While it may not be the most popular time to venture to the Jersey shore, autumn is my favorite time of the year to visit the area. While the weather can be questionable, there’s something about the way the air feels in fall at the beach — it’s cleaner, clearer, crisper somehow, and the ocean breeze offers just the right chill. After a mid-October weekend in Stone Harbor with my fiancé, the comments on my Instagram and Facebook pictures indicated others feel the same about autumn at the beach.

Neither of us were familiar with Stone Harbor, having grown up mostly heading to Ocean City, New Jersey, so we were excited for the opportunity to visit a new beach town. And The Reeds at Shelter Haven proved the perfect host. After an early afternoon arrival on a Friday, we grabbed lunch alfresco at Buckets before wandering the town’s streets and shopping. That night we opted to see Joker at a local movie theater, just steps from our hotel.

Saturday took us to breakfast at Fishin’ Pier Grille before I indulged at the Salt Spa at the Reeds, newly opened earlier this year. Then we took advantage of the perfect fall day to wander around Cape May County Zoo and snack and shop our way around Cape May. Quahog’s Seafood Shack proved the perfect spot for a late dinner.

On Sunday, after coffee and a long walk on the beach, we grabbed pizza at Mack’s, a Stone Harbor favorite, before we departed and then, of course, hit up a local farmstand before beginning the drive home.

What’s your favorite Jersey Shore town? What’s your favorite time of year to visit?

— Kim Krol, editor in chief