Photo courtesy of Proving Ground
www.sparkvisitmonmouth.com 73
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 a charming bed & breakfast inn or one of our
many waterfront cottages, and spend a day exploring
Highlands’ quaint downtown packed with restaurants,
waterfront tiki bars, unique shops, old-fashioned ice
cream parlor and vibrant nightlife. 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. For the
craft beer lover, there is Brew by the Bay Craft Beer
Festival on the scenic waterfront in May. Browse the
eclectic collections of artisans and crafters at the
juried Seaport Craft Show on Memorial Day weekend.
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 three-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, where the Jersey Shore never
ends. 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. On the first Saturday
of October, stop by our 20th Annual Oktoberfest,
with authentic German food and beer, live music and
dancing. Later in the month, return for one of our
popular craft beer festivals with over 20 breweries,
Boo Brew by the Bay, which takes place on the
waterfront overlooking the NYC skyline.
Enjoy all that Highlands has to offer, any season of
the year. For visitor information, call 732-291-4713 or
visit www.highlandsnj.com.
/www.sparkvisitmonmouth.com
/www.highlandsnj.com
