Red Bank, NJ

Travel Guide
Red Bank
The hometown of jazz legend Count Basie is a picturesque New Jersey town with theaters and restaurants just minutes from the ocean and an hour from New York City.

Red Bank is a pretty town in Monmouth County, New Jersey, located minutes from the ocean and a 1-hour drive from New York City. Enjoy shopping, theaters and watersports along the Navesink River. 

The city's quaint downtown streets are lined with restaurants, boutiques, cafés and designer clothing shops. Stroll down Broad Street, which offers some of the best shopping and dining options in town. During winter, Red Bank is known for its spectacular holiday decorations. In summer, thousands of visitors flock to the town for its annual KaBoomFest fireworks display.

The Count Basie Theatre is a must-see in Red Bank. This landmark theater hosts world-famous musicians, comedians and plays throughout the year. Opened as the Carlton Theater in 1926, it was renamed in 1984 to honor jazz legend and Red Bank native William “Count” Basie. Several of Basie’s famous songs reference the town where he began his musical career. Visit the bronze bust of Basie, which was placed in the plaza outside the Red Bank Train Station to mark what would have been his 100th birthday.

Take advantage of Red Bank’s location on the Navesink River. Rent a boat or bring your own to enjoy a day sailing, kayaking or motorboating, on the water. Test your luck crabbing along the shore. Buy some bait at one of the marinas in town and try to catch your own dinner. 

Red Bank is just a few miles from the Atlantic Ocean. Drive or catch the daily bus to the Sea Bright. This beach, a favorite among locals, is known for its clean shores and variety of amenities. 

Red Bank’s central location makes it easy to get just about anywhere. New York City is just 50 miles (80.5 kilometers) away and Newark Airport is under a 1-hour drive by car. Amtrak and New Jersey Transit service the area. You can easily take the Coast Line to reach other towns and beaches along the Jersey Shore or head north to get to New York City. 

Extended Stay America Suites Red Bank Middletown
Extended Stay America Suites Red Bank Middletown
2.5 out of 5
329 Newman Springs Rd, Red Bank, NJ
The price is ¥19,866 per night from May 13 to May 14
¥19,866
per night
May 13 - May 14
Stay at this hotel in Red Bank. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
6.4/10 (1,001 reviews)
"One of the best hotels I've ever stated squaliness.Quiet kitchen the price everything Couldn't complain if I wanted to"

Reviewed on May 8, 2024

Extended Stay America Suites Red Bank Middletown
Molly Pitcher Inn
Molly Pitcher Inn
3 out of 5
88 Riverside Ave, Red Bank, NJ
The price is ¥36,510 per night from May 12 to May 13
¥36,510
per night
May 12 - May 13
Stay at this hotel in Red Bank. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the pool and the bar in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
"My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Great staff, easy check-in, beautiful bar with piano player, clean and cozy room."

Reviewed on Apr 22, 2024

Molly Pitcher Inn
The Oyster Point Hotel
The Oyster Point Hotel
3 out of 5
146 Bodman Pl, Red Bank, NJ
The price is ¥31,497 per night from May 21 to May 22
¥31,497
per night
May 21 - May 22
Stay at this hotel in Red Bank. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a marina. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (982 reviews)
"Best choice in Red Bank"

Reviewed on May 7, 2024

The Oyster Point Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
A Jersey Shore Vacation Getatway
A Jersey Shore Vacation Getatway
Highlands
Stay at this cottage in Highlands. Enjoy patios, cable/satellite TV service, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Sandy Hook Gateway National Recreation ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (139 reviews)
Gorgeous Water View for a quick trip
"We were in town for my cousin's 50th birthday! Great location (7 miles away) from birthday party location and great restaurants with the water view experience. Cottage was very peaceful, clean and cozy. Very thankful for this find!"

Reviewed on Apr 30, 2024

A Jersey Shore Vacation Getatway
Pet-Friendly Belmar Cottage < 1 Mi to Beach!
Pet-Friendly Belmar Cottage < 1 Mi to Beach!
Belmar
Stay at this cottage in Belmar. Enjoy a garden, patios, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Belmar Beach and Boardwalk and Asbury Park Boardwalk ...
6/10 (5 reviews)
Old and rundown but at least somewhat clean
"No Wi-Fi or television cable at the property. Communication with “property manager” was completely poor. Doesn’t respond. Place could be much nicer if maintained properly. Chipped walls, broken glass, no paper towels or toilet paper. Wood flooring with tons of scratches and creeks. Only saving grace ..."

Reviewed on Nov 5, 2023

Pet-Friendly Belmar Cottage < 1 Mi to Beach!
 heated pool, hot tub1 blk to beach park 10 cars, linens badges, bikes sleeps 16
heated pool, hot tub1 blk to beach park 10 cars, linens badges, bikes sleeps 16
Point Pleasant Beach
Stay at this vacation home in Point Pleasant Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, private pools, and a water park. Our guests praise the pool in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9/10 Wonderful! (19 reviews)
Wonderful vaca
"The house, location and host were above and beyond expectations! We had a BLAST and will be back next year!"

Reviewed on Aug 29, 2023

heated pool, hot tub1 blk to beach park 10 cars, linens badges, bikes sleeps 16
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Red Bank

4.2
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
57
" "5 - Excellent 45.23809523809524%
4 - Good
45
" "4 - Good 35.714285714285715%
3 - Okay
19
" "3 - Okay 15.079365079365079%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 0.7936507936507936%
1 - Terrible
4
" "1 - Terrible 3.1746031746031744%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Feb 18, 2020

There is a lot to do in Red Bank. Yestercades, retro arcade, is a must visit. It was packed on a Saturday night and usually closes around 2 a.m. on the weekends. The restaurants in Red Bank are phenomenal. We ate at Char steakhouse and it was great.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Feb 10, 2020

Red Bank is a neat little town offering every kind of restaurant that you could want and every kind of bar you could want and it is all walkable. In one square mile you can find all the restaurants, shops, and bars you want. Totally safe and fun!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Dec 23, 2019

The little village was very cute had so much to do. I loved the area all but the hotel

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler
Oct 18, 2019

Hotel wasn’t great but res bank area is great

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Sep 27, 2019

Parking downtown was tricky.

1/5 - Terrible

Kevin
Sep 2, 2019

We booked a river view king room and got a parking lot view double room. We had a 3 pm check in time and room wasn’t ready until 5 pm. Manager did not offer any room refund and this happened to several people on this same day. Very unprofessional and

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