Aberdeen
Atlantic Highlands
Hazlet
Highlands
Holmdel
Keansburg
Keyport
Matawan
Middletown
Union Beach
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Bayshore
Covering the northern part of Monmouth County and
extending along the Raritan and Sandy Hook Bays, the
Bayshore offers a string of unique historic seashore towns
and a wide range of attractions and activities.
Facing Gateway National Park’s Sandy Hook, the Bayshore
offers charming downtown districts, eclectic dining,
crabbing, fishing and charter boats, maritime museums and
so much more. Enjoy Monmouth County Park System’s
Bayshore Waterfront Park and the Henry Hudson Trail,
a paved, 24-mile-long former railroad right-of-way for
biking and hiking, traversing both man-made and natural
environments. Twin Lights lighthouse and historic site stands
sentry over Sandy Hook Bay, the entrance to New York
Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean.
Monmouth Cove Marina in Port Monmouth offers marina
services, and Leonardo State Marina has marina and
pump-out facilities. Ferry service from Highlands, Atlantic
Highlands and Belford gets you to Manhattan in 45 minutes.
The scenic overlook at Mount Mitchill, the highest point
on the eastern seaboard, offers unparalleled views of
Manhattan, Sandy Hook and the coastline.
The waterfront downtowns of Keyport and Atlantic Highlands
feature stately Victorian architecture, eclectic shops and
acclaimed restaurants with spectacular views of the water
and the New York skyline. Seafood is king in Highlands,
where the hills spiral down to the cool bay and ocean
waters. Experience New Jersey’s long tradition of maritime
heritage and dine at Highlands’ nearly twenty spectacular
restaurants, many “dock-and-dine” options and an
amazingly eclectic selection of cuisine served within a half
square mile.
Located at the northern end of Monmouth County, historic
Keyport was established in the 19th century as a major
shipping and commerce center. Today its charming,
pedestrian-friendly downtown, adjacent to the bayfront,
features antique and specialty shops, businesses and
restaurants, including fine dining, great seafood, casual
family restaurants and one of New Jersey’s best diners.
The bayside community of Keansburg offers a secluded free
beach area, complemented by an astounding view of the
Manhattan skyline. Enjoy leisurely strolls along two wooden
Bay Walks, cast a line along the shore or hike or bike the
Henry Hudson Trail.
Officially founded in 1664 as one of the seats of Colonial
America, Middletown thrives today as one of the largest
municipalities in the State of New Jersey and the biggest in
Monmouth County. Middletown’s acclaimed public library,
Arts Center and Brookdale Community College make it
a hub for education, arts and culture. With a plethora of
beautiful parks, rolling countryside, lakeside communities
and beaches, Middletown offers an abundance of spots to
sunbathe, swim, fish, picnic, bike, run and simply breathe in
the nature that surrounds you. Take in the year-round flora
and landscaping displays in Deep Cut Gardens, explore
the Poricy Park fossil beds, and wander the many trails of
Hartshorne and Huber Woods. Whether you are driving
down Highway 36 toward Sandy Hook or on Route 35
toward the Navesink River, there are plenty of diverse places
to shop and dine, from elegant food experiences to lively
sports and seaside bars.
Holmdel Township, boasting rural farm areas, large estates,
condos and commercial areas, is noted for its historical
connection to Bell Laboratories, where important evidence
for the Big Bang was discovered. The Bell Labs building on
Crawfords Corner Road, designed by the award-winning
architect Eero Saarinen and listed on both the NJ and
National Registers of Historic Places, is now the thriving
site of the Bell Works metroburb. World-famous performing
artists of every genre have graced the stage of the PNC
Bank Arts Center in Holmdel. Adjacent to the Arts Center is
the NJ State Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial and Vietnam Era
Museum.
Photo by Kate Clark
/www.sparkvisitmonmouth.com
