Highlands – Coastal Trails and Maritime History

Highlands offers clearly distinct points of interest when planning a stay: maritime history, a paved route along Sandy Hook Bay, and trails in a wooded park. Twin Lights and Historic Battery Lewis represent different aspects of local history; the Henry Hudson Trail and Hartshorne Woods Park differ in their landscapes and trail options. When looking for a hotel in Highlands, you can start by considering which of these highlights you want to shape your stay.

Lighthouse History and Maritime Heritage

Twin Lights, the Navesink Light Station, houses a museum and programs that connect visitors with New Jersey’s nautical and commercial past. The area’s maritime history is also distinctive: Twin Lights was the first lighthouse in the United States to use a Fresnel lens. The museum and the site’s historical significance thus offer two perspectives on maritime heritage—the history of seafaring and lighthouse technology.

Historic Battery Lewis in the Rocky Point section of Hartshorne Woods Park offers a different historical perspective. The renovated former military bunker was built with concrete, steel, and earth-camouflaged features, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors can walk through the bunker, explore its various rooms, and learn more about the site’s military history through exhibits.

Free tours of Historic Battery Lewis run from late May through mid-October. If you want to plan a tour, check the dates before your trip. This lets you make a visit to the site part of a focused exploration of military history; the exhibits also offer their own way to engage with the subject.

Coastal Route or Trails in a Wooded Area

The Henry Hudson Trail is a paved, 10-foot-wide trail that runs for a total of 24 miles along a former railroad corridor. The northern section follows Sandy Hook Bay to Popamora Point, on the border between Atlantic Highlands and Highlands. Popamora Point is located at 369 Shore Drive, Highlands, New Jersey 07732. Trail conditions and closures may change; check the latest information before your visit.

Hartshorne Woods Park offers a different kind of landscape: the hilly, wooded area covers 831 acres and offers views of the Navesink River. The park has trails for walking, hiking, biking, and horseback riding. This gives you two different options: the Henry Hudson Trail is defined by its paved surface, width, total length, and the route of its northern section. At Hartshorne Woods Park, you can choose based on the wooded terrain, river views, and range of trail activities.

Ferry Service to the Region

Frequent high-speed passenger ferries run daily from terminals in the Borough of Highlands to Manhattan and Jersey City. If one of these connections is important for your stay, check the schedule in advance: ferry times and service may change. Together with the historic sites and varied trail options, this transportation link can help you choose Highlands based on the things you’re most interested in during your stay.

Discover more destinations: Marlboro Township, Colts Neck, Long Branch, Wall Township, Monmouth Beach, Tinton Falls, West Long Branch, Avon-By-The-Sea.

For the broader travel overview: Monmouth.