Ocean Grove is unlike any other shore town. Founded in 1869 as a Methodist camp meeting community, this "dry town" (no alcohol sales) maintains its Victorian character with over 100 colorful tent structures that families still occupy each summer.
The Great Auditorium, built in 1894, seats 6,500 and hosts concerts, worship services, and community events. Its historic pipe organ is one of the largest in the country. The town's grid of Victorian homes, many converted to B&Bs, creates a living museum of 19th-century architecture.
Despite—or perhaps because of—its unique restrictions, Ocean Grove has attracted a growing arts community. Main Avenue offers antique shops, cafes, and galleries in a remarkably preserved historic setting.