Q: Where is Highlands/Sandy Hook?
A: Sandy Hook is the northernmost point on the New Jersey Shore. The six and a half miles of sandy beaches form a barrier peninsula offering views of Manhattan. Sandy Hook is part of Gateway National Park, which is intended to preserve open space all around New York Harbor. There is no town or commercial ventures on the hook, which is home to a military base and the oldest working lighthouse in the US Highlands is on the bayside of the hook and has a history dating back to the 1600’s. It is the highest point on the entire eastern seaboard, and is home to the famous Twin Lights of Navesink. Very popular with bootleggers during prohibition, Highlands now is home to many well known Jersey Shore seafood restaurants. ----->> Part of Monmouth County, NJ, Highlands is close to Red Bank, Atlantic Highlands, Asbury Park and the Monmouth Raceway.
Q: How do I get there?
A: Highlands is located off Route 36, Exit 117 off the Garden State Parkway.
----->> See us on the Google Map
----->> We are a 60-90 minute drive from NYC (depending on the traffic) and 45 minutes from Newark Airport. We are also accessible by NJ Transit (buses and trains). ----->> The quickest way to get to Highlands from New York City is a 40-minute ride on the SeaStreak Ferry, which operates year-round. The comfortable, climate-controlled high-speed ferry cruises thru the NY Harbor, past the Statue of Liberty and under the Verrazano bridge.
----->> The ferry allows pets and bikes onboard.
Q: How close are you to the ferry? A: We are a 10-minute walk from the ferry. There is also a large parking lot, if you prefer to drive to the Ferry when you visit NYC
Q: How close are you to the beach? A: We are within 2-4 blocks of the bay and the local Highlands’ beaches. Sandy Hook is a bit further—a 15-minute walk, or 5-minute bike ride. We provide a Sandy Hook beach-parking pass, if you choose to drive.
Q: How are the Beaches at Sandy Hook?
A: Sandy Hook has 6.5 miles of outstanding ocean and bay beaches used for swimming, sunning, bicycling, surf casting, kite flying, and wind surfing. Dogs are allowed on the Bayside beaches
Q: Is there really a nude beach?
A: Yes. Gunnison Beach, on Sandy Hook, is an officially sanctioned clothing-optional beach. Warning signs are clearly posted, so you’re not likely to stumble upon it by accident.
Q: What else is there to do on Sandy Hook?
A: Fishing, Hiking, Biking, And Boating. Visit the Sandy Hook Lighthouse (America's oldest operating lighthouse -1764), as well as Fort Hancock and the Sandy Hook Proving Ground. Nature lovers will revel in the 300–plus species of migratory birds, as well as the pristine holly forest. ----->> The NJ Audubon Society's Sandy Hook Bird Observatory has the latest birding information. ----->> For things to do on Sandy Hook see the National Park Service website.
Q: Are there trails on Sandy Hook?
A: Sandy Hook has a Multi-Use Pathway (MUP) – a 5 mile paved trail that passes dunes, maritime forests, salt marshes, ocean beaches, bayside waters and historic Fort Hancock. The path is for bicyclists, runners, skaters and other pedestrian uses. There are restrooms, bike racks and drinking fountains along the route, and no motorized vehicles are permitted.
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