We are going to a wedding in Asbury Park and wanted a town nearby to spend the day and have dinner. I hear Ocean Grove is nice? We are staying in Asbury Park. Any suggestions for some small quaint town with good food?

Ocean Grove is attractive with lots of Victorian restorations and a number of pleasant restaurants; just remember that the town is dry. If that's a concern, Belmar might be an attractive alternative. Last summer there was a very nice restaurant on the Asbury Park Boardwalk itself with dining both indoors and out and an eclectic menu. Have no idea if it survived the winter.

Try Spring Lake

I agree with Spring Lake. If your going in the summer months, try entering the beach at the north bathing pavilion. Try Whispers for dinner in Spring Lake, make reservations well in advance.

By spending the day, do you mean at the beach? If so, then Spring Lake or Ocean Grove. Ocean Grove is a Methodist Camp Meeting Grounds and can be fun to stroll around it's Victorian houses and visit the Great Auditorium. For a restautant in OG try Captain Jack's. Spring Lake is a beautiful town with pricy, elegant houses and a nice beach. As mentioned, try Whispers. Great ice cream can be had at The Blarney Cone. Will this wedding be in the summer, if so, you can stay right in Asbury Park. There is a nice beach and some excellent restaurants. The boardwalk buildings are now under construction with the promise of new restaurants and shops by Memorial Day. And of course, Asbury has the famous Stone Pony for night life. Belmar,although having good food, is a mad house in the summer with group housing which attracts the partying 20-30 age group.

In January I was in New Jersey and was really impressed with the improvements to Asbury Park. It had been about 4 years since I'd been to New Jersey and they have made some tremendous changes in that time.

I thought I saw that the Stone Pony was no more - maybe it has just changed names?

The Stone Pony is still there. There is talk of eventually moving it to a new entertainment complex to built at the southern end of the boardwalk, but right now it is functioning as always. Here is this weeks schedule:
http://www.stoneponyonline.com/schedule.html

While Spring Lake is grand in many ways it is also a little quiet (read dull)

Ocean Grove is unique and charming and quirky with better shops and cafes. So much more to see.

I say Ocean Grove!

Another vote for Ocean Grove. Spring Lake has beautiful houses but I love to stroll in Ocean Grove.

Thanks everyone, we are going this weekend and it looks like rain tomorrow and Sat morning. But if we have the chance to walk around, we will def go to Ocean Grove.

just curious...where are you staying in Asbury and where is the wedding? and yes,they are calling for rain Friday and Saturday, but not Sunday...

Berkeley Hotel for both.

Didn't know that they had reopened, so I'm interested in what you think of it. By the way,there is a film festival going on in Asbury this weekend, so that might be something you want to check out.

Another vote for Ocean Grove! Spent two weeks there every summer growing up. It's relaxing and quaint.

It is now 2010 and I would like help choosing between staying in Ocean grove and asbury for 3 nights- an old girls jaunt. 3 of us near 70.

Please see my reply on your Delaware or NJ thread. Click on your name and you can see all of your posts.