Overview
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.
5 sights · 2 things to do · 6 places to eat · 5 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Keansburg
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.
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…
Runaway Rapids
Water park is very popular amongst tourist groups. Get there early though, because it fills up quick.
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 bayshor…
Bayshore Waterfront Park
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…
Keansburg Amusement Park
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 th…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 84°F; winter lows dip to about 25°F. Wettest: Aug and Dec. (climate data from nearby Long Branch)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- EWR Newark Liberty International Airport, Newark — 17 mi away (major hub). Directions
- JFK John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York — 23 mi away (major hub). Directions
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.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning New Jersey Transit, Runaway Rapids
- Lunch Lucisano's Pizza
- Afternoon Bayshore Waterfront Park, Keansburg Fishing Pier
- Dinner Gem's House of Bagels
Day 2
- Morning Colman's Point, Henry Hudson Bike Trail
- Lunch Anthony's Pizza
- Afternoon Keansburg Amusement Park
- Dinner Golden Wok
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
The majority of restaurants are take-out or dine in with plastic utensils. A few worth mentioning include:
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Understand
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
Get in
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.
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.
See
See 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.
Do
Do Keansburg Amusement Park
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.
See 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:
See Bayshore Waterfront Park
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
Buy
Shop A&S Italian Sausage Factory (Sausage factory and butchershop)
Fresh sausage made on premises, sold to the public through Italian specialty butcher shop.
Shop Belford Seafood Cooperative Association (Seafood Store)
Nice selection of fresh fish. The co-op smells like low tide sometimes.
Shop Bayshore Watch & Jewelry
They have a nice collection of antique watches but a pawn shop by any other name is still a pawn shop.
Eat
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.
Eat Lucisano's Pizza
The Best pizza around despite their gruff manner.
Eat Gem's House of Bagels (Delicatessen)
The best Italians subs in the area, although they tend to get a bit frazzled around lunchtime.
Eat Anthony's Pizza (Italian Pizza & Restaurant)
Eat Golden Wok (Chinese)
The best of the local take-out Chinese available
Eat Jersey Joe's (luncheonette)
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
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:
- Some places in town tend to be local hangouts but most people won't bother you, if you mind your own business. Sometimes, it's best to keep your loudmouth friend at home.
- 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
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
Stay Blue Bay Inn
Marine boat and docking facilities:
Nearby
Middletown
City / town · 19 listings · 4 mi away
Holmdel
City / town · 1 listings · 5 mi away
Matawan
City / town · 2 listings · 6 mi away
Gateway National Recreation Area
Park · 16 listings · 7 mi away
Sandy Hook
Park · 5 listings · 7 mi away
Red Bank
City / town · 35 listings · 7 mi away
Fair Haven
City / town · 3 listings · 7 mi away
Perth Amboy
City / town · 5 listings · 8 mi away
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