Long Branch carries more history per square mile than almost any shore town in America. Seven U.S. presidents vacationed here during the Gilded Age—Grant was fined $20 for speeding on horseback, and locals built a half-mile railroad spur overnight to bring the dying President Garfield to the shore in 1881. After decades of decline following the casino era, the city has experienced a genuine renaissance anchored by Pier Village, an upscale oceanfront development that succeeds without feeling sanitized.
The beach experience here splits into two distinct zones. Pier Village Beach offers easy access to 50+ shops and restaurants—clean sand, solid lifeguard coverage, and the convenience of grabbing lunch at Sirena or coffee at Inkwell without walking far. Beach badges run just $6 weekdays ($9 weekends), making this one of the more affordable options in Monmouth County. For something wilder, head to Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park, a 38-acre preserve with natural dunes, consistent surf breaks, and nature trails—named for those seven commanders-in-chief who found the sea air restorative.
Pier Village transformed Long Branch's identity without erasing it. The 3-block development mixes Anthropologie and Lululemon with local boutiques, all fronting a boardwalk with legitimate ocean views. It's upscale without being exclusive—families, couples, and day-trippers all mix comfortably. Beyond Pier Village, the West End neighborhood has developed a genuine arts scene with galleries and eclectic restaurants, attracting the kind of creative energy that used to flow exclusively to Asbury Park.
The dining scene punches above its weight. Rooney's Oceanfront has served the community for 20+ years with spectacular views and a raw bar worth the premium. McLoone's Pier House anchors the casual end with its $49 Sunday brunch buffet—omelette stations, champagne, live music—drawing crowds who arrive early and stay late. Sirena in Pier Village delivers tableside Italian with floor-to-ceiling ocean views. Avenue Le Club brings day-club energy with bottle service options. Figure $40-80/person at upscale spots, $25-40 for casual waterfront dining.
Long Branch works for couples wanting upscale beach weekends, families who appreciate the Pier Village convenience, shoppers seeking oceanfront retail therapy, and history buffs tracing presidential footsteps. The train station on the North Jersey Coast Line means NYC day-trippers can arrive without parking stress. Oceanfest on July 4th draws 250,000 people—plan accordingly or avoid entirely. Skip Long Branch if you want quiet, undeveloped beach or budget accommodations—that's Spring Lake south or Asbury Park's edge. But for the shore town that figured out how to blend luxury retail, genuine history, and accessible beaches without losing its soul, Long Branch has nailed the formula.