Fourth of July in Stone Harbor
Friday fireworks on a genteel island
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Fourth Of July Weekend at a Glance
Fri, July 3
Fireworks Night
9:15 PM
Show Start
81st St
Best Viewing
$
Beach Tags Required
While You're in Stone Harbor
Make the most of your visit with these local highlights and essential info.
🎯 Don't Miss
- Wetlands Institute — $10 admission. Educational center about barrier island ecology with aquariums, nature trails, observation tower, and hands-on programs. Perfect for curious kids.
- Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary — NJ's only municipal bird sanctuary (FREE). Observe herons, egrets, and other wading birds nesting in their natural habitat. Best viewing May-August.
- Springer's Ice Cream — Legendary homemade ice cream since the 1920s. Lines are long but absolutely worth the wait. A Stone Harbor institution.
🚗 Parking Tips
Staying overnight?
Find hotels and B&Bs in Stone Harbor
Book Stone Harbor Tours & Experiences
Make the most of the weekend — book a tour, tasting, or guided experience. Free cancellation on most reservations.
Why Stone Harbor for July 4th?
Stone Harbor is the quieter, more polished half of Seven Mile Island, and it treats Independence Day the same way it treats everything else: relaxed, family-first, and free of boardwalk chaos. In 2026 the borough sets off its fireworks on Friday, July 3 at 9:15 PM, with the launch near the 81st Street recreation fields and clear views from the beach.
Spend the day on the wide, lifeguarded beaches, then walk into the 96th Street shopping district for dinner and a stop at Springer's for ice cream. The Wetlands Institute on the causeway is a good rainy-afternoon backup and an easy win with kids.
Because the show is on the 3rd, you can pair Stone Harbor with Avalon next door, where fireworks go off on the 4th itself. Two nights, two towns, one short drive across the island.
How to Spend the Fourth
Beach Morning
Grab a spot on the 80s-street beaches. Beach tags required - buy online or at the beach.
Lunch & 96th Street
Casual lunch downtown, then browse the shops and grab Springer's ice cream.
Early Dinner
Reserve ahead at Fred's or The Reeds. Holiday-weekend tables go fast.
Fireworks at the Fields
Friday, July 3: stake out the 81st Street fields or the beach by 8:30 PM for the 9:15 show.
Where to Eat
Tables fill up fast over the holiday weekend. Reserve a few days out, especially anywhere with a water view.
Fred's Tavern & Steakhouse
$$American
Stone Harbor classic since 1957, steaks and a busy bar
The Reeds at Shelter Haven
$$$Seafood
Upscale bayfront dining with a rooftop bar
Quahog's Seafood Shack
$$Seafood
Casual BYO, raw bar and crab
Springer's Homemade Ice Cream
$Dessert
Lines down 96th Street since 1950
Where to Stay
The rooms closest to the beach and the fireworks book up first for the Fourth. Compare hotels and rentals below and reserve early.
The Reeds at Shelter Haven
Boutique bayfront hotel
Rooftop bar, spa, steps from 96th Street
Beach-block rental homes
Best for families
Multi-bedroom houses near the sand - book months ahead
Avalon hotels nearby
More rooms a mile north
ICONA and the Golden Inn on the same island
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Things to Do on the Water & Around Town
Things to Do
fourth of july Weekend Tips
Parking & Arrival
- • Streets near 81st Street fill by early evening
- • Bike the island - racks are everywhere
- • Arrive on the 3rd, not the 4th, for the show
Beach Tags
- • Daily and weekly tags required in season
- • Buy online ahead to skip the stand
- • Kids 11 and under are free
More July 4th Shore Towns
Frequently Asked Questions
Plan Your Stone Harbor Fourth
Quiet beaches, a walkable downtown, and Friday-night fireworks. Book your island stay before the holiday weekend sells out.