Keansburg (Gem of the Bayshore) is a working class resort town in Monmouth County, New Jersey, on the east coast of the United States of America. This article also covers the neighboring village of Hazlet.
Understand
The town has been a popular tourist spot since the beginning of the 20th century, through to the 1960s, when Hurricane Donna wiped out much of the waterfront area. Weary New York City residents would ferry over and spend the weekend, or summer vacation to escape the city heat. The boardwalk and town enjoyed its popularity for many years and is now part of American culture. In 2010, the borough population was 10,105.
Get in
NY Waterway offers ferry service from NYC to Belford, NJ and other destinations on the Jersey shore. The Belford station is a five minute drive to downtown Keansburg or the boardwalk area. http://www.nywaterway.com/FerryRoutesSchedules.aspx
- New Jersey Transit. Train and bus service throughout the North-East corridor, mostly NYC to NJ. Trains from NYC stop in Matawan, Hazlet and Middletown; while bus service is direct with stops throughout Keansburg.
Hazlet is at exit 117 off the Garden State Parkway, not to be confused with exit 117A.
Two major highways, NJ35 and NJ36, run through the township.
Get around
See
- Colman's Point. In September 1609, the Halve Maen (Half Moon), anchored along the shores of the Raritan Bay, and remained for five days to explore the estuary and establish contact with local Lenape people (who later become known as the Navesink and Raritan). Four o'his crew were sent up the Arthur Kill and to Newark Bay. Upon their return they were attacked and one of them, John Colman was fatally shot by arrrow. Taken ashore to be buried, the spot was christened Coleman's Point. He was the first European to die by violent means in the New World. The area that is today the intersection of Carr Avenue and Beachway, is the historic location that bears the name Colman's Point.
Do
- Keansburg Amusement Park, 275 Beachway, +1 732 495-1400. The closest boardwalk to NYC is also one of the oldest. The amusement park is more than a hundred years old, and offers an inexpensive alternative to places like Seaside or Wildwood. Many renovations have been made to the park since the storm that wiped it out in years past, but there is still a lot of history in the park, including the "Spook House" which is one of the oldest amusement rides still running in the United States, possibly the world. http://blog.nj.com/njv_mark_diionno/2010/07/njs_oldest_amusement_park_brin.html
- Keansburg Fishing Pier, 275 Beachway, +1 732-495-8842, keansburgfishingpier@yahoo.com. Summer: M-F 7AM to 10PM, Sa Su 6AM to 10PM
- Batter Up Batting Cages, 275 Beachway Ave (http://national.citysearch.com/profile/map/6740079), +1 732-471-8700. Coin operated batting cages, open all year round. Softball & baseball, fast pitch or slow available.
- Runaway Rapids. Water park is very popular amongst tourist groups. Get there early though, because it fills up quick.
- Henry Hudson Bike Trail. Extends along the bayshore from Keyport though Keansburg and Atlantic Highlands down to Sandy Hook. This scenic trail is mostly paved with several bridges and a few intersections. The trail was built over the old bayshore railway line. A detailed map is available at the Monmouth County Park System website:
- Bayshore Waterfront Park, 719 Port Monmouth Rd, Port Monmouth, +1 732-787-3033. Bayshore Waterfront Park, located in Port Monmouth next to Monmouth Cove Marina, preserves a thriving coastal landscape on Sandy Hook Bay. Enjoy the maritime shrublands, tidal creeks, salt marshes, dunes, a mile of beach and scenic views across the water. The park offers a fishing pier, access to Raritan Bay, and beautiful views of the NY skyline.
- Hazlet Multiplex Cinemas: 2821 Highway 35 Hazlet
- Veteran's Park: Green Acre Drive, off Middle Road in Hazlet
Buy
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A&S Italian Sausage Factory (Sausage factory and butchershop), 12 Church St, +1 732-787-7798. Fresh sausage made on premises, sold to the public through Italian specialty butcher shop.
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Keansburg Farmer's Market (Located at Friendship Park), Corner of Main Street and Frances Place, +1 732-787-1703. Jun-Oct" W and F noon-5PM.
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It's New To You (Consignment Shop), 59 Church St, +1 732-787-8500. New and almost new quality items, knicknacks, children & teen clothing, baby, adult.
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Project Paul (Thrift Shop & Furniture), 211 Carr Avenue, +1 732-787-4887. M-F 10AM to 3PM, Sa 10AM TO 2PM. Project Paul's thrift shop is staffed by volunteers. Proceeds from sales go to support their programs. Clothing, household items, and other necessities from the thrift store are also donated to qualifying families.
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Centre Hotel & Bar (Liquor Store), 67 Carr Ave, +1 732-787-6731. Located at the corner of Carr and Centre Ave., it is neither a bar nor a hotel (least not one you want to stay in) but rather a liquor store. They have a refurbished bar in the back but it goes unused. This is/was one of the oldest bars in town, still standing.
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Belford Seafood Cooperative Association (Seafood Store), 901 Port Monmouth Rd., Port Monmouth, +1 732-787-6508. Nice selection of fresh fish. The co-op smells like low tide sometimes.
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Bayshore Watch & Jewelry, 66 Hwy 36, +1 732-787-7899. They have a nice collection of antique watches but a pawn shop by any other name is still a pawn shop.
Eat
The majority of restaurants are take-out or dine in with plastic utensils. A few worth mentioning include:
- Barb's Big Burrito which offers great Mexican food, the burrito is tough to beat.
- Anthony's Pizza Villa, located by the roller-coaster. Has quite possibly one of the best slices of pizza on the east coast outside of NYC.
- Dixie Lee Bakery, Located on Main Street. One of the best bakeries at the shore. Famous for their Black & Whites cookies. Be sure to try the coconut & crumb buns, but arrive early since they often run out.
- Lucisano's Pizza, 42 Church Street, +1 732-495-5020. The Best pizza around despite their gruff manner.
- El Caribeneno (Spanish & Dominican Food), 288 Main Street, +1 732-495-1000. Really good Spanish food from very nice people who sometimes forget to answer their phone and don't deliver. Everything is made to order and they quickly run out of certain items.
- Gem's House of Bagels (Delicatessen), 284 Main Street, +1 732-787-0987. The best Italians subs in the area, although they tend to get a bit frazzled around lunchtime.
- Anthony's Pizza (Italian Pizza & Restaurant), 65 Church Street, +1 732-787-2950.
- Golden Wok (Chinese), 8 Church Street, +1 732-495-9775. The best of the local take-out Chinese available
- Poppa's Pizza (Pizza & Subs), 297 Main Street, +1 732-787-9761.
- Roma Pizza (Egyptian Pizza), 214 Main Street, +1 732-787-2828.
- Jersey Joe's (luncheonette), 719 Port Monmouth Rd, Port Monmouth, +1 732-787-5779. Try the authentic Italian hot dog (and sausage) served in a hollowed round peasant bread with peppers, onions & potatoes. They may serve other food but most folks go there for one or the other. Located across the street from the Bayshore Waterfront Park, in what used to be called East Keansburg.
- Vito's Pizza & Pasta, 120 Carr Ave, +1 732-787-5115.
- Jade Garden (Chinese), 210 Main Street, +1 732-495-0095. The first Chinese restaurant to open in town.
- Longo's Cafe (luncheonette), 29 Carr Ave, +1 732-787-8718. Open late night in summer.
- Terminal Lunch (luncheonette), 288 Beachway Ave, +1 732-787-4026. Seasonal restaurant that derives its name from its location adjacent to the former bus depot-terminal and not the fate of its patrons. Located across the street form Barb's Burrito, I hardly ever see anyone eat there and I wonder how it stays open?
- Pirate's Cove (Seafood Restaurant), 901 Port Monmouth Rd., Port Monmouth, +1 732-787-6581. This place has opened and closed a few times so definitely call ahead.
- Stewart's Root Beer (Fast Food), 274 Hwy 36, +1 732-495-5969.
Drink
Keansburg has many pubs and taverns. Several can be found along the boardwalk area, including:
- TJK Stadium Seasonal bar open all year round. They make a decent burger at this tiki style open air bar. Formally known as the "Stockhouse".
- Mike's Hiawatha Inn, 180 State Route 36 W, +1 732-787-0950. This small bar serves decent pizza and bar food. The bar has a friendly friendly crowd and caters to people too nervous to drink in Keansburg proper.
- Bachstadt's Tavern near Ideal Beach, off of Port Monmouth Rd. This is the oldest of old man bars and one of the few to still sell "set-ups" (Buy the bottle and drink it there)
Note:
- Some places in town tend to be local hangouts but most people won't bother you, if you mind your own business. Sometimes, its best to keep your loudmouth friend at home.
- Walking around away from the boardwalk area at night is not advised. Most of the crime in the area is youth based vandalism. Moderate precautions will be more than enough to keep you safe.
Sleep
There are no major hotels in Keansburg, so you should check out the nearby area including:
Marine boat and docking facilities:
- Raritan Bay Marina, 39 Charles Avenue, +1 732-495-4247.
- Captain's Cove Marina Inc, 100 Laurel Avenue, +1 732-495-0101. Boat ramp available.
- Lentze Marina, 75 First Street, West Keansburg, +1 732-787-2139. Full service marina minutes from the east coast's best fishing grounds.The Hook!
- Monmouth Cove Marina, 200 Port Monmouth Rd, Middletown, +1 732-495-9440. Monmouth Cove Marina is part of Bayshore Waterfront Park which offers recreational opportunities in the Bayshore. No restrictions to Bay or Ocean. Convenient to New York City and ten minutes to Sandy Hook.
Connect
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