Discover Long Branch
11 carefully curated photography spots with GPS coordinates, shooting tips, and local insights
Pier Village Carousel
A colorful, classic carousel on Long Branch's Pier Village with the Atlantic and pier boardwalk as backdrops. Great for vibrant close-ups, motion blur portraiture, and seaside compositions at golden hour. Best at sunrise for empty scenes and soft light, or at sunset/blue hour when the carousel lights contrast sky and sea. Pier Village has public parking garages and street parking; check local hours and event schedules (busy weekends/seasonal festivals). Family-friendly, easily accessible from O.
Long Branch Beach
Long Branch Beach offers classic Jersey Shore scenes — wide sandy beach, a lively boardwalk, and the pier stretching into the Atlantic. Ideal for sunrise and dramatic sunset silhouettes, seasonal lifeguards and summer crowds influence timing. Easily reached by car (street/municipal lots) or NJ Transit; parking fills on weekends. Accessible ramps and boardwalk sections make gear transport easier. Best visited early morning or late evening for light and fewer people.
Seven presidents beach
Long, family-friendly Atlantic beach with clean sand, lifeguard stations, playground and volleyball courts. Shoot dawn sunrises over the water for glassy golden light or low-angle late-afternoon scenes with long shadows. Weekday mornings and off-season offer fewer people; parking is available (free after 5pm), showers/restrooms on site and beach wheelchairs noted. Watch for rip currents and respect lifeguard zones.
Tony's Place Playground at Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park
Small seaside playground set against Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park and Long Branch beach — photogenic combos of colorful playground structures, dunes, boardwalk lines and Atlantic surf. Best at sunrise for pastel skies and long shadows, golden hour sunset for warm backlight and silhouettes of kids/parents. Easy street and lot parking nearby (paid in summer); park is wheelchair-accessible with boardwalk access. Weekdays and off-season offer fewer crowds; summer weekends can be busy and host se
The Great Lawn
Open waterfront green facing the Atlantic and Long Branch boardwalk — photograph sweeping ocean vistas, sunrise/sunset color, beachfront activity and pier silhouettes. Best at golden hour and blue hour for vivid skies; summer mornings and off-season storms offer dramatic light. Easily accessible from street and nearby public parking; wheelchair-friendly paths. No entry fee; expect crowds on summer weekends and concerts during season.
Jerry Morgan Park
Small waterfront park steps from Long Branch boardwalk and beach — shoot ocean horizons, sunrise/sunset colors, leading lines from railings and promenades, and candid beachlife. Best at sunrise for calm light and long exposures; evenings offer dramatic skies. Easy public access with street parking and nearby municipal lots; no entry fee. Weekdays are quieter; dress for sea breeze and sand.
Jackson Woods
A compact coastal woodland offering shady trails, mixed hardwoods, and seasonal color contrasts ideal for intimate forest scenes, wildlife glimpses, and moody light. Best visited at golden hour or early morning for soft side-light, bird activity, and minimal crowds. Easily accessible from Long Branch with street parking and nearby lots; no entry fee. Trails are short and occasionally muddy—good for quick shoots or combining with nearby shore locations.
Slocum Park
Small waterfront park with grassy lawns, benches and views across the harbor and ocean — strong for sunrise/sunset colors, reflections of boats and piers, and low-angle seascapes. Easy street parking and close to Long Branch boardwalk; accessible paths but limited facilities. Best light: golden hour and blue hour; weekdays and early mornings reduce crowds.
Rev Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Monument Park
Small, dignified waterfront memorial honoring Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Ideal for portraiture, detail shots of the bronze/statue elements, and context frames that include Atlantic Ave and nearby beach. Best light is early morning or late afternoon for soft side-light and long shadows; weekends and holidays draw visitors so plan weekdays. Street parking and public transit nearby; accessible paths. Respectful behavior required during ceremonies.
Third Avenue Park
Small neighborhood park steps from Long Branch’s beachfront and pier — offers framed views of the ocean, walking paths, benches, mature trees and seasonal community events. Best at sunrise and golden hour for warm light and calm tides; weekday mornings are least crowded. Easy street parking and nearby public lots; no entry fee. Accessible paths but limited dedicated parking; expect coastal breezes and changing light.
Escape The Puzzle
Escape The Puzzle is an indoor escape-room venue in downtown Long Branch—shoot dynamic, story-driven environmental portraits of teams, close-ups of themed props, puzzles and moody set lighting for cinematic scenes. Visit weekdays or early evenings to avoid crowds; lighting is low and colored practicals dominate, so bring fast glass. Accessibility: street parking on Broadway and nearby municipal lots; check with staff for photography permission and group-room availability. Special for capturing C