ASBURY PARK -- The worldwide travel scene has recognized New Jersey's revitalized city by the sea.

Travel and Leisure magazine named Asbury Park as one of its "50 Best Places to Travel in 2016" Tuesday, ranking the bustling Monmouth County social hub No. 10, sandwiched between the island of St. Helena and Frankfurt, Germany.

The magazine writes Bruce Springsteen's old haunt is led by its "gay and live-music scenes," and touts an exciting mix of vintage and chic, citing the boardwalk's Silver Ball Museum, sushi at Langosta Lounge and array of brews at the new Asbury Festhalle and Biergarten.

Asbury Park ranks among many unconventional places on the coveted list, including the east African archipelago of Zanzibar and Detroit, described as a "comeback city."

The shorefront and downtown area's popularity is nothing new to surrounding residents, who now flock to Cookman and Ocean Avenues each weekend for dinner at Talula's (gourmet pizza) or Pascal and Sabine (French), a concert at The Stone Pony or Wonder Bar, or a night out at Porta or the new Asbury Ale House sports bar.

Though the Travel and Leisure blurb paints the city of 15,000 in a positive spotlight and says it's "starting to recover," there is still a great disparity between the construction of luxury condominiums and the coming Asbury Hotel along Kingsley Street, and the city's western section, which is still plagued by violence and poverty.

Bobby Olivier may be reached at bolivier@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BobbyOlivier. Find NJ.com on Facebook.