Down the Shore

Vol. 16 - Week of December 21st

December 22, 2025

With the Winter Solstice on Sunday, we’re well on our way toward the end of 2025 (and on the literal bright side, we’re past the days becoming shorter and now back to longer). We became New Jersey residents this past summer, and started Down the Shore only a few months ago as a way to get to know our new home and share what we were learning along the way. We’re so thankful to all our new readers who subscribed, and we’re really looking forward to sharing more newsletter editions with you in 2026.

We’ll be taking a quick holiday hiatus, but will be back in your inboxes January 5th. In the meantime, we’re celebrating with a wrap-up of our favorite Jersey Shore activities of the past year, along with what’s on our bucket list in the new one. Keep following along as we start checking it off!

🌟 Highlights of 2025

  • Restaurant Meals and Sips: Judy’s for the “Schmaltz” duck fat potatoes (Asbury Park), Hadaka for Omakase (Asbury Park), River Pointe Inn for the Filthy Martini (Rumson), Minnow’s for the Pork Roll Egg and Cheese (Brielle), and Nicholas Creamery for the Delicious Orchards Apple Cider Ice Cream (multiple MC locations)

  • Staycation Spot: St. Laurent Social Club for the Pool vibes (Asbury Park) 

  • Time Outdoors: Hartshorne Woods Park for the water views and paved stroller-friendly pathways (Highlands) 

  • Weekend Activity: Fair Haven Farmers Market for a great way to learn about local businesses and take home some yummy treats

  • Wholesome Holiday Moments: Spring Lake Beach for 4th of July, Fair Haven Library for their Halloween Party at Bicentennial Hall, and Downtown Red Bank for their Christmas Carolers

👀 What We’re Looking Forward to in 2026:

  • Celebrating local history for America’s 250th Birthday: Did you know New Jersey was home to more military action than any other colony during the American Revolution? Us history nerds have penciled in visits to Princeton Battlefield State Park and Monmouth Battlefield State Park right here in Monmouth County. The Reenactment for the Battle of Monmouth is in June each year. Check out Revolution NJ for more resources and events!

  • Exploring the New Jersey Wine Trail: Back in 2012, a blind testing called the “Judgement of Princeton” pitted French wines against wines from NJ, and the Garden State held its own. We’re excited to explore homegrown grapes next year at Beneduce Vineyards (Pittstown, Hunterdon County), and Fox Hollow Vineyards (Holmdel)

  • Pretending We’re Food Critics: Our ever-growing culinary hit list includes steakhouse Butcher’s Block (Long Branch), Italian restaurant Anjelica’s (Sea Bright), newcomer Olea (Spring Lake), pie place Pizzeria ‘Lucci (Belmar), and ex-bank turned bistro Marée (Spring Lake). 

  • Ghostbusting the Shore: We may have been too scared this year, so we’ll be going all out for Spooky Season with Sleepy Hollow Live at Allaire Village, Ghost Tours of Asbury Park, and a visit to Strauss (Haunted) Mansion in Atlantic Highlands 

  • Tuning in to Live Music: With so much legendary talent all concentrated within one of the US’s smallest states, we’d be remiss not to appreciate the entertainment venues all around us. From comedy acts at Count Basie to concerts at Stone Pony’s Summer Stage, we’re getting our tickets ready (hey maybe we’ll even be lucky enough to catch Santa Springsteen next year).

🌤️ Weekend Forecast

🎄 Thursday 12/25 - 46°/34° Cloudy

🌨️ Friday 12/26 - 43°/34° Rain and snow

☁️ Saturday 12/27 - 44°/39° Cloudy

🌧️ Sunday 12/28 - 48°/30° Light Rain

🎶 Santa, play us out with “Little Saint Nick.” Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas Monmouth County Jersey Shore! 🌊

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