Our family has been spending a week in Ocean Grove and Asbury Park, New Jersey, for almost a ten years now, and longer for my husband who grew up with trips to the Jersey Shore. I thought I’d share my recommendations on what to do in Monmouth County, NJ, for a fun family beach vacation.
Ocean Grove
Over the years we’ve done both traditional bed and breakfast stays as well as renting a house in Ocean Grove. Now that we have kids, the house rental just makes the most sense, but for a couple or group of friends, there are some really cute B&Bs in Ocean Grove that make great home bases for a beach vacation (we liked The Ocean Plaza Hotel the most). Ocean Grove is a really unique and interesting little town, and there are a few things to know before you go. You’ll fall in love with the colorful gingerbread houses, wraparound front porches, and lawns bursting with flowers. The town is unique because of its history: It was founded in 1869 by a group of Methodists as part of a Christian camp meeting movement. Ocean Grove is still owned by the Methodist church today, and this is reflected in a few quirks of the town: It’s a dry town (no bars or alcohol sold, though you can of course consume alcohol in your own home or hotel room) and the beach doesn’t open until noon on Sundays. We are not religious, but have always felt welcome in Ocean Grove. It’s quiet and good for families, and the beaches are a little less crowded than Asbury Park next door. We usually stay on the north side of Ocean Grove, which puts us in easy walking distance to Asbury Park, which has tons of bars, restaurants and other activities.
Asbury Park
Asbury Park has its own interesting history and is one of my favorite places to visit in New Jersey. My husband fondly remembers visiting the Asbury Park boardwalk when he was a child. The history of the boardwalk is evident in the amazing Art Deco convention hall still standing today. Asbury Park is also famous for its music scene, especially the iconic Stone Pony, made famous by Bruce Springsteen. Today Asbury Park is a vibrant community filled with street art, antique shops, local restaurants, and indie music venues. Here are some of our favorite spots in Asbury Park.
Things to do in Asbury Park and Ocean Grove, NJ
Go to the beach: Obviously you’re here to go to the beach. If you’re not familiar with beach-going in New Jersey, here are a few things to note. Each town has its own entrance points to the beach, and you must pay for entrance. You will buy a beach badge for the day, week, or season, depending on your needs. Access to the boardwalk is free, but once you hit the sand, you’ll need a badge.
Visit the Silverball Pinball Museum: This pinball museum on the Asbury Boardwalk is a must-visit. Pay a one-time fee at the door and free play over a 100 pinball machines as well as some other retro arcade games. The pinball machines range from the 1930s to present day. A great rainy day activity in Asbury Park, or a way to beat the heat.
Shop on Cookman Avenue: Cookman Avenue is great to stroll and browse over an afternoon. There are several great antique shops, like Flux Modern and Antique Emporium. River Street Sweets is a fun candy store that also makes their own fudge and pralines. There are some quirky spots like Paranormal Books; Ghost Town, a vintage store with spooky vibes; and Hot Sand, a glass-blowing shop that has live demonstrations.
Take in a concert at the Stone Pony: Made famous by Springsteen, the Stone Pony is still a vibrant music venue hosting concerts year-round. The summer series is their biggest including a huge outdoor stage, but there are smaller more intimate shows on weeknights in the bar.
Stroll the boardwalk and see the street art: The Asbury Park boardwalk is a beautiful juxtaposition of old and new. The boardwalk retains its Art Deco history with several iconic pavilions, which are contrasted with ever-changing street art installations.
Have an Italian ice: Just a short drive to nearby Belmar will bring you to our favorite ice cream shop at the Jersey Shore: Strollos. Strollos serves refreshing Italian ice and smooth rich custard—get a mix of both for the ultimate summer treat.
The Best Restaurants in Asbury Park, NJ
Our family has a lot of strong opinions about the dining options in Asbury Park and the surrounding areas of the Jersey Shore. These are a few of our favorites that have stood the test of time and always end up on our itinerary.
Porta: This casual wood-fire pizza joint wins the prize for our overall family favorite. They have a large backyard with picnic table seating that is great for kids. The fresh mozzarella and ricotta are must-orders.
Cousin’s Lobster: Located on the Asbury Park Boardwalk, Cousins is our favorite counter service joint to grab a bite to eat after a long day in the sand. We love their lobster rolls, but they also have excellent fish tacos. Bonus: There’s an ice cream shop right next door.
Black Swan: This moody gastropub is set in an old bank building (the vault is still there and a cute place to grab drinks!). The food is modern British pub fare—we liked the Scotch egg and pub steak with chips.
Klein’s: Klein’s Seafood Market is located in nearby Belmar. I’m going to be honest, the food is nothing special—it’s a classic fried fish or burger type place. But, Klein’s has a huge deck overlooking the intercostal waterway, and in our minds the setting outweighs the average food. Kids will be able to watch boats as well as a train, and parents can enjoy the sunset with a cocktail. Bonus: Klein’s is right across the street from Strollos, so you can grab a delicious Italian ice after dinner.
Caitlin Kenney Smith 