Asbury Park, New Jersey, is a popular destination for people from all over the world. It's about half an hour away from Ocean Township, and it has one of the best beaches in the state. Many music lovers visit this small town, and Bruce Springsteen's first album was called "Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J." Here are some fun outdoor places to visit in Asbury. Convention Hall and Paramount Theatre The Asbury Park Convention Hall and the Paramount Theatre, which host a variety of events, were finished in 1930 when Asbury Park was a glamorous destination for the wealthy. The beautiful architecture contains seashells, anchors, seahorses, and other nautical elements. The structures have extensive intricate metalwork. The Grand Arcade connects the Convention Hall and the Paramount Theatre. These elements offer 40-foot ceilings, oceanfront restaurants, and interesting stores. You can view Asbury Park's annual holiday tree lighting as well as many other fun outdoor events. You can also see a show, go shopping, or just check out this unique set of buildings. more Asbury Splash Park The Asbury Splash Park is right on the boardwalk, so you and your family can easily take a break from shopping and cool down. It has a variety of features, including a giant watering pot and the popular Tipping Tea Cup. Parents can watch kids play and relax from comfy lounge chairs. You can buy a day pass for adults or kids. There's also a family pass for two adults and two children. The Asbury Splash Park is open every day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. except in bad weather. Asbury Eighteen The Asbury Eighteen, a miniature golf course, is right next to the Asbury Splash Park, and you can buy tickets for both at the same time. Both places are also available for private parties. The Asbury Eighteen is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Pedal Boats on Wesley Lake Kids and adults will enjoy getting some exercise and viewing the scenery from a pedal boat on Wesley Lake. These fun vessels are shaped like swans, dragons, herons, pirate ships, and more. Each boat can hold two adults and one child or one adult and two children. This activity was popular in the 1940s, and revitalization in Asbury Park brought it back to the area. For an especially beautiful view, try a sunset ride. Asbury Festhalle & Biergarten's Rooftop Bar Asbury Festhalle & Biergarten has 41 brews on tap, more than 100 bottled beers, live music, and a 9,000-square-foot rooftop bar. This authentic German biergarten is open daily until 2 a.m., and you can make new friends at the communal tables while enjoying impressive ocean views. Try oysters covered in sauerkraut and pretzel crumbs, wiener schnitzel, bratwurst, or other traditional fares. The Asbury Park area is filled with beautiful scenery and fun outdoor activities. You can go swimming, look for seashells on the beach, rent a bike, and more. Kids and adults near this charming town definitely won't have to worry about boredom. Some rights reserved by chrisinphilly5448
Whether your kids are young or old, spending time as a family is important. There are several attractions and activities in the Ocean Township area that offer fun for everyone, from jumping on trampolines to visiting with live animals and playing games. Check out these family-friendly activities in Ocean Township. Sky Zone Trampoline Park Trampoline parks are popping up all around the country, and Sky Zone was one of the first to start this fun trend. You'll find it on State Highway 66 right in Ocean Township, and this attraction is a great way to spend an afternoon. Everyone can get in on the jumping from the kids to the adults, and it's an excellent form of exercise. You can head here for a birthday party, try out the Ninja Warrior Course, or stop by after dark for Glow with lasers, music, and blacklights as SkyZone turns into a jumping dance club. Jenkinson's Aquarium Jenkinson's Aquarium is a fun experience for the whole family. There are tons of exhibits to explore and animals to see, from African penguins to harbor seals and all kinds of local fish and marine life. Head to the second floor to enter the tropical rain forest, or take a look in the 58,000-gallon shark tank. You'll see sandbar sharks, nurse sharks, and a sand tiger shark. The kids are sure to love the touch tank, where they can touch marine animals including sea urchins, horseshoe crabs, and stingrays. Stop by and say hello to Lucy, the resident harbor seal. She came to the aquarium in 1991 for treatment after either a shark attack or she was hit a boat. She now lives at the aquarium, and even though she is blind, she teaches visitors about seal behaviors. more Monster Mini Golf Take the game of mini golf to a new level at Monster Mini Golf. This is state of the art indoor mini golf course where you play completely under the glow of black lights. There is an 18-hole course that is fun for all ages, but it doesn't stop there. This facility also has a Hi-Tech video game arcade with a huge prize center, monster-themed laser tag, a laser maze, and a concession stand. Bring the kids for a birthday party, or head here as a family for an afternoon of glowing golf. Silverball Museum Arcade The Silverball Museum Arcade in nearby Asbury Park pays tribute to the old pinball machines of the past. There are over 600 games in rotation, so you're sure to find some old favorites while enjoying the experience of trying new games. The kids can have some fun learning how to play pinball, and it can bring back memories for others. To play, all you need to do is purchase an entry pass. Then, you can play any of the games for as long as you want. There's plenty of fun waiting in Ocean Township. Check out these family-friendly attractions in the area. Image by ncole458 is licensed under CC-BY 2.0
Nothing makes for an intimate and memorable meal like Italian cuisine. Fortunately, there are plenty of great Italian restaurants in Asbury Park, New Jersey. We've put together this short list of our favorites in the area to help get you started. Belmonte's Ristorante You'll have to bring your own wine or beer when you show up for a meal at Belmonte's Ristorante, but this fantastic local eatery will take care of everything else. Start your dinner off with an appetizer like Pasta Fagioli or a Caprese platter with mozzarella, roasted peppers, tomatoes, and basil. Or choose a salad with fried calamari and beans or spinach and goat cheese. Whatever you choose to whet your appetite, you can bet that the flavors will be fresh and authentic. This is true for the entrees as well. We suggest trying the Penne Puttanesca, which is served with anchovies, capers, and black olives. more Jimmy's Italian Restaurant Enjoy a made-to-order meal at Jimmy's Italian Restaurant. Make yourself at home in the golden light of the restaurant's newly renovated dining room, where the elegant decor and lavishly prepared dishes will make you feel like royalty. Because dishes are cooked to your tastes, you have some flexibility with which to customize your order. Jimmy's specializes in both Italian pasta dishes and seafood. One of our favorites is the Sole a la Marisa: fish topped with a mouthwatering pink basil clam sauce. The restaurant also prides itself on its wine list, which has both house wines and vintages from Italy and the rest of the world. Stella Marina Take a pleasant stroll along the boardwalk to find Stella Marina. This bar and restaurant seeks to establish a trendy, hip atmosphere with its bottle-shaped chandeliers and casual decor. But the real star of the show is the food. Rustic Italian cuisine is the specialty at Stella Marina. Make sure you try the escarole bean soup or calamari to get your taste buds activated before digging into a main course like the gnocchi with prosciutto and mushrooms or the filet mignon with gorgonzola cream and fingerling potatoes. Don't forget to ask about the restaurant's winter specials, which can include discounted meals and wine. Pasta Volo Get a casual bite to eat at Pasta Volo. This popular restaurant specializes in freshly prepared pasta and homemade sauces. Some of its unique creations include pasta infused with rosemary and pasta flavored with beer from a local brewery. Sauces range from classic marina to zesty pesto; ask your server exactly what would best complement your dish. Everything is served in a portable container that's perfect for takeout, but you are welcome to enjoy your meal right there in the restaurant too. Pasta Volo is also one of the few Italian eateries with plenty of vegan and gluten-free options on its menu. Don't limit yourself to the restaurants you already know, as Asbury Park rewards exploration with lots of new and exciting local options. Whether you are looking for classic Italian or contemporary innovation, you'll find it at these restaurants. Image by flickr4jazz is licensed under CC-BY 2.0
