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borough in New Jersey, United States
North America > United States of America > Mid-Atlantic > New Jersey > Jersey Shore > Monmouth County > Keansburg

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

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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.

The town was badly damaged during Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and has never fully recovered. Try to imagine Keansburg in its glory days to make the most out of a visit.

Local information

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Get in

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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.

  • 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

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  • 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 an arrow. 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. 
  • 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. 
  • 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. 
  • Cinemark Hazlet 12: 2821 Highway 35 Hazlet
  • Veteran's Park: Green Acre Drive, off Middle Road in Hazlet
  • 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. 
  • 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. 
  • 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. 
  • 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. 

The majority of restaurants are take-out or dine in with plastic utensils. A few worth mentioning include:

  • 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. 
  • 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 
  • 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. 

Drink

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Keansburg has many pubs and taverns. Several can be found along the boardwalk area, including:

  • Miami Club on the boardwalk and Beachway. This bar has been renamed a few times through various owners. They have fresh seafood and two bars though the inside one is usually closed. Formally known as the "Cabana Club" and the "Alibi"
  • Jackie Keelen's Bar on the Henry Hudson Trail in the old train station building. The nicest bar in town has 26 beers on tap but no food.
  • Applejack Bar & Grille at the corner of Centre and Carr Ave. This place is known as the rudest bar in town but they also have the best food. Formally known as the "Deluxe Bar"
  • The Marina Inn Bar at the foot of Laurel Ave where the creek meets the bay. Some of the patrons here look like extras from a pirate movie. Also known as the "Maplewood Inn".

Note:

  1. 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.
  2. 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

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There are no major hotels in Keansburg, so you should check out the nearby area including:

  • Holiday Inn in Hazlet
  • The Hub Middletown: A Best Western Signature Hotel, 750 NJ-35, Middletown Township
  • Blue Bay Inn, 51 First Ave, Atlantic Highlands. 

Marine boat and docking facilities:

  • Bayside Cove 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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Go next

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