According to the Asbury Park Press
Long Branch has more than 2 miles of beachfront to choose from. You can spend the day in the center of the crowd at Pier Village, or away from it at scenic Seven Presidents Park and the spacious beaches at its southern end.
Lots to do
If you want to see and be seen, Pier Village's posh boutique shops and trendy eateries are where you want to go. Here, you can grab a specialty coffee at BuzzBait (110 Ocean Ave.) in the morning, head over to Playa Bowls (88 Ocean Ave.), Branch Cantina (110 Ocean Ave.) or Stewart's Root Beer (60 Centennial Drive) for lunch, and end the day sipping cocktails at the new-to-open Robinson's Ale House (68 Ocean Ave.).
More:Your guide to finding the best New Jersey beach for you
A day at the beach: What to do in Asbury Park and Ocean Grove (there's a lot)
Nicholas Laird of Teaneck cools off after walking on the Long Branch beach last summer.
Just relax
If you want a more laid-back day, stroll down the boardwalk to the West End on Brighton Avenue, where you can eat at one of many sidewalk cafes and play a game of bocce ball at the courts at West End Park.
Hummus Republic serves Mediterranean food including wraps, pitas, and bowls.
Into the night
After you're done swimming and soaking up rays, join the crowd at The WhiteChapel Projects (Second Avenue). This was a former warehouse retrofitted to become an open-space beer garden and brewery, and the place also makes a mean dish of poutine.
Also:Tim McLoone, Molly & Zoey grow at Pier Village in Long Branch; K Kitchen To Go coming too
From Brazil to El Salvador: The foods of Latin America shine in Long Branch
Getting there
You can take an NJ Transit train to Long Branch and either walk or Uber the few blocks up Pavilion Avenue to the beach. If you're driving, the city has several municipal grass parking lots. The beachfront parking on Ocean Boulevard is limited and metered.
Lots to do
If you want to see and be seen, Pier Village's posh boutique shops and trendy eateries are where you want to go. Here, you can grab a specialty coffee at BuzzBait (110 Ocean Ave.) in the morning, head over to Playa Bowls (88 Ocean Ave.), Branch Cantina (110 Ocean Ave.) or Stewart's Root Beer (60 Centennial Drive) for lunch, and end the day sipping cocktails at the new-to-open Robinson's Ale House (68 Ocean Ave.).
More:Your guide to finding the best New Jersey beach for you
A day at the beach: What to do in Asbury Park and Ocean Grove (there's a lot)
Nicholas Laird of Teaneck cools off after walking on the Long Branch beach last summer.
Just relax
If you want a more laid-back day, stroll down the boardwalk to the West End on Brighton Avenue, where you can eat at one of many sidewalk cafes and play a game of bocce ball at the courts at West End Park.
Hummus Republic serves Mediterranean food including wraps, pitas, and bowls.
Into the night
After you're done swimming and soaking up rays, join the crowd at The WhiteChapel Projects (Second Avenue). This was a former warehouse retrofitted to become an open-space beer garden and brewery, and the place also makes a mean dish of poutine.
Also:Tim McLoone, Molly & Zoey grow at Pier Village in Long Branch; K Kitchen To Go coming too
From Brazil to El Salvador: The foods of Latin America shine in Long Branch
Getting there
You can take an NJ Transit train to Long Branch and either walk or Uber the few blocks up Pavilion Avenue to the beach. If you're driving, the city has several municipal grass parking lots. The beachfront parking on Ocean Boulevard is limited and metered.