I'm New Jersey born and raised, and yeah...we have some mixed feelings about the iconic MTV reality show "Jersey Shore". The show, which ran from 2009 to 2012 and spawned a media empire, made real-life characters named "Snooki" and "The Situation" the public's first frame of reference for our great state - and many of them weren't even from New Jersey! But I had to admit - the carefree summer fun on the show they were having looked pretty great, and you don't have to be a "Guido" or "Guidette" to enjoy it. Seaside Heights, New Jersey is one of the best towns on the Jersey Shore, a bustling tourist attraction during the summer that stays lively into the fall. A few days here is the perfect way to unwind - and if you're a fan, you can even get pretty close to the world of the show!

The Jersey Shore is a beautiful place, and Seaside Heights might be one of the most iconic towns. This bustling boardwalk town brings countless tourists to it every summer, but it has over 2,000 full-time residents who have built a great place to live.

The town took much of the brunt of Hurricane Sandy in 2012, losing some beloved attractions - but rebuilt stronger than ever. Many of the attractions are open year-round, and the boardwalk is a great quirky place to enjoy summer all year round.

The beach here can get very crowded during the summer, but in the early fall it's bliss - a cool sea breeze sweeping in, and plenty of room to bask in the sun.

Of course, the most famous spot on Seaside Heights is Casino Pier, the beloved boardwalk amusement park. Weekend trips here are a teenage tradition that some people never get too old for - and the park remains open on weekends through October 13th.

The famous Jersey Shore house where the cast members stayed during their summer adventures is still standing - and can actually be rented for $3500 a night. Calling all superfans!

But even if you're just spending the day, Seaside Heights is one of those destinations that can only be described as Pure Jersey - and we don't need a reality show to tell us that, we just need one night ride at Casino Pier!

Have you spent a vacation in Seaside Heights, New Jersey? Let us know about your visit here in the comments section - and feel free to tell us your opinion on "Jersey Shore"! You can find out more about the town on the official Seaside Heights town website, and if you're in town when it's open, make sure to check out our past coverage of Casino Pier and Breakwater Beach. If the Jersey Shore house is out of your rental budget, another iconic spot to stay in the town is the Boardwalk Sand & Surf Beach Motel, one of the shore's most famous budget motels.