Not long ago, the hippest beach town near New York City was mostly known as a down-on-its-luck place. Its only claim to fame was its connection to Bruce Springsteen and his love affair with the town.
That’s all changed, especially catapulted by post-pandemic development. Asbury Park packs a ton of beach and boardwalk activities into its famous one-mile beach.
With its proximity to New York City, a renewed boardwalk, and a happening downtown on Cookman Avenue, Asbury Park and the Asbury Park Boardwalk are hopping from spring to fall.
Greetings From the Music Capital of the Jersey Shore
Asbury Park’s most iconic building is Convention Hall with its twinkling outside sign: “Greetings from Asbury Park.” It was popularized when Bruce Springsteen’s inaugural album, Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J., hit the airwaves in 1973.
Inside the building are two venues: the mixed-use convention hall and the 1600-seat Paramount Theatre with access from Ocean Avenue. Connecting the two is the Grand Arcade, with restaurants and shops. Along the sides of Convention Hall are two bars that, in the summer, spill out onto the sand.
In addition to Springsteen, Elton John, Frank Sinatra and the Rolling Stones are some of the performers who have graced the Convention Hall stages.
Across the street is the equally famous nightclub, The Stone Pony. Here, Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes continue to pop in for unannounced gigs. Just outside the main club is the larger The Stone Pony outdoor Summer Stage.
There are no seats, but plenty of space to wander back and forth from the stage to the concession area. Shows start early, so you’ll feel the ocean breeze as the sun sets over the stage to the west.
The Summer Stage has featured a full complement of famous performers, including Demi Lovato, the B-52s, Trey Anastasio, Squeeze and Psychedelic Furs.
Other major venues in Asbury’s thriving music scene include The Wonder Bar, House of Independents, Low Dive, RBar and Asbury Lanes, a combo bowling alley and live concert venue.
Boardwalk’s Future is Foretold
South of Convention Hall, you see the modest storefront of Madam Marie’s Temple of Knowledge. This fortune-teller establishment has been on the Boardwalk on and off since the 1930s.
It became famous when Madame Marie was mentioned in Springsteen’s song 4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy) with this lyric: “Did you hear the cops finally busted Madam Marie for tellin’ fortunes better than they do?” Madame Marie (aka Marie Castello) died at age 93, but her family still runs the business.
Mini-Golf, Water Park and a Swan Song
With the absence of amusement rides, Asbury is generally more focused on teens and adults. However, kids will enjoy Asbury Eighteen, a mini-golf course on the Boardwalk, the Asbury Splash Park and The Silverball Retro Arcade, which is open year-round. All three attractions have paid admission.
Each summer, giant swans, two green dragons, a blue heron and a pink flamingo ply the calm waters of Wesley Lake, located near the southern end of the Boardwalk. As visitors have done for more than a hundred years, you can paddle in these oversized boats from late morning to dusk. Boats are limited to two adults and one child or an adult and two children.
North Beach: Surfers and Dog Lovers
Separating Asbury Park from the tiniest Jersey Shore beach town, Loch Arbor, is a jetty that creates a decent surf break.
The city’s beach staff has wisely designated the area between Deal Lake Drive and Eighth Avenue as a surfing beach. No swimmers are allowed after 9 am during the summer season, starting daily on June 12. After July 4th, throngs of kids and young adults take up the surfing challenge at surf camp.
The area between the jetties on Deal Lake Drive and Eighth Avenue is a surfing-only beach (no swimming is permitted).
South of the surfing beach, dog lovers flock to Eighth Avenue Dog Beach. From mid-May through mid-September, licensed dogs can play on the beach from 6 pm to 8:30 am daily. Dogs can even be off-leash if “properly supervised.” The rest of the year, dogs are permitted at all times on the Eighth Avenue Dog Beach. Dogs on a leash are allowed on the Boardwalk off-season.
Check out Yappy Hour at The Wonder Bar, where bar-goers are welcome to bring their dogs to a fenced-in, outside area. Times vary throughout the year.
After years of neglect on the north end of the Boardwalk, the waterfront developer Starfield (formerly iStar) significantly improved the area. They added restrooms, dune space, bike racks, better lighting and more parking.
Asbury is home to the Asbury Park Fishing Club, the country’s oldest saltwater fishing club. However, fishing is prohibited near bathing areas. During the summer season, there aren’t many fishermen along the beach.
Where Asbury Gets Its Name
James Bradley, a recent convert to Methodism, visited the new seaside religious camp, Ocean Grove, in the 1870s. He saw the opportunity for beach-town development along the Jersey Shore. Bradley bought land immediately north of Ocean Grove.
He named the area Asbury Park after Francis Asbury, the founder of Methodism in the United States. Bradley’s statue, not Francis Asbury’s, sits in the park across from the Asbury Park Convention Hall and Paramount Theatre. Guess where else Bradley invested at the Shore?
The answer is the name: just south of Ocean Grove is the town of Bradley Beach.
If You Go:
Getting There
By train, New Jersey Transit runs frequent daily and weekend service from New York City and Newark to the Asbury Park station. From there, it’s five easy blocks to the beach along Cookman Avenue, Asbury Park’s popular downtown strip.
By car, parking is available on surrounding streets via the ParkMobile or AsburyPark apps. Paid lots and garages are also available near the boardwalk, particularly in peak summer.
Flights into Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) are the most convenient gateway for out-of-state visitors. Browse the best flight deals on CheapOair.
Amenities
Restrooms are located in Convention Hall and across Fourth Street between Ocean Avenue and the Boardwalk.
Beaches
Beach passes are required from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend for anyone 13 and older. Daily passes run $7 Monday through Friday and $10 on weekends and holidays. Children 12 and under are free. Season badges are $70 for adults and $20 for teens and seniors. Passes can be purchased online at apbeachpasses.com, at beach kiosks, or through the Viply app.
Starring Role
Asbury Park has had a surprising number of Hollywood moments. The Asbury Park Boardwalk has been featured in the movies The Wrestler with Mickey Rourke, Baby It’s You with Vincent Spano and Rosanna Arquette, Woody Allen’s Stardust Memories, City by the Sea with Robert DeNiro, Homeboy with Mickey Rourke, Blinded by the Light and an episode of the TV series, The Sopranos.
Tours and Activities
- Silverball Retro Arcade: 1000 Ocean Ave — all games free with hourly admission, open year-round
- Asbury Splash Park: Free with beach badge
- Pedal boats on Wesley Lake: late morning to dusk, seasonal
Where to Stay
Asbury Ocean Club Hotel — Beachfront boutique hotel with a pool terrace, ocean views, and Forbes Travel Guide recognition three years running. New Jersey’s only Michelin Key hotel (2025).
The Asbury Hotel — Mid-century modern boutique hotel with a rooftop bar, outdoor movies, and walkable access to the boardwalk.
The Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel — Beautifully restored Beaux-Arts property with more than a century of history, directly across from Convention Hall.
St. Laurent Social Club — Welcoming LGBTQ+-friendly property with overnight stays, the Heirloom restaurant, and a social club atmosphere.
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Author Bio: For more than 40 years, R.C Staab has been a tourism and culture expert who has been quoted by and had photos published in numerous publications including the New York Times, USA Today, the Wall Street Journal, the LA Times, and CNN. He wrote 100 Things to Do at the Jersey Shore Before You Die, now in its second printing, and is a frequent contributor to New Jersey Monthly magazine. His latest book, New York City Scavenger: The Ultimate Search for New York City’s Hidden Treasures, explores Manhattan from Battery Park to Washington Heights with both famous and unexpected sites in all neighborhoods, including Times Square, Greenwich Village and Central Park. Pick up a copy of his Jersey Shore book and his new NYC book. He lives in Manhattan and spends most weekends at the Jersey Shore with his wife, Valari.
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