where the
JERSEY SHORE
begins
Highlands
Explore all that Highlands has to offer and you’ll want to return often.
Aquick ferry ride away from
Manhattan, Highlands feels like
an island getaway. Start your day
with a bicycle ride or short walk over the
newly constructed Highlands Bridge to
the Gateway National Recreation Area at
Sandy Hook, a 7-mile-long peninsula with
over 1,600 acres of pristine beach and a
spectacular holly forest where over 300
species of migratory shorebirds can be
spotted.
Spend the day sunbathing and swimming
on the wide beaches or enjoy premier surf
fishing. Horseshoe Cove on the bay side of
Sandy Hook offers plenty of spots to anchor
your boat and ideal conditions for kayaking,
parasailing, windsurfing and Jet Skiing.
History buffs can tour the 1764 Sandy Hook
Lighthouse, the oldest operating lighthouse
in the United States, and the Fort Hancock
historic area, with Spanish-American War–
era experimental gun batteries and Cold
War–era missile sites. From Sandy Hook,
head up to Twin Lights Historic Site for a
tour of the Civil War–era lighthouse and the
site where Marconi demonstrated
the commercial potential of wireless radio
by broadcasting the 1899 America’s Cup
race. Tour the museum, marvel at the
massive Fresnel lens and climb the steps
to the top of the north tower for panoramic
views of New York City, Long Island and the
Atlantic Ocean from the highest point on the
eastern seaboard south of Maine.
Near Twin Lights is Monmouth County Park
System’s Hartshorne Woods—787 acres
of parkland featuring 19 miles of acclaimed
forest trails for hiking, mountain biking and
horseback riding plus memorable ocean
views. Closer to sea level, the 1.8-mile
Bayshore section of the Henry Hudson Trail,
open to both foot and bike traffic, provides
a level waterfront passage between
Highlands and Atlantic Highlands. Pick up
the trail at Popamora Park in Highlands or
the Atlantic Highlands Municipal Harbor.
Stay at one of Highlands’ charming bed &
breakfast inns and spend a day exploring
downtown’s original “summer bungalow”
colonies, unique shops, waterfront
restaurants and nightspots. Time your visit
in any season to enjoy one of Highlands’
year-round family-fun community events—
all with free admission and free parking.
Start the year with the Beef & Brew
Pre-Superbowl Bash in January, Chili
Cook-Off in February and the Highlands
Guinness Run in March, all leading up to
the St. Patrick’s Parade, featuring over 100
marching units, bands and floats.
The start of summer brings a cornucopia
of fun to the place where the Jersey Shore
begins. Browse the eclectic collections of
artisans and crafters at the juried Seaport
Craft Show in May. Sample chef’s favorites
at over 20 local eateries at a Taste of
Highlands in June. Grab the freshest local
Jersey produce at the Farmers’ Market in
Huddy Park on any Saturday from July
to October. Food and music lovers fill the
streets the first weekend of August for
Highlands Business Partnership’s Annual
Clam Fest, a spectacular four-day event
featuring a 120’ seafood court serving the
freshest seafood from many of Highlands’
restaurants, live entertainment, Clam-
Shucking and Clam-Eating contests, festival
games and rides.
Fall into Highlands after summer’s end,
where the Jersey Shore never ends. Cruise
the Highlands Car Show in September. Take
part in the Twin Lights Bike ride, a favorite
of local cyclists, New Yorkers, and visitors
from around the country for over a decade,
with five routes ranging from 15 to 100
miles along the picturesque Jersey Shore,
over undulating hills, past quaint farms, and
winding up at a finish festival where local
restaurants come out to serve up their best
to hungry riders. In October, Get out your
ghoulish best for the Zombie Parade and
Pub Crawl.
Enjoy all that Highlands has to offer, any
season of the year. Call 732-291-4713
or visit www.highlandsnj.com for visitor
information.
Q3
www.sparkvisitmonmouth.com 79
/www.highlandsnj.com
/www.sparkvisitmonmouth.com