Asbury Park: Beaches, Surfing and Music History

Asbury Park brings together a roughly one-mile stretch of beach and waterfront, surfing, music history and places along the boardwalk. If you’re looking for a hotel in Asbury Park, first decide what you want to focus on during your stay: time by the water, cultural history or recreational activities.

Beach and Surfing

The beach and waterfront area of Asbury Park is roughly one mile long. For centuries, it has drawn surfers, swimmers, sunbathers, anglers and spectators. The coastline appeals to a range of interests, from water sports to spending time at the beach.

The stretch of beach between the groins at Deal Lake Drive and Eighth Avenue is reserved exclusively for surfing; swimming is not permitted there. Be sure to confirm the seasonal dates for this surfing beach before your visit. Summertime Surf offers surf lessons and a surf camp on the beach between Eighth Avenue and Deal Lake Drive. Program details may change, so check the latest information and dates if you’re planning to take a lesson or attend the camp.

Boardwalk and Recreational Activities

The Asbury Park boardwalk is fully accessible. Every beach entrance has ramps down to the sand and portable beach mats. The beach playgrounds at 2nd Avenue and 7th Avenue are free to access; a beach pass is not required. These details distinguish the playground access requirements from the activities on the water.

The Asbury Park Spray Park is a free public outdoor water park open to residents and visitors. The boardwalk also has mini golf and the Silverball Retro Arcade, which pays homage to pinball and video games. The boardwalk offers a range of recreational activities, while the Spray Park has its own particular appeal.

Music History

The Stone Pony opened its doors on February 8, 1974. A live concert broadcast from the venue brought The Stone Pony and Asbury Park into the national spotlight in 1976. During the warmer months, The Stone Pony’s Summer Stage draws a changing lineup of artists. The broadcast is part of the venue’s history; the Summer Stage represents its seasonal program.

Boardwalk Architecture

The Asbury Park Convention Hall and Paramount Theatre complex is a distinctive feature of the boardwalk. It includes a theater, an exhibition hall and an arcade with shops and entertainment. Shortly after Asbury Park was founded, a boardwalk was built with an orchestra pavilion, public changing rooms and a pier extending into the Atlantic Ocean. The boardwalk’s history thus stretches from its early facilities to the buildings and attractions found there today.

Historic Sites and Exhibitions

The Stephen Crane House was built in 1878 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2015. It is one of the oldest surviving houses in Asbury Park. Open tours for individuals and small groups are available on Sundays from 12 to 2 p.m.; tours are also available by appointment. If you’re planning a visit, confirm the hours in advance.

The Asbury Park Museum’s exhibitions are displayed at the historic Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel at 1401 Ocean Avenue and are accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The current multimedia exhibition, “More Than A Beach Town: The Commercial Rise of Asbury Park,” highlights commercial buildings and businesses established between 1871 and the 1940s. It complements a visit to historic buildings with a look at the economic development of the time.

Kayaking on Deal Lake

There is a kayak storage rack at the Deal Lake Boat Launch, at the intersection of Main Street and 7th Avenue. Since its availability and any rental terms may change, check the latest information before making plans. This spot adds another way to connect with the water to the options for beaches, the boardwalk and local history.

Discover more destinations: Wall Township, Hazlet, Howell, Belmar, Highlands, Middletown, Avon-By-The-Sea, Fair Haven.

For the broader travel guide: Monmouth.