Welcome to Red Bank

ARTS AND CULTURE ABOUND AT THE POPULAR SHORE TOWN.

IT’S EASY TO SEE WHY RED BANK HAS DUBBED itself the “Greenwich Village of New Jersey.” The 1.7-squaremile borough offers a little bit of everything: culture, arts, entertainment, shops and restaurants. But unlike the bustling neighborhood in the Big Apple, this locale has that small-town feel where everyone knows each other—and where residents pride themselves on their hometown’s deep-rooted history.

Named for the red soil of the Navesink River, Red Bank became a commercial and manufacturing center in the mid-1800s for textiles, fur and other goods en route to Manhattan. Shortly thereafter, ships and steamboats started transporting passengers (and NYC commuters) too.

So it’s unsurprising that now, boating, sailing and fishing along the Navesink are popular summer activities for the 12,000+ locals. It’s a haven during the colder months too; ice boaters travel from as far as Wisconsin to sail atop the frozen river in the winter.

But perhaps the town is known best for its vivid arts scene. The Count Basie Center for the Arts is the go-to for live concerts and comedy acts, whereas the Two River Theater Company stages plays and educational programs.

Like most New Jersey hubs, retail options abound in Red Bank. Upscale clothiers like Garmany and CoCo Pari sit amongst national stores like Tiffany & Co. and Urban Outfitters, all located on or near Broad Street. This bustling thoroughfare is especially worth a visit during the holiday season—it’s known for its lavish décor and annual holiday concert.

For those who call Red Bank home, public schools run from K to 8. Students then attend Red Bank Regional High School, shared with Shrewsbury and Little Silver. And its performing arts program is top-notch; talented students from other districts can enroll if accepted into the competitive arts program.

FUN FACTS

• Some films directed by Kevin Smith (pictured), a Monmouth County native who lived in Red Bank while working as an up-and-coming director, are partially set here, including Chasing Amy, Dogma and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.
• TV personality Jon Stewart owns two adjacent mansions here along the Navesink River.
• From 1900 to 1903, Thomas Edison came to Red Bank to film short silent films that depicted boats and Red Bankers enjoying the winter ice.

DINING

Hungry? Red Bank’s plentiful restaurant options rival its art scene. Dublin House is a pub with authentic Irish beers and delicacies. Whipped Creperie will take you to Paris with its freshly made crepes, macarons and Belgian waffle treats. Teak is the place to be for Asian cuisine and sushi, or stop by Catch 19 if you’re in the mood for seafood. And no trip to Red Bank is complete without a visit to JBJ Soul Kitchen, Jon Bon Jovi’s community restaurant, which serves paying and in-need customers a fresh farm-to-table meal (pictured) for a minimum $10 per person donation.

LOCALS LOVE

• Playing classic video games like Mario Bros. and Pac-Man at YESTERcades arcade.
• Ice boating on the frozen Navesink River.
• Viewing artwork at one of the many galleries, like the Chetkin Gallery or Beacon Fine Arts Gallery.

MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME

Approximately $69,778, according to U.S. Census Bureau Statistics

HOUSING COSTS

The median home value in Red Bank is $362,100, up 10 percent in the last year and expected to rise 8.7 percent within the next year, according to Zillow.