Home base for our wedding weekend, we highly encourage you to explore the quaint downtown on 3rd Ave, take a lap around the Spring Lake in Divine Park or take a stroll along the boardwalk with the sea breeze at your back!
Run or walk along the beach on the boardwalk all the way to Asbury Park! Over 5 miles of continuous boardwalk stretches from Spring Lake to Asbury, and you'll go right past the Stone Pony, a music venue where Bruce and the E Street Band earned their chops. (P.S. The original garage where the band practiced is on, you guessed it E Street in Belmar, another town on the route). If you want to leave your mark on the Strava leaderboards then you should check out the renowned 5K cross country course at Holmdel Park... Fear the Bowl!
Need we say more... its the Jersey Shore! Beaches are free before Memorial Day.
Pizza: Federici's on 10th in Belmar (Mike lived next door and no, the smell of pizza was never a bad thing) and Chiafullo's in Atlantic Highlands (Kelly's go-to growing up). Beer: Beach Haus and Bakes, both in Belmar are great! Kane in Ocean Township is a standout. Dessert: We finished off our first date at Strollo's Lighthouse Homemade Italian Ice in Red Bank (also in Long Branch/Belmar) and Sundae Times in Spring Lake does a great scoop. Pork Roll Egg & Cheese: Mike lived off of Beekman's Deli in Belmar and Kelly's high school favorite was Bagel Oven in Red Bank. Downtowns: Red Bank or Asbury Park for food, shopping and night life. Spring Lake's 3rd Ave is walking distance from the hotels.
Coffee/Breakfast: Wake Coffee & Kitchen, Rook Coffee, Dune Donuts and Bagels, Capsized Cafe, Comfi, Shore Pour, Meemom's Food: Olea, Spring Lake Seafood, Tommy's Tap and Tavern, Marina Grill, 10th Ave Burrito, Pizzeria Lucci, Kaya's Kitchen (vegetarian/vegan), St. Stephen's Green Bars: Bar A, D'jais, Anchor Tavern, Joe's Surf Shack
We went on our first date out to the northernmost point for a sunset stroll and glass of wine, with the skyscrapers of Manhattan out in the background. The National Recreation area is the former site of the US Army's Weapons Proving Ground, which was in action up until the early 20th century. There are miles of trails, beaches, a lighthouse and quite a few relics from its history as Fort Hancock still standing. Nearby in the Highlands is the Twin Lights Lighthouse. There is a phenomenal panoramic view of Sandy Hook Bay and the New York City skyline
Once dubbed "The Biggest Mirror Ever" this immense structure, designed by famed architect Eero Saarinen, is the former home of Bell Labs and in recent years has been transformed into a mixed public use space full of shops and a few cafes. If you're a TV fiend, you may also recognize it as Lumon Industries. If you are a fan of architecture or ever wondered what it would be like to undergo the "Severance" procedure, this spot is worth checking out.