Freehold

Freehold is a city in Monmouth County, New Jersey. Freehold is a great day or weekend trip for those who love history, architecture, shopping, and food.

Understand

Monmouth County Courthouse

Freehold is the seat of Monmouth County, and one of the original townships of Monmouth County. Freehold is a city which contains much 18th-century history, as it was here where the Battle of Monmouth was waged. In the 19th century, many quaint Victorian houses were built, along with the Freehold Raceway.

The city is a bedroom community of New York City, home to the Freehold Raceway Mall (the third largest mall in the state) and steps away from trendy dining spots, bars, taverns, museums, and art galleries on Main Street.

Get in

By train

There is no designated station for Freehold; the nearest train station is Aberdeen-Matawan, which runs along the North Jersey Coast Line towards New York City/Hoboken and Bay Head. The station situates on the intersection of Main Street & Atlantic Avenue in Matawan, approximately 10 miles/20 minutes away along Route 79. The two towns are separated by Marlboro Township.

By car

U.S Route 9, New Jersey Turnpike, Route 18, Route 33, Garden State Parkway, Interstate 195, and County Routes 522, 524, 527, and 537 all provide access to Freehold:

• U.S. Route 9 runs through the 'heart' of Freehold. Freehold Raceway and Freehold Raceway Mall are located across from each other on US-9. Many strip malls, restaurants, and car dealerships are also dotted along US-9.
• State Route 18 briefly runs in the northeast section of Freehold Township at a junction with County Route 537. The route is a vital link for the Jersey Shore and Raritan Valley region in Central New Jersey. The route can also be accessed in Marlboro via Route 79 and in Old Bridge via US-9.
• State Route 33 passes through near the center the city. It is further divided into two sections:
  • Freehold Bypass is the freeway section of Route 33 that bypasses the urban commercial areas of Freehold Borough
  • Route 33 Business is the 'old' section of Route 33 that travels through the urban commercial areas of Freehold Borough
• State Route 79 runs through the 'heart' of Freehold, from US-9 near Freehold Township into Freehold Borough briefly running concurrent with County Route 537, before heading northwest towards northern sections of Freehold into Marlboro.
• County routes 522, 524, 527, and 537 traverse the municipality.

Other major roads provide access to the area:

• Garden State Parkway is 10 miles east in Tinton Falls (Exit 100)
• Interstate 195 is in bordering Millstone, Jackson, and Howell Townships
• New Jersey Turnpike Interstate 95 is 10 miles west in East Windsor Township (Exit 8)

By bus

New Jersey Transit provides bus service between Freehold and New York City from Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan via bus routes 131, 135 and 139. The Academy Bus Line provides bus service between Freehold and New York City from Wall Street in Manhattan.

By plane

• Old Bridge Airport (FAA LID: 3N6) Public-use airport 5 miles (9 km) south of the Old Bridge CBD in Old Bridge, Middlesex County. The privately owned airport is roughly a 15-minute drive to/from Freehold and is next to Old Bridge Township Raceway Park.

The city is also served by several nearby international and domestic airports

• Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR ^IATA)
• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK ^IATA)
• LaGuardia Airport (LGA ^IATA).
• Philadelphia International Airport (PHL ^IATA)
• Atlantic City Airport (ACY ^IATA) provides some minor domestic service.

See the New Jersey article for more detailed information on these airports and services.

By boat

Ferry service is available through the SeaStreak service in Highlands (near Middletown). The ferry slip is roughly a 30-minute drive to/from Freehold. Some residents (particularly residents in the northeastern section of town, near Route 18) opt to commuting to New York City via SeaStreak, as it offers ferry service to Pier 11 (on the East River at Wall Street) and East 35th Street.

Get around

While public transportation is provided, most residents and visitors get around by car.

See

Oakley Farmstead

• 1 Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, 310 Mounts Corner Drive (in the village of West Freehold), ☏ +1 732 252-6990, JessicaSolomon-jsolomon@jhmomc.org. Mount's Corner Historic Shopping Center was the place where one of New Jersey's earliest Jewish families resided. The Solomons had lived in the property since roughly 1720, where they owned a large piece of farmland. During the Battle of Monmouth, their dwelling however was attacked by the British. The widowed matriarch Hannah Solomon and her two sons were able to save their farmstead from the fires caused by the British. The farm had continued to be prosperous for decades and centuries after that fated encounter. However, the barn and surrounding farm eventually fell into disarray, especially with the construction of the much larger Mount's Corner Shopping Center in the late 20th century, where much of the farm once encompassed. To address this, in 2005 The Jewish Federation of Monmouth County established a planning committee. This planning committee introduced an idea to form a Jewish Heritage Museum inside the former Solomon Farmstead at Mount's Corner. It is "dedicated to the promotion of public awareness of the county’s Jewish heritage for the education and enjoyment of both children and adults."  
• 2 Maplewood Cemetery, 169 West Main Street, ☏ +1 732-462-5202, office@maplewoodcem.com. M-F 8AM-4PM; weekends by appointment. Cemetery that was established in the Late 19th century. There is a chapel and mausoleum on the premise. (updated Dec 2022)
• 3 Monmouth Battlefield State Park, 347 Freehold Road, ☏ +1 732-462-9616. Historic battlefield site on the site of the longest battle of the American Revolution. The location is now preserved as an 18th-century rural setting with wooded areas, fields, orchards, and wetlands with miles and miles of trails, picnic areas, and restored farmhouses  
  • 4 Craig House, U.S. Route 9 southbound at Schibanoff Commuter Lot, ☏ +1 732 462-9616. One of many 18th-century farmhouses that have been preserved at Monmouth Battlefield State Park. The family of the home (the Craigs) were Patriots, but the home was raided and used as a hospital by the British during the Battle of Monmouth.  
• 5 Covenhoven House, 150 West Main Street, ☏ +1 732-462-1466. 18th-century farmhouse of great importance to the Battle of Monmouth. The Covenhoven family were loyal supporters of the Crown, and it was utilized as General Clinton's headquarters during the Battle of Monmouth. (updated Dec 2022)
• 6 Monmouth County Courthouse, 71 Monument Street, ☏ +1 732-358-8700. The County Courthouse for Monmouth. The courthouse was built in neoclassical architecture. At front of the courthouse, is a 90-foot (27 m) obelisk tall monument dedicated to the Battle of Monmouth. It was also George Washington's headquarters during the battle.  
• 7 Monmouth County Historical Association, 70 Court Street, ☏ +1 732-462-1466. A museum that has a wide array of unique artifacts, furniture, paintings, rare documents, and books, from over three centuries within Monmouth County history. It was established in 1898 by a group of county residents and professional educator Caroline Gallup Reed, with the purpose “to discover, procure, preserve and perpetuate whatever relates to the history of Monmouth County.” There are other historically preserved properties throughout Monmouth County, particularly from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. The main museum headquarters in the borough is located inside a brick Georgian-style building designed by architect J. Hallam Conover. There are numerous historical exhibits that are featured throughout the year.  
• 8 St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 33 Throckmorton Street (downtown), ☏ +1 732-431-8383. An historic Episcopalian congregation. The building was constructed in 1771 during colonial times. Its Georgian and Gothic architectural features, along with its importance to the community, was what added it to the National Register of Historic Places in 1998. The building still hosts services today and is a testament to the town's colonial preservation.  
• 9 Oakley Farmstead, 189 Wemrock Road, ☏ +1. Also known as the Walker, Combs, Hartshorne, Oakley Farmhouse, is in the historic district of the village of West Freehold. The first recorded owners of the property were 'new-world' Scottish Quakers in the 17th century. The last recorded owner was Elizabeth Oakley, who died in the property in 1995. At the time of her death, it was one of the oldest (if not the oldest) continuous operational farm in Monmouth County. It was then sold to the township in 1997, and has been converted into a museum.  

Do

Downtown Freehold

• 1 Downtown Freehold, 10 E. Main St., ☏ +1 732-333-0094, Happenings@Downtownfreehold.com. The central business district for the city. Dotted with restaurants, bars, shops, historical sites, offices, and government buildings. See the To see, To eat, To drink, and To stay sections for any specific excursions located in the downtown.  

• 2 Freehold Raceway, 130 Park Avenue, ☏ +1 732-462-3800. A half-mile racetrack, that is the oldest of its kind in the United States. Horseraces have been taking place at Freehold Raceway since the 1830s. Many local thoroughbred farms in the area (such as in Millstone and Colts Neck) breed horses that race at the racetrack.  
• 3 Battleview Orchards, 91 Wemrock Road, ☏ +1 732-462-0756. W-M 9AM-6PM (closed Tuesdays) all year. Family owned and operated farm located near Monmouth Battlefield and is one of the oldest orchards in New Jersey. The farm annually in the Summer and Autumn months harvests "Pick Your Own" fruits for visitors, such as Strawberries, Peaches, Apples, and Pumpkins. The orchard also has a country store of their stocked items and offers hayrides in Autumn.  
• 4 iPlay America, 110 Schanck Road, ☏ +1 732-577-8200. An indoor family entertainment and event center that opened in 2011, offering fun for children and adults alike. Featuring rides, arcade and carnival games, along with Topgolf, music venues, laser tag, shops, bars, and restaurants.  
• 5 Wemrock Orchards, 100 Wemrock Road, ☏ +1 732-431-2668. Daily 9AM-5PM all year. Family owned and operated farm on the corner of Route 33 Business and Wemrock Road, between Monmouth Battlefield and Freehold Raceway Mall. It was founded in 1952 as "Twin Lakes Orchards" by Albert and Jeannette Giunco (whom were originally grocery store owners from Belmar). They bought the 250 acre cow farm in Freehold at the corner of Gravel Hill Road and Thompson Grove Road on the border of Freehold and Manalapan. The farm was originally just a fruit stand and it was a popular destination for travelers heading to and from the Jersey Shore. The farm moved to its current location in 1967, featuring a country store of their stocked items, a bakery, and winery (see Tomasello Winery "To Drink" section). The farm annually in the Summer and Autumn months harvests "Pick Your Own" fruits for visitors, such as Strawberries, Peaches, Apples, and Pumpkins.  

Buy

Freehold Raceway Mall's main entrance

• 1 Freehold Raceway Mall, 3710 U.S. 9. A super-regional high-end shopping mall, opposite the Freehold Raceway over US-9. The mall is the third largest shopping mall in the state and is a popular shopping destination for residents and visitors. It features Macy's, JCPenney, L.L. Bean, Primark, Apple, Zara, Lululemon Athletica, francesca's, and Michael Kors. (updated Nov 2022)
• Diane & Co., 3440 U.S. 9, ☏ +1 732-825-8001. A famous elegant dress shop that has been featured on the Oxygen Network's show Jersey Couture. 

Eat

• 1 All Seasons Diner II, 4135 U.S. 9, ☏ +1 732-625-0330. Daily 8AM-10PM. A longtime staple for Freehold. It is the second location in Monmouth County (the original All Seasons Diner is in Eatontown). Greek food, comfy seats, and beautiful decor. (updated Dec 2022)
• 2 Charkol, 38 South Street (downtown), ☏ +1 732-780-7427. New premier steakhouse in the heart of Downtown Freehold. Serving some of the finest cuts of steak in the area, the establishment is BYOB and thus a great place to host big gatherings.  
• 3 El Meson, 40 West Main St (downtown), ☏ +1 732-308-9494. Authentic Mexican restaurant on Main Street. The restaurant is known for its great vibes, offering both indoor and outdoor seating.  
• 4 Metropolitan Cafe, 8 East Main Street (downtown), ☏ +1 732-780-9400. At this restaurant, you have the option on either dining inside or outside. The menu offers a variety of delicious food, especially sushi. This place has a great bar, and some nights during the week they have different activities, such as karaoke, bingo, and trivia.  
• Federici's Pizzeria, 14 East Main Street (downtown), ☏ +1 732-462-1312. Federici's serves thin crust pizza. This pizzeria is relatively large, and has a lot of tables, so it is more of a restaurant then a pizzeria, and has great food. This location is in the center of town and is a very popular location.  
• 5 Jersey Freeze, 120 Manalapan Avenue, ☏ +1 732-462-3008. Jersey Freeze is a soft-serve ice cream and diner that was featured on the Food Network. In the dining section, they offer a variety of choices, including hotdogs, fries, burgers and sandwiches. Stop over in the ice cream section to get a milkshake, sundae, or your option of a variety of frozen yogurt and soft-serve creations. A lot of seating outside and inside the dining area.  

Drink

• 1 618, 618 Park Avenue, ☏ +1 732-577-0001. Extravagant banquet hall that features delicious entrees and cocktails. Reservations strongly encouraged, for romantic outings and/or for big gatherings (weddings, luncheons, etc).  
• 2 Court Jester, 16 East Main Street (downtown), ☏ +1 732-462-1040. At Court Jester, you will find a bar scene with dine in or take out for its food. There are many screens to watch sports games, and there are over 42 beers on tap. When you go there, you should expect to find a very social and energetic environment and there are usually a lot of people. Every night out of the week there are drink specials, and some cool games to win gift cards and prizes.  
• 3 Moore's Tavern, 402 West Main Street, ☏ +1 732-863-0555. Established in 1787 by Moses Mount (an aide to George Washington during the American Revolution), the sports tavern (in its original structure) is a popular place for locals and visitors. It features tavern-style food for dine in or takeout and a wide array of beer on tap.  
• 4 Tomasello Winery, 100 Wemrock Road, ☏ +1 800-MMM-WINE (666-9463). 10AM-5PM. Based out of Hammonton, near Atlantic City New Jersey, Tomasello Winery is the second-oldest active winery in the state, after Renault Winery. It has locations across the state, including in Freehold. There is a wine tasting room located inside of Wemrock Orchards. The winery offers over 50 homegrown wines for tasting sessions (reservations strongly encouraged), but the winery is open to retail transactions of their stocked wine as well.  

Sleep

• 1 American Hotel, 18-20 East Main Street (downtown), ☏ +1 732-431-3220, hospitality@americanhotelnj.com. Built in 1827 on a stagecoach stop, the American Hotel has been an iconic hotel in Freehold since. Features elegant suites, extravagant banquet halls, comfortable lounges, fine dining, and a wide array of liquor on tap.  
• Radisson at Freehold, 59 Gibson Place (across from the Freehold Raceway Mall, off of NJ-33, CR-537, and US-9), ☏ +1 732-780-3400, sbiondi@radissonfreehold.com. This Radisson features 6 meeting rooms and the locally famous 5,110-square-foot Crystal Ballroom. Amenities include an outdoor pool, fitness center, cocktail lounge, and the Winner’s Circle Restaurant and Lounge. 

Connect

Front of CentraState Medical Center

Emergency services

• 911 for immediate attention by the Police, Fire Department or an ambulance.

Local government services

• Freehold Township administration, ☏ +1 732 294-2001. 
• Freehold Borough administration, ☏ +1 732 462-4200. 

Hospitals

• Centra State Hospital, ☏ +1 732 431-2000. 
• Jersey Shore Medical Center, ☏ +1 732 775-5500. 
• Monmouth Medical Center, ☏ +1 732 222-5200. 
• Raritan Bay Medical Center, ☏ +1 732 360-1000. 
• Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, ☏ +1 732 828-3000. 

Go next

Tri-city region of Jersey Shore cities:

• Asbury Park
• Long Branch
• Red Bank

Other nearby cities:

• Princeton
• New Brunswick
• New York City

Routes through Freehold

Skylands ← New Brunswick ← East Brunswick ←	NW  SE	→ Colts Neck → Eatontown → Jersey Shore
New York City ← Woodbridge ← Manalapan ←	N  S	→ Howell → Jct W → Lakewood → Cape May
Matawan ← Marlboro Township ←	N  S	→ END
Princeton ← West Windsor ← Hightstown ←	W  E	→ Tinton Falls → Ocean Grove → Asbury Park