Don’t be too quick to overlook this quaint beach town for its rowdier southern neighbor, Belmar (which we love too, don’t worry). With a beautiful boardwalk, charming inns, and several adorable local businesses, Avon-by-the-Sea is the perfect destination for a relaxing family trip or romantic weekend getaway. Keep reading for everything you need to know about a weekend getaway at Avon-by-the-Sea.
Where to Stay
Lodging — the most important aspect of any trip (unless it’s just a day trip, of course). Riddled with charming inns, Avon-by-the-Sea has no shortage of great places to spend a night (or week).
Cashelmara Inn | 22 Lakeside Avenue
This restored historic house features an outdoor pool and Victorian-style rooms with ocean views. Guests enjoy a country breakfast daily and can reserve the mini in-house theater for a private viewing of their favorite movie complete with soda, candy, and popcorn.
Atlantic View Inn | 20 Woodland Avenue
A stay at this century-old English-style cottage includes a continental breakfast (with gluten-free options available} and an afternoon snack of lemonade, tea, and fresh-baked cookies on the wrap-around porch.
Avon Manor Bed + Breakfast | 109 Sylvania Avenue
In addition to a hearty cooked-to-order breakfast, Avon Manor guests can pay an extra $8 for a picnic lunch. Golf lessons, bikes, pool access, and a “pillow menu” are available.
Beyond these inns, however, visitors can check out AirBnB for additional options in town, too, for something a little bit more personal.
Where to Eat
Food — literally something that can make or break a great trip. Of course, whether you’re seeking a tasty brunch or a sweet cookie for dessert, Avon-by-the-Sea has it all.
See More: Foodie Fun: A Chef’s Guide to Asbury Park
Maeberrie Market | 504 Main Street
This charming bistro just opened in January, but it’s already become a can’t-miss brunch spot. Even the simplest menu items have special touches: The bacon-egg-and-cheese comes on a fresh, flaky croissant, and the vanilla pancakes are smothered in blueberry sauce and matcha butter. Bring your own bottle of bubbly and they’ll provide a house-made sorbet for frozen mimosas. If you can’t stay for a full meal, check out the market for coffee, sweets, and fresh-cut flowers.
Avon Pavilion | 600 Ocean Avenue
When you need a break from the sun, head to this beachfront restaurant (known as Av Pav to locals), which has a convenient, full-service snack bar facing a shaded section of the boardwalk. Breakfast sandwiches are available until 11:20AM, followed by typical grill fare like fries and hamburgers, plus frozen treats. The menu recently got some creative additions, including a refreshing — and seriously Instagrammable — purple açai soft serve. While you wait, peruse the adjacent shop for chairs, sunblock, toys, and other beach essentials.
Seed to Sprout Pantry | 408 Main Street
Cult-favorite vegan and organic eatery Seed to Sprout was so overwhelmed by takeout orders that the owners decided to open a carry-out market right next door last winter. Swap the usual fried beach food for a cold-pressed juice, a tempeh salad, and some vegan peanut butter macaroons from the grab-and-go case.
Fins TropiCali Cuisine | 120 Main Street, Bradley Beach
Okay — this surf-themed restaurant is technically in Bradley Beach, but the delivery radius covers Avon beaches (just note which avenue you’re on and plan to meet the driver at the boardwalk). The best-seller is a particularly delicious chicken caesar wrap called the Hawaii Five-O, but the bulk of the menu is dedicated to more unique dishes with a blend of Southern California, Caribbean, and Pacific Rim flavors.
Cavé Bistro | 515 Sylvania Avenue
The innovative menu at this upscale little restaurant proves paleo food doesn’t have to be as boring as everyone says it is. Everything is gluten- and dairy-free but full of flavor. Case-in-point, the bison burger is cooked with duck fat, topped with avocado, sriracha, and a fried egg, and sandwiched between sweet potato hash brown “buns.” It’s so good, a caveman would eat it. Don’t skip dessert either, as the chocolate chip cookies will win over even the staunchest gluten enthusiasts.
Courtneys Ice Cream Shoppe | 526 Main Street
Talk about snacking local: This extremely adorable sweet shop serves ice cream from Newark-based Nasto’s and fluffy, scratch-made cookies from Long Branch’s favorite Becca’s Cookie Bar. Try both in the form of an ice cream cookie sandwich, or go for something a little different. The shop’s specialty is a “nitrogen float — nitrogen-infused cold brew — from Asbury Park-based Nitro Beverage Co. topped with a scoop of ice cream and whipped cream.
Read More: 12 Beaches Accessible via Public Transit from Hoboken, Jersey City, + NYC
Things to Do
So now that we’ve covered the eats and the lodging, a trip to Avon-by-the-Sea would be incomplete without a few fun daytime activities + nights out.
Explore the Beach and Boardwalk
Avon’s three-quarter-mile boardwalk underwent a $3 million restoration after Hurricane Sandy. With grey decking, towering lampposts, and sea foam blue benches, it’s easily one of the most well-maintained boardwalks on the Jersey Shore (and one of the best for dream-home window shopping). Keep walking north and you’ll hit Bradley Beach, Ocean Grove, and Asbury Park. When you’re ready to catch some rays and waves, buy a daily beach badge.
Visit The Columns | 601 Ocean Avenue
This Victorian mansion-turned restaurant/club is the heart of nightlife in Avon. In addition to themed menus like Surf and Turf Wednesdays and Lobster Palooza Thursdays, there’s live entertainment every Wednesday through Sunday. The lineup features Jersey music legends like former Bon Jovi guitarist Bobby Bandiera, Bruce Springsteen tribute band The E Street Shuffle, and beloved local bar band The Nerds.
Shop at SoulShine Crystals | 440 Main Street
It’s impossible to feel stressed when one enters this self-proclaimed “candy store for the soul.” The boutique smells like incense and essential oils, and colorful, glittering stones cover almost every surface. Owner Courtney is a Reiki master who specializes in crystal energy healing. She travels all over the world to find raw and polished tumbled stones, working with local jewelers to turn some of them into pendant necklaces. Pick up a keepsake from your trip or a unique gift for someone back home.
Take a Class at Jersey Shore Hot Yoga | 622 Main Street
No need to deviate from your workout routine. This hot yoga studio is located right on Main Street, and the drop-in rate is just $20. Class styles vary from restorative to athletic power yoga. Beginners and experienced yogis are welcome. Check out the schedule and sign up for classes here.
Have you visited Avon-by-the-Sea? What did you enjoy the most? Let us know in the comments!
