Long Branch City - Long Branch, NJ

From its heyday as the Hollywood of the east coast during the late 19th century, to its decline during civil unrest and the rise of organized crime in the 1960s, Long Branch's history is anything but dull. In 1987 a fire destroyed Long Branch Pier, which once hosted a haunted mansion and amusement rides. Hurricane Sandy demolished most of the city's boardwalk when it battered the New Jersey shore in 2012. The city rebuilt the boardwalk and Long Branch once again returned to a vacation destination for families who love the beach.

Long Branch hosts a handful of art galleries including Inspired Life Studios on Broadway as well as Pink Elephant and Chetkin Gallery on Brighton Avenue. One of the oldest standing buildings, The Church of the Presidents on Ocean Avenue, transformed from a community church to Long Branch Historical Museum in 1953. Seven United States presidents, including Grant, Hayes, Garfield, Arthur, Harrison, McKinley and Wilson visited the church while vacationing in this seaside city.

The Long Branch Theater is home to the New Jersey Repertory Company, which performs several plays a year in the boutique-style venue.

This coastal city takes its events seriously, offering numerous free outdoor concerts and festivals. West End Park hosts the Blues by the Beach, a series of Sunday summer concerts. This is in addition to live music at the band shell every Wednesday during summer and Art in the Park in late May. Festival Plaza, located in Pier Village, offers a summer concert series called Thursdays by the Sea.

Ocean Fest, the city's July 4th festival, is the largest seasonal event in the region. Thousands of visitors stroll along Long Branch's oceanfront promenade, browse through craft vendor booths and take in live entertainment while the aromas of nearby food vendors mingle with the ocean breezes.

The Long Branch Jazz and Blues Festival occurs annually in late August on the Great Lawn at the Boardwalk. This free dog-friendly festival features live music, activities for children, food and craft vendors and fireworks

From Mediterranean to Mexican, Long Branch's culinary hot spots tantalize the taste buds with varied menu offerings to please every palate. The outdoor deck overlooking the coastline at Rooney's Oceanfront Restaurant is a beautiful spot to enjoy Sunday brunch, lunch or a cocktail and a nibble. With specialties such as Angry Lobster, clambake for two, seared yellowfin tuna and lobster macaroni and cheese, this Long Branch staple satisfies the most hearty seafood cravings.

For people who want a little south of the border flavor, Taqueria la Valentina, waits in the back of a bodega on Broadway. This small, authentic Mexican restaurant serves big flavors, with menu items that include El Pastor tacos, vegetarian quesadillas, Dorados de Bistec and a sampler that comes with chilies, shrimp, chicken, steak, cactus and cheese in a zesty sauce. A complimentary side of beans and rice rounds out the dish.

Long Branch's nightlife swings from laid-back and quiet to hot and hopping, providing a little something for everyone. For example, Indulge Lounge and Food Bar on Laird Street boasts an upscale atmosphere with space for live entertainment and dancing, making it a perfect spot to grab a drink and enjoy the night. Specialties include seared tuna on a bed of arugula or house special pizza. Happy hour runs from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. on most days. Indulge serves discounted menu items, including buffalo sliders, pulled pork sliders, nachos and pretzel bites. The lounge also serves some of the best drink specials in the area.

Wear your hippest dressy attire to get into Avenue Nuit. This upscale lounge sports a Manhattan-like ambiance, with a classy rooftop pool and bar overlooking Pier Village and the ocean. Relax on oversized beds or take a turn on the spacious dance floor as a DJ spins the latest tunes.

Brighton Bar, on Brighton Avenue, hosts local and regional bands such as K2, Fatal Rage, Agnostic Front and The Dickies. This dive bar offers great drink specials and an intimate atmosphere that allows for a total music experience.

New Jersey Transit services Long Branch with its North Jersey Coast Line, which runs from Bay Head through neighboring towns. EZ Ride shuttle operates a Long Branch route with many stops in the community.

Both Uber or Lyft offer ride share service in Long Branch. It's difficult to hail a cab on the street, but locals call ahead to arrange cab service with companies such as Jersey Shore Taxi or Shore Taxi. Some areas of the city attract pedestrians more than others, including the boardwalk. In addition to the Franklin Lake Park bike path, cyclists share roadways with motor vehicles. The city lacks a parking garage, but it does have metered, on-street and off-street parking available to residents and visitors.

State Route 36 runs through the northern portion of Long Branch, connecting residents with northern neighbors such as Monmouth Beach and Keansburg, as well as Eatontown to the west. Route 36 also provides residents with convenient access to major roadways, including Route 35, which travels to eastern Middlesex and Ocean Counties, and the Garden State Parkway.

Great expanses of soft sand located along the Atlantic Ocean makes up for the general lack of significant green space. While residents must buy a beach badge to visit Long Branch Municipal Beach, Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park only charges admission during the summer. In-season, Seven Presidents also features a snack bar, lifeguards, sheltered areas for eating, restrooms and changing areas. Takanassee Lake Park on Van Court Avenue provides the city's only public playground.

Life in Long Branch generally carries a higher cost of living than the New Jersey average. The average rental rates runs around $1,250 for a one-bedroom apartment. Residents typically pay $5 to $7 for a pint of beer at local bars.

One-way fare on New Jersey Transit buses runs $1.50, while a train ticket to New York City costs $15. Gas prices in Long Branch run around 5 percent above the national average.

From upscale boutiques to bargain thrift stores, Long Branch's shopping scene delivers a diverse selection of stores to fit nearly every budget.

Pier Village combines a spacious yet busy beach with upscale shopping and dining right by the ocean and boardwalk. This seaside mall contains unique spots such as Fresh Boutique, which specializes in women's apparel. Wish, a contemporary boutique, focuses on timeless yet modern clothing and accessories. Koi Boutique carries a variety of jewelry, clothing and accessories from brands such as Vera Bradley, Out of Print, Brighton and Bridgewater Candles.

St. James Thrift Shop on Broadway is a budget-friendly store that carries a variety of brands, including vintage designs from fashion houses such as Christian Dior. The shop donates all its profits to the local food pantry. For a larger selection, Back on the Racks features a combination of new and lightly used designer clothing and accessories. Its sister shop, Back on the Racks Too, sells home decor and furnishings at consignment prices.

Local grocery stores such as Krauser's Food Store on Ocean Boulevard, C-Town Supermarkets on Broadway, Jersey Pride Food Store on 3rd Avenue or M&S Grocery Store on West End Court are all popular with residents. Carter & Cavero Old World Olive Oil Company stocks a variety of gourmet groceries. Nearby farmers' markets include The Front Yard Farmer in Little Silver and The Friendly Vegetable Farm in Farmingdale.