Sandy Hook, NJ is a barrier spit located in the town of Middletown, Monmouth County, New Jersey. It is a well-known tourist destination for many reasons, including its historic Lighthouse, beaches, and restaurants. Sandy Hook is also known for its Holocaust Memorial. The area was once a bustling fishing village but the Sandy Hook school massacre changed all of that.
Beach
Sandy Hook is an excellent family-friendly beach that offers scenic views. It is also well-protected by lifeguards and offers a variety of facilities. The beach is approximately 100 yards wide and lined with man-made dunes. The sandy shoreline of Sandy Hook is home to hundreds of bird species. It is also a popular destination for recreational boaters.
Sandy Hook State Park is accessible via State Route 36. Parking lots are limited and can fill up fast. Parking on Fishing Beach Road is available, but there is only room for a few dozen cars. Admission is $20 per car during the summer months and $100 for a season pass. The park is also accessible by ferry from Manhattan.
Sandy Hook is a popular family destination. The sandy shore is a natural oasis that captures the eye in a photographic masterpiece. The state park is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. During the warmer months, visitors may bring dogs and service animals. The Sandy Hook beach has a “trash-free” policy, but the beach doesn’t provide trash cans.
Sandy Hook is also home to a military base. In the early 1800s, a fort was built here to protect NYC from invasion from the sea. During World War II, the area served as a harbor defense system for the city.
Lighthouse
Located one and a half statute miles inland of Sandy Hook, New Jersey, Sandy Hook Lighthouse is one of the oldest working lighthouses in the United States. It was designed by Isaac Conro and constructed on June 11, 1764. Today, this historic structure is a popular tourist attraction and the perfect spot for a day trip.
Sandy Hook Lighthouse was restored in the spring of 2000 and now stands as part of the Gateway National Recreation Area. Free tours are given every half hour by the National Park Service Rangers. These tours are offered from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Visitors can enjoy the breathtaking views of Sandy Hook Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. In addition, the lighthouse served as the setting for a fictional episode of the popular soap opera Guiding Light.
The main light tower of Sandy Hook Lighthouse, built in 1764, is still intact. This tower was designed by Isaac Contro and is the oldest remaining original lighthouse in the United States. It has nine stories and tapers from 29 feet in diameter at the base to 15 feet at the top. Its walls are seven feet thick at the base and are painted white.
Fort Hancock
If you’re looking for a historical attraction in Sandy Hook, New Jersey, you may want to check out Fort Hancock. This former United States Army fort once served as a coastal artillery base, defending the Atlantic coast and the entrance to New York Harbor. It was first operational in 1896.
If you’re a bird watcher, you can also visit the Sandy Hook Lighthouse. This historic structure is owned by the National Park Service and the U.S. Coast Guard, and tours are available on the weekends from May to October. Tours are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The Sandy Hook Peninsula is home to several other historical sites and monuments. Other attractions include a spectacular holly forest, great surf fishing, hiking trails, salt marshes, and 300 species of birds.
Battery Potter was the first concrete disappearing gun battery in the United States and was a pioneering design for future coast defense fortifications. A World War II Harbor Defense Command Post was also established in Sandy Hook. Finally, the long coast defense history of the fort continues at the Nike Integrated Fire Control Area, where Cold War veterans lead guided tours.
Restaurants
If you’re visiting Sandy Hook, New Jersey, you’ll want to check out the many restaurants. Sandy Hook is a picturesque seaside community with miles of pristine beaches. The area is also home to lobster boats and wooden dinghy docks. While you’re there, check out the local seafood restaurants for fresh seafood and organic ice cream.
Sandy Hook’s original bar will soon become a raw bar. Despite this, the bar business was practically nonexistent when Kolar took over, but the new owner is working to improve it. Happy hours are all day long, and they include $2 beers and $2.50 well drinks, which is a great deal for a small town. You’ll also find an extensive menu and an outdoor patio overlooking Sandy Hook Bay. You can expect the renovations to last for a few years.
Boating
Sandy Hook Beach is a popular destination for watersports enthusiasts, especially boating. Visitors to Sandy Hook can also enjoy a variety of activities such as fishing and surfing. If you’re looking for a more relaxing activity, you can go for a hike around the area. There are several walking trails throughout Sandy Hook, including one that starts at the Sandy Hook Visitor Center.
Sandy Hook is also home to two boat launch sites. The Beach Area C Boat Launch offers stand-up paddleboards and kayaks for rent. There are also lessons available for those looking to try their hand at this activity. Kayak rentals cost $60 for two hours and include an inflatable island for two.
Sandy Hook is located at the entrance to the New York Harbor and is a popular destination for outdoor recreation. It has excellent surf fishing, miles of bike and nature trails, and a majestic holly forest. Aside from the beaches, Sandy Hook is also home to the oldest working lighthouse in the United States and a National Historic Landmark. Sandy Hook also has a vast Coast Guard complex and marinas and docks.
Sandy Hook is also home to a large park. Several of the beaches are accessible by car, or you can take a ferry to Sandy Hook Beach. During the summer, lifeguards and snack bars are available, and there are restrooms and parks for visitors. Other attractions include historic lighthouses and restored military forts.
Fort Hancock is free for America the Beautiful Interagency Military Pass holders
Military pass holders are eligible to enter many national parks and recreation areas for free. However, this pass does not cover admission to parks that require a reservation or special recreation permit. The America the Beautiful program allows eligible members of the military and their families to enjoy the parks for free during designated days. In addition, the pass covers standard amenity fees, which are included in the entrance fee. This includes restrooms, trash receptacles, interpretive signage, and security.
Besides free admission, the pass allows for unlimited access to federal recreation areas in the United States, including Fort Hancock. The pass gives holders free access to the park and other federal recreation areas, including national forests, national monuments, and national parks. Besides, it also allows holders to visit US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management facilities. Free access is also available for Gold Star families and Veterans.
Gunnison Beach is home to nudists
Sandy Hook is home to Gunnison Beach, which is located in the Sandy Hook Unit of the Fort Hancock National Recreation Area on the Atlantic coast of New Jersey. Gunnison Beach has been a popular spot for nudists since the 1960s.
The beach is a lively, crowded place, but nudists behave better there than on most beaches. A constant patrol of Park Service Rangers ensures that nudists are safe. However, there is very little tolerance for harassment. And even if you are caught nudist bathing, you can rest assured that there is no way of getting away with it.
The sandy Hook area of Sandy Hook has some of the most popular nudist beaches in the tri-state area. Sandy Hook was a former military base, but was opened as a National Recreation Area in 1975. Before that, it was a secret among nudists. But with the addition of the Seastreak ferry in 2003, this beach was made more accessible to all.
Nudists aren’t allowed on most beaches in New Jersey, but Gunnison Beach is an exception. The state’s only official nudist beach, it is open from dawn to dusk daily. Toilet facilities are also provided during the summer.
