ASBURY PARK: a perfect stop for shopping, sipping, and staying cozy indoors with your pup…read more Convention Hall is part of the boardwalk, so it follows the same seasonal rules, leashed and friendly dogs are welcome from 9/15-5/15. Inside you will find a mix of unique shops offering clothing, accessories, home decor, gifts, plus spots to grab coffee, desserts, snacks, and drinks. The open space also hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including the Asbury Park Bazaar that highlight local makers and small businesses. One note to know before you go: the main sit-down restaurants no longer allow dogs due to the landlord's rules, but there is still plenty to explore and enjoy with your four-legged friend.

One of the coolest parts of Asbury Park is the historic architecture, and Convention Hall is a a…read moregreat example. It's home to the Paramount Theater along with a mix of shops and restaurants. It's a unique space, great for getting out of the summer sun (or winter wind), but it can also be a bit disorienting as the sound bounces all over the place and many of the shops have different hours. Still, it's a unique building, great for browsing, shopping for knick-knacks, or a decent meal. It's not my go-to area for shopping or food, but if you're by the beach, it's not bad at all!

InfoAge is an interesting museum covering multiple aspects of technology with an intersection of…read moremilitary and railroad history. It's a unique place. VCF East is held at the museum annually, which was the reason for my visit.

Awesome museum. A must see if you visit the area and like…read morescience-radio- astronomy-local history. Very dedicated volunteers. A

Quaint little bowling alley, you can wear your own shoes. Ample paid parking. Right next to the…read morebeach. You can order food from the diner. Drinks were good and you can't beat the price. 13.00 dollars for 2 hours. They do only have 6 lanes so reservations are recommended.

This is strictly a concert review (not bowling). A few…read morefriends and I attended a PJ Morton show. Great venue for a concert, standing room only (not really my first preference these days), parking is available but goes fast (early arrival gives the best opportunity). We did not have the food. The service as far as entering the venue, showing your tickets, etcetera was seamless. Again, there's no vip seating or box seats, it's a bowling alley turned concert venue so general admission/first come first serve rules apply. My only gripe would be how cold it was inside. Of course, the more crowded, the less chilly. But still, you could feel a draft whenever the doors opened. Overall, we had a wonderful time. I'd go again!

OCEAN GROVE: do you LIKE Ocean Grove Chamber of Commerce? It is a great page to follow for the…read morelatest happenings at this adorable seaside town. They have plenty of dog friendly events including flea markets, arts and craft shows, car shows, and seasonal festivities! The town is also fun to walk around to see all the Victorian homes and the downtown vibe of Main Ave.'s shopping. The beach and boardwalk are dog friendly from 10/1-4/30! There is also a special treat as you walk down Main Ave towards the beach. One of the houses is known as "The Good House" and offers treats and water for the pups! It is run by the sweetest lady, Joan. Stop by and say hello!

I've been coming here for the past number of summers and each time is enjoyable. Historically a…read moremethodist town that is a boxed neighborhood dating back many, many decades. Today it retains it's historical character but serves many beach goers in the summer months. Though Ocean Grove is small town it has a lot crammed into its 10 or so blocks - including a mini neighborhood of historic tent houses passed down through the generations of the owners, many small businesses, bed and breakfasts, restaurants religious venues and more. What I like most about being here is the care and unique look many of the houses have. The other being how friendly people are here. So many people will great you while you're out walking or while they're chilling on their porches. Ocean Grove is what many neighborhoods and communities should try to be as far as care to the houses and kindness of the residents.

The Secret Behind the Magic of The Stone Pony is Community…read more There is something about The Stone Pony that goes beyond music. What made the venue legendary was never the walls, the bar, or even the stage lights. It was the community. In the 1970s and 1980s, Asbury Park became a kind of laboratory for musicians. Night after night, artists gathered in clubs along the Jersey Shore to play, experiment, collaborate, and refine their craft in front of real audiences. The Stone Pony became one of the central meeting points for this growing creative ecosystem. Musicians sat in with each other's bands, traded ideas, tested new songs, and sometimes performed several nights a week. Instead of guarding their talent, they shared it. Instead of competing, they elevated one another. Out of that environment emerged artists who would later become internationally known, including Bruce Springsteen, Southside Johnny, and Steven Van Zandt. They were shaped by thousands of hours playing together in small rooms filled with passionate listeners. The sound that developed in Asbury Park reflected this collaboration. It blended rock, soul, rhythm and blues, and big-band horn arrangements into what many came to call the Jersey Shore sound. Part of what made this ecosystem so special was the geography. Within just a few walkable blocks were other gathering places where musicians and fans flowed throughout the night, including Asbury Lanes, Tim McLoone's Supper Club, and the legendary Wonder Bar, all just steps from the Atlantic Ocean and the Asbury Park boardwalk. Music, ocean air, and a close-knit creative community blended together in a vibrant hub where musicians could play one venue and then wander down the block to hear another band. My curiosity about this history grew from a personal place. Over the past year my son, Chris Renner, a young guitar player who has only been playing for two years, has had the opportunity to perform rock cover songs on stages throughout Asbury Park. Chris's playing has reminded many listeners of the legendary precision and melodic passion of Randy Rhoads. His style focuses on melodic solos and phrasing influenced by classical music rather than typical head-banging metal. Because of the NJ music community, Chris has already had the opportunity to perform as lead guitarist on stages including The Stone Pony, Asbury Lanes, Tim McLoone's, Wonder Bar, and even the Ozzy Osbourne Tribute Show at the Cutting Room in Manhattan. Watching him step onto those stages sparked a deeper interest in the story behind the NJ music scene and the culture that continues to nurture musicians today. One of the most interesting aspects of the Asbury Park scene is how cover music and original music live side by side. Many bands begin by performing well-known songs while gradually introducing their own material. The cover band scene plays an important role. It allows musicians to build stage experience, connect with audiences, and become part of the local circuit. Those shared songs create a common language between bands and fans and foster a welcoming camaraderie. Something even more inspiring has been happening recently. Several of Chris's friends from the local music community have begun forming their own original bands and performing their own songs. Chris loves supporting them, showing up to their shows and cheering them on as they cheer him. This is how music scenes grow. Musicians celebrate the music that inspired them, refine their skills through live performance, collaborate with other players, and eventually discover their own voice. Even today the Stone Pony carries that legacy. Musicians still show up, plug in, and play. Fans still crowd close to the stage the way they did decades ago. Great cultural movements rarely begin in boardrooms or corporate offices. They begin in communities, in small venues, shared stages, and the willingness of people to create together. The Stone Pony and the Asbury Park music community are proof that when talent, opportunity, and collaboration come together in one place, something extraordinary can happen. Joanna Renner NJ Realtor | Life Coach Proud Mom of Musician Chris Renner 646-296-6864

We went to The Stone Pony for Halloween to catch the Splintered Sunlight show, and it was an…read moreabsolute blast! The sound was incredible--clear, powerful, and perfect for the energy of the night. You can really feel why this venue is so iconic. The bartenders were fantastic, super friendly, fast, and kept the drinks flowing even with the big crowd. The whole atmosphere was fun, lively, and full of good vibes from start to finish. Everyone--from staff to fellow concert-goers--added to the experience. If you're looking for a great night out with amazing music, a fun crowd, and top-notch service, The Stone Pony never disappoints. Can't wait to go back!

I can't believe the city of Ashbury Park, New Jersey charges people access to the beach by making…read morethem buy a wrist band to put your wrist before walking on to the sand during the summer months. What a tourism killer. Glad I was only here a day before deciding to bring my family here for a holiday weekend get away. I could understand a charge if there was an outdoor concert on the beach but for every day use is ridiculous. Taxing people for access to swim in the ocean means only the privilege rich people are allowed. Even the rich movie stars in Malibu California let us sit on their beaches without charging us. Giving a warning to all tourist, don't waste your money in New Jersey unless you want to be nickeled and dime you in taxes!

This is a great beach. It is private and you do have to pay six dollars per person. If you end up…read morepaying through the app, you have to pay a little bit extra but it is easy to just walk up to the kiosk and buy the tickets in person as well. The staff is friendly and they don't really bother you, the water is very cold if you go on a day where it is less than 90°. The beach is very clean and we were pleased at the accessibility of bathrooms and being able to go back to the boardwalk. It is not overcrowded since it's a paid beach. I felt safe going here however we did end up getting a ticket because it took me a little while to figure out the parking meter and my car was parked for more than five minutes without the ticket so stay with your car until you have parking paid.

Awesome eclectic artwork from amazing artists. Simply breathtaking artwork within the remaining…read morecarousel walls and a great use of historical space

I enjoy soulless mall theaters for their steep slope seating big bathrooms easy parking…read more So encountering an art house in 2018 is a new kind of bless while still taking movies seriously. An A picture at Metro. Thank you Showroom family

Saw a movie here with my family on a Saturday afternoon. We parked on the street and bought tickets…read morewhen the box office opened. They have discounts for students! While we waited we went to the thrift store down the street. The theater we were in had about 20 seats. It was nice to see many people just come watch independent films by themselves. This is new for my family and I but we would love to do it again and will definitely come back here for another indie movie!