Monmouth GuideHighlands sits right where the Shrewsbury River meets Sandy Hook Bay, at the doorstep of the Sandy Hook unit of Gateway National Recreation Area. It is a small waterfront borough with a big stretch of restaurants and bars along Bay Avenue, plus a ferry terminal that puts Manhattan within reach without a car.
This October guide pulls together the basics: where to eat and drink along the water, how to get out on the bay, and what to see once you have had your fill of seafood. Use it to plan a long lunch, an afternoon walk or a full day trip.
About Highlands
A quick orientation to the borough before you start planning: where it sits, what the main strip looks like and how people get here.
Our Highlands page is updated every day with this weekend’s events.
What’s on in Highlands
There are no featured events listed in Highlands for the next two weeks, so the rest of this guide leans on places you can visit any day.
Meanwhile, see what’s on across Monmouth County this weekend.
Where to eat and drink in Highlands
Bay Avenue and the waterfront carry most of the dining here, from raw bars and century-old seafood houses to coffee and ice cream.
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The Seafarer
American, bar food · Frequent live music right on the waterWaterfront beach bar with fire pits, couches by the water and frequent live bands.
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One Willow
Seafood, raw bar · Oysters and lobster rolls on the waterWaterfront seafood and raw bar restaurant with dock-and-dine boat access.
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Porcini
Italian · Rated 4.6 across 200+ reviews; a date-night favoriteIntimate Italian restaurant on Bay Avenue with indoor dining, seasonal outdoor seating and takeout.
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Fresh
American, Mediterranean-leaning · Rated 4.8 across 150+ reviewsChef-driven bistro on Bay Avenue known for seafood pastas, grilled octopus and scallops.
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Bahrs Landing
Seafood · A Highlands institution for more than a centuryFamily-run seafood restaurant and marina at the foot of the Route 36 bridge, serving lobster and seafood since 1917.
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The Sandbox at Seastreak Beach
Beach bar foodSeasonal sand-floored beach bar with picnic tables beside the Seastreak ferry terminal on Sandy Hook Bay.
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Hinlickity's Ice Cream Parlor
Ice creamOld-fashioned ice cream parlor on Bay Avenue that also rents a vintage ice cream truck.
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Farmacie by the French Market
Coffee, breakfast, light fareCoffee shop and café on Bay Avenue serving breakfast and lunch daily.
Get outside in Highlands
Time on the water is the main draw in Highlands, and the ferry is the easiest way to make the most of it.
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Seastreak Ferry to NYC
A fast ferry from Highlands to Manhattan, making a car-free day trip to New York City.
More to explore
When you want history with your view, the hill above town has one of the county's best-known landmarks.
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Twin Lights Historic Site
A castle-like 19th-century twin-towered lighthouse high above the Navesink River, with a museum and a climbable north tower.
Highlands rewards an unhurried visit: park once, walk Bay Avenue, and work your way toward the water. Whether you climb the north tower at Twin Lights or catch the ferry out of town, October is a good month for it.
Quick answers
What is there to do in Highlands, NJ?
Highlands has places to eat like The Seafarer and One Willow, outdoor spots like Seastreak Ferry to NYC and attractions like Twin Lights Historic Site.
Where should I eat in Highlands?
Local picks include The Seafarer (American, bar food), One Willow (Seafood, raw bar) and Porcini (Italian).