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Monmouth County holds the oldest operating lighthouse in the country, a Revolutionary War battlefield and three living history sites run by the county and the state. Here are the best lighthouse and history day trips in Monmouth County, NJ, with current hours and what is on this season.
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Sandy Hook Lighthouse
- Town: Sandy Hook
- Where: Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook Unit
The National Park Service calls Sandy Hook Lighthouse the oldest operating lighthouse in the nation. It was completed and first lit on June 11, 1764, to guide ships into New York Harbor.
Ranger-led tours are seasonal. Sign up in person at the Sandy Hook Visitor Center on the day of the tour, and know that the climb is 95 stairs plus a 9 rung ladder, with a 48 inch height minimum for kids. Call 732-872-5970 for tour times.
Twin Lights Historic Site
- Town: Highlands
- Where: 2 Lighthouse Road
- Off season hours: North tower open Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; grounds 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The first Navesink Light Station went up in 1828 with two identical towers, which is where the Twin Lights name comes from. The present station was commissioned on May 1, 1862, and the South tower once held a first order Fresnel lens.
The museum and grounds are free, and the North tower climb is free in the off season. Call 732-872-1814 to confirm hours.
Sea Girt Lighthouse
- Town: Sea Girt
- Where: Ocean Avenue and Beacon Boulevard
- When: Sunday tours, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., through November 22, 2026
The Sea Girt light first shone on December 10, 1896. Sunday afternoon tours wrap up for the 2026 season on November 22, so Sundays, November 8, 15 and 22, are the last chances until the 2027 season.
Private tours for school groups and scouts can be arranged year round by appointment at 732-974-0514.
Monmouth Battlefield State Park
- Town: Manalapan
- Where: 16 Highway 33 Business
The park preserves the ground where the 1778 Battle of Monmouth was fought. The Friends of Monmouth Battlefield run free programs at the Visitor Center through the winter.
Coming up: the Second Sunday lecture on Sunday, November 8, 2026, at 2 p.m.; a walking tour of the battlefield on Sunday, December 6, at 1:30 p.m., the day the Craig House closes for the season; and another lecture on Sunday, December 13, at 2 p.m. Call the park office at 732-462-9616 for hours.
Friends of Monmouth Battlefield
Historic Longstreet Farm
- Town: Holmdel
- Where: Holmdel Park, 44 Longstreet Road
- Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily
- Admission: Free
Interpreters in period dress run this working farm as it was in the 1890s. The farmhouse is open on weekend afternoons from noon to 3:30 p.m. through December.
On Saturday, December 5, 2026, the farm hosts Holiday Tree Trimming from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., where you can make a Victorian ornament. Gingerbread contest entries are on display in the Visitor Center from December 5 to 13.
Historic Walnford
- Town: Upper Freehold
- Where: 62 Walnford Road
- Hours: Grounds 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Waln House 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through December 24
Walnford tells more than 200 years of history through five generations of the Waln family, from an 18th century mill village to a country estate. The Waln House dates to 1773.
The 19th century gristmill grinds corn on weekends at 12:30, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. through November 29, 2026. Admission and parking are free.
The Historic Village at Allaire
- Town: Wall
- Where: 4263 Atlantic Avenue
Allaire preserves a 19th century iron-making village with historic homes, trade demonstrations and a general store.
Christmas at Allaire, with Santa, carolers, crafts, music and historic demonstrations, runs Sundays, December 13 and 20, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $12 per person, and ages 3 and under are free. Buy tickets in advance.
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