Downtown Manasquan With miles of attractive beaches and a thriving downtown, Manasquan offers more than your average beach town.
Manasquan has been a seaside destination since 1878, when railroads offered convenient access to New York City and the state’s urbanized north.
The Nathaniel Morris Inn (117 Marcellus Ave.), built in 1882, and the Manasquan Beach House (390 E. Main St.) hotel and restaurant, initially constructed in 1893, offer guests a taste of this early elegance.
“For a small town, we have a lot of varied eateries,” Laura Gilardini, owner of Gilardini Ceramica Italiana, said on behalf of the Manasquan Chamber of Commerce.
They range from beach grub like the Surf Café (99 Taylor Ave. and Route 71), Broadway Grill (168 Main St.), Carlson’s Corner (432 Beachfront) or made-to-order burritos and tacos from Bubbakoo’s Burritos (233 E. Main St.) to upscale dining like Remington’s (142 Main St.) or traditional Italian at Maria’s (165 Main St.).
Manasquan is also home to many watering holes, like Edgar’s Pub (153 Sea Girt Ave.), which features an extensive dinner menu and frequent live music by local bands and DJs; Rod’s Olde Irish Tavern (507 Washington Blvd.), with its fresh seafood and hand-cut steaks; and Leggetts (217 First Ave.), with its outdoor bar garden.
After dinner — or before, if that’s their style — patrons can enjoy excellent treats like homemade ice cream at The Main Scoop (140 Main St.), baked goods and loose leaf teas at Sweet Tease (150 Main St.), or chocolates and candy at Third Avenue Chocolate Shoppe (97 Main St.).
The best way to experience a slice of all the dining Manasquan has to offer is the Taste of Manasquan event on May 22.
For one flat rate, over 20 of the borough’s eateries open their doors to curious guests and offer tours and samples of their top dishes.
Some eateries will offer live music, and if a bit too much cuisine weighs anyone down, a shuttle service runs along the loop.
Gilardini said that Manasquan’s close-knit community and quaint downtown often draw comparisons to Norman Rockwell paintings.
Between mornings on the beach and evenings in the restaurants, visitors can peruse a myriad of unique stores.
“Main Street has many shops, carrying things from clothing (Rare Cargo, 175 Main St.; Water Lily, 108 Main St.) to shoes (Katherine’s, 100 Main St.; Raffetto Shoes, 115 Main St.) to beach attire (Timm’s Beach, 98 Main St.) to bicycles (Manasquan Bike Shop, 128 Main St.),” Gilardini said.
Main Street also has many home stores with specialties, like Manasquan Lighting (126 Main St.); home décor store The Garret (135 Main St.); and Gilardini’s own Gilardini Ceramica Italiana, 170 Main St. “We import Italian ceramics, decorative pieces, dinnerware, kitchen accessories, wall art,” she said.
“Everything, obviously, is made in Italy.”
Manasquan even has an independent bookstore, Booktowne (171 Main St.), a lost luxury in most towns.
Everything you can think of, you can find,” Gilardini said.
On April 30, more than 80 vendors will set up at Squan Plaza in the middle of town for the Arts and Crafts Festival.
In addition to the variety of clothing, jewelry, crafts, pottery and art on sale, the festival will also provide children’s entertainment.
Other notable events include the sidewalk sale onMay 13-14 andAug. 5-6, a weekly farmers market, and a summer art show on July 9.
The sidewalk sale stretches along Main Street and Broad Street as vendors set up outdoor display tables for shopping in the sunshine.
Unlike some beach towns, Manasquan is not simply a summer destination; one of the coldest months is also one of Manasquan’s busiest.
“It really becomes Norman Rockwell-like during the holidays,” Gilardini said.
With frequent visits from Father Christmas himself and his jolly wife, Manasquan becomes a hub for holiday shopping.
Beginning Dec. 2, festive lights illuminate the borough and a storefront becomes Santa’s house.
With a brass quartet strolling Main Street offering joyful carols, there is no shortage of holiday cheer in this seaside town.
All year round, whether a beach bum, bargain hunter, foodie or shopaholic, Manasquan’s small-town charm will surely seduce any visitor.