Asbury Park in New Jersey

© Patrick Morisson/Alam

Beachside vibes. Greetings from Asbury Park

The warm waters of the Atlantic and a long stretch of sand bring thousands of visitors, but Asbury Park also draws waves of art, culture, and music that shine brightly during the summer months. Bruce Springsteen has played here regularly since the 1970s, performing everywhere from The Stony Pony, an iconic music venue, to a benefit show at Asbury Lanes, a bowling alley that was in dire need of sprucing up.Springsteen, who grew up near here, clearly finds this place special - the name of his 1973 album inspired the title for today’s image. But the rich history of the music scene predates The Boss, with the sounds of jazz, gospel, and rhythm and blues spilling out from clubs dating back to the 1920s, when the area was developed as a seaside community. Musicians Arthur Pryor, Clifford Johnson, and many others helped Asbury Park be rooted in America’s rich musical history. The tradition continues today with a ‘Jams on the Sand’ concert series and plenty of other events around town.