Allaire State Park
The economy of the historic
village of Allaire was built upon the natural resources of the area.
Explore the Pinelands, peat bogs, cedar swamps, freshwater streams,
and the floodplain of the Manasquan River that made this a feasible
site for early industry. Over 200 species of trees, shrubs, wildflowers,
and other plants have been identified within the park. Look for these
plants and the animals that live among them.
A nature center and an historic railroad are on site.
Camping, fishing, bird-watching, canoeing, hiking, picnicking, and interpretive
exhibits, and demonstrations by people dressed in period costume are
the available activities.
Directions: Take exit 98 from the Garden State
Parkway and follow the signs to Allaire. When you reach county road
524, turn west (right), and follow it for about 1.5 miles. The park
is located on the left side.
Hours: The park is open during the summer from
8:00am to 8:00pm. During the winter, the hours are 8:00am to 4:30pm,
and in the spring and fall, they are open 8:00am to 6:00pm.
Telephone: (732) 938-2371.
Belford Seafood
CO-OP
The Belford CO-OP is a cooperative commercial fishing
operation located on the shores of Sandy Hook Bay. The community of
Belford is more than 200 years old and reported to be the oldest fishing
port on the east coast. Many of its fishermen are third and fourth generation.
It maintains a fleet of approximately 50 boats, including 18-20 lobster
boats, 7-8 clamming boats, and three seining boats. A retail sales outlet
for fresh seafood and a restaurant are maintained at the site.
Directions: To reach Belford, take exit 117 from
the Garden State Parkway and follow state road 36 east to Main Street,
Port Monmouth. Turn right around the jug-handle crossing SR36 and proceeding
north on Main 1 mile to Port Monmouth Road, then east (right) to the
co-op.
Hours: The interpretive exhibit for this site
is accessible only during daylight hours. The retail outlet is open
Monday through Saturday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, and Sunday from 8:30am
to 12:00noon.
Telephone: (732) 787-6509.
Leonardo State
Marina
The marina remains one
of the most popular and desirable state facilities, largely due to its
proximity to Sandy Hook Inlet and the fruitful fishing grounds of Sandy
Hook Bay. It includes 179 slips and is capable of accommodating boats
up to 45 feet in length. On-site facilities include a luncheonette,
bait and tackle facility, restrooms, a pump-out station, and boat fueling
station.
Directions: Take exit 117 from the Garden State
Parkway east along state road 36 to the community of Leonardo. Take
Leonard Avenue north toward Sandy Hook Bay, turn left on Center Avenue,
and right onto Concord Avenue to the marina.
Hours: The marina office is open daily from 8:00am
to 4:00pm.
Telephone: (732) 291-1333.
Mount Mitchill Scenic Overlook
This high point (266 feet above sea level) provides visitors
with a panoramic view of Sandy Hook Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, the New
York City skyline, and historic Fort Hancock and the Sandy Hook Lighthouse
at Gateway National Recreation Area. Geologic forces created the uplift.
The overlook is part of the Monmouth County Park System.
Directions: From exit 117 of the Garden State
Parkway, follow state road 36 east to the community of Atlantic Highlands.
Take the Navesink Avenue/Scenic Drive jug-handle (on the right), and
follow the signs to the park entrance. Roughly one quarter mile north
of SR36.
Hours: The park is open daily from 8:00am to
dusk.
Telephone: (732) 842-4000.
Sandy Hook Unit,
Gateway National Recreation Area:
Sandy Hook is a 1665 acres
barrier beach peninsula located at the northern tip of the New Jersey
Shore. It is the result of sediment moved by the longshore current piling
up. The Hook features seven miles of ocean beaches, the waters of the
Sandy Hook Bay, salt marsh, dunes, a maritime forest, and habitat for
migratory shorebirds.
Fort Hancock, Sandy Hook Light & Dwelling, and
the Spermaceti Cove Life Saving Service Station #2
The Sandy Hook Unit includes multiple maritime
history destinations, all listed on the National Register of Historic
Places. Sandy Hook Lighthouse has guided ships into New York Harbor
since 1764. The US Army first fortified the Hook in the War of 1812
and later tested weapons at the Sandy Hook Proving Ground. A century
ago, Fort Hancock and a series of gun batteries were built to protect
the harbor and the fort served this role until 1974.
Today many of Fort Hancock’s buildings are used
by environmental and educational groups. The Fort Hancock story is told
at the Sandy Hook Museum, and History House, a restored home on "Officer’s
Row."
Swimming, hiking, fishing, wind surfing, bird-watching,
and ranger-guided programs are just a few of the recreational opportunities
at Sandy Hook. On busy summer days, the park advises visitors
to arrive early in the day as it often reaches its maximum carrying
capacity before noon. Visitors can expect to find the usual amenities
of a National Park System unit.
Directions: Take state road 36 east from exit
117 of the Garden State Parkway to the community of Highlands, and follow
the signs to the park.
Hours: The visitor center operates daily from
10:00am to 5:00pm. It is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's
Day.
Telephone: (732) 872-5970.
Steamboat Dock
Museum
The Steamboat Dock Museum of the Keyport Historical
Society interprets the history and maritime traditions of Keyport which
was first settled as a private plantation in 1714 by the Kearny family.
By the 1830s, Keyport had become a major port for oystering and for
produce on its way to New York City.
Directions: Keyport can be reached by following
state road 36 east from exit 117 of the Garden State Parkway. County
road 4 (Broad Street) connects SR36 to the waterfront at the museum.
Hours: Open May through September, on Sunday
from 1:00pm to 4:00pm and on Monday from 10:00am to 1:00pm. Guided tours
are available by appointment.
Telephone: (732) 739-6390.
Twin Lights
State Historic Site
The Navesink Lighthouse station, known as Twin Lights State Historic
Site, was an important maritime navigational aid for ships entering
and leaving ports off the northern New Jersey coast and New York Harbor.
Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the north tower, the museum,
and grounds. On the site is one of the original life boat stations built
by the U.S. Government to assist shipwrecked victims along the Jersey
Shore. It was moved to its present location in 1954.
Directions: Take state road 36 east from exit
117 of the Garden State Parkway to the community of Highlands, and follow
signs to the park. Oversized vehicles and trailers are restricted from
the access road.
Hours: Open daily from 10:00am to 5:00pm - Memorial
Day through Labor Day, and Wednesday through Sunday from September through
May.
Telephone: (732) 872-1814.
Top of Page
