Between Atlantic City And NYC Is A Coastal New Jersey City That Feels Stuck In The '60s

When it comes to traveling along the Jersey Shore, most people focus on hotspots like Ocean City or Atlantic City, as they're bustling tourist destinations. However, if you're headed to the northern section of New Jersey's coastline, between Atlantic City and NYC, you'll stumble upon a place that would fit alongside other charming, retro American towns that feel stuck in time: Asbury Park.

If you haven't heard of Asbury Park, it's probably because the city's heyday was during the early to mid-1900s. As with other thriving seaside towns, there was a vibrant boardwalk, attractions, and plenty of tourist-friendly amenities. However, the city started its decline near the end of the 1960s, and the riots of 1970 cemented its bygone status. As a result, many of the buildings and attractions remained abandoned and neglected, and the area wasn't ripe for development and renewal for many years. However, that turmoil has perhaps turned into a blessing, as Asbury Park stands as something of a time capsule. While it hasn't quite returned to its peak status, the city today is much more welcoming and up-and-coming, with hints of its '60s golden age still present.

The city also has a deep connection to The Boss himself, Bruce Springsteen, who played here in his early days and helped shape the local music scene. Fans of the musician know his debut album was called "Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J.," illustrating how much the city meant to him. Now, you can experience the coastal destination — and its past, present, and future — for yourself.

As you might expect, one of the best places to get a feel for Asbury Park's past is along the boardwalk. This section follows Ocean Avenue from near the Asbury Park Convention Hall in the north to the Casino and Carousel buildings and beyond in the south. The Convention Hall, which has also served as the site of the city's Paramount Theatre, was built between 1928 and 1930 and creates an imposing brick facade. On the other end, the Casino and Carousel buildings were also built in the late '20s, using gorgeous, ornate copper pieces. Although these places are not generally open to the public, the Convention Hall is undergoing renovations to make it an integral part of the boardwalk experience again in the future, while the Casino is at risk of being demolished.

But don't worry, a visit to the boardwalk doesn't only mean appreciating attractions from the outside. There are also vintage businesses you can explore, such as the Wonder Bar across the street from the Convention Hall, which opened in 1974. In addition to serving classic boardwalk fare like burgers, wings, and hot dogs, it also hosts live music. In fact, there are quite a few live music venues, including Asbury Lanes, a bowling alley and music venue that originally opened in 1962, and the famous Stone Pony, where Springsteen and other musicians played after it first opened in 1974.

For old-school amusement, the Silverball Retro Arcade allows you to play pinball on vintage machines to your heart's content with hourly and day-pass rates. There are dozens of machines, many of which were built in the '60s, '70s, and '80s. For outdoor fun, try the Asbury Splash Park and Asbury Eighteen Mini-Golf. Golf is available year-round, but the splash park is seasonal, so plan accordingly.

Asbury Park is roughly 77 miles from Atlantic City and 57 miles from New York City. If you're coming from far away, the closest major travel hub is Newark Liberty International (EWR), home to the United Polaris Lounge, one of the best high-end lounges in America that's worth the splurge. It's about an hour's drive south to reach the city. As Asbury Park is seeing a resurgence in tourism, there are numerous hotel options, including several near or on the boardwalk. If you want to incorporate retro vibes into your accommodations, try either the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel, which opened in 1925 and is by the Convention Hall, or The Empress Hotel, which opened in 1961 and has hosted the likes of Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli.

When it comes to dining, you can take your pick of various restaurants along the boardwalk. For oceanfront views, the Robinson Ale House offers fresh fish, oysters, burgers, and tacos. A few blocks south is LiLi Oceanfront Restaurant, a Mediterranean restaurant that adds some semi-tropical vibes to the occasion. If you prefer more old-school boardwalk eats, there are numerous stands selling pizza, burgers, hot dogs, lemonade, and sweet treats.

Finally, while Asbury Park has plenty to see and do, you can also check out other Jersey Shore destinations, such as driving about 15 minutes north to visit one of the largest mansions in America, the Great Hall in West Long Branch.