{"ok":true,"data":{"id":3025,"slug":"margate-parkway-beach-margate-city","name":"Margate Parkway Beach","country":"USA","state":"New Jersey","city":"Margate City","coords":{"lat":39.3277,"lng":-74.4966},"beachType":null,"tags":["hidden"],"article":{"hero":"Margate Parkway Beach occupies a quiet middle stretch of this three-mile barrier island, removed from the boardwalk spectacle of its northern neighbor yet refreshingly unpretentious. You park along residential streets where hydrangeas spill over picket fences, then cross onto sand that feels softer underfoot than the compacted beaches closer to Ventnor. The slope here is gradual, perfect for wading toddlers, and the lifeguard stands are spaced close enough that parents relax into beach chairs with actual novels instead of hovering at the water's edge.\n\nThe rhythm here follows tides, not trends. Morning joggers leave fresh prints near the wrack line. By mid-morning, multigenerational crews arrive with wagons full of coolers, umbrellas that have survived a decade of nor'easters, and folding chairs worn smooth at the armrests. Teenagers claim the stretch near the jetty, their boogie boards propped in the sand like colorful sentinels.\n\nCome September, when the lifeguards pack up their stands and the summer renters depart, the beach opens into something even more generous. You'll walk for twenty minutes and pass only dog walkers and surf casters, the autumn light turning the foam amber as waves roll in with metronomic patience. It's the Shore stripped to essentials: sand, sea, and the particular peace of a place that never needed to announce itself.","teaser":"You'll smell the salt air before you see the ocean, walking past modest shore homes where towels dry on railings and beach tags dangle from doorknobs. The sand here spreads wide and uncommercial, the kind of place where lifeguards know the regulars by name and grandparents stake the same spot year after year.","uniqueAngle":"This is one of the few Jersey Shore beaches where three generations of the same family can point to the exact same patch of sand they've claimed for forty summers.","accessType":"Drive-up","thingsToDo":[{"icon":"swim","title":"Wade Shallow Waters","subtitle":"Gentle slope for young swimmers"},{"icon":"sun","title":"Claim Morning Shade","subtitle":"Under Margate's compact dune line"},{"icon":"camera","title":"Catch Jetty Sunrises","subtitle":"Rock silhouettes against dawn color"},{"icon":"food","title":"Pack Classic Coolers","subtitle":"No boardwalk vendors here"}],"audience":{"surfer":"This isn't a wave hunter's beach—swells here are modest, typically waist-high in summer, occasionally chest-high after storms. The sandbars shift seasonally, creating forgiving beach breaks best on incoming tides with northeast winds. Longboarders find more joy here than shortboarders; the rides are mellow, the vibe neighborly. Locals surf early or late to avoid the summer swim zones. The jetty offers slight shape on south swells but watch for submerged rocks on lower tides. Wax tropical in July, cool in October when the water finally gives up its summer warmth.","couples":"You want the north end near Gladstone Avenue as the sun drops, where the jetty frames the skyline glow and beach chairs empty out after five. Steve & Cookie's By the Bay offers no-fuss seafood with outdoor tables overlooking the bay—order the twin lobsters and watch ospreys dive. Morning walks work best at low tide when the sand firms up for miles. Skip the big hotel chains; rent a week in one of the trim Cape Cods two blocks inland where you'll brew coffee on a screened porch and hear only gulls and distant waves.","backpacker":"Beach tags run around eight dollars daily in summer (free off-season), and you can grab public showers at Decatur Avenue to rinse the salt. Sleep cheap at the Rodeway Inn just over the Longport border, or push north to Atlantic City hostels if you're willing to bus. Margate doesn't do budget dining—your best bet is Produce Junction in nearby Northfield for picnic supplies, or the deli counter at Ventura's Greenhouse. The 501 bus connects to Atlantic City's transit hub. Forget fancy; this is a bring-your-own-everything beach.","local":"You already know to arrive before eight when the sand is still cool and belongs to the shorebirds. The stretch between Kenilworth and Exeter Avenues stays quietest even mid-July—fewer access points mean fewer day-trippers. September weekdays are your reward: warm water, no crowds, no tags required after Labor Day. When nor'easters churn up the bottom, give it two days then check the wrack line at dawn for sea glass smoothed by decades. The jetty fishing is better at night on the back bay side, but you didn't hear that here.","family":null,"party":null,"diver":null,"explorer":null},"faqs":[{"a":"Margate Parkway Beach is generally family-friendly with calmer waters compared to nearby Atlantic City beaches. Lifeguards are typically on duty during summer months (late June through early September), usually from 10am to 5:30pm. The beach features gentle slopes and relatively mild surf, making it suitable for children. However, always check daily beach conditions and flag warnings before entering the water. Ocean currents and conditions can change, so supervise children closely and swim only in guarded areas during posted hours for maximum safety.","q":"Is Margate Parkway Beach safe for swimming with kids?"},{"a":"Summer (June through August) offers the warmest weather with temperatures in the 75-85°F range, ideal for swimming and sunbathing. However, this is also peak season with larger crowds. Late May and September provide pleasant weather (65-75°F), fewer visitors, and lower accommodation rates, though water temperatures are cooler. The beach is accessible year-round for walking and beachcombing. Many families prefer weekdays in July and August to avoid weekend crowds while still enjoying full lifeguard coverage and warm ocean temperatures.","q":"What is the best time of year to visit Margate Parkway Beach?"},{"a":"Street parking is available along Parkway and surrounding residential streets in Margate City. During summer season, Margate requires beach tags for beach access (daily, weekly, and seasonal options available) and parking meters are enforced. Metered parking typically costs around $2-3 per hour, with enforcement from 9am to 6pm. Arrive early during summer weekends as spaces fill quickly. Some nearby streets offer free parking but require careful attention to posted restrictions. Public parking lots are also available within a few blocks of the beach.","q":"Where can I park near Margate Parkway Beach and how much does it cost?"},{"a":"Margate's commercial district along Ventnor Avenue (approximately 2-3 blocks from the beach) features casual restaurants, cafes, pizza shops, and ice cream parlors. Popular options include breakfast spots and family-friendly eateries. The beach itself has limited on-site amenities, so bring umbrellas and beach supplies. Public restrooms are available at designated beach locations during summer. For groceries and additional shopping, several convenience stores and markets are within walking distance. Nearby accommodations range from family-owned motels to vacation rentals, with Atlantic City's larger hotels just minutes away.","q":"Are there restaurants and amenities near Margate Parkway Beach?"},{"a":"Yes, Lucy the Elephant, Margate's iconic 65-foot tall elephant-shaped building and National Historic Landmark, is visible from certain points along Margate Parkway Beach, located just a few blocks inland. Built in 1881, Lucy stands near the corner of Atlantic and Decatur Avenues. You can walk to Lucy from the beach in about 5-10 minutes. Tours of the interior are available seasonally (typically spring through fall) for a small fee. Lucy is a beloved local landmark and makes for excellent photos, especially popular with families visiting Margate.","q":"Can I see Lucy the Elephant from Margate Parkway Beach?"}]},"seo":{"title":"Margate Parkway Beach: Margate City's Quiet Family Shore","description":"Soft sand and gentle surf meet local charm at this uncrowded Margate City stretch. Families spread blankets beneath summer sun while kids build castles just steps from the boardwalk.","ogImage":"https://live.staticflickr.com/2100/2310811308_de2b2b161d_b.jpg"},"images":[{"id":"527562","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/2100/2310811308_de2b2b161d_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/2100/2310811308_de2b2b161d.jpg","alt":"Margate Parkway, Atlantic City, N.J."}]}}