Your kind of fun on the Jersey Shore

Americans who have never set foot in the Garden State may think they know what the Jersey Shore is all about, thanks to the televised antics of Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi and Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino. Part of what makes the shore great, however, is its variety, and there isn't just one shore: the natural beauty of protected Sandy Hook, the gay scene at Asbury Park, the quiet beaches of 18-mile-long Long Beach. This stretch of Atlantic coastline has resorts for a number of tastes, and here are our recommendations if you're looking for nightlife, wholesome family fun or romance.

 Atlantic City

The largest city on the shore, Atlantic City and its casinos offer some of the most sophisticated entertainment, dining and shopping options to be had. The Borgata, Harrah's and several Trump properties have long brought Vegas-style glamour to Atlantic City, but other attractions are new this summer.

DANCE Dave Matthews brings his Band Caravan to Atlantic City from June 24 to 26, one of four stops this summer for the mobile music festival. The lineup includes Ray LaMontagne, the Flaming Lips, David Gray and dozens of other artists. Three-day tickets, $195, dmbcaravan.com

LEARN MTV's "Jersey Shore" may have more viewers, but HBO's "Boardwalk Empire" has its own devoted following, thanks to its portrayal of Atlantic City's underside during Prohibition. If you want to check out the former Ritz-Carlton hotel and other survivors from one of the most fascinating periods of the city's storied past, join the Roaring '20s tour that launches this month (offered only on Thursdays, unfortunately) with the Great American Trolley Co. Tickets $25, 800-487-6559, gatrolley.com

PARTY Snooki would be in her element at the Pool After Dark at Harrah's, where on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights, bachelorettes and bachelors on the prowl circle the palm-fringed swimming pool to a pounding house music beat. 777 Harrah's Blvd., 609-441-5000, harrahsresort.com

CRASH When you've had enough of the casinos, with their round-the-clock bells and whistles, go to sleep at the nongaming Chelsea. The hotel, just half a block from the beach, has a '50s retro flair, complete with a diner, Teplitzky's, that serves up tasty renditions of American classic comfort foods. It's worth a visit even if you're not a hotel guest. Doubles from $99 midweek, $199 on weekends. 111 S. Chelsea Ave., 800-548-3030, thechelsea-ac.com

TAN Don't worry if you've been wiped out at the blackjack tables, Atlantic City's beaches are free.

GETTING THERE Atlantic City is about 21/2 hours by car from New York City. On summer weekends, the ACES train departs from New York's Penn Station and arrives in Atlantic City in a little less than 3 hours. Tickets from $29, 877-326-7428, acestrain.com

Ocean City

For many, the Jersey Shore still evokes childhood memories that smell of suntan lotion and ocean breezes and that taste of saltwater taffy and fudge. Though some boardwalks have fallen on hard times and others have become popular partying spots, many towns still serve up wholesome family fun. Ocean City, roughly halfway between Atlantic City and Cape May, was founded as a Methodist retreat and remains dry, helping keep it kid-friendly.

EAT Pick up some Italian subs at the popular take-out-only Voltaco's Italian Foods. It's also a reminder that "small" is relative, as my small sub was enough for two. 957 West Ave., 609-399-0735; voltacositalianfoods.com

GORGE It's unclear why there's a correlation between salt air and a taste for sweets, but if the sunshine kicks your sweet tooth into high gear, stop by Shriver's on the Boardwalk. The candy store, in operation since 1898, sells taffy in both traditional flavors (chocolate and licorice) and newfangled ones (spicy pumpkin, white cranberry) as well as fudge. Ninth and Boardwalk, 877-668-2339, shrivers.com

SCREAM Playland's Castaway Cove is Ocean City's oldest amusement park, with stomach-churning roller coasters and bumper cars, a merry-go-round and a Ferris wheel for younger kids. 10th and Boardwalk, boardwalkfun.com

SNOOZE The Flanders Hotel, built in 1922, helped put Ocean City on the map as a beach destination, and the 213-room hotel still dominates the skyline. All rooms are spacious and have kitchenettes. Doubles from $259. It's not as old or as fancy, but the Forum Motor Inn is popular with families, and the price is right, with rooms starting for as little as $82 in the summer. Suites also have kitchenettes. Flanders: 719 E. 11th St., 609-399-1000, theflandershotel.com; Forum: 800-814 Atlantic Ave., 609-399-8700, theforuminoc.homestead.com

SPLASH Beach access is $5 a day, $10 a week and $25 for the season.

GETTING THERE Ocean City is between 2 hours, 20 minutes and 3 hours from New York City.

Cape May

A resort town for residents of Philadelphia as early as the 18th century, Cape May, at the southernmost tip of the Jersey Shore, has a different character than other shore towns, thanks to its extensive collection of protected Victorian residences, the second largest in the country after San Francisco. Cape May's "painted ladies," many decorated with twinkling white Christmas lights, even at the height of summer -- along with the absence of a bustling boardwalk -- make this town the ideal option for couples in search of a romantic escape.

STROLL Along with the blocks of colorful Victorian seaside homes, Cape May Point State Park is one of the town's highlights with its views of the Atlantic and one of the area's most photographed sights, the Cape May Lighthouse (the current structure dates from 1859). No entrance fee, 609-884-2159, www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/capemay.html

DRINK The historic Chalfonte Hotel (opened in 1876, it is Cape May's oldest continuously operating hotel) has a broad balcony complete with rocking chairs -- the perfect setting for cocktails at the end of a day at the beach. If there's a chill in the air, venture inside to the cozy King Edward Bar. 301 Howard St., 609-884-8409, chalfonte.com

DINE Ask any regular visitor for the name of the town's best restaurant, and he or she will likely send you to the Ebbitt Room at the Virginia Hotel. This isn't surf-and-turf fare; chef Lucas Manteca serves up dishes such as duck crepes, bacon-crusted skate and pomegranate-braised short ribs. The space was renovated this month to give it an open, contemporary feel, while the menu has expanded to include more affordable options at a restaurant that has long had a "special occasion" reputation. 25 Jackson St., 800-732-4236, virginiahotel.com

DREAM The 24-room Virginia Hotel and Cottages (home of the Ebbitt Room, above) is not only the place for a candlelit dinner, but you should sleep there as well. Guests must be at least 12 years old, assuring couples a quiet night in the traditional rooms decorated in light seaside blue and green pastels. Doubles from $299 midweek, $349 on weekends.

SWIM Beach access is $5 a day, $10 for three days, $13 for a week and $25 for the season.

GETTING THERE Cape May is 3 to 3 1/2 hours from New York City.

READER PICKS

Our favorite beach community is Wildwood Crest (Diamond Beach). There is much to do, such as kayaking, jet skiing, bike rentals, mini-golf and more. At night, you can stroll the boardwalk, which always has something going on, and during the day you can go to the water parks or the adventure park, with all the rides and games you could possibly want. -- Lori Zebro, North Massapequa

There are numerous fishing spots along Route 35 South where you can pull over and crab or fish in Barnegat Bay. Cast fishing at the ocean is also permitted during early morning and dusk. Tackle, bait, nets and rods can all be rented at shops along 35. -- Beth Pisano, Seaford