Love Asbury Park! And experiencing the wonderful art murals…read moreby Wooden Walls Public Art Project ! Came to see the new and old mural! So great that there is now pizza box recycling containers on the boardwalk! As well as AED!

IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR... JERSEY SHORE SEASON, BABY!!! Beach days are back and so is heavier…read moretraffic on the Garden State Parkway ;) I kicked off the summer at one of my favorite beaches in Jersey, Asbury Park. This vibrant beach city is known for its thriving art scene, LGBTQ+-inclusive culture, and historic rock-and-roll music venues. I'm a seasoned beach gal, so here's everything you need to know to make the most of your visit: PARKING: Paid parking is in full effect 7 days a week from 9AM-2AM, so don't bother looking for free parking unless you want to park blocks from the waterfront. There are plenty of spots near the beach, but on weekends you have to arrive EXTRA early to snag one. Your options are... -Metered street parking (hourly) -Lots with a flat rate for the day (way more $$$) -Bangs Avenue Garage (hourly) ADMISSION: Daily passes are $7 (weekdays) and $10 (weekends/holidays) per person. You can buy a daily pass or seasonal badge online or in person at ticket booths on the boardwalk. It's FREE for... -Children 12 and under -Active military and their dependents -Veterans -Anyone who comes after 5pm (weekdays) & 6pm (weekends/holidays) BEACH & AMENITIES: The beach is very clean, the sand is soft, and the water has gotten so much clearer and bluer over the years. The only downside is the crowds. It gets packed on weekends, so you may not have as much space as you'd like. I always bring my own chair and cooler and have a grand time sunbathing! Other perks... -Umbrella and chair rentals -Public bathrooms, beach showers, and water bottle filling stations -Free beach playgrounds -Designated fishing & surfing areas -Dog beach BOARDWALK: One perk of Asbury Park is that the beach is SUPER close to the boardwalk. It's only 1 mile long, so it's completely walkable. There's so much art here, so don't forget to check out the stunning Wooden Walls murals. I swear I always discover a new installation every time I visit. FOOD/ENTERTAINMENT/NIGHTLIFE: There's a lot to do here! Food options range from grab-and-go spots to fancier sit-down restaurants: -Jersey Shore grub (funnel cakes, fries, pizza) -MOGO -Porta -The Robinson Ale House -Tim McLoone's Supper Club -Stella Marina Bar The nightlife here is filled with live music, beach bars, and rooftops like... -The Stone Pony (Hellooooo, Bruce Springsteen and Bon Jovi) -Wonder Bar -Asbury Lanes (bowling alley that doubles as a concert venue) -Watermark -Silverball Museum Arcade -Convention Hall (hosts concerts & events) And that's why Asbury Park is such an incredible beach city. People can talk all the smack they want about Jersey, but I still deeply love all 141 miles of our beautiful shoreline.