If you haven't already seen the HBO show "Jersey Shore", GOOD! We hope to convince you that there is a lot more to the Jersey Shore than what makes it on cable TV. Here are some things that you can do while in town for the wedding.
Pier Village
A few steps from the Ocean Place Hilton (the OWH - official wedding hotel) is Pier Village, a mixed use development with restaurants, shops, and good people watching. McCloone's Pier House on the beach side is where we will meet up for drinks Friday and Saturday night. In the morning and afternoon, The Turning Point Cafe is a great, casual place to grab coffee and tea or sit down to a seasonal breakfast or lunch. There's a cake shop and a wine bar in the complex, too. If you're up for surfing, Aloha Grove rents foam surfboards.
The Boardwalk
On the Jersey Shore, the boardwalk is actually made of wooden boards. From the OWH, walk South through Pier Village along the boardwalk and experience the shore sans retail. The boardwalk goes on for several miles.
Red Bank
If you can tear yourself away from the beach, head inland about 15 minutes to Red Bank, a cool, artsy town that sits on the Navesink River. The town is very walkable and has lots of shops and restaurants to explore. There's a Farmer's Market in the Galleria every Sunday at 9am with fresh produce, bread, cheese, crafts, etc. Don't miss Jack's Music Shoppe for a great selection of music, especially hard-to-find imports and lesser known artists (Jack sells surfboards and guitars in the back of the shop). For fans of Red Bank's own Kevin Smith, you can pick up some memorabilia at Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash at 35 Broad St. For food, try La Pasteria or Gaetano's for Italian, Juanito's for Mexican, and Zebu Forno for bread/sandwiches/soup. For the Jersey Diner experience, try Broadway Diner at 45 Monmouth St.
Sandy Hook
The Sandy Hook Gateway National Recreation Area is a national park and nature preserve. There's no entrance fee after Labor Day, so take a drive down to the tip of the Hook where you'll find the nation’s oldest operating lighthouse, Fort Handcock's abandoned bunkers and officer housing, a NOAA marine research lab, and a US Coast Guard outpost. From the ocean side on a clear day you can see Manhattan's Empire State Building. From the bay/river side, you can see the Twin Lights and fishing boats of Highlands.
Atlantic Highlands
Atlantic Highlands, about 15 min from the OWH, is a small town with a walkable main street, modest marina, and a nature trail that runs for about a mile and a half south along the coast. For food, check out Sissy's Place right on the water for a casual breakfast or lunch on their deck overlooking the charter fishing fleet. There's a great bakery called Flakey Tart at 45 First Ave. and an upscale (and high quality) lounge and restaurant inside the Blue Bay Inn. There are some cool shops along Main Street, including a fun vintage clothing store next to the movie theater in case you're still in need of wedding attire.
Twin Lights
The Twin Lights are situated 200 feet above sea level in Highlands, about 10 min from the OWH. The lights have been used as a navigation aid since 1828, once serving as the primary lighthouse for New York Harbor. The current lighthouse was built in 1862. Drive up to the lights and walk to the top, check out the museum, or just walk the grounds. From up there, there's a great view of Sandy Hook, Highlands, and Sea Bright.
Asbury Park
About a 20 minute drive South down Ocean Avenue will bring you into Asbury Park, NJ. The car ride itself hugs the coastline and offers a look at some of the Shore's nicest properties. Once in Asbury, check out the boardwalk, the murals and museum at the old Palace Amusements, and the Stone Pony (musical home of New Jersey's own Bruce Springsteen) McCloone's Supper Club is a great place to stop for a bloody mary and some apps. Asbury is undergoing a revitalization, so walk around the area during the day but driving to your destination is recommended at night.
More Local Restaurants
Navesink Fishery - This place is tucked away in a strip mall next to an A&P Foodstore about 15 minutes from the OWH. It doesn't look like much from the outside, but it's got the best seafood in the area. The owner goes to Fulton's Fishmarket in NYC every morning for the fresh catch. They offer raw bar items, seafood soups and chowders, sandwiches, and entrees in a home-like setting. Call ahead to make sure they are open. (1004 Highway 36, Navesink, NJ 07752; phone: 732-291-8017)
The WindMill & The Lighthouse
If the Shore has you craving hot dogs, then The WindMill is the place to go. Sit outside and watch the cars go by. See if you can guess who's a local and who's a "Benny" (Shore slang for New Yorkers who summer on the shore). For dessert, try Strollo's Lighthouse for italian ice and soft serve.
(The WindMill is at 586 Ocean Blvd in the West End; There are two Lighhouse locations: 65 New Ocean Ave in Northern Long Branch or 69 Brighton Avenue in the West End near WindMill).
