Our Jersey Shore just got some well-deserved national attention. Ocean City has been named one of the 10 best main streets in the United States, according to USA Today's 10 Best Readers' Choice Awards for 2026—and it's the sole Garden State town to earn the honor.
The recognition spotlights Asbury Avenue, Ocean City's bustling downtown corridor that stretches from 6th to 14th Street. This vibrant strip, perfectly positioned between the beach and the bay, is home to over 100 specialty stores, boutiques, and cafés that have become destinations in their own right for both summer visitors and year-round residents.
What Makes Ocean City Special
For generations, Ocean City has been one of the Jersey Shore's most cherished family destinations, and Asbury Avenue sits at the heart of that appeal. The downtown strip offers something increasingly rare: a genuinely walkable main street that connects seamlessly to beach access and classic Shore attractions.
Just steps from the shopping district, Playland's Castaway Cove delivers old-school boardwalk fun with go-karts, roller coasters, a fun house, and mini golf. When you're ready to trade retail therapy for ocean therapy, miles of relaxing beaches stretch in either direction, offering the perfect counterbalance to a day spent exploring the shops and cafés along the avenue.
It's this combination—a thriving main street paired with immediate beach access and family-friendly attractions—that puts Ocean City in truly rare company among American coastal towns.
The Competition
Ocean City landed at No. 7 on the full list, which was compiled through nominations from an expert panel before being voted on by USA Today readers nationwide. The recognition puts our Shore town in impressive company.
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania claimed the top spot, celebrated for its walkable historic district and proximity to America's newest UNESCO World Heritage Site. Waynesville, North Carolina came in at No. 2, followed by Emporia, Kansas at No. 3. Notably absent from the list? Any towns from our Tri-State neighbors in New York and Connecticut.
A Shore Tradition Gets Its Due
Ocean City has spent decades perfecting the summer Shore experience—balancing preservation of its family-friendly character with the evolution of its downtown retail and dining scene. This national recognition validates what locals and regular visitors have known all along: Asbury Avenue represents something special in the landscape of American main streets.
As we head deeper into spring and summer season approaches, this accolade serves as a reminder of what makes our corner of the Jersey Shore worth celebrating. Whether you're a longtime Ocean City regular or someone who's been meaning to explore beyond your usual Shore haunts, Asbury Avenue is calling—and now it has the national credentials to back up its reputation.
