Great beaches, restaurants, and rock n’ roll vibes.
The Jersey Shore is famous for many things : expansive beach , boardwalks , saltwater taffy , and Snooki . There are dozen of beach town to inflict , from picturesque , strait-laced Cape Mayto little town , fishing - oriented Barnegat Light . But there ’s one lieu down the shore that ’s wholly unique for its artsy , way-out vibration and copious history : Asbury Park .
While this central coast destination is in the popular awareness outside Jersey in large partdue to Bruce Springsteen , Asbury Park has drawn a young , urban center - dwelling set of visitant to its shore in recent years . What followed has been a deluge of hip new artisan burnt umber shops , boutique hotels , and NYC - caliber restaurant . And thanks to the boardwalk , Asbury , in a similar way to Coney Island , has a unquestionably democratic , everyone ’s welcome vibe ( unlike say , the Hamptons , people from all base on balls of living can be find out here ) .
Located about 60 Roman mile from Manhattan , Asbury Park can be visited for a day trip . Driving can take upwards of 90 - 120 minutes considering traffic , and New Jersey Transit offersservicedirectly into Asbury Park . The Seastreak Ferry offersservicefrom Manhattan to Highlands , which is about 15 miles northerly of Asbury Park .
The Bonney Read
A couple of important FYIs : Beach passes are mandatory and can be purchase at the beach office or on theViplyapp , chairs and umbrellas can be take when you get there , and more data can be found on the Asbury Parkwebsite . Here are a few of our preferent intellect to make the drive down the shore to Asbury Park this summertime .
The beautiful beach and boardwalk
The beach is the independent reason to visit the Jersey Shore , manifestly . Asbury Park ’s beach is , similar to most on the Jersey Shore , deep with mild , light - coloured grit . At Asbury extend to “ the beach ” also includes the experience of walking the boardwalk and taking in the sights , sounds and smells . Local wireless post 94.3 The Point broadcasts survive from the boardwalk on weekends , and there are restaurant ( check outMaruca ’s Tomato Pies ) , bar ( Iron Whale , Asbury Oyster Bar ) , and goop shops ( Eddie Confetti’sand nearby vegan - well-disposed spotCookman Creamery ) , to try from , too . The townsfolk is also cognise to attract eccentrics and artsy types , so the citizenry watching on the beach and boardwalk is all part of the playfulness .
Asbury Park is also home to the popular surfboarding schoolSummertime Surf . Take a moral and impinge on the waves all in the same twenty-four hour period !
High-quality restaurants and bars
No visit to Asbury would be gross without a sojourn to some of the best food and drink constitution , and there are many .
Before hitting the beach , sway throughAsbury Park Roastery — there are three locations!—a spot locals love and locomote to from towns away to bring down . Also kill intoPurple Glaze Donutsfor one or a few of their creative concoction . After a brace of hours in the sun you ’ll ask a break so head to the boardwalk or down Asbury or Cookman avenues for a bite . take hold of Korean tacos atEat Mogoor a sandwich and a CBD drink at the newCardinal Provisions . For drink , theAsbury Festhalle & Biergartenopens at twelve noon on weekend , or swing music by seminal LGBTQ barGeorgies , undefendable since 1999 , or the more posh , oceanfront cocktail streak , Watermark .
For dinner , test the artisan pizza atTalula’sor sample newfangled Grandma - trend pies from the crowd there at the brand - newAlternate Endingcraft brewery . For seafood , hear the middleneck clam or the fish and fries atThe Bonney Read .
Asbury Park beach & boardwalk|Sky Cinema/Shutterstock
A rich history…
Similar to Atlantic City just down coast , this seaside address was work up up as a summertime attractiveness . But while AC is bang for its casinos , Asbury was ostensibly at one decimal point a “ ironic ” municipality as it was constitute by members of the Methodist community of interests in neighboring Ocean Grove . In the late 1800s , the boardwalk was work up , come by a act of hotels , and grand Victorian homes that avail the country flourish .
Development take off in the 1920s when theConvention Halland the adjoining Paramount Theatre and Grand Arcade were built . These beautiful , historical building still digest alongside the boardwalk and beach today , and playact host to upshot , concerts , and shopping .
After the area experienced decades of economic clinical depression and racial section , a Renaissance began in the ‘ 90 and ‘ 00s thanks in large part because of the influx of vacationers from the LGBTQ community . The area today is vivacious and artsy ; gentrified , even . But still , it ’s really a harbor for originative citizenry on the Shore .
MOGO - Asbury Park
It’s a destination for rock and roll lovers
The most famous venue in Asbury Park is surelyThe Stone Pony — where the Boss , whose entry record album is call “ salutation from Asbury Park , N.J. ” , got his start . It ’s still open today , playing host to shows by local as well as more well - known touring act . approaching shows let in Limp Bizkit , Kesha , Parquet Courts , and the Springsteen cover version band , Tramps Like Us .
The Paramount Theatrealso book full-grown shows , andThe Saintis a smaller , more intimate live music locale . More lately , the fabled punk venueAsbury Lanes , got a facelift and fresh possession by iStar in 2018 . The combo bowling back street and music venue now hosts top - tier up acts on a hebdomadary basis , and the attached eating house , Asbury Lanes Diner , is set to reopen on August 1 with NJ local and Per Se alum , chef Mike Dunston , spearheading the relaunch .
The Wonder Bar , which also host live music , is a darling local prima donna with a well-chosen ( yappy ) hour for dogs . You ca n’t leave out this spot ; Asbury ’s unofficial mascot “ Tillie ” is emblazon in a wall painting on the frontage .
Asbury Park Convention Hall|EQRoy/Shutterstock
Arts and culture, shopping
TheSilverball Museum Arcadeis another Asbury Park destination that ’s popular for the young and old likewise . Home to pinball game machines that date back to the 1930s , it ’s a quirky spot that ’s worth a visit . Or , if you ’re more inclined to get spooky , curb out the Ouija Wall or the haunted physical object and dolls atParanormal Books & Curiosities . ( Tip : reservation required for most exhibits . )
Asbury is also known for its live artistry scene , and the area environ the beach is emblazoned with mural . The Wooden Walls Mural Projectis responsible for many of them ; the Mermaid by local creative person Porkchop locate near the Convention Hall is a favorite . Galleries as well as public art and exhibit can be regain all across town .
For shopping , Cookman Avenue is home to antique shop and boutique likeRebel Supply Co. , where you may grab some great vintage finds .
Asbury Lanes
Cool hotels and places to stay
Much of the oft - discussed Asbury Park renaissance sharpen on new residential and hotel developments . In 2019 , theAsbury Ocean Clubopened . Towering over the cementum - block building that put up the Wonder Bar , the 17 - story deoxyephedrine tower contain a mixture of million - dollar residences and hotel room which carry in the $ 600 - 800 range .
Nearby is the more hipster - focused dress shop hotel , The Asbury , complete with a rooftop film covering area , measure and pool , and lobby bedeck out with artistry , records , and lively music . room drift from around $ 300 - 600 .
A more affordable selection is theBerkeley Oceanfront Hotelwith many suite below $ 200 . This 100 - class old Beaux Arts building also overlooks the ocean .
Silverball Retro Arcade Asbury
Asbury Ocean Club Hotel
