Monmouth County, New Jersey offers a wide variety of activities and attractions for visitors and residents alike. From outdoorsy adventures to relaxing beach days and so much more, here are 20 fun things to do in Monmouth County, NJ!
1. Visit the beaches
Enjoy visiting the beautiful beaches of Monmouth County this summer, or all year round! Go swimming, relax in the sand, or take a leisurely walk along the shoreline. My favorites include Asbury Park, Ocean Grove, Avon-by-the Sea, Belmar, Sandy Hook, and Long Branch, but these are just some of the many beaches in Monmouth County!
2. Explore Allaire State Park
Go hiking, biking, or horseback riding on the park’s trails, and visit the historic village within the park.
3. Tour a historic lighthouse
Monmouth County is home to three beautiful lighthouses that each offer tours: 1) The Sandy Hook Lighthouse, 2) The Twin Lights in the Highlands, and 3) The Sea Girt Lighthouse. Climb to the top of these lighthouses and/or tour the interior/exterior all while enjoying panoramic views of the coastline! For more information on tours, visit this website here.
4. Spend a day in Asbury Park
A more specific outing at one of Monmouth County’s Beaches includes a day exploring Asbury Park! Enjoy live music, unique shops, and delicious food along this vibrant boardwalk, as well as the main downtown. Cookman Ave has a plethora of amazing restaurants and boutiques worth checking out. I recommend dinner at Talula’s for some incredible sourdough pizza, and ice cream at Cookman Creamery! Visitors and locals can even ride swan-shaped peddle boats in Wesley Lake, which you can learn more about on their FB page here. Also, don’t forget to check out The Stony Pony, Wonder Bar, and Silverball Retro Arcade when visiting!
5. Go wine tasting
Visit one of Monmouth County’s wineries, such as Four JG’s Orchards & Vineyards in Colts Neck, Fox Hollow Vineyards in Holmdel, Beach Bee Meadery in Long Branch, or Cream Ridge Winery.
6. Explore Deep Cut Gardens
Wander through the beautiful gardens, admire the flowers, and relax in the serene atmosphere at Deep Cut Gardens in Middletown.
7. Attend a concert
Catch a live performance by renowned musicians or comedians at one of Monmouth County’s venues such as The Stony Pony, PNC Arts Center, Count Basie Theater, and so many more!
8. Take a boat tour from the Atlantic Highlands
Take a ride on one of Classic Boat Rides’ boats and enjoy a scenic cruise and see the area’s maritime heritage! They offer public tours and private charters on the Navesink River, Shrewsbury River, and Sandy Hook Bay. They can also cruise to Lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty.
9. Enjoy a round of golf
Monmouth County is home to many public golf courses! There are six courses within the Monmouth County Park System which you can learn more about here. For even more courses/clubs, you can check out this blog post here.
10. Walk around a local downtown
Monmouth County is home to numerous downtowns and mainstreets where visitors and locals can enjoy shopping, restaurants, and more. Check out my list of 20 Walkable Downtowns in New Jersey Worth A Visit for ideas including Red Bank and Asbury Park.
11. Visit the Monmouth County Park System
Explore 30+ various parks and engage in activities like picnicking, hiking/walking, and birdwatching.
12. Go paddleboarding or kayaking
Rent equipment or use your own and enjoy the calm waters of the Manasquan River, Raritan Bay, and more spots throughout Monmouth County. For information on canoe and kayak access in local parks, you can check out this page from the Monmouth County Park System. The Manasquan Reservoir is a popular spot to rent kayaks and rowboats!
13. Explore a Retro Arcade
Play vintage pinball machines and arcade games in a nostalgic setting while at the Silvervall Retro Arcade and Museum in Asbury Park! YESTERcades in Red Bank also offers a variety of ’80s and ’90s games in a nostalgic setting.
14. Attend a festival or fair
Monmouth County hosts numerous events throughout the year, including food festivals, art fairs, local carnivals, and music concerts. Check out New Jersey Family’s Mega Guide of Fairs and Festivals in NJ for ideas on where to go in 2023!
15. Pick your own produce in the spring/summer
I recently shared a blog post called 11 U-Pick Fruit Farms in New Jersey to Visit This Summer 2023. A few of the spots mentioned in that blog post are located within Monmouth County including Happy Day Farm in Manalapan, Battleview Orchards in Freehold, and Eastmont Orchards in Colts Neck.
16. Experience Happy Day Farm
Happy Day Farm in Manalapan is a major Monmouth County attraction that offers a variety of family-friendly activities during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. The farm offers activities such as raspberry and blueberry picking, flower fields (lavender, sunflowers, zinnias, etc…), pumpkin picking, and more throughout the year.
17. Visit Holland Ridge Farms
Holland Ridge Farms in Cream Ridge is a 300+ acre farm that offers U-pick tulips in the spring, and U-pick sunflowers plus other seasonal blooms during the fall! Their 6th Annual Fall Flowers Festival will cost $15 per person for guests ages 3+ and will take place from September 15th – October 15th, 2023.
18. Go fossil hunting at Big Brook Park
Big Brook Park in Marlboro welcomes visitors to go fossil hunting and explore the grounds for FREE. Here is a full list of rules for fossil hunting at Big Brook Park.
19. Visit The Keansburg Amusement Park
The Keansburg Amusement Park and Runaway Rapids Water Park offer a variety of rides that families and kids can enjoy during the summer season. Plan your visit here. I’ll also note that Jenkinson’s in Point Pleasant Beach (Northern Ocean County) offers a similar experience where visitors can enjoy small rides, arcade games, boardwalk eats, and more fun! Jenkinson’s was definitely a huge part of my childhood growing up!
20. Bell Works
Bell Works is a renowned mixed-use facility located in Holmdel. It is a unique and innovative space that combines office, retail, dining, and cultural amenities all under one roof. Visitors can grab drinks at Bar Bella, experience the excitement of VR at OasisVRX, shop at local boutiques, and do so much more while at Bell Works!
Remember to check the availability and operating hours of these attractions before planning your visit. Enjoy your time in the beautiful Monmouth County, New Jersey! Comment below your favorite thing to do in Monmouth County!
