Deal, New Jersey is not your typical New York City suburb. Located in Monmouth County and nestled against the Atlantic Ocean, this small, affluent borough of just 1.32 square miles boasts an equally tiny population of approximately 519 residents. That number swells in the summertime as tourists and college students flock to its magnificent beaches. And as impressive as those sparkling, white sand beaches are, the architecture of Deal’s homes and buildings is equally extraordinary. Many date back to the Victorian era and are grand, opulent mansions rivaling the most beautiful houses seen anywhere in the world.
Decades ago, the area was a playground for tycoons, attracting a who’s-who list of wealthy socialites and celebrities like Mark Twain, who had a summer home right on Deal Beach. The town has also experienced its share of scandals in the past, including whispers of public corruption, money laundering, and even human organ trafficking. Nowadays, though, it’s a peaceful and conservative community where as much as 80% of the population is Jewish. Jewish traditions and values run deep, strong, and resilient here, where there are nearly as many synagogues as there are parks. (Quite apropos, considering that the beach in Deal was once used as a landing point by German submarines in World War II)
Of course, there are many things to do in Deal besides strolling the expansive beaches, picnicking in one of its many parks, or even visiting nearby New York City. There is a thriving art and music scene in Deal and its surrounding areas. The Axelrod Performing Arts Center is one of the town’s most popular attractions, and the ultra-famous Asbury Park borders Deal to the south.
There are also a great many shops and restaurants in the area to explore. Whether you are looking for the posh couture of Surrey Lane, the quirky merchandise of Frostings, or a great bottle of wine from the Monmouth Bottle Shop Wine Cellar, there is a little something for everyone to enjoy in this mini-Mecca by the sea. The food is also top-notch. Don’t miss the fresh lobster from Mister C’s right on the beach. (Anyplace you can gorge on lobster and have sand on your toes at the same time is alright by us) Sample some of the world’s best sushi at Taka. Or, if you’re a landlubber at heart, grab yourself some mind-blowing barbeque at Dougie’s. Plus, no visit to Deal is complete without stopping for ice cream or a sweet treat at Day’s. The decadent desserts at Day’s are so famous that hotel concierges in NYC often recommend them to visitors.
If you feel like kicking off the flip-flops and venturing off the beaten beach path, there’s a bit of spooky history to explore, too. Visiting the Paranormal Museum in Asbury is scary-good fun. Additionally, the Jersey Devil has been spotted in the area many times and purportedly makes its home in the local Pine Barrens. The beast is described as a large bi-pedal creature with a horse-like head, wings, horns, cloven feet, and a forked tail. Sightings go back as many as 250 years and have even spawned its own tourist industry.
You can take a Devil-hunting tour of the Barrens with like-minded enthusiasts, or maybe you’ll be (lucky? unlucky?) enough to spot the notorious creature right in your backyard—but if you do, sorry, please don’t call us. That’s one pest we cannot exterminate for you. For everything else, however, there’s Elite Pest Control. We’ve been providing the finest standards of pest management for over a decade to Deal and its surrounding areas.
Contact us today for a free estimate.
