Your Ultimate Guide to Parking in Asbury Park, NJ: From the Boardwalk to Downtown
So, you're planning a trip to Asbury Park. Awesome choice. Whether you're coming for the incredible music scene, the fantastic restaurants, the boardwalk, or just a great day at the beach, you're in for a treat. But before you can dig your toes in the sand or catch a show at The Stone Pony, there's one little detail you gotta figure out: parking.
Honestly, figuring out where to park in a booming shore town can be a headache. It can feel like you need a Ph.D. in urban planning just to avoid a ticket. But here's the thing—it doesn't have to be that complicated. As someone who's navigated these streets more times than I can count, I'm going to break it all down for you. This is your insider's guide to parking in Asbury Park, NJ.
The Lay of the Land: Understanding Asbury Park's Parking System
First things first, Asbury Park uses a city-wide "pay-by-plate" system for all its metered parking. This is pretty cool because you don't have to worry about remembering a space number or running back to a specific meter. You just need your license plate number. You park your car, walk to any pay station on the street, punch in your plate number, pay for your time, & you're good to go.
Ways to Pay: You've Got Options
The city has made it SUPER easy to pay for parking, which is a huge plus. You're not stuck scrounging for quarters in your center console. Here are the main ways to pay:
- Parking Pay Stations: You'll find these kiosks located in all metered areas. They take cash ($1, $5, or $10 bills), coins, and credit/debit cards (MasterCard, Visa, Discover). A nice little feature is that you can get your receipts emailed to you by using MyParkingReceipts.com.
- Mobile Apps: This is the most convenient option, hands down. The city partners with several apps available through ParkingApp.com, with the most popular being ParkMobile. You just enter the zone number you see on the street signs, put in your plate, and pay from your phone. The best part? If your beach day is going longer than expected, you'll get an alert & can add more time right from your towel. There's a small convenience fee, usually around $0.30, but it's totally worth it.
- Text to Park: If you don't want another app, you can text "Park" to 77223 and follow the prompts.
- Pay by Phone: For those who prefer a good old-fashioned phone call, you can dial 732-538-8445 to purchase parking time.
- QR Codes: Each pay station also has a QR code you can scan with your phone for a quick payment option.
Decoding the Metered Street Parking: Zones & Seasonal Rates
Okay, this is where most people get tripped up. The price of parking in Asbury Park isn't one-size-fits-all. It changes based on where you are & what time of year it is. The city is broken down into three main zones, and you'll find the zone number on the street signs & meters (it's what you'll need for the app).
Here's a breakdown based on the city's official ordinance, but remember to ALWAYS double-check the signs where you park.
The Major Parking Zones
- Waterfront Zone (Zone #33300): This is the prime real estate. It covers Ocean Avenue, Kingsley Street, & all the little streets in between that are closest to the boardwalk.
- Downtown Zone (Zone #33100): This covers the bustling downtown area, including Cookman Avenue, Lake Avenue, & the surrounding streets.
- Central Zone / All Other Areas (Zone #33200): This includes pretty much everywhere else with metered parking.
The All-Important Seasonal Rates
Peak Season (April 15th - October 15th)
This is when the city is buzzing & rates are at their highest.
- Waterfront Zone:
- Monday - Thursday (9 am - 2 am): $2/hour
- Friday (9 am - 5 pm): $2/hour
- Friday (5 pm - 2 am): $2/hour
- Saturday & Sunday (9 am - 2 am): $2/hour
- Downtown Zone:
- Monday - Thursday (9 am - 2 am): $1/hour
- Friday (9 am - 5 pm): $1/hour
- Friday (5 pm - 2 am): $2/hour
- Saturday & Sunday (9 am - 2 am): $2/hour
- All Other Areas:
- Monday - Thursday (9 am - 2 am): $1/hour
- Friday (9 am - 5 pm): $1/hour
- Friday (5 pm - 2 am): $2/hour
- Saturday & Sunday (9 am - 2 am): $2/hour
Non-Peak Season (Sept 16th – Nov 15th & Mar 15th – May 14th)
Things calm down a bit, & so do the prices.
- Waterfront & Downtown Zones:
- Monday - Thursday (9 am - 2 am): $1/hour
- Friday (9 am - 5 pm): $1/hour
- Friday (5 pm - 2 am) & All Day Sat/Sun: $2/hour
- All Other Areas:
- Monday - Thursday (9 am - 2 am): $0.50/hour
- Friday (9 am - 5 pm): $0.50/hour
- Friday (5 pm - 2 am) & All Day Sat/Sun: $1/hour
Winter Off-Peak Season (November 16th - March 14th)
This is the most affordable time to park.
- Waterfront & Downtown Zones:
- Monday - Thursday (9 am - 2 am): $0.50/hour
- Friday (9 am - 5 pm): $0.50/hour
- Friday (5 pm - 2 am) & All Day Sat/Sun: $2/hour
- All Other Areas:
- Monday - Thursday (9 am - 2 am): $0.50/hour
- Friday (9 am - 5 pm): $0.50/hour
- Friday (5 pm - 2 am) & All Day Sat/Sun: $1/hour
Pro Tip: Don't forget that metered parking is suspended on New Year's Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, & Christmas Day, giving you a little holiday bonus.
Parking Garages & Lots: The Off-Street Options
Sometimes you just want to pull into a spot & not worry about hunting for a space on the street. Asbury Park has you covered there, too.
Bangs Avenue Parking Garage
Located at 605 Bangs Avenue, this is your go-to spot for downtown parking, especially on weekends. It's open to the public on:
- Fridays: 6 pm to 2 am
- Saturdays: 9 am to 2 am
- Sundays: 9 am to 2 am
A couple of IMPORTANT things to know: The garage can hit capacity, so have a backup plan. Also, you MUST get your car out by closing time. If you leave it overnight, you won't be able to get it until the next morning & you'll be hit with a $75 fine. The zone number for paying via app here is 33200.
Surface Parking Lots
There are a few large surface lots primarily serving the waterfront area. You'll find them:
- Next to the Carousel building at the end of Cookman Avenue
- On Ocean Avenue between Second & Third Avenues
- On Fourth Avenue right next to the Wonder Bar
These lots are managed by a private partner, not the city directly. This means rates can be variable & often depend on the day, the season, or if there's a big event happening. They offer both hourly & day rates.
The Ultimate Parking Hack: Prked
Let's be real, sometimes even with all these options, finding a spot during a major concert or a perfect July weekend can be a nightmare. This is where thinking outside the box comes in. A pretty cool service called Prked is changing the game. It connects people who need parking with homeowners who have extra space in their driveways or private garages.
Instead of circling the block for the tenth time, you can book a guaranteed spot in a local's driveway, often just a short walk from the beach or venue. It's a fantastic way to find convenient & affordable parking, especially when everything else is packed. You get a reserved spot, & a local resident makes a little extra cash. It's a win-win.
For the Locals: Resident & Employee Permits
If you live or work in Asbury Park, you DEFINITELY need to know about the permit system. It can save you a ton of money & stress. All permits are virtual & linked to your license plate, so there are no decals or hangtags to worry about.
Resident Parking Permits
If you live in one of the designated metered zones (Zones 1-4) &—this is key—you do not have access to off-street parking like a driveway or garage, you are eligible for a residential permit. The city is pretty strict about this. If you have a driveway, you're expected to use it.
The fees are annual & tiered based on how many cars your household registers:
- Zones 1, 2, & 3: $90 for the first permit, $120 for the second, $150 for the third, & $180 for the fourth.
- Zone 4: $90 for the first permit, $120 for the second.
Applying requires extensive proof of residency, like a deed, lease agreement, utility bills, etc. You can find all the details & apply through the city's online permit portal.
Guest Parking Permits for Residents
Have friends or family visiting? You don't have to make them pay full meter rates. Residents in zones 1-4 can purchase a "Guest Parking Booklet." This lets you buy up to two guest permits per day at a discounted rate of $10 each. You buy the booklet upfront & activate the 24-hour permits online as you need them. It's a lifesaver.
Employee Parking Permits
If you work in Asbury Park, you can get a permit that allows you to park in designated areas.
- 5-Day Permit (Mon-Fri): $120/year or $40/quarter
- 7-Day Permit: $180/year or $60/quarter
You'll need to provide proof of employment, like recent pay stubs or a letter from your employer.
Don't Even Want to Drive? Asbury Park Transportation Alternatives
The best way to not worry about parking is to not bring a car at all! Asbury Park is only 1.6 square miles & is incredibly walkable. Plus, there are tons of other ways to get around.
- Train: NJ Transit's North Jersey Coast Line stops right at the Asbury Park Transportation Center. It's an easy ride from North Jersey & New York City.
- Bus: Both NJ Transit & Academy Bus run routes through the city.
- Bikes & Scooters: The city is very bike-friendly & has a scooter-share program for quick trips.
- Rideshare: Services like Uber & Lyft are widely available throughout the area.
- Ferries: For a scenic trip from NYC, you can take the Seastreak or New York Waterway ferry to nearby towns like Atlantic Highlands & then grab a short rideshare to Asbury Park.
The Bottom Line
Parking in Asbury Park might seem intimidating at first glance, but once you understand the system, it's totally manageable. Know your zones, use the apps, & consider all your options, from garages to street parking. And if you want to take all the guesswork out of the equation, especially on a busy day, checking out a service like Prked to snag a private driveway can be a total game-changer.
Hope this was helpful! Now go enjoy everything this amazing city has to offer. Let me know what you think in the comments.
