4 seasonal spots to hit before summer says ‘sayonara’

By:  | August 22, 2024 |  Features |  Monmouth County

Each year, when Memorial Day Weekend hits, it always feels like we are at the start of an endless road of summer fun. But before you know it, the days start disappearing and the nights start to spark a subtle but undeniable chill. Alas, summer cannot last forever, and that means we all must remember to pack in as much of the fun as we can while it’s still around. Don’t miss these warm weather faves …

Asbury Splash Park (Asbury Park)
Looking to enjoy ocean views without worrying about the dangers of the ocean itself? Even your youngest kids can have a blast at Asbury Splash Park, the boardwalk’s wettest summer fun spot for kids aged 18 months to 12 years. Whimsical and colorful design elements such as the tipping teacup and giant watering can and hose nozzle make this splash park a visual standout among the more grown-up shops and restaurants that dot the boardwalk, but it’s a strictly summer business, so get your trips in before the first school bell rings.

Boondocks Fishery (Red Bank)
Located right on the Navesink River, Boondocks Fishery looks like the kind of roadside lobster shack you would find in coastal Maine. But it’s not in Maine, it’s in Red Bank, and it serves up some seriously tasty seafood – with a heavy lean toward lobster – in a fun and quirky atmosphere that manages to mix in a pinch of a carefree Key West vibe. It’s cash only and they are only open from mid-May to mid-September, so your days of enjoyment are numbered, but there is good reason to find the time to work in a visit this summer, as Boondocks also offers one of the best deals around on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays when a pair of lobsters along with corn and potatoes can be had for the utterly unheard-of price of $36.95. Dinner for two at a seafood restaurant on the water for under $40? Sign us up.

Shipwreck Island Mini Golf (Bradley Beach)
Does anything scream summer memories like piling the whole family onto the course for a round of mini golf? Probably not, and that’s because the chance to putt your way through a whimsically challenging series of holes is simply not there in the winter. Such is the case for Bradley Beach’s much-loved mini golf mecca, Shipwreck Island Mini Golf. Mock lighthouses, fun water features and, of course, a replica of a shipwrecked boat make this a standout spot along the Bradley Beach Boardwalk. Though the official opening and closing days vary year by year, in order to make sure you secure your chance for a hole in one, you’ll want to stop by while the weather is still warm enough for shorts.

Freehold’s Thursdays Rock! Summer Concert series (Downtown Freehold)
From 7:30-9:30 p.m. each Thursday throughout the summer, this live concert event attracts between 1500 and 2200 attendees outside the Hall of Records in downtown Freehold. The entertainment changes each week, but consistently includes some of the best local acts and cover bands in the area. Much of the good times for the summer of 2024 have already rocked and rolled, but there are a few weeks left to enjoy the fun. The remaining schedule features The Gab Clique Band on Aug. 1, The Ruckus on Aug. 8, a Van Halen tribute band on Aug. 15 and Turnstyles (a Billy Joel tribute band) on Aug. 22. Each event is free and open to the public.