How to Visit Asbury Park, New Jersey

Asbury Park is a beach town located on the New Jersey Shore. Founded in the 1920s, the seaside boardwalk along with its downtown shopping district offers the visitor a city-like atmosphere with all its conveniences as well as the opportunity to sit on white sand beaches and soak up the sun. Easily accessible by public transportation, Asbury Park's train and bus station is within walking distance from the beach. If you want to stay a few days, accommodations are available for any budget from Victorian style bed and breakfasts to modern condominium rentals. It’s wise to book in advance during the summer.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Getting To Asbury Park

1. If you use public transportation, you can book a train or bus ticket in New Jersey and the surrounding metropolitan areas directly to Asbury Park through New Jersey Transit's website.

2. By car, take the Garden State Parkway, to exit 102 for Asbury Park. The roads have signs leading directly to Asbury Park approximately 5 miles from the exit. Or, take the NJ Turnpike to exit 7A and merge onto Interstate 195 going east to Shore Points. Follow the signs for Asbury Park.

3. Make room reservations in advance for longer stays and visits. Hotels and accommodations are listed in resources at the end of this article.

On the Boardwalk

4. 

   Stroll the boardwalk and take in the ocean views. The historic Convention Hall and the newly restored Paramount Theatre, where headline acts perform, anchor the north end of the boardwalk.

5. View the monumental scale architecture of Convention Hall ‘s grand arcade where you can visit shops and restaurants along its corridors.

6. Visit the casino at the opposite end of the boardwalk , where amusement rides and attractions once operated. Renovations in 2008 make the casino unavailable, but the casino will be open by 2009.

7. Shop in trendy shops directly across from the beach along the boardwalk in newly built pavilions.

Restaurants and Bars

8. Stop by The Beach Bar in the Convention Hall arcade that juts out over the Atlantic, where you can enjoy sweeping views of the ocean and beaches below.

9. Have a bite to eat at the Salt Water Beach Cafe, located in the former Howard Johnson’s building. The cafe looks out onto the boardwalk promenade giving a front row seat for people watching.

10. Across from the beach on Ocean Avenue, you’ll find the venerable rock establishment, The Stone Pony, where Bruce Springsteen got his start. Take a seat at the bar and wait for the latest local act to take center stage.

11. 

    Check out North Beach, Asbury's newest neighborhood of high-rise buildings taking over the shoreline. Developers are busy replacing dilapidated sections of town with modern condominiums that are luring new residents.

Downtown Shopping

12. Visit Asbury Park’s downtown shopping district along Cookman Avenue. Walk down the street and window shop the art galleries, boutiques, antique shops and home furnishing stores that line this lively street.

13. Stop in for lunch at one of the many restaurants and cafes. Market in the Middle is a restaurant with sidewalk seating and a menu that offers cuisine from around the world.

14. 

    Visit the Antique Emporium for vintage items and collectibles. Browse one of the shops for souvenir postcards that say “Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ.” Take your postcard, to the Bangs Avenue Post Office and have it stamped with Asbury Park for a great memento of your visit.

Resources

• Hotels.com
• Trip Advisor.com