In Highlands, maritime history at Twin Lights, military history at Historic Battery Lewis, and scenery and trails in Hartshorne Woods Park and along the Henry Hudson Trail offer distinct interests to choose from. Passenger ferries to Manhattan and Jersey City depart from terminals in the Borough of Highlands. If you’re looking for accommodations, you can first consider which of these themes you’d like to shape your stay.
Twin Lights and Maritime History
The Navesink Light Station, known as Twin Lights, houses a museum and programs that connect visitors with New Jersey’s nautical and commercial past. Its historical significance is especially notable: Twin Lights was the first lighthouse to use a Fresnel lens. The site therefore offers both an introduction to New Jersey’s maritime history and a specific chapter in lighthouse technology.
Those interested in maritime history can make Twin Lights a focus of their visit to Highlands. The museum and programs highlight the state’s past; the history of the Fresnel lens also helps explain what makes the station stand out in American maritime history.
Historic Battery Lewis: Bunker and Exhibits
Historic Battery Lewis is a renovated former military bunker in the Rocky Point section of Hartshorne Woods Park in Highlands. Concrete, steel, and earth-covered elements characterize its construction. The site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Here, visitors can learn about military history not only through exhibits, but also by exploring the structure itself.
Visitors can walk through the bunker, explore its various rooms, and learn more about its military history through exhibits. Free guided tours are offered from late May through mid-October. If you plan to take a tour, check the dates within this seasonal period before your trip.
Forest Trails and a Former Rail Line
Hartshorne Woods Park is an 831-acre hilly, wooded area with views of the Navesink River. Its trails are intended for walking, hiking, biking, and horseback riding. The park offers several ways to enjoy the landscape; the views of the Navesink River add a specific scenic feature to the description of the terrain.
The Henry Hudson Trail is different: it is a paved former railroad right-of-way, 10 feet wide and 24 miles long. Its northern section runs along Sandy Hook Bay to Popamora Point, on the border between Atlantic Highlands and Highlands. Popamora Point is listed at 369 Shore Drive, Highlands, New Jersey 07732. If you’re choosing between these options, you can use these differences as a guide: Hartshorne Woods is a hilly, wooded park area with trails for several activities; the Henry Hudson Trail is a paved former rail line described by its width and length.
Ferry and Trip Planning
Frequent daily high-speed passenger ferries to Manhattan and Jersey City operate from terminals in the Borough of Highlands. This may be a consideration in your trip planning, alongside Highlands’ museum and nature offerings. Since schedules and service arrangements can change, check the current timetable if you plan to take a ferry.
If a guided tour or ferry trip is part of your plans, coordinate your travel dates with the seasonal tour schedule or the ferry timetable.
Discover more destinations: Marlboro Township, Asbury Park, Fair Haven, Eatontown, Long Branch, Avon-By-The-Sea, Wall Township, Freehold Township.
Return to the regional travel overview: Monmouth.
