Winter Wonderland Weekend at The Asbury, Dec. 7 and 8

Images Courtesy of The Asbury

By Taylor Smith

Learn what makes the vibrant shore town of Asbury Park unique at The Asbury’s Winter Wonderland Weekend, December 7 and 8.

The Asbury is situated just two blocks from Asbury Park’s famous beach and boardwalk and is easily accessible from several NJ Transit lines. Designed with a nod to the shore town’s rock n’ roll past and proximity to the seaside, The Asbury offers upscale lodging, dining, multiple vibrant bars, live music in the lobby, and more.

The Counter is the “hub of the hotel,” serving made-to-order sandwiches, pizzas, doughnuts, coffee, and fresh-pressed juice. Breakfast sandwiches are served on a fresh-baked Kaiser roll and offered throughout the day. The Classic NJ features pork roll, egg, cheese, and ketchup, while the Breakfast Melt combines egg whites, Swiss cheese, turkey sausage, and caramelized onions. Hot Sandwiches range from The Heat Burger (potato bun, cheddar, crispy jalapenos, bacon, and chipotle aioli) to Grilled Cheese and Tomato Bisque with Pepperoni Chips.

Soundbooth, The Asbury’s lobby bar, is the meeting place for guests and locals alike. While grabbing a drink at Winter Wonderland Weekend, enjoy a game of pool, some vintage pinball, your favorite board game and live music. One of Soundbooth’s most popular cocktails is The Prickly Pear (Blanco Tequila, prickly pear syrup, lime juice, and ginger beer). Other options are The Asbury No. 1 (Alto Silver Tequila, watermelon juice, lime juice, simple syrup, and club soda) and Lavender Lemonade (Ketel One Vodka, lavender lemonade, fresh lavender sprig, and lemon).

Winter Wonderland Weekend will also entail a vendor market, pet and human photos with Santa, “Knit in the Pit” (a night of knitting winter wear in the hotel’s cozy living room area), carolers, cookie decorating, wreathmaking classes, and gingerbread house building. The most exciting event is sure to be the debut of The Asbury’s annual ice rink where all season-long, skaters can gaze upon the 30-foot high Convention Hall Christmas Tree adorned with more than 40,000 LED lights.

All proceeds from The Asbury’s Winter Wonderland Weekend will benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Monmouth County (bgcmonmouth.org). As of 2019, Boys and Girls Club of Monmouth County has served more than 1,900 kids and teens from the greater Red Bank and Asbury Park regions. With a professionally licensed staff, youth are provided with life-enhancing relationships, character development experiences, and access to the Club’s swimming pools, computers, tutoring services, career development, music classes, and more.