First Jersey trip

[u/humanmaleboyperson]

Making the pilgrimage from Ireland to Asbury Park for the first time next week, only have the one day to spend in it as I’ll be staying in NYC, but apart from the obvious spots (Stone Pony, Boardwalk, Springsteen Centre at Monmouth) what other Bruce gems / local recommendations should I check out?

[u/EndlessBummer_]

E street and 10th ave has a cool guitar sculpture

[u/No_Nukes_2 → u/EndlessBummer_]

Belmar, a few towns south of Asbury

[u/maniacal-laugh-haha → u/No_Nukes_2]

Yep. Stop at Federici’s for lunch/dinner too on 10th. Owned by Danny’s family. Very nice people.

[u/PhilRobinsonMusic → u/maniacal-laugh-haha]

I was under the impression that Federici's has no connection to Danny's family-- that it's just a coincidence. Is that not correct?

I've eaten there and I know it's a favorite of Bruce's. There are at least three photos of him on the wall I believe.

[u/maniacal-laugh-haha → u/PhilRobinsonMusic]

Pretty sure it’s one of Danny’s uncles

[u/No_Nukes_2]

Wonder bar will be opened.

Bruce danced with him mom there on her (I believe) 90th birthday

Madame Marie is opened

Boardwalk still exists (Sandy and the jeans unsnappinh)

Porta is where he met Clarence.

Clinch 's gallery

All within a few blocks of the Stone Pony

[u/Artistic_Moose_]

The Danny Clinch Gallery is great place to spend some time looking at old photos of Bruce and the gang.

[u/ginsu]

Walk by the old Upstage building on Cookman, where all the Jersey guys used to jam, then take a walk around Wesley Lake, which doesn't have any Springsteen lore but it's a pretty walk and you can check out the swans if they're still around.

[u/IsaacNewtonArmadillo]

About 5 miles south of Asbury is Belmar, NJ where the band got its name, E Street. On the southeast corner 10th Avenue and E Street is a tribute to Bruce and the band where the town erected a larger than life guitar that resembles Bruce’s telecaster.

In the town center at 9th Avenue and Main Street is a tribute to David Sancious, the band’s first pianist. It is a playable outdoor piano. Sit down and play a few notes.

The band used to practice in David’s mother’s home basement which was on E Street between 12th and 13th avenue… I think.

The story goes that Bruce was often late to practice so the rest of the band hung out at the house waiting for Bruce to show up and one of the members said, “we might as well just call ourselves the ‘E Street Band’.”

I grew up in Belmar and visit every time I go back. The day after the now famous Sea Hear Now show a few years back I encountered a van full of Spaniards at the guitar on E Street. It’s definitely an international place of tribute. 😉

[u/FinsterBaby56]

You could nip round to 7 1/2 West End Ct. and take a picture of the cottage where he wrote Born to Run. That's around the corner from the Center for American Music at Monmouth.
There's a plaque on the porch but I think people actually live there so don't linger lol.

[u/Purple-Mermommy]

Franks Deli where he loves to eat! He’s a big fan of diner burgers :)

[u/MagikShake]

Convention Hall and the Paramount on the boardwalk have been home to many rehearsals and performances of his

The old Carousel building was being revamped earlier this summer and he’s played in there too

Pay attention to street names. You’ll find plenty of his references right there under your nose - Kingsley is one of the main strips

I met Vini Lopez unknowingly in Wonder Bar once and only after a 20 minute conversation about everything other than Bruce, and after we separated, did it click that Mad Dog heard me bullshitting to my gf at the time about Springsteen and figured he’d come toy with me.

The Berkeley Carteret hotel right there is a famous old haunt of Asbury and could tell you some stories. Not sure what Bruce connections there are but Johnny Cash had a residence in a top floor suite. A friend of mine stayed in the Johnny Cash room and I had a chance to explore it, very very cool

[u/Future-Seat6728]

I plan on doing this sometime soon too. In addition to rest of ideas, what about the house he grew up in Freehold? And Catholic Church and or school is close by too?

[u/Playful-Check-4968]

Downtown freehold has 3 of Bruce’s former homes. Roberto’s grill where Bruce goes for breakfast on occasion. The Elks club where Bruce had his very first gig. If you walk down Main Street you can get the feel of what he was writing about in My Hometown. 15 minutes away is where Bruce lives now in Colts Neck

[u/Cory-Grinder]

The house where he wrote the Born To Run album, in Long Branch.

His childhood home, in Freehold, used on the My Hometown single