Visiting Red Bank - Surrounding areas suggestions?

[Poised Panda]

Originally Posted by DannyHobkins

How did the trip go?

Originally Posted by Mightyqueen801

Great places, but those are in the opposite direction of north and northwest of Red Bank. I got the impression the OP was trying to avoid ocean areas with that remark

First, thanks for all the suggestions. We got to Red Bank, parked in a NJ Transit lot, then meandered around. As Mightyqueen801 mentioned, walking the antique stores can be fun and time consuming. We didn't see each store, but the Antiques Center (the warehouse with booths of antiques) had such an array of items, styles, qualities, and prices. I strongly recommend visiting it!

Walking around Red Bank was easy and felt great to see people actually out and visiting stores with a cute atmosphere was refreshing. I don't know a thing about architecture but the mixed styles around were easy on the eyes. We ate at Bothers which had good pizza and was reasonably priced. Definitely a small city with potential. We'll have to come back again to see more.

We made a drive to the Shrewsbury Four Corners to change the pace as per MightyQueen's recommendation. Funny to see so many churches one after another but definitely a beautiful space.

After that we made our way north and took Navesink River Rd NE to enjoy the ride, views, and wonder how one can justify living such impossibly huge places (forget about the price tag)! And did stop at Atlantic Highlands to walk a little on the waterfront and caught a hazy NJ/NY skyline. Not to mention, sunsets are usually more enjoyable with open space or on the water. Be near all the slips and moorings definitely made me miss not being near the water. We'll have to come back to do the Henry Hudson trail and more town visiting.

Finally we made a short stop at the Keyport Waterfront. (Dehumidifier, sorry for not heading your advice) Walked the area there to Keyport Fishery, then walked up and along some of the commercial blocks there. Felt more economically mixed compared to Red Bank's downtown and it's fancy stores (attracting the folks from Navesink River Rd?) It was already sundown so we'll need to visit here again to see more. Thanks again for the input. This weekend we're going to try to visit some places in CT along Long Island Sound but I am sure we'll be back to Monmouth county soon enough.

[Mightyqueen801]

Originally Posted by Poised Panda

First, thanks for all the suggestions. We got to Red Bank, parked in a NJ Transit lot, then meandered around. As Mightyqueen801 mentioned, walking the antique stores can be fun and time consuming. We didn't see each store, but the Antiques Center (the warehouse with booths of antiques) had such an array of items, styles, qualities, and prices. I strongly recommend visiting it!

Walking around Red Bank was easy and felt great to see people actually out and visiting stores with a cute atmosphere was refreshing. I don't know a thing about architecture but the mixed styles around were easy on the eyes. We ate at Bothers which had good pizza and was reasonably priced. Definitely a small city with potential. We'll have to come back again to see more.

We made a drive to the Shrewsbury Four Corners to change the pace as per MightyQueen's recommendation. Funny to see so many churches one after another but definitely a beautiful space.

After that we made our way north and took Navesink River Rd NE to enjoy the ride, views, and wonder how one can justify living such impossibly huge places (forget about the price tag)! And did stop at Atlantic Highlands to walk a little on the waterfront and caught a hazy NJ/NY skyline. Not to mention, sunsets are usually more enjoyable with open space or on the water. Be near all the slips and moorings definitely made me miss not being near the water. We'll have to come back to do the Henry Hudson trail and more town visiting.

Finally we made a short stop at the Keyport Waterfront. (Dehumidifier, sorry for not heading your advice) Walked the area there to Keyport Fishery, then walked up and along some of the commercial blocks there. Felt more economically mixed compared to Red Bank's downtown and it's fancy stores (attracting the folks from Navesink River Rd?) It was already sundown so we'll need to visit here again to see more. Thanks again for the input. This weekend we're going to try to visit some places in CT along Long Island Sound but I am sure we'll be back to Monmouth county soon enough.

Sounds like you picked up on the vibe. I too love to make the drive along Navesink River Road. Did it in pre-dawn light one New Year's Day on my way to watch the sunrise at Sandy Hook

Another thing I like about Red Bank is that some of the stores, hair salons, etc., will display the work of local artists.

I joined two writers groups when I first moved to Monmouth County. One met in RB, while the othet met in Keyport, at a now-closed coffee shop on Front Street. Keyport is not Red Bank, but it's got a few good spots along the waterfront.