Ocean Grove

Understand

In 1867, Reverend William B. Osborn, a Methodist Preacher, attended week long outdoor holiness camp meeting in Vineland, New Jersey. Osborn's enthusiasm knew no bounds and he found an ideal camp meeting site, a secluded community on the North Jersey Coast, where spiritual and physical health could be renewed. On July 31,1869, a group of ministers and friends camped at what is now called Founders Park and after a candlelight prayer service dedicated themselves to establish a permanent Christian camp meeting community called Ocean Grove. From this simple beginning there would emerge a permanent town. In 1975, Ocean Grove received the designation as a State and National Historic District as an example of a 19th-century planned urban community. The district contains the largest aggregate of Victorian and early 20th-century structures in America. A Board of Architectural Review was established to create exterior design standards ensuring that the District would maintain its existing architectural heritage of Victorian seaside cottages.

Get in

From New York and points north

New Jersey Turnpike to exit 11 change to the Garden State Parkway South to exit 100B to Route 33 East follow straight to end of road crossing Main Street and following to Ocean. Turn left on Ocean Ave and follow for five blocks. You are now on Main Ave in Ocean Grove. The center and heart of town is one block west.

From the west

Take Route 18 South to Route 33 East and follow Route 33 East straight into Ocean Grove.

From Philadelphia and points south

New Jersey Turnpike to exit 7A change to 195 East to route 18 North. Exit at the route 33 exit staying in the left lane that will put you on route 33 East at the light on the bottom of the exit ramp. Stay on Route 33 East to the ocean. Turn left on Ocean Ave and follow for five blocks. You are now on Main Ave in Ocean Grove. The center of town is one block west.

By bus and train

All buses and trains arrive at the Asbury Park Transportation Center located across the street from the Main Avenue entrance to Ocean Grove. Cab service is available.

Penn Station, New York

New Jersey Transit North Jersey Coast Line to Asbury Park Station. +1 973-275-5555. Taxicabs available at station from Tops, Surf, Ocean and Super.

Port Authority New York Academy Bus -Shore Points to Port Authority Academy Bus Line drops off at various points in Ocean Grove including the heart of town. +1 732-291-1300.

From Philadelphia

NJT Route 317 from Philadelphia Greyhound Bus Terminal.

By air

Allaire Airport Farmingdale New Jersey, Newark & JFK Airport. Ground transportation available at all airports to get into Ocean Grove.

Local bus service

New Jersey Transit Route:

  • 830 Point Pleasant Beach - Asbury Park,
  • 832 Red Bank - Asbury Park,
  • 836 Freehold Raceway Mall -Asbury Park,
  • 837 Long Branch - Asbury Park

Get around

The best way of getting around Ocean Grove is by walking in the square mile that the town covers. If you feel the need to leave there is 11 miles of uncommercial boardwalk stretching from Asbury Park to Sea Girt, New Jersey.

See
  • The Great Auditorium, built in 1894. Considered to be the largest enclosed auditorium in New Jersey, the Great Auditorium it was built to seat 10,000 people. Following some modernization and the addition of the pipe organ, the Auditorium seats 6,500 people. The all-wood structure is the size of a football field and is used for Sunday services and concerts. Throughout the Auditorium's history, it has attracted a wide array of performers, including Enrico Caruso, Marian Anderson, John Philip Sousa. Peter, Paul & Mary, and Johnny Mathis. Along with these, seven Presidents of the United States, including Ulysses S. Grant, Theodore Roosevelt, and Richard Nixon have spoken at the Great Auditorium, as have 27 of the past 28 New Jersey governors elected since its completion. The Auditorium Organ was dedicated in 1903. The organ was built by Robert Hope-Jones, who was funded on his arrival by Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain). The organ has 10 divisions, totaling 176 ranks and over 10,000 pipes.
  • Tent City - Since 1870. Tenting is still a way of life in Ocean Grove where at one time there were 200 tents for every home. Today there are 114 tent structures still nestled around the Great Auditorium which is the hub of the summer program activities and where descendants of founding families continue to carry on this wonderful tradition.
  • Auditorium Square - A tree lined park that houses the Great Auditorium, Bishop Jane's Tabernacle, The Youth Temple and Tent City. From Auditorium Square you can start your walk along Ocean Pathway to the ocean.
  • Ocean Pathway - From the ocean to The Great Auditorium, walk along or relax in the fields of the two blocks of open space lined with some of the most beautiful Victorian homes and hotels in Ocean Grove.
  • Victorian Homes - On Ocean Grove's tree-lined streets is the largest assemblage of authentic Victorian architecture in the nation. in 1976, the town had the honor of being entered in the National Register of Historic Places and in 1977 the New Jersey State Register of historic Places.
  • The Museum of the Historical Society of Ocean Grove. A collection of approximately 15,000 artifacts and pieces relative to the history of Ocean Grove, the Holiness Movement, Camp Meetings, Methodism, Monmouth County and 19th-century Life. The Museum is dedicated to preserving the history of Ocean Grove, recording the history of Camp Meetings, and to recording aspects of the Victorian Age. 
  • The Jersey Shore Arts Center - View local artists at work in the renovated Neptune Township High School. Located at the main gate entrance at Main Avenue & Main Street.
  • Business District - Walk along Main Avenue and see the beautiful display of flowers and plants from Ocean Grove Florists. You will also breathe in the aroma of the fine coffees from Barbaric Bean Coffee Roastery and Cafe. Check out the many shops that include restaurants, eateries, art galleries, cheese shops, bakeries, clothing stores, home decor, and chocolates.
  • Boardwalk. Sit and relax or stroll along the Boardwalk with its unobstructed views of the ocean and of the Victorian home and hotels along Ocean Avenue. 
  • New Jersey Museum of Transportation

Do
  • February - Chocolate Lovers Weekend, Hunt for Hearts and Winter Walk, Narrated Horse & Carriage Rides.
  • March - Easter Egg Hunt, Main Ave Beach.
  • April - Annual Garden State Film Festival, Paramount Theatre, Asbury Park N.J,Postcard, Book & Paper Show, "Relax, Refresh, Renew", Narrated Horse and Carriage Rides.
  • May. Ocean Grove Music & Arts Festival, Mother-Daughter Weekend Narrated Horse and Carriage Rides, Giant Spring Flea Market. 
  • June - Vintage Car Show, Main Avenue Business District, Music on Main.
  • July - Fourth of July Parade (OGCM Event), Music on Main, Choir Festival (OGCM Event), Annual House Tour, Boardwalk Art Show.
  • August. Music on Main, Postcard & Antique Show, Aud. Pav. & Grounds, Annual Craft Show, 9AM-4PM (OGCM Event). 
  • September - Giant Fall Flea Market, Ocean Pathway, Music on Main.
  • October - Fall Harvest Festival and Craft Show, Main Ave., Pony Rides, O.G. Antiques & Collectibles Show, Music on Main, Vintage Car Show, Main Avenue Business District.
  • December - Celebrate the Season - Annual Tree Lighting & Caroling, Narrated Horse and Carriage Rides, Victorian Holiday Festival: Houses & Inns on Tour.

Buy

The Ocean Grove Business District has many stores and speciality shops.

Eat

You'll find lots of great food in Ocean Grove with the many eateries and cafes.

Drink

Ocean Grove is a dry town. There are many bars and liquor stores in the towns outside of the Grove.

Sleep

The town has many quaint B&Bs, inns and hotels. You can find rooms that range from $50 a night to $500.

Go next
  • Ocean Grove is in Monmouth County New Jersey. Along with the beauty of the Jersey coastline the county is home to much history in the development of America. The area is also the home to a lot of rock & roll history.
  • Some of the places that are a short drive from Ocean Grove include:
    • Gateway National Park,
    • Allaire State Park,
    • The Stone Pony,
    • Six Flags,
    • Freehold Raceway Mall,
    • Monmouth Battlefield,
    • Monmouth University,
    • The Garfield House,
    • Horse Park of New Jersey,
    • Mt. Mitchell Over Look,
    • National Guard of New Jersey Museum,
    • Belmar Marina,
    • Twin Light Lighthouse,
    • Sandy Hook Lighthouse,
    • Sea Girt light House
Routes through Ocean Grove
Trenton ← Freehold ← Jct N S ←  W  E  → END
Jct N ← Asbury Park ←  N  S  → Bradley Beach → Jct S


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