Long before it carried any name, Belmar, New Jersey was discovered by Henry Hudson when he and his crew anchored in what would one day be known as Shark River inlet while they were exploring the coastal areas of the New World. When Hudson came home from his voyage he claimed the territory for the Dutch who controlled it until the English took over control of the entire area of what would become New Jersey in 1664.
Two hundred event-filled years passed, and a group of investors decided to build a summer community that was initially named Ocean Beach in 1872. The seaside town was renamed Belmar (French for “Beautiful Sea”) in 1889.
Notable dates and accomplishments:
1873: First Hotel – The Ocean Beach House.
1890: Seventeen operating hotels.
1893: First ice cream parlor.
1894: Fifth Avenue Pavilion opens.
Early 1900’s: Belmar becomes a premier resort destination.
Belmar, one square mile in area with a fixed population of just over 6,000 people, is home today to a lovely beach, restaurants, shops, a marina, a school system, library, and a great boardwalk that runs along the mile-long beach from First to Twentieth Avenues, with an unobstructed view of the sand and the ocean. Visitors will discover playgrounds, sitting areas and restrooms available every few blocks. There’s plenty of metered parking along Ocean Avenue, which fronts on the boardwalk and the beach.
Civic events begin in March with the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and extend throughout the year to the Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony in December, and the Taylor Pavilion and the Huisman Gazebo feature many activities throughout the warm months, including summer band concerts and the social dance series, and the New Jersey Seafood Festival when more than 100,000 seafood lovers gather in Belmar for a culinary celebration of seafood and fun. There are also craft shows and exhibits at various times during the year.
Belmar is home to great accommodations, restaurants, shopping, entertainment, and recreational activities, including swimming, boating, fishing, volleyball, bicycling and more. For a whole lot more on Belmar,
New Jersey call 732-681-3700, or go online to
www.belmar.com
Belmar Borough Municipal Building
601 Main Street
Belmar, NJ
Chamber of Commerce: 732-681-2900
Beach Information:
Beach tags are required. Available at Taylor Pavilion Fifth and Ocean Avenues
Belmar, NJ
Beach Tag Fees:
Seasonal: $50.00
Seniors: 15.00
Daily: 7.00
Children: Ages 14 and under: Free.
