Monmouth County, the northernmost county of the Jersey Shore, is a popular destination known for its Atlantic Ocean coastline, warm beaches, entertaining boardwalks, and quiet seaside communities. Visitors travel from around the East Coast to visit Monmouth County miles of beaches and boardwalks in Bradley Beach, Neptune, Belmar, and Asbury Park.
Ranked as having one of the best beaches in the state, Asbury Park is synonymous with the Jersey Shore and is characterized by its vibrant past. A vacation hotspot in the late nineteenth century through the 1920s, history still runs through the streets of this shore city. Structures of Victorian, Gothic, Federal Revival and Moderne architecture still stand as a true testament to the historical value of Asbury Park. In addition to the historical significance of the area, Asbury Park boasts a seaside-culture defined by various restaurants, studios, galleries, antique shops, and boutiques. Asbury Park is also known for its place in music history as a haven for rock and roll musicians. Of its many musical venues, The Stone Pony Online (founded in 1974) is Asbury Park’s most renowned; the venue was made popular by many musical acts, but perhaps the most famous is New Jersey’s "boss," Bruce Springsteen.
One of the most beautiful places to visit in Monmouth County, and perhaps in all of New Jersey, is Sandy Hook. Spanning seven-miles of alluring beaches, Sandy-Hook is ideal for swimming and relaxing in the sun all within view of the Manhattan skyline. But what makes this barrier peninsula unique is its natural wildlife setting that co-exists with its sunny beaches. As part of the Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook is home to hundreds of species of migratory birds and other wild plants and animals. For city-lovers, Wall Street is only forty minutes by ferry from the Sandy Hook area. Lighthouses add to the uniqueness of the Sandy Hook shoreline. A tour of the Sandy Hook Lighthouse, the oldest working lighthouse in the United States, adds a dash of history into this organically vibrant area.
From the coastal towns of Monmouth County, it is easy to reach the New Jersey Parkway to head south to other popular shore points, such as Seaside Heights, Point Pleasant, and Wildwood. Travelers also head south of Monmouth County to visit Six Flags Great Adventure, New Jersey’s most-popular amusement park. When traveling on the parkway in the summer months, remember to expect heavy traffic delays.
