brielle, a brief history

It is believed that the first people to visit the area that is now Brielle were the Lenni Lenape native Americans.  During much of the year, the Lenape practiced farming in more westerly parts of Monmouth County but trekked to the Brielle area for summer hunting and fishing.

In 1682, four counties were established in New Jersey.  Monmouth, Middlesex, Essex, and Bergen.  In 1881, a land development group purchased land in what was then called Union Landing for the purpose of constructing vacation homes.  To one of the developers, the farmers' windmills and the land itself was reminiscent of the riverside beauty of another town he had once visited, Brielle in The Netherlands, and hence the development group was named, the Brielle Land Association.  As a result of this development and its accompanying advertising, Union Landing residents began calling the area Brielle.

Brielle has fallen under many local jurisdictions before chartering its own identity.  Originally, what is now the borough of Brielle, was part of Shrewsbury, later becoming part of Howell, and then Wall Township.  Brielle finally broke away from Wall and was officially incorporated as an independent borough on June 3, 1919.

(Slideshow images provided courtesy of The Union Landing Historical Society)

getting here

By Bus or Train
Academy Bus Lines
NJ Transit Trip Planner

By Boat
Chart a course for the Manasquan Inlet. Once you enter the inlet, stay to the right in the channel.  Once you are in view of Gull Island you will find our marinas along the river banks to your right.  Stop and fuel up!  You don't want to get stuck on the mighty Atlantic Ocean without fuel. While you are here you can find a few places to dine along the river just before the railroad bridge.  Most of our river front restaurants offer guest docks for our sea traveling visitors.  They will guide you to a facility to dock your boat while visiting or to a marina for service while boating in the area!

LORAN Coordinates: TD1 26934.0, TD2 43487.0
GPS Coordinates: 400 05.0, 740 00.2

things to do once you're here

Brielle offers a wide variety of activities for the entire family.  With beaches less than a mile away from town and family amusement centers only a short drive away, there is every reason to make Brielle the center of your Jersey Shore vacation.

FISHING - Brielle offers a large number of charter and party fishing boats for your enjoyment.  These boats take passengers to the Atlantic Ocean's hottest fishing holes off the Jersey Shore.  Whether you wish to find the largest big game fish, or just want to find the honey hole of bottom fish, you can find a boat leaving Brielle's port to suit your needs.  With the natural surrounding of waterways, which Brielle was blessed with, you will find that fishing is the number one attraction and will fascinate even the most experienced of fishermen.  Just stop down along the Manasquan River in Brielle and you will find boats leaving for both day and night trips.

BEACHES - In very close proximity to Brielle can be found New Jersey's most delightful beaches.  The neighboring towns of Manasquan and Point Pleasant Beach offer access to the beautiful Atlantic Ocean.  These beaches do require a small fee for access to the beach which is available at most entrances.  These beaches also offer concessions, nearby arcades, and rest room facilities.

GREAT ADVENTURE - Only 1/2 hour from Brielle, you will find a place where kids and adults alike can enjoy thrill rides, games, and shows. Six Flags Great Adventure is a theme park which offers visitors a full day of thrilling rides, aquatic shows, a safari park, and much more.  The park is open daily until 10pm.  Visiting Brielle can take you to many other surrounding places to make your Jersey Shore vacation memorable.  We feel that a trip to Six Flags Great Adventure will add to the excitement of your Brielle experience.

JENKINSON'S AQUARIUM - In nearby Point Pleasant Beach you will find, on the boardwalk, the Jenkinson's Amusement Center, which features an aquarium, is home to a wide variety of life.  Jenkinson's Aquarium is a great place to visit with the kids.  There are many displays that feature the sea life of the Atlantic Ocean.  You will also find hands-on educational displays which will bring the sea close enough to touch.  When you visit Brielle for the first time you may wish to take a few hours, cross the river into Point Pleasant Beach, and take this enchanting journey through the Jenkinson's Aquarium.