Travel + Leisure just released its list of the 26 best beaches in the United States, and one New Jersey beach made the cut. Asbury Park was named alongside some of the country’s most iconic coastlines—from Clearwater Beach in Florida to Coronado Beach in San Diego to Poipu Beach in Kauai.

For a Jersey Shore destination that has spent the last two decades reinventing itself, the national recognition feels right on time.

Why Asbury Park

Asbury Park Beach stretches about a mile along New Jersey’s Atlantic coast. Right alongside it is one of the nation’s most storied boardwalks. Travel + Leisure cited the full package: sunbathing, swimming, surfing, and fishing on the sand, plus a boardwalk lined with restaurants, bars, and shops. The Silverball Retro Arcade, with more than 150 machines dating back to the 1950s, adds a nostalgic pull that few beach towns can match. Multiple cameos in The Sopranos gives Asbury Park its glitz and glamor.

Then there’s what Asbury Park is historically known for: the music.

Just across from the boardwalk sits The Stone Pony—the legendary venue where Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi got their starts. That history gives the town a character that’s hard to match. 

Asbury Park: A Comeback Story

Asbury Park’s revival has been one of the more remarkable stories on the Jersey Shore. Once defined by decades of decline, the city has emerged as a destination in its own right—drawing visitors for its dining scene, music venues, arts community, and yes, its beach. The boardwalk today is a mix of old-school Shore charm and something genuinely new.

Getting there is easy. Asbury Park is accessible by NJ Transit’s North Jersey Coast Line, making it a straightforward day trip from most of the state—and even a worthy day trip for city dwellers. 

And now, the Jersey beach gets its flowers. Asbury Park Beach is one of the best beaches in the U.S., according to the experts.