MTV's hit reality show boosts Jersey shore tourism

Travel

This year, the "Jersey Shore'' Jersey shore has become a destination in its own right as fans of the MTV reality series descend on the Garden State to experience the same sights, sounds and smells.

Love it or hate it, MTV's "Jersey Shore" has created a buzz that's put Seaside Heights on the worldwide map. Seen here is the cast of "Jersey Shore," from left, Vinny Guadagnino, Angelina Pivarnick, Paul "DJ Pauly D" Delvecchio, Jenni "JWOWW" Farley, Ronnie Magro, Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi, Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino and Sammi "Sweetheart" Giancola. Want to live the GTL (gym-tan-laundry) lifestyle yourself? Here are some recommendations.

For the true Jersey Shore experience, you can rent the actual house where the cast members stayed. Weekends are booked through the end of summer. It rents for $1,800 to $6,000 a night (duck phone included), depending on the date, says realtor Michael Loundy. Be prepared to have hundreds of mooks hanging around the garage door at all hours, posing for pictures. We have to re-paint it four to five times a week because people come up and write so much graffiti on it," Loundy said.

On MTV's "Jersey Shore," the Beachcomber Bar is a place where the clothes are skimpy and punches infamously can fly. Fans of the show will want to pay a visit to this dive where cast member Snooki was decked by a sucker-punch from a rowdy bar customer in season one.

The Jersey shore has always been a top vacation destination, but now it has become a destination in its own right as fans of the MTV reality series descend on the Garden State to experience the same sights, sounds and smells. Tourists will want to spend time strolling the boardwalk, ideal for people watching and enjoying local specialties like salt water taffy.

The Tropicana Casino and Resort in Atlantic City (Brighton Avenue and Boardwalk) is offering a "Jersey Shore" tourist package including a stay in the same suite the cast members stayed in, dinner at an Italian restaurant, tanning at a spa and laundry services on premises.

"Jersey Shore" fans know how important tanning is to the cast members of the hit MTV reality show. There's plenty of opportunities for catching some rays on Atlantic City's beaches.

At night, hotels and casinos in Atlantic City, N.J. are seen reflected in the water.

Lighthouses are neat, but how cool is a lighthouse with lasers? Towering 90 feet high, each night beginning at dusk The Atlantic City Laser Lighthouse transforms into an illuminated spectacle, glowing with a variety of colors.

Casinos are of course an Atlantic City institution, but don't overlook the thoroughbred horse racing at Monmouth Park for a good time. The horse racing track is located in Oceanport, less than an hour from Seaside Heights.

A life-size statue of Bert Parks, the longtime host who presided over 25 Miss America pageants, stands in front of the Sheraton Atlantic City Convention Center. The Miss America pageant started in Atlantic City in 1921 and the competition was held there annually through 2004. The traditional beauty queen look has been replaced by the tanned, chiseled and coiffed crew from MTV's "Jersey Shore."

Tourists can enjoy a round of miniature golf at Atlantic City Miniature Golf, an 18-hole course on the world-famous boardwalk in Atlantic City, N.J.

For those who enjoy the water, the Jersey Shore area offers the opportunity for dolphin and whale sightings.

Jason Voytilla, left, and Kelly Malone, both of Philadelphia, play skeeball machines in Ocean City, N.J. The simple game has its roots on the southern New Jersey shore.

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Love it or hate it, MTV's "Jersey Shore" has created a buzz that's put Seaside Heights on the worldwide map. Seen here is the cast of "Jersey Shore," from left, Vinny Guadagnino, Angelina Pivarnick, Paul "DJ Pauly D" Delvecchio, Jenni "JWOWW" Farley, Ronnie Magro, Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi, Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino and Sammi "Sweetheart" Giancola. Want to live the GTL (gym-tan-laundry) lifestyle yourself? Here are some recommendations.

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