Brick, NJ Area Guide

Incorporated on February 15, 1850, Brick Township was carved out of portions of Dover Township, now known as Toms River Township, and Howell Township. The township takes its name from Joseph Brick, who operated a local sawmill and industrial enterprise here during its early days as a farming and mill community.

What began as a quiet settlement gradually became a summer resort destination, drawing visitors to the Shore's natural setting. That quiet seasonal pace shifted dramatically when the Garden State Parkway opened in 1950, touching off the residential and commercial growth that shaped the township as it looks today. The Brick Birthday Bash, held each February, keeps the founding story alive with annual community celebrations.

Dining in Brick leans toward Italian-American cooking and casual pub fare, with Route 70 serving as the main corridor for restaurants and eateries. Denino's Pizzeria is a local staple known for award-winning thin-crust pies, while Villa Vittoria draws regulars with classic Italian dishes.

For a more relaxed evening out, the Mantoloking Ale House offers pints, pub food, weekly bingo nights, and live music. The Brick Farmers' Market, held every Saturday from May through September at Windward Beach Park, adds a seasonal food-and-vendor scene with local food trucks and free admission.

Getting around Brick means relying primarily on a car, as the township's suburban layout is not set up for walking to daily errands. The Garden State Parkway runs through the area with three exits, and State Route 70 and U.S. Route 9 connect residents to shore towns including Point Pleasant, Manasquan, and Mantoloking. The drive to Manhattan via the Parkway is roughly 70 miles and takes about 90 minutes under normal conditions.

For commuters who prefer rail, NJ Transit's North Jersey Coast Line is accessible from nearby stations: Bay Head is about 4 miles away, and Point Pleasant station is under 5 miles, both reachable in approximately 9 minutes by car.

Windward Beach Park anchors outdoor life in the township with a wilderness-themed playground, a sandy beach along the Metedeconk River, and open green space. Summer brings Thursday-night concerts and outdoor movie screenings, while October's FallFest fills the grounds with a cornhole tournament, fire pits, and a fireworks display. Brick Ocean Beaches I, II, and III, situated on the Barnegat Peninsula between Barnegat Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, offer direct beach access, though they are not geographically adjacent to the mainland.

The 1.5-mile walking path at Brick Reservoir provides a quieter option in the township's north end. Drum Point Sports Complex hosts local leagues across more than a dozen sports facilities and includes a skate park. Golfers can play the public 18-hole Ocean County Golf Course at Forge Pond, and The Ice Palace offers year-round figure skating and ice hockey. Ocean County Park and Lake Shenandoah County Park are each roughly a 10-minute drive away.

Renting in Brick comes in noticeably below the New Jersey state average, making it one of the more accessible options along the Shore. One-bedroom apartments average around $1,770 per month, compared to the state average of $2,142, and nearby towns like Point Pleasant Beach and Brielle run considerably higher. The township's median household income sits at $87,686, which supports a broad range of renters relative to local housing costs.

Route 88 and the surrounding commercial strips give Brick a well-stocked suburban retail landscape, with Brick Plaza serving as one of the main shopping anchors. Grocery options include Trader Joe's, ShopRite, and Livoti's Old World Market, a local chain known for Italian specialty products. Big-box stores like Costco and Petco round out the everyday essentials.

For a slower, more local experience, the Brick Farmers' Market at Windward Beach Park runs every Saturday from May through September, connecting residents with local vendors in an open-air setting with free admission.

Coastal access, a broad range of parks and recreational facilities, and rental pricing well below the New Jersey state average -- all within reach of the Garden State Parkway -- make Brick a standout along the Shore. From the beaches on the Barnegat Peninsula to year-round programming at Windward Beach Park and the ice rinks at The Ice Palace, there is something going on in every season.