Raritan Bayshore facts for kids
The Raritan Bayshore region in New Jersey is a special part of the larger Jersey Shore. It's the area around Raritan Bay, stretching from The Amboys all the way to Sandy Hook. You'll find it in Monmouth and Middlesex counties. Some of the towns here include Perth Amboy, South Amboy, Sayreville, Old Bridge Township, Aberdeen Township, Keyport, Union Beach, Keansburg, Middletown, Atlantic Highlands, and Highlands.
This area is the northernmost part of the Jersey Shore, located just south of New York City. In Keansburg, you can visit a fun amusement park, while Sandy Hook offers beautiful ocean beaches. The Sadowski Parkway beach in Perth Amboy, which is where the Raritan River meets the bay, was even called the "Riviera of New Jersey" by local leaders! In recent years, many beaches along the Bayshore have been improved, and the water quality keeps getting better.
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Early Explorers: Henry Hudson's Visit
In September 1609, a famous explorer named Henry Hudson sailed his ship, the Halve Maen, into the Raritan Bay. His crew stayed for five days to explore the area where the river meets the bay, called an estuary. They also wanted to meet the local Lenape people, who later became known as the Navesink and Raritan tribes.
During their visit, four of Hudson's crew members explored further up the Arthur Kill and into Newark Bay. When they returned, they were attacked, and one crew member, John Colman, was sadly shot with an arrow. He was buried ashore at a spot that was then named Coleman's Point. This location in Keansburg still carries that name today.
Fun Places to Visit
The Raritan Bayshore area has many popular attractions that are great for families and kids!
- Keansburg Amusement Park and Runaway Rapids Waterpark in Keansburg offer thrilling rides and water fun.
- Mount Mitchill in Atlantic Highlands gives you amazing views from one of the highest points in the area.
- Longstreet Farm in Holmdel lets you step back in time and see what farm life was like long ago.
- Rutgers Gardens in North Brunswick is a beautiful place to explore different plants and gardens.
You can also enjoy many beaches in the area, including those in The Amboys, Laurence Harbor (part of Old Bridge), Cliffwood Beach (part of Aberdeen), Keyport, Union Beach, Keansburg, and Middletown. There are also boardwalks in Perth Amboy and Keansburg where you can take a stroll.
Exploring Nature and Recreation
The Raritan Bayshore is a fantastic place for outdoor activities and enjoying nature.
Henry Hudson Trail
The Henry Hudson Trail is a popular path for bicycling and hiking. It runs along the southern shore of Raritan Bay, connecting the towns along the bay to areas further inland in Monmouth County. The trail starts in Freehold Borough and ends in Highlands.
Scenic Views and Parks
Most of the Bayshore area is flat, with nice beaches. However, there are some hills between the Navesink River and Sandy Hook Bay.
- Mount Mitchill in Atlantic Highlands is the highest point, standing about 266 feet (81 meters) tall. From here, you can see incredible views of Sandy Hook and even the New York City skyline!
- East of Mount Mitchill, you'll find the Twin Lights Lighthouse in Highlands, which also offers amazing views.
- Hartshorne Woods Park is located in the Monmouth Hills area, right on the banks of the Navesink River. It's a great place for hiking and enjoying nature.
Gateway National Recreation Area
The Gateway National Recreation Area at Sandy Hook is a special park located on a long, narrow piece of land called a barrier peninsula. It includes two main sites:
- Fort Hancock was once a military base that helped defend the harbor from 1895 to 1974. Today, you can explore its many historic buildings and old forts.
- Sandy Hook itself has seven beaches, including Gunnison Beach. It also has interesting salt marshes and a unique forest of holly trees. Many people enjoy Fishing and using small boats here.
Other natural spots in the area include the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route and Cheesequake State Park.
Historic Lighthouses
The Raritan Bayshore is home to several historic lighthouses that once guided ships safely.
- Chapel Hill Rear Range Light, located on Sandy Hook Bay (it stopped working in 1957).
- Conover Beacon, found in the Leonardo part of Middletown.
- Great Beds Light, located near South Amboy.
- Navesink Twin Lights, in Highlands.
- Sandy Hook Lighthouse, on Sandy Hook.
Getting Around the Bayshore
There are several ways to travel to and from the Raritan Bayshore area.
Ferry Boats
You can take a ferry boat from the Bayshore to New York City and Exchange Place in Jersey City. These ferries cross the Lower New York Bay and enter the harbor at The Narrows. The trip usually takes about 40 minutes.
- SeaStreak ferries connect Atlantic Highlands and Highlands to places like Pier 11 at Wall Street and East 34th Street in New York City.
- From the Belford ferry terminal, you can take a New York Waterway ferry to the Paulus Hook Ferry Terminal in Jersey City and to Wall Street-Pier 11 and West Midtown Ferry Terminal in New York City.
- During the summer, from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend, SeaStreak also offers ferry service to the public beaches on Sandy Hook a few times a day.
Train Service
NJ Transit operates the North Jersey Coast Line train. This train crosses the Raritan River on a special bridge called the Raritan Bay Drawbridge between Perth Amboy and South Amboy. It then continues south to stations like Aberdeen-Matawan, Hazlet, and Middletown.
Bus Service
- The NJ Transit bus 834 travels along Route 36 to the Red Bank bus terminal.
- Academy Bus also provides regular bus service to various locations in New Jersey and New York City.
Images for kids
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Sandy Hook Bay
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Looking towards the Highlands from Sandy Hook
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An aerial view of Sandy Hook Bay facing east
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The US Navy piers at Naval Weapons Station Earle in Leonardo, as seen from the air
