Ocean Grove is a place unknown to even the most seasoned Jersey Shore visitor, particularly because it’s sandwiched between the more popular Asbury Park to the north and Bradley Beach to the south. Though it is small, it is not to be overlooked. Read on to learn more about this Jersey Shore town of Ocean Grove, things to do, + places to stay {and why you might just be convinced to plan a trip}:
The History
Originally founded as a Christian camp meeting ground {a retreat for Protestants to gather during communion season}, this quaint town stems from some pretty interesting roots. All of the land in town is still owned by the camp meeting association and you’ll even notice the beach pass booth is managed by the association. This means that on Sunday mornings, the beaches are closed from 8:30AM until noon. It also means that Ocean Grove is a dry town, forbidding alcohol to be sold {but visitors can still bring their own}.
Where to Stay
Ocean Grove has a bevy of small hotels and bed & breakfasts all within very close walking distance to the beach. Most of them offer up a complimentary daily breakfast and all the charm you could want. Think porches, turrets, and decorative bedrooms galore.
With so many small hotels to choose from, here are a few to check out to get you started:
The Majestic
Built in 1870, this hotel features 16 guest rooms (one of which is a three-room penthouse) and Bia, a charming restaurant where you can grab a table on their enclosed porch.
Quaker Inn
This hotel has been standing tall next to the Atlantic for nearly 150 years. If the walls could talk, we could only imagine what they would have to say.
The Ocean Plaza Hotel
The porches and balconies around The Ocean Plaza Hotel make the perfect setting to take in the sights of town — from the beach to the Great Auditorium.
Langdon Hotel
For those cool summer nights, cozy up at one of their fireplaces after a dinner out on the town before settling into one of Langdon Hotel’s guest rooms.
Where to Eat
SeaGrass
With its seasonal menu, SeaGrass offers visitors a relaxed, upscale atmosphere with seating both inside and outside. Bonus: the outdoor seating lends itself to some great people watching.
Cheese on Main
The second you walk into this shop, that delicious pungent odor of good cheese hits your nose. The shelves are stocked with all kinds of delicious cheese accouterment, but your eyes immediately drift toward the display counter. It’s stocked with cheese from all over the world which is noted by the little country flags sticking out of each wedge. Buy a hunk and head to the beach.
Bürbelmaiers
Pie lovers, this is your spot. Think: meat pies like buffalo chicken, veggie pies like veggie korma, sweet pies like blueberry, and gluten-free pies like pumpkin with fresh cream. Whatever you’re in the mood for, you’ll find it at Bürbelmaiers.
Nagles Apothecary Café
For over a century, Nagles has been serving up the goods, originally as a pharmacy and now as a breakfast, lunch, dinner, and ice cream spot. There’s a good chance this place is seriously haunted, but don’t let that scare you away. Coming to Nagles feels like stepping back in time with all the names of the pharmacists who have ever worked there printed on the front window. Despite the restaurant being closed on Tuesdays for “cleaning” as the sign out front states, the walk up ice cream window is open every day of the week until people stop showing up.
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Days Ice Cream & The Starving Artist
If you’ve had your fill of sugar and cream and are looking for something more substantial, head into The Starving Artist, connected to Days, for a scrumptious breakfast or lunch on their patio.
Eat Poke Bro
Ocean Grove is not immune to the Hawaiian food craze that is sweeping the mainland and we aren’t mad about it. Eat Poke Bro serves up all different variations of poke from the classic tuna to salmon to chicken pineapple and even tofu. Get any kind of poke served on rice or on greens. It’s a refreshing meal on a hot summer day.
What to Do
See a Show or Concert at the Great Auditorium
Built by shipbuilders in the 1980s, the Great Auditorium seats 7,000 people for worship services, concerts, and shows. Check out the full summer 2018 lineup, which features a Queen cover band and The Beach Boys, here.
Visit Tent City
Perhaps the most surprising thing about Ocean Grove is its Tent City which is comprised of 114 tents that are erected on wooden platforms every May until September. In the winter months, the wooden platforms remain, but in the summer months, they come alive with the tents and the residents who “glamp” {glamorous camping} all summer long. But don’t even think about Airbnb-ing one of these for a week. The rules of Tent City forbid any subletting of the structures. The neighborhood has been around for 150 years and the only way to acquire a plot is to have it passed down from generation to generation or to get on an exceptionally long wait list {20 years is a short wait}. In modern times, the platforms have been modified, each with a wooden structure to house a kitchen and a bathroom, but the rest remains as it was when it first began. You can find most residents on their porch chatting with their neighbors {quietly, because after all, the sound carries from tent to tent} or just reading a book. Stop by and say hello!
Where to Shop
Ocean Grove is dotted with shops selling an array of goods, from souvenirs to Christmas ornaments. Here is our roundup:
Mermaid Haberdashery
This spot features jewelry made by the owner, Miss Ellie, whose aim is the make timeless pieces that will become tomorrow’s antiquities
Mermaid’s Yuletide
It’s Christmas heaven at Mermaid’s Yuletide — a great option for unique souvenirs.
See More: Things to Do in Cape May {Jersey Shore Getaway}
Comfort Zone
This shop sells skincare and fragrances to improve body & spirit
Main Avenue Galleria
For those interested in art {even on vacay} this gallery also offers art classes to the public.
Ocean Grove Trading Co.
Ocean Grove Trading Co. is your go-to boutique featuring women’s clothing and accessories.
Have you ever visited Ocean Grove? Share your favorite thing about it in the comments below!
We Asked Port Authority, + Apparently Hoboken’s PATH Station is Scheduled To Reopen On Time
Commuters, rejoice (allegedly); The deadline for the Hoboken PATH Station is fast approaching. Some rumors circulated online there may be a delay, but a representative from the Port Authority confirmed with The Hoboken Girl the station is still (allegedly) slated to open on time on February 25th, 2025. Some of the work being done includes improvements to both track and ride safety. It’s all part of the agency’s two-year PATH Forward program. Here’s what we know so far about the construction progress on the Hoboken PATH Station.
PATH Forward
The PATH Forward Program is a $430 million dollar program to upgrade the 117-year-old PATH system. It’s a series of projects to improve PATH Stations throughout Jersey City and Hoboken. It includes comprehensive track repair and replacement, modernization of bridges, railcars and other critical infrastructure, and rehabilitation of Hoboken, Grove Street, Newport, and Exchange Place.
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“The PATH system is a lifeline for thousands of commuters, and we understand the significant impact this closure will have on Hoboken riders. This critical work is necessary to ensure the PATH system remains safe and reliable for years to come,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole.
The project is slated to finish in early 2026. The overall goal is to enhance system resilience and efficiency, which will hopefully reduce delays and ensure a smoother ride for thousands of commuters.
The Hoboken PATH Closure
A quick refresh. Back in October of 2024, Port Authority announced the Hoboken PATH Station would close for a month on January 30th, 2025. A representative from Port Authority told HG the station is still scheduled to reopen at 5AM on Tuesday, February 25th. Since the station shut down at the end of January, commuters have been using alternate methods of transportation, like shuttle buses to other PATH stations, NJ Transit bus services, and and expanded ferry service.
"We look forward to the PATH reopening on schedule on Feb. 25 and we thank PATH, NJ Transit, and NY Waterway for working closely with the City to help mitigate the impacts of the PATH closure," Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla shared with HG. "While we recognize this was inconvenient for our residents, PATH's investments will enhance service and provide much-needed updates to the station."
The goal of the complete Hoboken PATH closure is to expedite those station upgrades in a shorter time frame. The work includes replacing the in-station track and the track switching network outside the station. Plus, construction is working on repairing over 4,500 feet of track leading to the station. It will also include making the station look nice, with four new stairways leading to the platform levels and a new concrete platform surface. More details about the new construction can be found online.
“The complexity of this—what we call the interlocking—is a really complex mechanical-electrical device that is so important,” said Port Authority Chief Operating Officer Jim Heitmann during a board meeting on February 13th. “To have a brand new one, and put [in] that kind of reliability, is just a really great example of what the outcome of this is going to be.”
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Normally, this kind of work would last for a prolonged period with severe schedule reductions and service suspensions. The Port Authority said this month-long closure prevented a full year of weekend service reductions which would otherwise be required to complete all the station upgrades.
The Hoboken Girl will continue to provide updates as the reopening date gets closer. Be sure to follow @thehobokengirl on Instagram + TikTok for the latest information.
