Monmouth Beach, NJ

Welcome to Resort 88

Not actually a resort. Just a beach house, a good crew, and a stubborn refusal to do the 4th of July any other way.

See the Album America 250 · July 4, 2026
The Story

A beach house that accidentally became a legend.

Somewhere along the way, a family cookout on Ocean Avenue grew into the summer tradition, the one with the all-white dress code, the stage on the sand, the Blue Angels overhead, and a bonfire that closes out the night.

The address is 88. The people are family. The whole thing is lovingly called a "resort" by everyone who's ever spent a July afternoon on that deck with a cold drink in their hand.

How it started, 2014.
The deck, the flag, the usual suspects.
The Traditions

Same weekend, every year. Somehow always better than the last.

The All-White Party

Head to toe in white. Live band. Sun setting over the stage. Everyone shows up; nobody wants to leave.

The Fireworks

Right over the house. The lawn goes quiet for three minutes. Then everyone cheers like it's the first time.

The Flyover

Necks crane, phones come up, and for a few seconds everyone forgets what they were saying.

Beach Volleyball

No one remembers the score. Someone always rolls an ankle. The rematch is next summer.

The Ice Sculpture

Because nothing says "casual backyard hang" like a custom ice luge melting into the patio.

The Bonfire

When the music finally stops, the fire gets going. Sand everywhere. No one is tired yet.

Saturday, July 4, 2026

America 250

For a quarter of a millennium, America has been throwing its own birthday party. Resort 88 has been quietly doing the same, and this year, the country and the house both have something extra to celebrate.

--Days
--Hours
--Minutes
--Seconds

Until the first sparkler is lit on the lawn.

See you on Ocean Ave.

Resort 88 · Monmouth Beach, New Jersey

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