Samantha Impaglia 
We already know that the Jersey Shore is the best place to be — whether during the summer or in the off-season — and Asbury Park recently received a major designation to further prove just that. As a part of Travel + Leisure’s “America’s Best Small Towns 2025” series, Asbury Park was named the best small beach town in the United States. Read on for more about what makes Asbury Park, New Jersey, the best small beach town around.
Best Small Beach Town
The City of Asbury Park announced this week via a press release that it was named the best small beach town in the United States by Travel + Leisure, and we couldn’t agree more. The ranking, which was published on August 15th, was a part of the brand’s “America’s Best Small Towns 2025” series and includes the following:
- Best Small Beach Town: Asbury Park, New Jersey
- Best Small Mountain Town: Boone, North Carolina
- Best Small Lake Town: Ogallala, Nebraska
- Best Small Desert Town: El Centro, California
- Best Small Arts + Culture Town: Sewanee, Tennessee
- Best Small Food + Drinks Town: Bardstown, Kentucky
- Best Small Spa + Wellness Town: Mineral Wells, Texas
- Best Small Retirement Town: Panama City Beach, Florida
- Best Small Family Town: Frankenmuth, Michigan
- Best Small Shopping Town: Taos, New Mexico
Read More: Asbury Park Implements Citywide 25MPH Speed Limit
Travel + Leisure describes Asbury Park as “the ultimate city by the sea with a rich rock n’roll history and now an exciting new dining, art, and hotel scene to complement its gorgeous mile-long beach.” It paints the small Jersey Shore town as small-town charm meets big-city creativity, highlighting things like the musical legacy of The Stone Pony, colorful murals, the eclectic mix of restaurants and shops, the town’s boardwalk revival, family-friendly arcades, vintage shops, classic Jersey Shore attractions, clean beaches, lakes, parks, its LGBTQ+ inclusivity, and the close proximity to New York City.
The article also mentions the diverse and inclusive community in Asbury Park, crediting both local residents and business owners for fostering that atmosphere. It praises the city’s cultural vibrancy, from live music venues and art galleries to festivals like Sea.Hear.Now., North 2 Shore, and Porchfest that draw visitors from across the area. Per Travel + Leisure, it’s the perfect coastal backdrop. You can read the full article here.
“We are deeply proud that Travel + Leisure has recognized Asbury Park as the best small beach town in America,” Asbury Park Mayor John Moor said via a press release. “I want to thank the publication for this acknowledgment, and in particular, thank Jen Murphy for painting such a vibrant picture of our city for visitors around the country. Her piece captures the unique spirit of Asbury Park — a community that blends history, culture, and creativity with one of the most beautiful beaches on the East Coast.”
“This recognition is a reflection of the hard work and passion of our residents, businesses, and community partners who continue to make Asbury Park such a special place to live, work, and visit,” City Manager Adam E. Cruz added. “It affirms what our community has long known — that Asbury Park is truly one of America’s most unique and welcoming destinations.”
From the Archives: JSG’s Asbury Park Faves
To help you further explore Asbury Park and all of its offerings that make it the best small beach town in the United States, we rounded up some articles from the archives for easy browsing:
A Travel Guide to Asbury Park, NJ
Your Guide to an Asbury Park Boardwalk Food Crawl
A Guide to Asbury Park Concert Venues
How to Spend a Solo Day in Asbury Park
The Best Mocktails in Asbury Park, New Jersey
The Best BYOB Restaurants in Asbury Park, New Jersey
A Guide to the Coffee Shops in the Asbury Park Area
15 Restaurants With Outdoor Seating in Asbury Park
14 Beauty Spots in Asbury Park for All Your Pampering Needs
The Best Nail Salons in Asbury Park
The Ultimate Home Decor Shopping Guide to the Asbury Park Area
Dog-Friendly Restaurants + Bars in Asbury Park
Thrift, Consignment, + Vintage Stores in Asbury Park + Beyond
See More: 16 Beaches Accessible by Public Transit from Hoboken + Jersey City
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