With the holidays in the rear-view window, many people may be thinking of a winter getaway, and there are few places within a few hours’ drive that are better than New Jersey’s Southern Shore region.

Although beach time will be limited to a bundled-up stroll or a quick “polar plunge” into the frigid Atlantic, there are still plenty of outdoor recreational and entertainment options, as well as myriad indoor activities. In fact, many people prefer a visit to the Jersey Cape in the winter as crowds are few and there’s a feeling of calm absent during the bustling summer tourism season.

Hotel rooms are available (and usually significantly discounted over “in-season” prices) in most of the area’s resorts, and parking meters are off as local innkeepers and shop owners welcome those who venture to the area during the shoulder season.

Whether it’s a weekend getaway or a week-long stay, there’s much to see and do in the region. For the spots that usually thrive in the outdoors – such as the area’s fine wineries – visitors will be pleasantly surprised to find seating under outdoor heaters or around cozy fire pits.

If relaxation is the goal, what’s better than a massage and spa day at a local spa, such as Cape May Day Spa, the Sea Spa in Congress Hall, Cape May, or the Salt Spa in the Reeds at Shelter Haven in Avalon?

Fresh air and physical activity cannot be overrated, so if the weather allows, bicycle rides on the area’s promenades, boardwalks and bike paths are perfect ways to enjoy the unobstructed seaside views. Furthermore, the area’s hiking trails are markedly less traveled during the winter, and as the seasons have changed, so too have the natural flora and fauna. A great trail that involves a beach walk is Higbee Beach in Lower Township, near Cape May. Lucky hikers will get to see the 100-year-old train tracks that were buried in the sand for decades but are visible at low tide.

Many of the top-rated restaurants and pubs Southern Shore Region visitors enjoy in the summer remain open through the winter, albeit perhaps on a shortened schedule. Be sure to call ahead to check operating hours or to make reservations.

Indoor pursuits are to be expected as the Jersey Shore wraps herself in a winter shawl, and there are breweries, bowling alleys, escape rooms, and historical museums to interest visitors. One of the area’s newest venues is Cape Square Entertainment Center in Rio Grande, which sports eight movie theaters, 16 bowling lanes, an arcade, three bars, two restaurants, and a golf simulator. The owners of this facility also operate movie theaters at Harbor Square and in Stone Harbor.

Finally, there’s shopping. The region’s niche shops that offer one-of-a-kind and hard-to-find items are open, minus the crowds that typically result in a long queue.

So if you are looking for a fun, relaxing, winter getaway, book a trip to New Jersey’s Southern Shore, and get ready for exhilarating walks along (nearly) empty beaches, imbibing warming cocktails around a cozy outdoor fire pit, relaxing massages, and making memories that will last a lifetime.