Asbury Park

Asbury Park's boardwalk was built in 1871, which featured an orchestra pavilion, public changing rooms, and a pier. In 1888, the Palace Amusements building was built, which housed a carousel and numerous other attractions. In 1929, the Convention Hall, Paramount Theater, and Casino building were built. In 1973 The Stone Pony, a famous music venue where musicians like Bruce Springsteen and Bon Jovi launched their careers was built adjacent to the boardwalk. Asbury Park fell on hard times starting in the 1960s, with the boardwalk and city losing numerous businesses and falling into disrepair. The Palace Amusements complex closed in 1988, and was demolished in 2004, although the carousel and the famed Tillie mural were saved. Half of the Casino building was demolished in 2006, although part of it still remains as an rotating art exhibit.

Asbury Park began its revitalization in the 2000s. In 2002, the city released their Waterfront Redevelopment Plan. In 2007, the boardwalk began an extensive restoration process that restored the Convention Hall, Paramount Theater, and numerous pavilions on the boardwalk. There are several hotels adjacent to the boardwalk, such as the LGBT-oriented Empress Hotel and Paradise Nightclub, the Ocean Club Hotel, and the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel. In 2020, the north end of the boardwalk reconstruction project was completed. Revitalization and rehabilitation efforts continue into 2023. The boardwalk connects to the boardwalk of neighboring Ocean Grove to the south. ^[7][8][9]