By Judy O’Gorman Alvarez
As Two River area residents know, once Memorial Day comes along, everybody wants to come to visit. Whether it’s the beach, Monmouth Park or the plentiful county parks, folks are flocking to our towns.
And although we all enjoy our treasured sites and neighborhoods, wouldn’t it be nice to get away for a day? How about a “reverse” recreational excursion – getting away while others come in – with little to no driving involved?
Hit the Water
We all know getting to New York City by water can be a breezy, refreshing way to travel to the Big Apple, only 21 miles away as the crow flies – or the ferry sails (more than 50 miles by car).
Seastreak’s commuter service ferries passengers from Belford, Highlands and Atlantic Highlands to various Manhattan piers. But a ferry ride doesn’t have to be only for the 9-to-5er. A trip to New York City provides an opportunity to visit museums, shops, the theater and a host of locations. Be a NYC tourist for a day.
And Seastreak’s ferries don’t just drop you in Manhattan. The company offers a NYC Sunset Cocktail Cruise around New York Harbor, a NYC 4th of July Fireworks Cruise to view the famed Macy’s fireworks display and Lighthouse Boat Tours with the National Lighthouse Museum to introduce passengers to the many historic lighthouses along the shores of New York and New Jersey. (seastreak.com).
Plan with the Park
You can always count on the Monmouth County Park System for a fun activity or program in a local park, but you can also enjoy an excursion with them – without the hassle of driving, ferrying or riding the rails.
A bus trip to New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art Aug. 5 will allow you to spend the day exploring the museum, including 19th century European paintings, the American Wing, the Old Masters, and the Costume Institute. Buses depart from Thompson Park and a park system leader will accompany the group.
For an adventure far from city life, the park system will be running a bus trip from Thompson Park to the 2,700-acre environmental center Duke Farms in Hillsborough Aug. 16. Explore up to 18 miles of walking trails, discover the Orchid Range, learn about local history, admire the native habitat and serene lake system and more at this New Jersey gem.
For the more adventurous, the park system runs Section Hikes on the Appalachian Trail, one ofthe oldest footpaths in the world, which covers roughly 2,180 miles through 14 states. The park system’s journey aims to complete the 72 miles in New Jersey, hiking a different section of the trail, averaging 7 miles per trip. (monmouthcountyparks.com)
Travel by Train
If you’re heading to MetLife stadium for one of the hottest concerts around – Swifties, listen up – no need to spend hours on the New Jersey Turnpike getting there and suffer the pandemonium of the parking lot when leaving. NJ Transit can deliver you safely and relatively stress-free: Take the North Jersey Coast line to Secaucus Junction and then a direct shuttle train to the Meadowlands Rail Station. Arrive relaxed for some great summer concerts, including Taylor Swift May 26-28, Ed Sheeran June 10- 11, Beyoncé July 29-30 and, of course, the Boss Aug. 31-Sept. 3.
And although it may seem counterintuitive to go north in order to travel south to Philadelphia, a trip to NJ Transit’s Metropark Station (Exit 131 of the Garden State Parkway) will get you on Amtrak’s Northeast Regional train – or the faster Acela for an added cost – to 30th Street Station, a few blocks from Center City in the City of Brotherly Love. Visit the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed, and sample an assortment of foods at the famous Reading Terminal Market. (njtransit.com)
And when you do stay local, lounging on the beaches of the Jersey Shore, hiking one of the more than 30 parks or strolling through our many picturesque towns and boroughs, be sure to wave to the visitors who come to enjoy a little bit of Monmouth County.
The article originally appeared in the May 18 – 24, 2023 print edition of The Two River Times.
