What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Asbury Park?
The beautiful BEACH?
The exciting BOARDWALK?
The delicious FOOD?
The great MUSIC?
The historic ARCHITECTURE?
The endless FUN?
YES to all of the above!
Whether you're a first time traveler or a frequent visitor to Asbury Park, Ocean Grove & Bradley Beach, this guidebook will help you select The Best Things To Do in Asbury.
We start with The Top 10 Things To Do in Asbury Park. Check off as many of these recommendations as you can squeeze into your visit. Details are below and here is a quick check list to help guide you:
What are The Best Things To Do in Asbury Park in 2026?
The Best Things To Do in Asbury Park are:
Take a Selfie with Tillie
Enjoy the Bonfire on the Beach
Watch the Sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean
Indulge in a Pork Roll Sandwich
Play Pinball at the Silverball Museum
Listen to some great live music at the Stone Pony
Down a beer and a brat at the Asbury Festhalle & Biergarten
Take a Swan Pedal Boat for a ride on Wesley Lake
Treat yourself to some delicious ice cream at Days
Check out Yappy Hour at the Wonder Bar
What Are The Top 10 Things To Do in Asbury Park in 2026?
1. Take a Selfie with Tillie
1213 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park, wikipedia.org/Tillie
Tillie is the most prominent hand-painted mural in Asbury Park. He is truly one of the major Asbury Park attractions.
The original Tillie in Asbury Park dates back to the 1950's and was featured on the outside of the Palace Amusements building in two locations.
That building was demolished in 2004 but one of those two original Tillies was saved and is in storage waiting for a time when it will be restored.
Many replica Tillies are happily grinning on display throughout Asbury Park. The most prominent replica is on the outside of the Wonder Bar at 1213 Ocean Avenue.
That's an ideal place to take a Selfie with Tillie.
You will also find Tillie incorporated into many objects available for sale throughout this City by the Sea.
Tillie posters, Tillie framed prints, Tillie T-shirts, Tillie buttons, Tillie cufflinks, Tillie clothing patches, Tillie stickers, Tillie earrings, Tillie coasters, etc.
So find a Tillie that works for you, take a Selfie with Tillie and then post it online with the hashtag #tillie to let the world know that you are right here, right now and in the know.
Mention @AsburyParkBestThingsToDo in the caption to spread the word and encourage others to join in.
Talking a Selfie with Tillie is absolutely one of the best things to do in Asbury Park NJ.
2. Enjoy the Bonfire on the Beach
Asbury Park Beachfront, May - September
During the warmer months, Asbury Park gets its California on and permits bonfires on the beach.
Or, more accurately, Asbury Park permits one professionally-managed, group bonfire per week. Sitting around this bonfire is one of the cool things to do in Asbury Park.
May & June bonfires on Fridays at 7PM.
July & August bonfires on Wednesdays at 8PM.
September bonfires on Fridays at 7PM.
The staff in charge knows their stuff. They build a big fire that is impressive, cranks out the heat and draws a fun crowd.
Bring beach chairs and beach blankets.
The exact location on the beachfront shifts every week throughout the season.
Show up on the right day at the right time and you will have no trouble spotting it.
Go! This is great fun.
3. Watch the Sunrise on the Beach
Beachfront in Asbury Park, Ocean Grove or Bradley Beach, Forty-Five Minutes Before Sunrise
Being on the East Coast, the sun does not set over the ocean in Asbury Park. But, boy, oh boy, does the sun rise over the ocean in Asbury Park, Ocean Grove & Bradley Beach. It's spectacular.
A fun mix of tourists and locals gathers to welcome the sun, enjoy the spectacle of colors and feed the seagulls. Watching the Sunrise on the beach is one of the best things to do in Asbury Park today, tomorrow or any day the forecast looks good. The colors are often best about 45 minutes before sunrise on days with Cirrus clouds and lower humidity
Wear layers, bring sun glasses and pack some food for the birds.
4. Have a Pork Roll/Taylor Ham Sandwich at Wall Street Delight in Ocean Grove
53 Main Avenue, Ocean Grove, 16 Steps Down the Side Alley Heading North, no phone number, no website
South Jersey calls it Pork Roll. North Jersey calls it Taylor Ham. Central Jersey calls it by both names. Whatever you call it, it's delicious, very Jersey and classically Jersey Shore.
As a breakfast sandwich, Pork Roll/Taylor Ham is typically served on a roll with an egg and cheese. Yum!
There are many great places to enjoy Pork Roll/Taylor Ham in and around Asbury Park: Frank's Deli, The Speakeatery, Toast, etc.
If you're open to an entertaining experience then check out a hole in the wall in Ocean Grove called Wall Street Delight.
While it goes by the address of 53 Main Avenue in Ocean Grove, it's actually located in a side alley next to 53 Main Avenue about 16 steps headed north.
This place has to be seen to be believed. It's ridiculously small, improvised, and kind of a third world operation run by an incredibly sweet women named Liz.
She makes a fine Pork Roll/Taylor Ham, Egg & Cheese sandwich and also traffics in coffee.
There are a few tables outside in the alley if you would like to sit down. Take out is common.
One goes here for the experience as much as for the food.
Breakfast at Wall Street Delight is one of the most memorable Ocean Grove NJ Things To Do.
5. Play Pinball, Skee-Ball and Video Games at the Silverball Museum
1000 Ocean Ave, Asbury Park, 1-732-774-4994, silverballmuseum.com
The Silverball Museum is a fantastic game arcade located on the Boardwalk in Asbury Park.
Pinball is dominant, but they also feature video game machines and classic skee-ball alleys from the 1950s.
You buy a pass for unlimited play: $10 for 30 minutes, $20 for the day.
They also have a café that features pizza, nachos, deep fried foods and jumbo pretzels.
Don't be surprised if you see people dressed in formal wear here.
The Silverball Museum is a popular stop for wedding parties in Asbury Park.
Go! You'll have fun.
The Silverball Museum defines: Fun Things To Do in Asbury Park.
6. Enjoy Some Live Music
Both Asbury Park and Ocean Grove have great credibility when it comes to Live Music.
Bruce Springsteen, Southside Johnny and Bon Jovi got their start playing in Asbury Park at venues like the Stone Pony.
So if you're looking for one of the Best Things To Do in Asbury Park NJ, then a trip to the Stone Pony is for you.
In fact there is a genre of music called the Jersey Shore Sound that evolved here and became extremely popular. It's a mix of pre-Beatles rock and roll, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, and local suburban culture.
Precursors were folks like Frankie Valley and the Four Seasons. And then Bruce Springsteen developed it and launched it around the world.
Lyrics often focus on the daily lives of working folks in the suburbs and a sense of being the underdog.
Early precursor hits include the The Four Seasons' "Rag Doll", "Walk Like a Man", and "Big Man in Town".
And classic hits in this genre include Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band's "Born to Run", "Thunder Road" and "Dancing in the Dark".
There are many great venues to hear live music in Asbury Park: The Stone Pony, The Wonder Bar, The Saint, Asbury Lanes and the House of Independents all book great acts.
If your musical taste runs more mellow, classical or religious then you should check out what's playing in Ocean Grove.
The Great Auditorium, Bishop Jane's Tabernacle and the Boardwalk Pavilion schedule a wide range of musical acts: classical, opera, church choirs, military bands, Doo-wop and Pops.
On Saturday nights in the Summer, there is often a popular star or band booked at the Great Auditorium.
Past performers there include: Tony Bennett, Peter, Paul & Mary, and the Beach Boys.
7. Have a Beer, a Brat and a Pretzel at the Asbury Festhalle & Biergarten
527 Lake Ave, Asbury Park, 1-732-997-8767, asburybiergarten.com
Back in 2015, the former Lerner's Department Store on Lake Avenue was transformed into an authentic Old World beer hall.
This place is huge. The look is retro-European Industrial. If you're looking for Asbury Park Attractions, then this is the place for you.
The scale and the design combine to make a really big impact, it brings a smile to my face every time I climb up the staircase to get inside.
And then there is the roof garden. Wow! Enormous with excellent views of the ocean and of Wesley Lake.
Communal tables, 39 premium beers on draft, bratz, pretzels, plus a full dinner menu with great desserts.
They even traffic in a few wines.
Live music. Happy Hour.
What's not to like? Go! It'll make you smile.
8. Take a Swan Pedal Boat for a Ride on Wesley Lake
Lake Ave, Asbury Park, 1-732-228-0466, asburyparkpedalboats.com
Bring a date. Bring your spouse. Bring the kids. Bring yourself. It's fun, relaxing and easy.
You're in total control. Just sit back, pedal forward or backward like a bike and man the black-knob tiller to steer.
Each boat accommodates a maximum of two adults and one child or one adult and two kids.
A boat ride is 30 minutes long.
Sunset sails are very popular. As is the Black Swan boat named Nina.
You know you want to give this a go. So do it!
If you're looking for things to do in Asbury Park that are fun, then this is for you.
9. Go to Days for Ice Cream
48 Pitman Avenue, Ocean Grove, 1-732-614-6245, daysicecream.com
Since 1876 people have been flocking to Days for delicious ice cream and a relaxing sit on their beautiful covered porch.
Days is housed in a magnificent historic gem of a building with a stunning covered porch and Tea Room garden.
One goes here for the architecture as much as for the ice cream. If you're looking for Ocean Grove NJ Attractions, then Days Ice Cream is your place.
In the evening, Days also features great live music, from time to time.
The ice cream is delicious, the staff is charming and the space is amazing.
Extremely popular, especially after dinner.
It's a lovely ritual to walk to Days after dinner for dessert.
The line to get served can be long, but it is so worth the wait.
Go! Become a regular, like me!
10. Check Out Yappy Hour at the Wonder Bar
1213 Ocean Ave, Asbury Park, 1-732-455-3767, wonderbarasburypark.com
Think Dog Park Meets Bar.
Yappy Hour is those times of the week when the Wonder Bar has officially gone to the dogs.
The dogs get a safe fenced-in outdoor space where they can meet new friends, exercise and chill.
Their humans get to drink, sit in comfortable chairs and do some socializing of their own.
The Yappy Hour Deck is for those 21+.
There is also a fenced in area with tables and chairs where those under 21 are welcome to watch the dogs and have something to eat & drink.
There are swimming pools for the dogs, an agility area and a "time out" zone.
It's fun to participate and it's also fun to watch.
Go! With or without your pooch.
And be sure to take a Selfie with Tillie while you're there!
If you're looking for Things To Do in Asbury Park NJ that are cool, fun & entertaining, then Yappy Hour is for you.
Neighborhoods - Things To Do in Asbury Park
Our next list of suggestions is organized by neighborhood, so you can group together activities based on where you are or where you plan to be.
Asbury Park, Ocean Grove & Bradley Beach are neighboring communities along the Atlantic Ocean.
These three "towns" are connected by a continuous Boardwalk along the beach.
A series of charming finger lakes marks where one town ends and the next begins.
Wesley Lake is the location of the Swan Pedal Boats.
There are also two picturesque footbridges across Wesley Lake that connect Ocean Grove and the Downtown area of Asbury Park.
Sunset Lake also has a charming footbridge.
Asbury Park Boardwalk:
What Are The Top Things To Do on the Asbury Park Boardwalk?
The Boardwalk and the adjacent thoroughfares of Ocean Avenue and Kingsley Street offer a lively loop of entertainment options.
Restaurants, bars, live music, retail stores, food stands, food trucks, coffee shops, arcades, miniature golf, water parks, fortune tellers and the list goes on.
There is something for everybody offering much more than any one body can handle.
Do the loop. Walk around and let your eyes, ears and nose guide you. It's time to indulge.
You're down the shore. Enjoy!
Asbury Park Beach
Beach Badges are available at the Boardwalk Beach Office on the Boardwalk at 1st Avenue, 1-732-502-8863. 10AM - 4PM. asburyparkchamber.com/beach You can also buy beach badges online via the Viply App: viplypass.com/asbury-park-beach-badges
During the Summer, along the entire Jersey Shore, access to the beach is not free. You must buy a beach badge to help cover the cost of lifeguards and maintenance.
In Asbury Park, admission is $5 weekdays; $7 weekends and holidays; free for children 12 and younger accompanied by an adult, as well as disabled veterans and active-duty soldiers and their dependents.
Season badges cost $70, $20 for those 13 to 17 or 62 and older.
The Lifeguards post different color flags to alert you to the weather and surf conditions.
They will require that you swim near them between the checkered flags for your safety.
Restrooms are along the Boardwalk located in shipping containers on the south beach, in trailers on the north beach and in the building at Convention Hall.
The beach area just north of Convention Hall is roped off for use of patrons of the Seahorse restaurant and bar.
There is also a stage here with live music acts scheduled throughout the summer.
The bar on the south side of Convention Hall is the Beach Bar.
The beach area immediately south of Convention Hall is where the LGBT crowd gathers.
Porta
91 Kingsley Street, Asbury Park, 1-732-776-7661, pizzaporta.com
Porta is a very fun restaurant and bar just one block in from the Boardwalk. Pizza and pasta are its specialties.
The bar is big and many folks choose to both eat and drink there.
There is also a huge seating area that features communal tables both inside and outside.
Porta attracts a very diverse crowd – early in the evening it’s common to see families with kids. Then it converts to just adults.
Late night on the weekend it becomes more of a singles club crowd.
For food, I like to start with the Three Trees salad - it's huge and delicious.
For my main course, I'm partial to their meatballs. Perfection.
If you're looking for things to do in Asbury Park this weekend that are fun, delicious and entertaining, then put Porta on your list.
Stella Marina
800 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park, 1-732-775-7776, stellamarinarestaurant.com
Stella Marina serves classic Italian cuisine and they have a great wine list.
They are on the Boardwalk in Asbury Park so the views are spectacular. A great option for lunch or dinner.
Outdoor seating is available on the Boardwalk and on the second floor.
The bar downstairs is an excellent place to start your evening.
If you plan to have dinner at Stella Marina, it's wise to make a reservation.
Pucker
4th Avenue on the Boardwalk, Asbury Park, 1-732-670-6590, puckerasburypark.com
Home of the Jersey Shore's best lemonade, they make it to order with fresh squeezed lemon juice.
Pair your lemonade with a bucket of fresh hand cut french fries with gourmet dipping sauces like Bangin' Hot Dip, Curry Lime, Horseradish & Rosemary, Sesame Mayo, Smoked Paprika, Sundried Tomato, or Tarragon Mustard. Yum.
Pucker also traffics in Funnel Cake and Fried Oreos. Pucker is one of the fun things to do in Asbury Park. Even the name makes you smile. Pucker. See, you just smiled.
Go! All your needs will be met.
Discover Your Future at Madam Marie's, The Temple of Knowledge
4th Avenue on the Boardwalk, Asbury Park, 1-908-338-5424, no website
The Temple of Knowledge is a fortune-telling shack that has been in business on the Boardwalk since 1932.
Founded by Marie Costello, her Madam Marie became a figure of rock 'n' roll mythology when Bruce Springsteen referenced her in his 1973 song, 4th of July, Asbury Park.
Her famous clients included Ray Charles, Woody Allen, Perry Como, Diane Keaton, Elton John, The Rolling Stones, Elliott Gould, Gorilla Monsoon, Vic Damone and Diahann Carroll.
Marie died unexpectedly in 2008, but her legacy lives on. Marie's descendants continue to tell fortunes from The Temple of Knowledge on the Boardwalk.
If you're looking for things to do in Asbury Park today that will give you bragging rights next week when you are back home, then check out Madam Maries. It's a hoot!
Maruca’s Tomato Pies
1050 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park, 1-732-361-8551, marucaspizza.com
Delicious pizza – Trenton Style. Cheese on the bottom, sauce on top in a swirl.
This gives the pizza a buttery flavor with a fresh tomato taste from the sauce on top.
Hand crafted with some high tech assistance - the rotating glass oven is a hoot to watch.
Mogo Korean Fusion Tacos
Two Locations: 1st Avenue & the Boardwalk and 632 Cookman Avenue, Asbury Park, 1-732-361-3684, eatmogo.com
Fast, convenient, eclectic Tacos with special Korean marinades served on flour tortillas. Amazingly delicious.
They have a seasonal food stand on the Boardwalk and a year round restaurant on Cookman Avenue.
Mogo is extremely popular. Grabbing a taco here is one of the top things to do in Asbury Park.
Langosta Lounge
1000 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park, 1-732-455-3275, langostalounge.com
With an ocean-front location on the Boardwalk, this place boasts vacation-inspired cuisine, creative cocktails, & live music.
Open for lunch and dinner seven days a week and brunch on the weekends.
Excellent Bloody Marys at brunch. Extremely popular for the food, drinks and the live music. They do an excellent job scheduling great musicians.
It's hard to have a bad time at Langosta Lounge. The food is great and the music is top notch. So if you're looking for things to do in Asbury Park that are delicious and entertaining, then put Langosta Lounge on your list.
Tim McLoone’s Supper Club
1200 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park, 1-732-774-1155, timmcloonessupperclub.com
This place is housed in a retro chic Howard Johnson's building that has been reworked into two separate spaces.
Downstairs there is a great restaurant called The Robinson Ale House.
Upstairs is the posh Tim McLoone’s space that brings back the supper club concept from days gone by.
The supper club features well-known live music acts that you enjoy while eating dinner.
Think Ricky Ricardo at the Tropicana Nightclub. Babalu Babalu Babalu Aye!
Iron Whale
1200 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park, 1-732-361-5185, ironwhalenj.com
The Iron Whale features a contemporary design that's somehow modern and rustic at the same time. It features a seafarer theme with lots of reclaimed wood, ropes, and gas lanterns.
Creative menu featuring both seafood and meat.
Open kitchen. Fireplace. Boardwalk location. Ocean views. Fun happy hour.
Watermark
800 Ocean Avenue, Second Floor, Asbury, 1-732-455-3447, watermarkap.com
A chic cocktail lounge on the Asbury Park Boardwalk. Truly elegant and special with a high-end design.
Amazing views of the Boardwalk, beach and the ocean both outdoors and indoors. Open year round. Popular. Watermark is one of the cool things to do in Asbury Park.
Watermark books lots of private events including weddings.
So if you are planning your schedule around Watermark, best to call ahead to make sure they will be open to the public on the afternoon or evening you will be there.
Asbury Park Downtown:
What Are The Best Things To Do in Downtown Asbury Park?
Asbury Park’s downtown has a fun and funky vibe. The cafés, bars and restaurants here are plentiful and business is booming, especially at night on the weekends.
Having a fun time will be easy. Parking your car will be hard.
If you can walk here, bike here, take the train here or take an Uber here, do it.
The Bonney Read
525 Cookman Avenue, Asbury Park, 1-732-455-3352, thebonneyread.com
Very stylish Chowder House & Oyster Bar on Cookman Avenue. The décor is a French Industrial style. Fresh fish, creamy chowders, raw bar and a stylish liquor bar that stays open late.
The place gets its name from two well-known female pirates: Mary Read & Anne Bonney. How cool is that?
For dinner, I typically order the Fresh Catch of the Day. It's served grilled with lemon-herb oil. The sides are coleslaw and a baked potato.
I always ask for extra butter and extra sour cream on my potato and they are happy to oblige.
Paired with a nice glass of white wine, all my needs are met. Perfection.
Dinner at the Bonney Read is definitely one of the best things to do in Asbury Park.
Pascal & Sabine
601 Bangs Avenue, Asbury Park, 1-732-774-3395, pascalandsabine.com
Posh. Very stylish. Stunning. Everything about this place is beautiful. The food is delicious and classically French.
This space has an old world feel with a contemporary twist. Excellent wine list. Great staff who provides exceptional service.
Go for a drink and you’ll probably end up staying for several hours and indulge in a great meal.
They also serve an excellent brunch on weekends.
This space is so beautiful and the staff is so attentive that Pascal & Sabine has become one of the Asbury Park Attractions.
Homesick Restaurant
522 Cookman Avenue, Asbury Park, 1-732-774-1264, lovehomesick.com
Brought to you by your good friends Sam & Ella. Just kidding. A terrible name for a new concept to replace the former Brick Wall Tavern by the same operating team - the Smith Group.
Homesick showcases seasonal menus that feature really simple, beautiful food and drinks.
Asbury Ale House
531 Cookman Avenue, Asbury Park, 1-732-455-3808, asburyalehouse.com
This is a sports bar with a fraternity house feel. Lively & roomy. It's a hangout. Lots of beers on tap. Comfort food.
If you're looking for things to do in Asbury Park that are lively and fun, then check out the Asbury Ale House.
Tons of TVs showing a wide range of sports. Plus shuffleboard, a basketball toss, arcade games, air hockey, and bar pong.
This is the perfect place to live out or regress back into your glory days.
Go! Kick back & have some fun.
Taka
660 Cookman Ave, Asbury Park, 1-732-775-1020, takaasbury.com
Great sushi & fine Japanese Cuisine in a chic space. Innovative menu with extensive sushi offerings.
Fun, energetic atmosphere. Very popular.
The bar is huge and hip, it's the perfect place to people-watch and start your evening with a cocktail.
And yes, you may also dine at the bar.
Bond Street Bar & Grill
208 Bond Street, Asbury Park, 1-732-774-1575, thecomplexap.com/bond-street
A hip bar in Asbury Park. Small. A bit of a dive and very fun.
Cheap eats. Cheap drinks. Excellent burgers.
The Bond Street bar is connected to two other venues that share the same liquor license – an Italian Restaurant called Capitoline and a Mexican Restaurant called Loteria.
Black Swan Public House
601 Mattison Ave, Asbury Park, NJ
The Black Swan Public House is a classic English Pub serving staples like shepherd’s pie, fish ‘n chips, curried chicken, and burgers, along with Guinness and a modest variety of other stouts, porters and ales.
It's located in the Byrum Building on the corner of Mattison Avenue and Emory Street. This five-story Romanesque fortress gained fame as the ‘White House Summer Executive Offices’ in 1916 when President Woodrow Wilson and his wife resided in nearby Long Branch. The Elberon colony of Long Branch served as the Summer Whitehouse for seven United States Presidents in the days before air conditioning.
Capitoline
639 Cookman Ave, Asbury Park, 1-732-455-3609, thecomplexap.com/capitoline
Hip, rustic restaurant with giant freezer doors as an entrance.
Capitoline serves Italian comfort food, like pizza, spaghetti and meatballs.
Loteria
632 Mattison Ave, Asbury Park, 1-732-455-3610, thecomplexap.com/loteria
Fun Mexican restaurant. Big drinks, nice food.
Excellent guacamole & chips.
Classic Margaritas.
Toast City Diner
516 Cookman Ave, Asbury Park, 1-732-776-5900, toastasburypark.com
Excellent place for breakfast, lunch and brunch in Asbury Park.
Very creative and very delicious. Strong coffee.
Their theme is Peace, Love & Pancakes.
If you prefer healthier fare, they traffic in excellent Steel Cut Oatmeal with a grilled banana on top.
If you go in this direction, ask for the banana to be well done. Yum!
Toast is a very popular place. Definitely one of the top things to do in Asbury Park.
Café Volan
510 Bangs Ave, Asbury Park, 1-732-455-3399, cafevolan.com
A hip coffee house on Bangs Avenue. Café Volan is one of the cool things to do in Asbury Park.
They craft an amazing cappuccino and they also feature cold brewed coffee which is extra smooth and delicious with a hint of a chocolate undertone.
Café Volan also traffics in some excellent baked goods.
Live music on a regular basis.
The people-watching here can be...very enjoyable.
Highly recommended.
Cardinal Provisions
513 Bangs Ave, Asbury Park, 1-732-898-7194, crdnal.com
Wow! Amazing breakfast & lunch place. Top notch food, very creative. Highly recommended.
Occasionally they will offer dinner as a pop-up one night only event.
This is a small space with excellent food and a great reputation.
You will, no doubt, have to wait for a table on weekends.
It is so worth the wait.
Barrio Costero
610 Bangs Ave, Asbury Park, 1-732-455-5544, barriocostero.com
Very stylish and delicious Mexican Restaurant. Sophisticated & creative. Highly recommended.
My only nit is that they serve brunch all day on weekends, so there can be a lot of egg options and not much else to choose from.
In the evening, they have the dinner menu that I love.
Reyla
603 Mattison Ave, Asbury Park, 1-732-455-8333, heyreyla.com
From the team behind Barrio Costero, Reyla is a modern Middle Eastern restaurant in a very modern, hip space.
Delicious food presented in a chic environment.
There is a hipster bar & lounge concealed underneath Reyla called Laylow.
Laylow is open Thursday - Saturday until 2AM.
Confections of a Rock$tar
550 Cookman Ave, Asbury Park, 1-732-455-3510, confectionsofarockstar.com
Featured on the Food Network
It’s a great bakery that offers extraordinary cupcakes, cookies, pastries, French macarons and rockin’ custom cakes. Baked fresh daily and hand crafted from scratch.
Pick out your treat and then grab a stool at the giant piano keyboard counter.
How fun is that?
Lola’s European Cafe
539 Cookman Avenue, Asbury Park, 1-732-807-3777, lolaseuropeancafe.com
Panini’s, salads, cheese boards, wine bar and gelato.
All of their gelato and sorbet is made fresh using ingredients imported from Italy.
Delicious.
Amici Gelato & Caffè
630 Mattison Avenue, Asbury Park, 1-848-226-3700, amiciasburypark.com
Wow! Wow! Wow! A treat from Amici is one of the best things to do in Asbury Park.
Top notch Italian gelato, dessert and coffee shop that also traffics in amazingly delicious soup, sandwiches, salads & pasta.
Everything is perfect. So delicious. Beautiful space. Sparklingly clean.
There are tables both inside and out front on the sidewalk.
I highly recommended the hazelnut gelato.
It's perfect. Go!
The Speakeatery
705 Cookman Avenue, Asbury Park, 1-732-898-9456, thespeakeatery.com
This is a very special place.
The Speakeatery is housed in a very narrow space. Don't let that fool you. This restaurant packs a very big punch. The food is top notch.
They traffic in gourmet specialty sandwiches, amazing burgers, coleslaw, pickles and french fries.
The food is delicious, the service is attentive and their menu is brilliant.
The names and descriptions they have crafted for their sandwiches are hilarious, accurate and extremely helpful.
My favorite sandwich is The Elliott Mess. It's sloppy and delicious.
Plaza Tapatia Restaurant
707 Main Street, Asbury Park, 1-732-776-7826, tapatiarestaurant.com
Authentic Mexican food in an authentically Mexican inspired space with authentic Mexican staff and many authentic Mexican customers.
Get it? This place is the real deal.
Friendly staff, colorful space, great food, excellent beer and cocktails. Lively crowd.
The chicken soup is not to be missed - hearty vegetables with huge chunks of hacked, bone-in chicken. Amazing.
The guacamole is perfect. The beer is ice cold. The margaritas are strong. All my needs are met.
Go! A local favorite. Plaza Tapatia is one of my favorite fun things to do in Asbury Park.
Johnny Mac House of Spirits
208 Main Street, Asbury Park, 1-732-776-6666, johnnymacbar.com
A Irish Bar specializing in spirits in Asbury Park that offers a free pizza with every drink! How great is that?
Fun atmosphere both indoors and out. This place continues to grow and expand. Extremely popular.
Skee-Ball machines in the basement.
Johnny Mac is ground zero for the drinking crowds during big seasonal events like St Patrick's Day, Zombie Walk, Halloween and Santacon.
Johnny Mac has become an institution - it's one of the most fun Asbury Park Attractions.
Brando's Citi Cucina
162 Main Street, Asbury Park, 1-732-774-2222, brandosnj.com
Extremely popular Italian restaurant with some creative French influences on the menu.
The owner grew up in Brooklyn, NY and learned many of his skills from his Italian-American mother.
This is not a hipster restaurant.
Brando's attracts a wide following of people of all ages and backgrounds who share a love Italian food.
Extremely popular.
Reservations a must, especially on weekends.
Ocean Grove:
What Are The Best Things To Do in Ocean Grove NJ?
Ocean Grove was founded way back in 1869 as a summer camp site for members of the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association of the Methodist-Episcopal church.
By the early 20th century Ocean Grove had become known as "The Queen of Religious Resorts."
Ocean Grove and other Camp Meetings like it have been credited with inventing & promoting the concept of the Summer Vacation for the Middle Class. Prior to this, vacations were a luxury afforded only to the Upper Class.
Today people of all faiths and of no faith are welcome in Ocean Grove as both visitors and residents.
The entire Hamlet of Ocean Grove is an Historic District listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its stunning Victorian architecture.
The Great Auditorium is the cultural center of the community - it is considered New Jersey's "most wondrous wooden structure, soaring and sweeping, alive with the sound of music."
Ocean Grove also has a charming downtown centered two blocks inland from the Boardwalk along Main Avenue and Pilgrim Pathway. Here you will find many fun shops, lively cafés & restaurants. There are lots of things to do in Ocean Grove NJ.
These eating establishments are all BYOB as Ocean Grove is a dry community in deference to its religious roots.
Are you a fan of the Tiny House Movement? If so, you are in for a treat as Ocean Grove is also famous for its tiny cottages built on half lots and also for its numerous tents.
Ocean Grove Beach
oceangrove.org/beach, Are you looking for a pristine, quiet beach to relax, swim, and surf with friends and family? Ocean Grove delivers.
Fodors named Ocean Grove one of its 15 Best Beaches in 2014.
Beach Badges are available at the Beachfront Office located on the Boardwalk at Embury Avenue. Or via the Viply App: viplypass.com/ocean-grove-beach-badges
Admission is $9 daily. A season badge runs $90. Senior Citizen and Youth (12-17) Season Badges are $45.
Daily passes can also be purchased from the attendants at every entrance onto the beach along the Boardwalk.
You can pay in cash or with credit card via the mobile app viplypass.com $10 minimum for credit cards.
There are several excellent services provided on the Ocean Grove Beach. Bathrooms, showers and foot showers are offered free of charge in several locations along the beach near the Boardwalk.
There are two snack shacks on the beach that offer grilled food, cold beverages, snacks, candy and ice cream for sale.
Beautiful wood & canvas beach chairs and sturdy wood & canvas beach umbrellas are available for rent from attendants at two locations on the beach. Once you pay for your chair & umbrella, the attendant will set them up for you in a location of your choosing. The attendant will also retrieve the chair and umbrella at the end of the day.
Lifeguards are on duty from 9AM - 5:30PM.
On Sundays, the Ocean Grove beach opens at 12 Noon.
The late start on Sunday is in deference to Ocean Grove's religious roots and to the Camp Meeting Association's ongoing mission.
The Great Auditorium
21 Pilgrim Pathway, Ocean Grove, 1-732-988-0645, oceangrove.org/summer-stars
The Great Auditorium is the cultural heart of Ocean Grove for both sacred and secular events.
It's a spectacular meeting house of grand, whale-like proportions with excellent acoustics.
There is no air conditioning. But there are massive windows in barn-like doors that slide open to let in the ocean breezes.
During the Summer, the Camp Meeting Association plans a full schedule of activities in the Great Auditorium and also in neighboring structures like Bishop Janes Tabernacle, the Youth Temple, the Pavilion and the Boardwalk Pavilion.
Events include worship services, lectures, musical performances, bake sales, book sales and ice cream socials to name a few.
The music program in Ocean Grove is extensive and diverse: classical, opera, church choirs, military bands, Doo-wop and Pops.
On Saturday nights in the Summer, there is often a popular star or band booked at the Great Auditorium.
Past performers include: Tony Bennett, Peter, Paul & Mary, and the Beach Boys.
Ocean Grove Tents
From Mount Tabor Way to Kingsley Place between New York Avenue & Central Avenue, 1-732-775-0035, oceangrove.org/tents
Tent Life has been thriving in Ocean Grove since the community's earliest days.
At one time, there were 200 tents for every house in Ocean Grove.
Today there are 114 colorful tents pitched roughly in a semi-circle around the Great Auditorium.
Families have rented these tents from the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association for generations.
Yes, the tents are very popular. Yes, there is a waiting list.
Seagrass Restaurant
68 Main Ave, Ocean Grove, 1-732-869-0770, seagrassnj.com
Beautiful & Delicious. Seagrass is an excellent choice for lunch or dinner. BYOB.
I'm a regular there for lunch. I prefer a table outside on the sidewalk in the shade.
I typically start with a cup of their New England Clam Chowdah followed with their delicious Chicken BLT Sandwich.
At lunch, iced tea is my beverage of choice and they traffic in a flavorful variety.
All my needs are met.
Tino's Artisan Pizza Company
50 Main Ave, Ocean Grove, 1-732-775-1639, nojunkpizza.com
Wow, what a find! Formerly known as Osteria Procaccini, they rebranded as Tino's because it's easier to spell and remember.
Whatever you want to call this place, it is an especially delicious Italian Eatery.
Fresh & organic comfort food, with artisanal pizzas & excellent salads.
Sidewalk dining is my preferred option here, and they also have tables & chairs inside.
Take out is also available.
Everything about this place is great. Highly recommended.
The Starving Artist at Days
47 Olin St, Ocean Grove, 1-732-988-1007, starvingartistog.com
An excellent choice for both breakfast and lunch.
During the warmer months be sure to ask for a table outside on the covered porch in their exceedingly charming Tea Room & Garden.
Comfort food with daily specials. If you're looking for Things To Do: Ocean Grove NJ that are unique and delicious then treat yourself to lunch outside on the porch at the Starving Artist. All your needs will be met.
Closed on Wednesday.
The Porch Ocean Grove
73 Main Ave, Ocean Grove, 1-732-366-9076, porchoceangrove.com
This charming restaurant is housed in a magnificent Victorian Mansion.
They traffic in remarkably delicious Crêpes both Sweet and Savory. Plus Smoothies and Salads.
Everything is fresh and delicious.
And if you are in the mood to shop you're in luck as The Porch shares their amazing historic building with a fun gift shop called Gifts by Tina.
Odyssey Coffee
50 Main Avenue, Ocean Grove, 1-732-757-1300, odysseycoffee.net
A classic hipster coffee house in Ocean Grove serving Stumptown Coffee.
Cheese on Main
53 Main Ave, Ocean Grove, 1-732-775-1530, no website
Cute cheese shop run by a charming woman named Susan.
Cheese on Main has a vast selection of domestic and imported cheeses.
The shop also offers a variety of gourmet foods such as oils, vinegars, jams, crackers, fresh olives, pastas, & mustards.
If you need a hostess gift, they make great gift baskets and party platters.
Bradley Beach:
What Are The Best Things To Do in Bradley Beach NJ?
Bradley Beach is charming town that is a bit of a wholesome cousin to Asbury Park.
Physically, it's seven blocks wide and 13 blocks long.
Main Street is bustling with shops, restaurants, cafés, a microbrewery and a lovely old train station set in the town square. There are lots of things to do in Bradley Beach.
The Beach at Bradley Beach
bradleybeachnj.gov, The beach at Bradley Beach is deep, spacious and beautiful.
The town has wisely invested in tall sand dunes which are well-maintained. These high dunes helped shield the town from extensive damage during Hurricane Sandy.
The Boardwalk at Bradley Beach is primarily non-commercial.
There is a cute miniature golf course, several beautiful bocce ball courts and a gazebo for concerts and events.
Food Concession stands are located at Brinley Avenue and at Second Avenue.
A claim to fame for Bradley Beach is the creation of the beach badge. Bradley Beach was the first town in the United States to require a beach badge to go on the beach. The mayor at the time, Frank C. Borden, Jr., decided, after talking to friends and residents of Bradley Beach, that they needed to keep the beaches "seclusive for our residents if the property owners expect to make advantageous rentals in the future."
Today, beach badges are sold to both residents and visitors alike at the Beach Tag booths that are spread out along the 13 blocks of the Boardwalk.
A daily beach pass is $10. A seasonal adult badge is $80.
Badges for seniors (65+) and juniors (13 - 15) cost $30.
Beach badges can be purchased via cash or check in person and online via credit card viplypass.com: viplypass.com/bradley-beach-badges
Public Restrooms are located at Newark, LaReine, Third and Evergreen Avenues.
Showers are located at each beach entrance. Changing Rooms are located and Cliff and Third Avenues.
A Toddler Park for children ages 1-4 is located on Park Place Avenue.
Del Ponte’s Bakery
600 Main Street, Bradley Beach, 1-732-869-1111, delpontesbakerybb.com
Wow! Classic. Old-school. Truly top notch Italian-American Bakery.
Very impressive range of delicious baked goods & breads.
If you yearn for the time before everything came from the supermarket, then this is the place for you.
I especially love their pignoli cookies that are kept stored in the freezers to the right when you walk in.
I'm also addicted to their biscotti.
In the summer, they also traffic in homemade gelato.
I love both their hazelnut & pistachio gelato.
And I pay extra to have a chocolate pistachio biscotti stuck into the top of it.
Perfection! Highly recommended.
Go! This place will put a big smile on your face.
Del Ponte’s Coal Fired Pizza
600 Main Street, Bradley Beach, 1-732-869-0070, delpontescoalfiredpizza.com
From the talented family behind Del Ponte's bakery, the next generation runs this incredibly delicious Coal Fired Pizza restaurant.
And boy, oh, boy do they know what they are doing.
This place is modeled after the original Patsy Grimaldi’s Pizza under the Brooklyn Bridge.
Simple, perfect & delicious.
Excellent salads and sandwiches, too.
BYOB.
It’s located behind Del Ponte’s Bakery, just one store front up Brinley Avenue (aka 6th Avenue) from Main Street.
Bradley Brew Project
714 Main St, Bradley Beach, 1-732-455-8047, bradleybrew.com
The Bradley Brew Project is a nano brewery crafting delicious ales and lagers.
This is a BYOF establishment. So you should Bring Your Own Food from one of the many great places nearby.
If you're looking for things to do in Bradley Beach that are fun & entertaining, then poke your head into the Bradley Brew Project.
Bamboo Leaf
724 Main Street, Bradley Beach, 1-732-774-1661, bambooleafthaieatery.com
Excellent Thai food is not easy to find at the Jersey Shore. The Bamboo Leaf delivers.
All the classics are available in varying degrees of spice to fit your specific taste.
All fresh and all delicious.
Plus they have a liquor license.
Very popular.
If you have a large crowd and it's a weekend you should make a reservation.
The Buttered Biscuit Café
700 Main Street, Bradley Beach, 1-732-807-4069, thebutteredbiscuitcafe.com
While the décor is on the feminine side, there is nothing precious or delicate about the portion sizes here.
They serve a big, hearty & delicious breakfast and lunch.
Extremely popular on weekends.
Expect to wait 15-20 minutes for a table.
Vic’s Italian-American Restaurant
60 Main Street, Bradley Beach, 1-732-774-8225, vicspizza.com
Vic's got its start in 1947 and the decor is classic and locked in time from that era.
Vic’s is a family-friendly, modestly-priced restaurant and bar that knows how to hit the spot.
Pizza, Pasta, Chicken Parmesan, all the crowd pleasers.
The entrées are huge and can easily serve two people.
The thin crust pizza is incredibly delicious but runs small.
Always order the large pizza expect to order a second pie if you are very hungry.
Extremely popular, especially with large families.
Don't be surprised if you have to wait for a table.
They have a large indoor waiting area with benches.
Vic's has become an institution. It's one the major Bradley Beach Attractions.
The Grand Tavern
1105 6th Ave, Neptune City, 1-732-774-0120, thegrandtavern.com
Great restaurant and bar in a funky & stylish space just across the railroad tracks from Bradley Beach in Neptune City.
In warmer weather ask for a seat in the charming backyard or at the outside back bar. Excellent food. Gourmet.
This is not a kid-friendly menu. Even the burger is gourmet.
This place has a hipster feel - it would fit in perfectly on Cookman Avenue is Asbury Park.
The great thing about their location in Neptune City is that parking is easy.
Highly recommended. But don't bring the kids.
Family Fun:
What Are The Best Things To Do with Family in Asbury Park?
Asbury Eighteen Mini Golf
1050 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park, 1-732-897-6538, asburyparkamusements.com
On the boardwalk with great views of the beach and the ocean.
However, the design of this course is very basic.
It's sturdy but not artful. There are no windmills, no whales, no Godzilla's.
It's a lot of astroturf with a few rocks as obstacles.
Shipwreck Island Mini Golf
800 Ocean Avenue, Bradley Beach, NJ, 1-732-774-2937, bradleybeachminigolf.com
This is the real deal.
A classic mini-golf course with all the fun, colorful structures and obstacles built around a shipwreck theme.
Plus there are a lot of features with running water.
On the Boardwalk. Excellent views.
Asbury Splash Park
915 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park, 1-732-897-6538, asburyparkamusements.com
Kids can cool off in the popular Splash Park. Great lounge chairs for parents to relax and watch the fun.
For a good deal, you can buy a joint Splash-N-Putt Pass for both Mini-Golf and the Splash Park. If you have kids then the Asbury Splash Park is one of the Fun things to do in Asbury Park.
Asbury Park Cyclery
1201 Main Street, Asbury Park, 1-732-502-0077, asburyparkcyclery.com
Excellent bike shop. Great place to rent a bike or a surrey.
They also repair bikes and sell cool accessories.
A bike ride through town with friends in a Surrey is classic Jersey Shore. This is an activity that spans the generations. So it's definitely one of the best things to do in Asbury Park.
Hot Sand
550 Cookman Ave #103, Asbury Park, 1-732-927-5475, hotsandap.com
Hot Sand is a very cool glassblowing art studio on Cookman Avenue that has a bunch of interactive activities open to the public.
Great demos and classes.
Plus beautiful glassworks available for purchase.
An excellent place to spend an hour or two, especially on a rainy day.
Bradley Beach Bowl
1217 Main Street, Bradley Beach, 1-732-774-4540, bradleybowling.com
A classic, family-friendly bowling alley.
Combo bowling & pizza parties for kids can be arranged in advance.
While there is no restaurant on the premises, they have a contract set up with a local pizzeria which delivers.
This is the perfect place to spend a few hours on a rainy day.
Asbury Lanes & Diner
209 4th Avenue, Asbury Park, 1-732-361-6659, asburylanes.com
A retro hipster Bowling Alley that is now also an incredibly hip bar, live music venue and a diner. A trip to Asbury Lanes is one of the cool things to do in Asbury Park.
The diner is open 24/7/365.
There are only six lanes at this bowling alley.
On weekdays, bowling opens at 4PM. On the weekend, bowling opens at 11AM.
But be sure to check the website and call ahead, as bowling plays second fiddle to live music.
When big national music acts are booked to play, there will be no bowling allowed.
It can be the perfect place to take the kids on a rainy day, but call ahead to make sure you won’t be colliding with a major music event.
Surfing School:
Things To Do in Asbury Park
Surmmertime Surf & Paddle School
Locations on the beach in both Asbury Park & Bradley Beach, 1-732-599-2700, summertimesurf.com
Private Surfing Lessons and Private Stand Up Paddle Lessons for kids and adults.
They also offer day camps and custom events for surfing and for stand up paddle for kids, for adults, for the whole family, for women and for organizations.
Surfing in Asbury Park is fun, cool and very popular. It's one of the best things to do in Asbury Park.
Parasailing & Banana Boats:
Things To Do in Asbury Park
Belmar Parasailing
608 River Road, Belmar, 1-732-681-8359, belmarparasail.com
Parasailing combines parachuting, ballooning, sailing and gliding all in one ride.
The route runs from Belmar to Asbury Park and then returns to Belmar.
You take off from the flight deck of a 31 foot boat. And you land back on the boat just as gently as you take off.
If you'd like, you can be dropped down for a dip in the ocean during your flight.
And you can request a big dip or a little dip.
Belmar Banana Boat Rides
608 River Road, Belmar, 1-732-681-8359, belmarparasail.com/banana-boat
Climb aboard a 16 foot inflatable banana boat and get towed behind a powerboat along the Jersey Shore beaches from Belmar to Asbury Park.
12 people maximum.
Boat Cruises & Fishing Charters:
Things To Do in Asbury Park
Miss Belmar Princess & Royal Miss Belmar
905 NJ-35, Belmar, 1-732-681-6866, missbelmar.com
Two beautiful boats available for sport fishing, whale watching, and sunset cruises.
Galley on board with a grill offering breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Check the schedule and book online in advance.
These are larger boats that accommodate up to 125 people.
Nick Caruso Enterprises
1651 Martin Road, Wall Township, 1-800-836-TUNA, deepseasportfishing-scubadiving-nj.com
Sport fishing, scuba diving, Andrea Doria wreck scuba diving, whale watching cruise, dolphin watching cruise, bird watching cruise, pleasure cruise, booze cruise, fireworks cruise, birthday party cruise - it's all available here.
These are smaller boats that accommodate up to 55 people.
More Recommendations to Come
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Contact Information
Asbury Park Best Things To Do
39 Pennsylvania Avenue, Ocean Grove, NJ 07756
1-212-729-7566
About The Author
James has over a decade of experience in the Vacation Rental Industry. He owns and operates stunning vacation rental homes in both New Orleans, Louisiana & Ocean Grove, New Jersey. He also sits on the Board of Directors for the Vacation Rental Home Owners Associations in both New Orleans and Ocean Grove.
All of his vacation rental homes are historic and are located in National Historic Districts. Each of his homes has been beautifully restored. For his restoration work, James has won the Beersheba Award for Historic Preservation. His homes have been featured in national magazines including House Beautiful and Martha Stewart Living. And these homes have been used as filming locations for both entertainment and advertising productions.
James is also a gifted writer. He has written numerous travel articles and travel guidebooks on New Orleans, Louisiana and Asbury Park, Ocean Grove & Bradley Beach, New Jersey.
James is a graduate of the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia.
jamesbrubaker@gmail.com
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