Think of the word “boardwalk” and the mind might just hop to Asbury Park, settled as a quintessential Victorian beach resort and still every bit a hub of culture, entertainment, and endless fun in the sun. This legendary Jersey Shore community takes its name from the country’s first Methodist bishop, Francis Asbury — though if you truly wanted to put a face to it, it would be Tillie, the grinning funhouse mascot whose mug appears in homage all throughout town. Its iconic boardwalk lies bookended by Beaux-Arts landmarks: the Paramount Theater and the Casino, both designed by Grand Central architect Whitney Warren. You might be met with a farmer’s market, or a maker's fair drawing artisans from Brooklyn and beyond. The business district brims with restaurants, vintage shops, biergartens, and legendary venues like the Stone Pony, where Springsteen and Bon Jovi played their earliest shows. NJ Transit trains stop right at the foot of Cookman Avenue, a shell’s throw from the sand.