This Small Beach Town Was Just Named the Best in the U.S.—and It’s Only 90 Minutes From NYC

Asbury Park, New Jersey is the ultimate city by the sea with a rich rock n’roll history and now an exciting new dining, art, and hotel scene to compliment its gorgeous mile-long beach.

Asbury Park, New Jersey

• The annual, two-day Sea.Hear.Now music, surf, art festival held each September.
• The Sunday night Boardwalk Boogie with DJ Foggy Notion at Low Dive.
• Low Dive, but specifically Sunday nights for Boardwalk Boogie with DJ
• Drinks at Harry’s, the new bar at the St. Laurent Social Club helmed by cocktail maestro Ricardo Rodriguez, formerly of Miami’s Broken Shaker.
• The striking beaux arts Carousel Building on the boardwalk now houses many of the Wooden Walls Project works.
• The loft suites at the Asbury Ocean Club have 11-foot ceilings and landscaped dune grass terraces or ocean-view balconies.

I grew up on the Jersey Shore, about 10 miles south (or four parkway exits) from Asbury Park. During my youth, in the ’80s and ’90s, it was still mostly known as the stomping grounds of Bruce Springsteen, whose 1973 album, “Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.,” put the town on the global music map. Celebrated rock photographer and New Jersey native Danny Clinch photographed Springsteen and many other notable musicians on the then deserted Asbury Park boardwalk.

“Back then bands wanted a gritty album cover with some vibe but they didn’t want a city record,” he says. “Asbury is a block from the beach and you can’t get more vibey. We’d say it was the type of town where you wouldn’t stop at a red light, you just slow down.”

The town’s rebellious spirit and dreamy beach backdrop attracted a who’s who in music, from Duke Ellington in the 1920s to Led Zeppelin, who skipped Woodstock in 1969 to play the Asbury Park Convention Hall.

For years, only die-hard music fans made the trip to Asbury Park in hopes of scoring tickets to shows at legendary venues like the Stone Pony and now-shuttered Saint. A string of setbacks, including economic dips, race riots, and Superstorm Sandy, made it feel like music was the shore town’s only future. But in the early aughts, the LGBTQ+ community invested heavily in the town, restoring its Victorian colonial homes. “Their investments in real estate and business start ups helped fuel the rebirth which we see exploding today,” says Deb Masco, an employee at the Asbury Ocean Club hotel.

The historic boardwalk has been completely reimagined and rivals the coolest street in Brooklyn. “The diversity is incredible,” says Clinch. “You can walk down the boardwalk and see gay, straight, black, white, tattooed, conservative, you name it, types of people,” he says.

The diverse community has fostered creativity that extends beyond music, to the arts, food, and design scenes. “There’s a raw, creative energy that’s hard to describe unless you’ve spent time here,” says Shauna Lagala, complex hotel manager at the Asbury Collection. “It’s weird in the best way—a mix of old-school Jersey, artists, punks, surfers, and people who just don’t want to live anywhere typical. It’s the kind of town where you can grab a cold brew at a café run by someone in a band, then walk five minutes and end up in a tattoo shop or an art gallery.”

With Netflix establishing a major production hub nearby, Asbury’s popularity and entertainment cred is only likely to rise. I know I still find myself flying back each fall to attend Clinch’s Sea.Hear.Now Festival, a gathering of top musicians who also have connections to surf culture and art. The 2025 festival sold out months in advance, so plan ahead.

Why Asbury Park Is the Best Beach Town in the U.S. for 2025

Asbury Park delivers both big city culture and small beach town charm. In recent years, the revitalized Shore town has seen a surge of boutique accommodations, indie shops, art galleries, and fantastic restaurants debut along the boardwalk and downtown. Some of the biggest names in music and surf descended here for the annual Sea.Hear.Now festival, held each September, and it’s not uncommon to have an award-winning musician perform an impromptu jam session in one of the town’s iconic music venues or even a local watering hole.

Where to Stay

The Asbury Hotel

Locals credit the 2016 opening of the Asbury Hotel with kicking off the shore town’s recent wave of tourism. Co-owner David Bowd, of SALT Hotels, masterminded the transformation of a 1950s red brick Salvation Army building located a block and a half from the beach into a retro cool space that draws just as many locals as visitors with its calendar of live music performances in the lobby, rooftop movie nights, and seasonal pool parties. The 100 rooms range from standard doubles to suites and group-friendly bunks for up to eight.

Asbury Ocean Club

The Asbury’s sleek 54-key sister hotel opened in 2019 and wouldn’t feel out of place in South Beach with its rooftop pool and wellness offerings including a spa, gym, and meditation terrace. The vibe is quiet luxury and a bit dressed up. “It’s the kind of place you go when you want to feel a little bougie, but still be in Asbury,” says Lagala.

The St. Laurent Social Club

In 2002, the adults-only St. Laurent Social Club infused new life into a hotel that dated to the 1880s. Each of the 20 minimalist-modern rooms is decorated with a custom surfboard by local artist Lana Macchiaverna and comes with complimentary beach passes and access to the backyard pool. Judy, the hotel’s new restaurant from Top Chef alum David Viana, serves Italian dishes with a Jewish twist.

Things to Do

Hit the Beach

“It’s hard to beat our beaches,” says Clinch. “I’d put them up against any in the country.” The combination of boardwalk patio bars and dining venues, lifeguarded waves, and wide swaths of sand make the mile-long Asbury Park Beach one of the most popular on the Shore during the summer. Arrive early to stake out a spot and remember you need to buy a beach badge (from $7 to $10) between Memorial and Labor Day. Home to the country’s oldest saltwater fishing club, Asbury is a mecca for anglers. “I caught a 500 pound tuna off the beach here,” says Clinch. Throughout summer, the area between the jetties on Deal Lake Drive and Eighth Avenue is designated for surfing. Sign up for a lesson with Summertime Surf. “Fall is best for great waves,” says Scott Szegeski, a local artist and surfer. “The crowds thin and the entire beach is open for surfing.”

Wander the Boardwalk

The boardwalk has been luring vacationers since the 19th century. Travel back in time playing old-school pinball, ’80s video games, Skee Ball, and more at the Silverball Retro Arcade, then get your fortune read at Madame Marie’s Temple of Knowledge. The tiny blue booth has been in business since 1932 and is now run by Marie’s granddaughter. Amusement rides have long disappeared, but that’s part of the appeal, according to Viana. “Most Shore boardwalks feel kid- and family-focused, but the lack of rides draws an older crowd and there are great options for dining and shopping,” he says. Don’t miss new oceanfront venues like AP Rooftop, Mutiny Beach, and Palmetto Southern Kitchen + Bar from Jersey native and Hell’s Kitchen star James Avery.

Listen to Live Music

Music pulses through Asbury Park. You can catch a live show nearly anywhere, from the local bookstore to the beach. Music fans make pilgrimages to the Stone Pony, the legendary venue that launched the careers of Bruce Springsteen and Southside Johnny. “The Stone Pony opens its backyard right off the beach for Summer Stage and they get great acts, like the Head and the Heart,” says Bob McLynn, co-founder of Asbury Park Brewery and Crush Management, which represents bands like Green Day. Wonder Bar and the revamped Asbury Lanes, a bowling alley and music venue, are other classics that bring in big acts.

Take in the Art Scene

Asbury Park’s art scene has become as dynamic as its music culture. “When the city was just coming up Jenn [Hampton] raised money to fund artists to paint over dilapidated warehouses around town that just looked crappy,” recalls Clinch. Her efforts led to the Wooden Walls Project, a public art nonprofit responsible for the collection of permanent murals—many by internationally recognized artists—decorating the once empty walls along the boardwalk. Cookman Avenue has become home to town’s top galleries, including Hampton’s Parlor Gallery, which showcases work from emerging and established talents, along with Art629 and Whitepoint.

Where to Shop

The Asbury Book Cooperative

When the town’s beloved indie bookstore, Words!, was on the brink of closure in 2020, the local community created a cooperative to keep the business alive. The nonprofit  is run by about 50 volunteers and hosts free concerts, author events, and a queer book club. “There is a real sense of community there,” says Lagala. “It’s one of those places where you end up making friends just browsing.”

Glide Surf Co.

Co-founder Phil Browne is locally known as the “Surfboard Man.” His shop stocks 20 to 30 handmade boards, along with wetsuits and responsibly sourced, coastal-inspired apparel and accessories. Glide Surf Co. is the only spot on the East Coast that carries boards made by acclaimed shaper Ryan Lovelace.

Style Rocket

Mike Pimco, former frontman of punk pop band Kid with Man Head and co-founder of Asbury Park Brewery, runs this clothing and accessories boutique at the south end of the boardwalk. The store frequently hosts DJ performances and fashion shows.

Transparent Clinch Gallery

Grammy-nominated photographer Danny Clinch displays and sells his prints of rock n’ roll icons including the Boss (aka Bruce Springsteen), Eddie Vedder, and Debbie Harry at this gallery space that frequently doubles as a music venue.

Where to Eat and Drink

Shucked by Local 130 Seafood

The team behind sustainably sourced seafood shop Local 130 recently opened this intimate oyster bar on the boardwalk inside Convention Hall. In addition to a rotating selection of east and west coast oysters, the menu features fish sammys and Jersey-caught crudos. Viana ranks their dayboat scallops brought in from the nearby shore towns of Point Pleasant and Barnegat Light as some of the “best in the world.”

Talulas

Husband and wife Steve and Shanti Mignogna’s backyard pizza oven inspired this Asbury Park institution known for its sourdough crust pies and vegan-friendly menu. “They pioneered a culture for whimsical food that prioritized ingredients and taste and they still do it really well,” says Viana.

Asbury Park Brewery

Asbury Park Brewery opened in an old warehouse in 2016 and instantly earned a cult following with beer nerds and touring bands. Last May the brewery debuted shiny new downtown digs inspired by Japanese listening bars. A wall of 8,000 vinyl records frames 12 taps that pour both seasonal (Watermelon Summer) and signature beers (Sea Dragon IPA) and a mural by local artist Porkshop pays homage to the town’s musical roots. Live bands play here regularly, so check their online events calendar.

Frank’s Deli & Restaurant

“This is the quintessential Jersey diner,” says Viana, noting the thick, laminated menu, formica-topped booths, bottomless black coffee, and cash-only policy. When the late Anthony Bourdain visited Frank’s, he ordered the No. 4 sub (salami, ham, capicola, pepperoni, provolone, and hot peppers). Viana prefers breakfast. “Their corned beef hash is second to none,” he says. Szegeski sends friends for the pork roll, egg, and cheese, Jersey’s unofficial state sandwich.

CatBird

Sunset Landing, a locally loved luncheonette housed in a historic cabin on the shores of Deal Lake at the entrance to town, was reopened last year by an alum of Asbury favorites Porta and Talulas. “It’s the new hot spot,” says Masco. “With awesome sunset views, the deck is the place to be. Order the Big G burger and a mocktail.” Take note: The restaurant is walk-in only and BYOB.

The Best Times to Visit

No longer a seasonal destination, Asbury Park’s businesses now largely stay open year round. “As a local, I probably shouldn’t say this, but local summer is the sweet spot,” says Teresa Dantone, referring to September and early October. The senior food and beverage managers at Asbury Ocean Club notes that by then the crowds are gone, the kids are in school, the beaches are free, the humidity fades, and it’s easy to nab a parking spot anywhere in town.

How to Get There

Part of Asbury Park’s appeal is its accessibility. It’s about a 90-minute drive (exit 102 on the Garden State Parkway) from New York City and Philadelphia. Avoid the inevitable summer traffic and take New Jersey Transit’s North Jersey Coast Line from New York City’s Penn Station or Newark Liberty International Airport directly to town. At just 1.6 square miles, nearly everything is walkable or bikeable once you’ve arrived.

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