Major city · United States
Red Bank
Give Red Bank one night, two if a Count Basie show is on: the walkable downtown is a half day, the rest is food, river and the Jersey Shore.
Red Bank is a small Monmouth County river town of about 13,000 people, built around one compact downtown of theatres, bars and restaurants on the Navesink River. It is not a beach town and has no oceanfront: you come for a show at the Count Basie Center, a meal, and a base for Sandy Hook and the northern Shore. Most visitors need one night, or pass through on the way to Asbury Park.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (humid, crowded Shore weekends), Jan–Feb (cold, quiet)
- Airports
- EWR · JFK · LGA
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Red Bank911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Red Bank, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyA low-crime downtown that is busy and well lit on weekend nights.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportEWR Newark Liberty International (About 45–60 min by car; NJ Transit North Jersey Coast Line from Newark Penn…
- Getting aroundDowntown is walkable end to end in about 15 minutes.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- Sit-down mealSit-down dinner mainAdd 18–22% tip and 6.625% sales tax.$18–35
- Street or quick mealDraught beer in a Broad Street bar$6–9
- Budget bedBudget motel or chain room, a night, per roomUS$110
- Mid-range bedBudget motel or chain room, a night, per roomUS$150
- High-end bedBudget motel or chain room, a night, per roomUS$220
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$170 · High US$320
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- EWR Newark Liberty International (About 45–60 min by car; NJ Transit North Jersey Coast Line from Newark Penn, about 1 h 15 min with a change at Long Branch) · JFK John F. Kennedy International (About 1 h 30 min–2 h by car; longer by rail via New York Penn) · LGA LaGuardia (About 1 h 30 min by car)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Feb
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Mar
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
May
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Nov
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Dec
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb, Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)), coolest Jan (−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C) low), wettest Apr (11 rain days), driest Sep (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Red Bank: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
10 rd
Feb
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
9 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
10 rd
Apr
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
11 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
11 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8 rd
Oct
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
8 rd
Nov
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
9 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Downtown is walkable end to end in about 15 minutes. Seven municipal lots give 4-hour metered parking Mon–Fri 9:00–18:00, free on Sundays; the train station lot and a 330-space garage at West Front and Pearl serve evenings. NJ Transit North Jersey Coast Line runs to New York Penn with a change at Long Branch. A car helps for beaches and Sandy Hook.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Sandy Hook
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Car via Route 36 north, about 20–25 min
Beach, bay and ocean sides; parking fee in season (check).
Asbury Park
goDoor to door: About 40 min
NJ Transit North Jersey Coast Line, about 30 min, or 25 min by car
Boardwalk, music venues and a bigger bar scene.
Ocean Grove
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Car or train to Asbury Park then a 15-min walk
Victorian tent camp and a quiet beach; pairs with Asbury Park.
Door to door: About 35 min
Car via Route 35 and Route 9, about 30 min
Mostly a shopping and raceway stop; skip unless you have a reason.
Door to door: About 1 h 45 min
NJ Transit North Jersey Coast Line to Long Branch, change for New York Penn
Doable as a day, but a long one; the Atlantic Highlands ferry is faster on weekdays (check).
Manasquan and the southern Shore
cautionDoor to door: About 45 min
Car via the Garden State Parkway, about 40 min
Better as an overnight in summer than a return day.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown / Broad Street
Walk to Count Basie, bars and the river; few rooms, book early.
West Front Street / Navesink riverfront
River views, Molly Pitcher Inn and Oyster Point; 5–10 min walk to Broad Street.
Route 35 / Middletown and Lincroft
Chain hotels with parking; 5–10 min drive, not walkable.
Atlantic Highlands
10-min drive north; pairs with Sandy Hook and the ferry to Manhattan.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $80–130 excl. bed
- Mid
- $130–220 excl. bed
- High
- $220+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Downtown inn or riverfront hotel double1 × 1 night × US$260 | US$260 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$170 | US$340 |
| NJ Transit, Red Bank to New York Penn, one way2 × US$17 · check | US$34 |
| Sandy Hook parking, per car in season1 × US$20 · check | US$20 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$68 |
| Trip total≈ US$376 per person per day, bed included | US$752 |
2026 estimate in US dollars, before sales tax and tips; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Deli sub or a slice | $8–15 |
| Sit-down dinner mainAdd 18–22% tip and 6.625% sales tax. | $18–35 |
| Draught beer in a Broad Street bar | $6–9 |
| Count Basie Center ticketVaries by show; check the official site. | $40–150 |
| Yestercades arcade | $8.75/hr or $25/day pass |
| Rideshare, downtown to Route 35 hotels | $10–18 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Red Bank banned short-term hospitality exchanges (Airbnb-style rentals) in 2023: book a hotel, not a private room.
- Metered parking is enforced Mon–Fri 9:00–18:00; some permit streets flip to metered after 14:00 — read the signs.Metered parking is enforced Mon–Fri 9:00 AM–6:00 PM; some permit streets flip to metered after 2:00 PM — read the signs.
- The garage at West Front and Pearl has evening-only entry on show nights: check before a matinee.
- Summer Shore traffic on Route 35 and the Garden State Parkway is heavy on Friday and Sunday afternoons.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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Red BankRed Bank
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies in Red Bank; consulates-general are in New York City.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- NJ Transit Red Bank → New York Penn: about $17 one way, 1 h 30 min–1 h 45 min with a change (check)
- Rideshare EWR → downtown Red Bank: $60–90, about 45–60 min
- Downtown parking meter: 4-hour metered Mon–Fri 9:00–18:00, free Sundays4-hour metered Mon–Fri 9:00 AM–6:00 PM, free Sundays
Say or show
- Where is the train station? — Where is the train station?
- Can I get the check, please? — Can I get the check, please?
- Is this seat taken? — Is this seat taken?
- One ticket for tonight, please. — One ticket for tonight, please.
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink at the bar.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Red Bank. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (humid, crowded Shore weekends), Jan–Feb (cold, quiet) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for EWR: last Coast Line departures field-checked, rideshare fallback, overnight rung.
- Three walking clusters with anchors: Broad Street, the riverfront and Marine Park, the train station and White Street.
- Place pages with verified show-night cutoffs (Count Basie, Two River Theater, Yestercades) and eat pages with last orders.
- Sandy Hook and Asbury Park day-trip fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialRed Bank borough official site
- officialNJ Transit
- officialCount Basie Center for the Arts
- secondaryWikivoyage: Red Bank, revision 5163544 (CC BY-SA 4.0)