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Asbury Park Beach
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
24 reviews for Asbury Park Beach
24 reviews in English
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Review from Natalie P.
Linden, NJ
5/25/2012 1 Check-in Here
Gritty, ladiback and awesome. There is nothing I don't like about Asbury Park. You always feel like you are in the middle of something cool and also feel a little bit like you might get mugged. Good times!
You can't beat the live music at The Stone Pony and the iconic symbols and landmarks around town. Nothing cooler on the Jersey Shore. -
Review from Brenda B.
Phoenix, AZ
5/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
My boyfriends day usta live here, so it was a trip down memory lane for him. He told me what it was like, and said he was very sad it had fallen into such disarray. It looks as if it is slowly being restored , and eventually will come around. But coming from seaside, it was a bit of a let down. Loved seeing the inside of the stone pony, lots of legendary bands have played there. Lots of cool memorabilia inside of the bar . The beach looked clean.
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Review from Tara M.
Asbury Park, NJ
10/19/2011 10 Check-ins Here
All I can think about in the summertime is going down to the Asbury beach. It's cheaper than most other pay beaches, less crowded, and has way more character. Where else can you sunbathe within view of an abandoned old relic (casino bldg) on one side and a beautifully restored landmark (Convention Hall) the other?
It's also worth noting that Asbury is the only NJ beach where I've had dolphin and whale sightings. Sure beats paying for a whale tour in Wildwood or Cape May.
The south side is where most of the action is, with plenty of shops, restaurants and attractions. If you're looking for a mellower, less crowded experience, head through Convention Hall to the north beach.
Watch out if you plan to swim in mid-late August it's around this time that the salps and jellyfish show up. I've been stung by these jellyfish plenty of times, but the sting is extremely mild so it's more annoying than dangerous. -
Review from Helen L.
6/14/2011
The beach is beautiful!
The water was gentle and although still cold, not crazy-cold. Coming from San Francisco, where my toes can't handle touching the water for more than a second, this was nice. The beach is small, but nice, not too crowded. Man-made, I'm assuming? Anyone know?
Here's the thing...
Here's why it's not a five-star beach for me...
What's with having to pay to play on the beach before 6pm? I come from a land of beaches and not once have I paid to get on a beach! I don't get it! GF says it's the norm. She pointed out the cleanliness of the beach. She pointed out the lifeguards on duty. She pointed out the well-kept boardwalk. Somebody needs to pay for all that, right? Eh, I guess. I didn't pay. I waited till it was free.
GF has memories of coming here as a child. She says they did a good job fixing up this deserted old place. The old buildings that surround the beach are still up: some noticeably re-done, some well-maintained with original details, and one marvelous, intricate and ornate building, hollowed-out with patina all over! Gorgeous!Listed in: Earth, Wind & Water (East)
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Review from Kurt I.
Pluses vs minuses.
Positive side : history, the beach itself was cleaner than expected, its a beach (it can't be that bad if it borders the ocean).
Negatives : It's NJ (so pour me a glass of haterade), I wish they would make the old casino awesome again, I hate pay beaches.
Asbury could be f'n awesome again but I do always have a killer time. -
Review from Pinky And The B.
Manhattan, NY
Updated - 7/8/2011 24 photos
The best time of the year to go to the shore and get in the water is July. After July the jelly fish take over the shore. In June the water is usually a little too cold. I know many New Yorkers take August off for vacation but after decades of going to the shore I can say July is really the best time to swim other wise the swimming conditions are not great. There are frequent drownings at the shore because of the rip currants. I have been swimming on Hawaiian beaches and though the waves may be higher the waters are more calm. The Jersey shore is a surfers paradise but it can be dangerous. If you are only used to NY beaches NJ beaches might be too much for you as a swimmer or surfer.
While at the shore July 2cnd though the 6th drownings were on the news every day locally.
http://longbranch.patc...
http://www.nj.com/news...
http://www.nj.com/news...
Here is an informative video about Asbury Park last year and about the pod of whales that were frolicking right off the beach. ( you usually won't find that at NY beaches) http://www.youtube.com...
It is just amazing the turn around for the good in Asbury Park. Here is a helpful site I found called Asbury Park then and now. http://www.drakkar91.c...
There is a heavy police presence on the board walk and it is still not as nice as surrounding towns on the outskirts but the beach and board walk have been cleaned up and are pretty safe now. A few years ago it was not safe to go there. The last few years it has just been getting better and better. The fire works on July 4th are just beautiful!
There is also a section of the beach for dogs to go on off hours. http://www.youtube.com...
There is a bus from Port Authority to Asbury Park.
http://www.njtransit.c...
Or to get to Asbury Park, buy an inexpensive day return train ticket on New Jersey Transit from New York Penn Station to Asbury Park Station. Check schedules and fares online.
There is now local theater and outside performances. http://www.local.com/e...
Asbury Park has beach parties. http://www.youtube.com...
They have dancing on the beach and performances on the beach.
There is a cute little "water park on the board walk for children.
http://apboardwalk.com...
Asbury Park is a little different from the rest of the Jersey shore because of it's many years of decline , since it is now coming back up it attracts a different crowd than the rest of the shore. Many who go to Asbury Park are from NYC and Northern NJ as to where the other shore towns though they attract tourist the crowds are largely made up of shore families. I really enjoy myself when I go there much more so than at any NY beach however it does not have the typical shore feel. But it has the greatest fire works I have seen on any beach , the nicest lounge I have ever been to on any beach community. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
One thing that is great about most shore towns especially Asbury Park and Ocean Grove it is comfortable and does not seem to attract too many posers or those just looking to show off on the beach like NY beaches. It seems most are there to have a good time!Listed in: Excape from New York, Jersey shore beaches
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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7/8/2010
We went to Asbury Park for the fire works this year. There were many new restaurants and lounges on… Read more »
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Review from Amanda C.
11/17/2010
One of my favorite North Jersey Beaches. Clean and well maintained beach.
I really like the weird kinda dilapidated surroudings of the Asbury Park of the 50's and 60's. The newer additions on the boardwalk are great, healthy food retailers and a family friendly vibe.
Gay friendly, Cheap beach tags, Cheap parking, Easy to get to, Doesn't get super crowded like some other beaches.Listed in: Down the shore, Where the gays go.
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Review from Suge K.
San Francisco, CA
7/11/2007 2 photos
When I was young I used to come here. That was back when there was an amusement park on the boardwalk and the Casino was still open (it wasn't a gambling casino, it was a fun house and carousel). And then I hit puberty and I had the hugest crush on a lifeguard who worked on the beach here. His name was Cyril and he was a Greek god and he pulled the hugest splinter out of my foot one day. I was gaga over him from that day forward. He was my knight in shining armor. And did I mention that he was hot?
I also made out with a boy for the first time under the boardwalk here. Cliche, I know. But that's what happens when you're young and you live in a climate where you can actually go to the beach at night in the summer.
Then Asbury turned into more of a ghetto and I spent my summers in Loch Arbor - because it was closer to my house, because all of my friends went there, and because my parents allowed me to go there alone (I only disobeyed them at night - you have to draw the line somewhere). So I left Asbury for several years, unless I was going to watch hurricanes and nor'easters hit - the jetties off Asbury were incomparable for that.
Then I moved to a fantastic loft in Asbury and my friends and I bought beach badges. This is the best beach on the shore and if I still lived there I'd never let you in on the secret. The beach is huge, everyone there is either nice or pretends you don't exist, the boardwalk food is great, and it's cheap as hell.
If you want a beach to relax with your best friends and spend the entire day laughing and swimming and tanning and making jackasses out of yourselves and watching the fireworks explode over your heads on the fourth of July - this is your spot. If you want a scene, look elsewhere. If you want to talk about how shitty the beaches in Jersey are, pretend you never read this - everyone is better off without you knowing the truth.
The lifeguards aren't as hot as my old love Cyril, but I doubt anyone is.Listed in: This is My Hometown
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Review from Liana L.
Brooklyn, NY
7/31/2009
New fav beach! Lots of hot, oiled up gay men. Volleyball nets. Fireworks every Wednesday. CUBAN SANDWICHES ON THE BOARDWALK.
CUBAN
SANDWICHES
ON THE FUCKING
BOARDWALK.
I want a Cuban sandwich. -
Review from S N.
Brooklyn, NY
5/23/2010
This beach is weird. As a beach - it's got a boardwalk and sand, which is all you really need for a beach.
Its surroundings are just straight up STRANGE. There is the abandoned, busted, beautiful casino and... smelter? building. There is the creepy playground with the giant, oversized, neon furniture. There are the bathrooms made out of old shipping containers. It feels abandoned and weird, which is exactly what I wanted. -
Review from Katie W.
7/13/2008
I like this beach. It doesn't have as much stuff on the boardwalk as some of the other beaches, and they are still constructing (and reconstructing) a ton of stuff near the beach, but I liked it here. It was not nearly as difficult to find parking as at other beaches, the sand was soft, it was not quite as crowded as other beaches, and it was just nice. My friend lives in Asbury Park and I had been told by other people not to go the AP beach because it was not as nice as other beaches but I have to dispute that. Since it's close, I don't see any reason to go to another beach unless you want something else in particular.
They are definitely adding more attractions to the boardwalk area: miniature golf just opened, they have a few new restaurants, they have Ralph's Italian Ice, Wonder Bar and the Stone Pony are nearby and there are a bunch of new shops. I think this is a great beach to go to and a little more low-key than some others. I'm sure I'll never be back but I liked it. -
Review from Scott E.
Manhattan, NY
6/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
One of the best beaches in NJ. Asbury brings it's own personality; diverse, eclectic, artistic and fun to the NJ beach scene. No Jersey Shore cheese here - clean beaches, great restaurants and nightlife abound. Even the "quicker" restaurants are more gourmet than other boardwalks with Metro cooking up fresh burgers and more and up on the 7th ave beach Johnnie G's serving as a tradition staple with some of the best "cart" food ever made.
This is a beach worth visiting. And parking is even reasonable for a shore town! -
Review from Andy S.
Denver, PA
9/5/2011
My wife and I visit the Jersey and Delaware shores frequently during the summer. We decided to do something different than our usual spots in Cape May and Ocean City and headed to the beach at Asbury Park. It was an extremely nice change of pace from the usual. Lots of outdoor restaurants, surrounded by history with remnants of the old carousel and casino, and overall a very pleasant environment. I'm originally from New York, so it was also nice to hear all of those New York accents!
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Review from Melissa H.
New York, NY
4/16/2009
I've had amazing memories here. Even things that sort of sucked bring a smile on my face because it was on the sands of Asbury. Time has past and now the boardwalk is becoming very family friendly. An adorable ice cream shop, spanish restaurant, (TOO EXPENSIVE FOR NOTHING) apparel and sunglass shops....
.. sometimes I miss when it was overcrowded with 15-18 year olds setting pizza boxes on fire for warmth before shows at the convention hall but what can you do? -
Review from Dave W.
Updated - 7/19/2009 7 photos
Went there last night after a day at Point Pleasant. My wife and I walked the boards at Point Pleasant and had a lot of fond memory flashbacks of weekends at the shore. But ...
We then drove up to AP for a glass of wine and were happy to see the boardwalk crowded, restaurants with lines at 9pm and a great fireworks display (not as good as the Fourth, but nice).
The Beach Bar (I wish they had the flowing curtains and flags like last year) at the Convention Hall had loud, thumping music going on before, during and after the fireworks and the Summerstage at The Stone Pony was going strong with people lined up along the boardwalk and at Watermark to listen to the show and watch the action on stage.
Up and down the boardwalk every place was just filled with people eating, drinking and just having a good time. It's not the "old time boardwalk" of my youth but rather a clean boardwalk offering something for everyone. Miniature golf was going strong and I wish the water park stayed open at night.
I don't get paid for this, but try going down and see what you are missing.Listed in: The Places I Go Out
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/6/2009
My wife and I love Asbury Park and have been watching the rebirth over the past 4 years. No matter… Read more »
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Review from MandA R.
Scotch Plains, NJ
7/4/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Very nice and well maintained beach. You can buy your beach pass at one of the outrageously priced parking meters. The north side of Convention Hall looks to be a bit more quiet than the main beach section.
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Review from evan f.
Englishtown, NJ
5/21/2011 4 Check-ins Here
What a great beach! Its different then Seaside and Belmar ( not sleazy and disgusting) Good restaurants and shops, dog friendly, and fireworks every wednesday? I love this place!
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Review from Clare C.
Neptune, NJ
7/19/2010
Gotta agree with Susan's review. The beach is definitely weird. There are some really good restaurants in the area - Langosta Lounge and Stella Marina are right there. But the beach... I dunno - might be worth the extra $2-3 to go to Bradley Beach or Avon.
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Review from Doug S.
Jersey City, NJ
6/22/2010
I bought a weekend home in Asbury a few years back and it was one of the best decisions I ever made. Its got the beach, boardwalk, fresh salty air and small town friendliness along with active nightlife and restaurant scene you need to revive yourself on the weekends, all within an accessible 90 min train/car ride from Jersey City/NYC. This place is not for everyone; contingent on liking Asbury Park is embracing its diverse and funky vibe. Black, white, latino,gay, straight, preppy, rock and roll, singles and families all somehow have their place here, and it just works. If you "get it", you will be hooked. And yes, the beach itself is beautiful.
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Review from Kelly K.
10/11/2010 4 Check-ins Here
This beach is on the rebound along with the rest of town. I like the part of the beach at the Northeast side where there are pretty dunes with wild flowers, butterflies, song birds, steps from the parking area. Beach is best for walking and people like to bring their dogs for play dates in the Fall.
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Review from Su R.
3/7/2010
As of 2 years ago, my new favorite beach in NJ, maybe anywhere. Used to be rundown and is now fantastic, thanks in big part i've heard to the gay community. very open minded town with lots of variety and style. gay or straight you are welcome here. there is not as much on the boardwalk as some other local ones, but that is what is unique about it. I have outgrown the seaside heights style of loud amusements and kids. On the A.p. boardwalk, there are shops, some upscale, as well as some nice dining places. there is a kids water park too, very cute. they do charge 5 bucks to go on the beach, but after 5pm, it is free, you are just without a lifeguard. convention hall has lots to offer as do wonder bar, and the stone pony clubs. fireworks on the beach every wedn in the summer. I'll say it again, i love this beach!
Listed in: A few of my favorite places…
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Review from Sherry T.
Hoboken, NJ
8/6/2011
Slow, slow, slow workers who are not very bright either. Took 3 people 10 minutes to make a frozen drink and get 2 medium ices together. I was there on a TUESDAY afternoon - so it's not like they were exhausted from a weekend rush.
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Review from michael a.
Brooklyn, NY
2/20/2010 1 photo
This beach was nice and clean but my only problem is they charge you $5 to use the beach during the summer(im from new york city so paying for a beach is insane to me)other then that its cool
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Review from Tim C.
Red Bank, NJ
8/20/2008
The best beach on the Jersey Shore. I'm sooooo glad that Asbury Park is BACK!!!! All the new construction is going GREAT. This has been a GREAT summer!! 2009 promises to be even better. Stop by and catch some rays on one of New Jersey's Best Beaches, then cruise the Boardwalk and head Downtown for food and shopping. Only in Asbury Park!!!
Listed in: The Places I Go Out, My Neighborhood
