As we look forward to the new year, we can be forever grateful for all of the good that came our way in 2016 and start our plans for 2017. I thought I would start the year with an introduction to the county that I call home.
Sandy Hook
Hugging the Jersey Shore, Monmouth County is located in Central New Jersey. We are a very diverse community with dozens of towns and communities to visit from seaside Sandy Hook in the North, to equine Allentown in the Southwest, to the coastline lining the eastern portion of the county.
There are 21 theaters in the county that range from small neighborhood theaters and those on college campuses, to larger venues, such as the Count Basie in Red Bank and the Alconquin in Manasquan.
Historic Allaire Village
Put the many historic sites on your list, from state parks, to churches and battlefields. Allaire State Park consists of 3,035 acres and is best known for its historic village and narrow gauge railroad. Allaire also provides opportunities for picnicking, canoeing, hiking, horseback riding, camping, hunting, and fishing.
Historic Allaire Village is situated within the park. Originally the site of a bog iron furnace and forge that date back to the late 1700s, this self-contained community once housed over 400 people. Products manufactured at the village included caldrons, pots and kettles, stoves, screws, and some pipe.
Ocean Grove Fishing Pier
Ocean Grove, a National Register Historic District, was founded by the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association in 1869. The focal point of Ocean Grove and the hub of all major summer program activities is the Great Auditorium, a majestic structure built in 1894, seating 6,500 persons. Throughout every summer season you will hear the finest preachers and evangelists on Sunday mornings and evenings, top-name popular and classical artists and name bands on Saturday evenings, plus free organ concerts on the world-famous Hope-Jones pipe organ every Wednesday and Saturday.
Camp Evans Info Age is an Interactive learning center focused on communication pioneers of wireless, World War I, World War II, space exploration, and the cold war. They have many exhibits throughout the year for children and adults, alike.
There are 15 public golf courses, many of which are professional quality. Restaurants abound in all the towns, and downtown shopping streets are always popular. In addition, we have many historic hotels, including the Molly Pitcher Inn in Red Bank, The Hewitt Wellington in Spring Lake, and the Berkeley Oceanfront in Asbury Park. Looking for quaint? Head to the many B&B offerings.
Belmar Beach
There is horse racing, stock car racing, charter boats, bowling alleys, miniature golf, and the Lakewood Blue Claws ball team in a neighboring town.
So often when we talk about this part of the state, we focus on the beaches. As you can see there are so many fun, historic, and amazing things to do in Monmouth County. I have only touched on a few.
For more information, visit www.tourism.visitmonmouth.com.
I hope you will put Monmouth County on your list of places to visit in 2017. Happy holidays and happy New Year!
Image courtesy of Shutterstock / Linda Romano
Linda Romano is the exclusive agent representing the Monmouth County, New Jersey, real estate market as a member of the Haute Residence Real Estate Network. View all of her listings here.
