Visiting South Amboy

Waterfront recreation, downtown stops, rail and ferry connections, plus lodging guidance with municipal-boundary accuracy.

Visiting South Amboy

South Amboy is best known to visitors for its Raritan Bay waterfront, compact Broadway downtown, commuter rail station and direct NY Waterway ferry terminal. The city is small enough that several downtown destinations can be combined in a single visit.

Things to Do

Raritan Bay Waterfront Park

201 John T. O'Leary Boulevard. Waterfront walking, bay views, recreation and seasonal community programming.

South Amboy Arena – Rollermagic

270 North Stevens Avenue. Indoor roller skating, public sessions, lessons, parties and arcade entertainment.

South Amboy Branch YMCA

200 John T. O'Leary Boulevard. Fitness, gymnasium, classes, child care and community programming. The branch announced closure of its pool effective March 7, 2026, so verify current aquatics options before visiting for swimming.

Sadie Pope Dowdell Library

100 Harold G. Hoffman Plaza. Local library and community resource adjacent to the Middle/High School.

Getting Here & Around

NJ TRANSIT South Amboy Station

North Jersey Coast Line station at Mason Street, with parking, bike racks, Wi-Fi and accessible facilities.

NY Waterway Ferry

100 Radford Ferry Road. Weekday commuter service to Manhattan, including Midtown/W. 39th Street, Brookfield Place and Pier 11/Wall Street. The terminal advertises free public parking.

Driving

Route 35 serves South Amboy directly, with nearby connections to Route 9, the Garden State Parkway and regional Middlesex/Monmouth road networks.

Lodging: Municipal-Boundary Note

Important: Several motels that use a South Amboy, NJ 08879 mailing address are physically located in neighboring Sayreville. NJTGO does not list them as South Amboy lodging.

For example, Circle Motor Lodge at 1 Victory Plaza is on Sayreville Block 278, Lot 1. Gallery Motel at 2020 Highway 35 and Knights Inn at 7089 Highway 35 & 9 are also on Sayreville parcels. Travelers who want lodging near South Amboy should confirm the municipality as well as the postal address before booking.

Visitor Tips

Check current ferry and rail schedules before traveling, especially for evening or weekend trips.
Broadway dining and downtown businesses are convenient to the rail station; the ferry terminal is farther along the waterfront.
Waterfront conditions can be windy and cooler than inland areas, particularly outside summer.
Check event calendars for waterfront festivals, concerts and city recreation programs.