles long, Brigantine Beach offers plenty of outdoor activities both on or off the water.

This sandy beach is accessible via Ocean Avenue between 10th Street North and Sandy Lane in its namesake city of Brigantine.

This beach, which is some 10 miles east of the city of Absecon, also has a north entrance at the terminus of East Beach Avenue in Brigantine.

Boat ride at Brigantine Beach

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Four-wheel drive vehicles with permits can drive on the eight-mile length of Brigantine Beach via this entrance.

Swimming on the near-shore waters is available from mid-July to Labor Day, during which lifeguards are on duty.

Other recreational activities at Brigantine Beach and its waters include kayaking, canoeing, surfing, and kite-flying.

Rescue boat and surf board at Brigantine Beach

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Pick a Fun Ride at the Steel Pier

Aerial view of Steel Pier

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Steel Pier is a beachfront amusement park on the Boardwalk of Atlantic City, about seven miles from Absecon.

This fun center, which opened in 1898, offers more than 20 amusement rides.

The rides here include an iconic Ferris wheel, providing a spectacular ocean panorama and city views.

A ride at Steel Pier

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Steel Pier’s carousel, helicopter rides, and bump cars also offer equally thrilling options.

During holidays, themed events further spice up visits to this amusement park.

Yummy boardwalk fare, such as pizza, funnel cake, barbecue, and ice cream are all available at Steel Pier.

Carnival games at Steel Pier

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Final Thoughts

These best things to do in Absecon easily count among the top activities in Atlantic County.

The points of interest in this city appeal to various types of visitors and can leave long-lasting memories.

Furthermore, Absecon is wedged on a coastal region where many travel destinations complement each other, thereby providing a more fulfilling experience to visitors.

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