8 Things to Do in Asbury Park During the Offseason (and How to Make a Weekend of It)

With autumn in full swing, you’re probably itching to go somewhere with prime leaf-peeping opportunities. But anywhere known for its fall foliage tends to come with premium prices this time of year. That is, unless you look to destinations that are entering their low season but still have plenty to do, like Asbury Park, New Jersey. Roughly 90 minutes by car or train from NYC, the summer beach town that doubles as an LGBTQ+-friendly destination makes for a spectacular fall getaway with plenty of opportunities to see the leaves change—we’ll tell you how.

5. Shop handmade goods and unique finds

There are lots of new design-focused stores popping up in Asbury, including Hot Sand, a glass studio where you can collaborate on a creation directly with a glassblower. Hi-fi fans should beeline to Asbury’s Holdfast Records, where you can spend a good amount of time thumbing through vintage vinyl. The nearby Rebel Supply Company is a clothing store slash consignment shop featuring new and secondhand clothes, jewelry and art. And those on the hunt for one-of-a-kind home goods and miscellanea shouldn’t miss Antique Emporium.

6. Play some (vintage) pinball

If you’d rather take in some nostalgia than buy it, head over to the Silverball Museum Arcade, which features vintage video games and pinball machines, some dating back to the early 1930s, and many of which you can still play.

Where To Eat

Many of Asbury’s restaurants are within walking distance of each other, should you want to peruse menus. Francophiles will love Pascal & Sabine, a French brasserie with a handsome, lively bar. Menu highlights include buttery escargot, a mushroom tart, trout almondine, a serious burger and traditional steak frites. The cocktail program and large regional wine list mean you’ll probably leave very full and in very good spirits if you decide to partake. We specifically love the Jackal: jalapeño-infused tequila, mezcal and ginger syrup.

A stone’s throw away is Moonstruck—somewhat of an Asbury Park institution, set on multiple levels of a Victorian building with wraparound porches that overlook a peaceful lake separating Asbury from its neighboring town. The regular menu highlights many of your favorite foodie regions—France, Italy, Spain and Greece, to name a few—and the seasonal menu is has fall written all over it with dishes like baked Brie with fig jam, and rigatoni with pumpkin and goat cheese.

Located right on the boardwalk, Watermark is always solid for a drink and a snack; it’s more of a cocktail joint at heart, but it also doubles as a lovely wedding or party venue. And if you’re looking for a day drink or nightcap, The Asbury Hotel’s rooftop bar, Salvation, has quickly become one of the area’s most festive spots.