Three Jersey Shore Towns Nominated for Coolest Small Town 2013

For the seventh year running, Budget Travel is on a mission to uncover the top ten standout communities across the country. Three towns at the Shore have been nominated! Budget Travel says:

To qualify, the town must have a population under 10,000. It also needs that indescribable something: independent shops, a sense of energy, an epic backyard, culture, delicious coffee. In other words, cool doesn't necessarily mean quaint: We want towns with an edge and a heart.

Currently in the running at the Shore:

SPRING LAKE

Spring Lake Tourism

On the Atlntic Ocean,picture perfect lawns, beautiful homes, very nice hotels an B&Bs, downtown area with shopping,double walkin bridge over the lake,historic churches,two oceanfront simming pool pavillions,poular quiet boardwalk,restaurants,special annual events - Dave D'Alonzo

OCEAN GROVE

markchevy, Flickr

The Jersey Shore gets a bad rap, but Ocean Grove might be the least Snooki-friendly spot in America. Right next door to Asbury Park, this charming little village actually got its start as a Methodist summer camp. In addition to quaint Victorian architecture, you’ll find remnants of the camp history, including the 1894 Great Auditorium, which still puts on great concerts and houses one of the biggest pipe organs in the world. Best of all, the beach here is pristine and uncluttered—not something you can say for the big boardwalk towns up and down the rest of the Shore.
- Elizabeth