Let's start with the obvious. Where is the Bayshore? Located along the Raritan Bay you will find the Bayshore, which includes towns that are part of Middlesex and Monmouth County. In New Jersey talk, Exit 117 off the parkway + the "start" of the Jersey Shore. The place I call home.
The Bayshore consists of several towns each with their own uniqueness + vibe, they include:
Perth Amboy South Amboy
Sayreville Sayreville
Old Bridge Matawan
Aberdeen Keyport
Union Beach Hazlet
Keansburg Middletown
Belford Port Monmouth
Port Monmouth Leonardo
Atlantic Highlands Highlands
Sandy Hook
From exploring Bayshore towns to lounging on the beach to enjoying a meal on the Bay, the Bayshore has a lot to do + see. Here is your ultimate Bayshore guide coming from a Bayshore local herself, me! As always be sure to follow me @bayshorebeyond
Things to do at the Bayshore
Sandy Hook + Bay Beaches
Situated along the Raritan Bay the Bayshore is home to several Bay beaches including Bayshore Waterfront Park + Keansburg Beach, both free - for now. Head down 36 + you will find the start of the Jersey Shore, Gateway Recreation Area also known as Sandy Hook where you can spend the day on the beach, bike the trails or check out the Sandy Hook Lighthouse.
Keansburg Amusement Park + Water Park
Looking for the perfect thing to do with kids at the Bayshore, take them to the Keansburg Amusement + Water Park for endless summer fun.
Scope them out on Instagram: @keansburg_amusementpark
Henry Hudson Trail
The Henry Hudson Trail runs through the entire Bayshore connecting each town. You can walk, run or ride your bike up + down the Bayshore hopping off to explore towns along the way.
Bride Marina
Nothing better than a day spent on a boat. Bridge Marina in the Highlands has pontoon boats for daily rentals or you can join their Boating Club where you can use any of the boats in their fleet for the summer season.
Scope them out on Instagram: @bridgemarina
Hartshorne Woods
If the woods are more your thing, head up the hills of the Highlands + hike Hartshorne Woods where you will find easy paved hikes or wooded hikes with beautiful water views.
Fishing Charters
The Raritan Bay + Ocean has been teaming with fish, with several fishing charters throughout the Bayshore, like Keyport Princess + Captain Ron's Fisherman, you can spend the day fishing on the water.
Bay Cruises
From brunch to sunset cruises to drag shows + more, grab a ticket on one of Teal Cruise's many events they host throughout the season like the Bayshore Bazaar Boat Cruise happening on August 11th.
Scope them out on Instagram: @tealcruises
Whale Watching
I've been lucky enough to spot whales while on the beach, I can only imagine what you will see on a boat. Grab a ticket for Seastreak Whale Watching + enjoy wildlife from the sea.
Scope them out on Instagram: @seastreakwhalewatch
Places to Eat at the Bayshore
Drew's Bayshore Bistro
The best place to eat in Keyport. A Bayshore staple, Drew's is cooking up New Orlean style cuisine + it is divine. From his famous voodoo shrimp to craw fish etoufee to jambalaya + more. It is the perfect date night spot or a friend foodie feast.
Scope them out on Instagram: @drews_bayshorebistro
Kunya Siam
When I crave Thai, my go to spot is Kunya Siam in Atlantic Highlands. The food is fresh, delicious + keeps me coming back for more.
Half Moon
A coastal chic spot in Keansburg where you can get everything from a burger to crab cakes to pasta + more. You can hang outside in The Lot during the summer season or enjoy a meal with a view on the deck. Either way it is the place to eat in Keansburg.
Scope them out on Instagram: @halfmoonkb
Franny's Pizzeria + Restaurant
Franny's is a family owned spot serving up delicious pizzas, sandwiches, pasta + more in the Highlands. It is the perfect spot to grab a slice after a day at the beach.
Scope them out on Instagram: @frannyshighlands
Olde Heidleberg
If you are looking for a good old fashion hot dog, look no further than Olde Heidelberg in Keansburg where you will find fantastic franks that pop when you bite into them + handcut fries. You can wash it all down with an ice cold beer.
Scope them out on Instragram: @olde_heidelberg
Broad Street Diner
Voted best diner in New Jersey, you cannot go wrong with a meal at Broad Street Diner in Keyport. It is a quintessential NJ diner cooking up everything for breakfast, lunch + dinner. Go hungry because their portions are huge.
Scope them out on Instagram: @broadstreetdinernj
Grill 36
Looking for something different to eat? Check out Grill 36 in Belford where they are cooking up delicious falafels, gyros, lamb platters + more.
Scope them out on Instagram: @grill36nj
Dock Donuts
A place where you can grab a coffee, donut + a boat. Dock Donuts in the Highlands is an adorable spot on the water where you can grab a delicious donut + rent a small boat to explore the bay for the day.
Scope them out on Instragram: @dockdonuts
Front Street Pizza
My favorite pizza place in Keyport. It is the perfect spot to grab a slice to go + hang out by the Keyport Waterfront. Their chicken Cesar slice is my favorite.
Scope them out on Instagram: @frontstreetpizzanj
Gourmet Italian Delights
Ice cream is always a good idea. Gourmet Italian Delights in Keyport is scooping delicious ice cream that you can enjoy outside with a beautiful view of the Bay.
Scope them out on Instagram: @gourmetitaliandelights
Julio's Pizza
Two words - pickle pizza. Don't hate until you give it a try. If pickles aren't your thing Julio's in Atlantic Highlands has a great plain slice + more.
Scope them out on Instagram: @heyitsjulios
Places to Eat on the Bay
Inlet Cafe
One of the many waterfront dining places in the Highlands, Inlet Cafe is a casual spot on the water serving up seafood + more. This is the perfect place to grab a bite after a long day at Sandy Hook.
Scope them out on Instagram: @inletcafe
One Willow
If you are looking for a more elevated dining experience on the water look no further than One Willow in the Highlands. You are guaranteed beautiful views + a beautiful meal. This place screams date night or girls night.
Scope them out on Instagram: @onewillow_nj
Proving Ground
For a casual, fun waterfront dining spot Proving Ground in the Highlands is the place. With beautiful views of Sandy Hook, live music, fire pits, drinks + more it is a great pfor a greatlace time every season.
Scope them out on Instagram: @pgwaterfrontdining
Jake-a-Bobs
Only open in the summer Jake-a-Bobs in Union Beach feels like you are on vacation with a beautiful view of the New York skyline where you can enjoy a drink or meal on the water.
Scope them out on Instagram: @jakeabobsbay
Bahrs Landing Restaurant
The Bayshore's seafood spot. Bahrs Landing Restaurant is serving up lobsters, clams, shrimp, oysters, scallops + more. Located right on the Sandy Hook Bay it has a beautiful view + you can watch the fishermen coming in with all the fresh fish. They also have an outdoor tiki bar during the summer season.
Scope them out on Instagram: @bahrslandingrestaurant
Places to Grab a Drink at the Bayshore
The Seafarer
Hands down my favorite bar at the Bayshore. The Seafarer in the Highlands is my vibe + I love it. Nothing better than a delicious drink in hand, toes in the sand, music in your ears + a beautiful view to see. It is the recipe for a great time. It is also SUPER kid friendly.
Scope them out on Instagram: @theseafarernj
Sandbox at Seatreak
The ultimate Bayshore beach bar. You can spend the entire day at The Sandbox in the Highlands where you can swim in the bay, enjoy cocktails, grab a bite from the food trucks + enjoy live music. During the weekend + certain hours there is a cover charge to enter.
Scope them out on Instagram: @sandboxatseastreak
Ross Brewing
If beer is your thing then you need to check out Ross Brewing in Port Monmouth where you can enjoy craft beers right on the dock + watch the Belford fisherman boat by.
Scope them out on Instagram: @rossbrewing
3BR Distrillery
The cocktail + the pea. Meet 3BR Distillery in Keyport making spirits distilled from split peas. Here you will find craft cocktails made with spirits produced on-site each one more unique than the next.
Scope them out on Instagram: @3brdistillery
As you read, there is SO much to do, eat, explore + more at the Bayshore. Follow me @bayshorebeyond for even more fun at the Bayshore + beyond.
NOTE: The Bayshore Ultimate Guide will frequently be updated. The guide consists only of places that I have personally eaten or recommend. If you are not on the list + want me to come check out your business or restaurant, please email me at bayshorebeyond@gmail.com