By Paulette Dininny

THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

For our final destination, we’re staying close to home and visiting the natural and historic gems of the northern Jersey Shore.

Lovely lighthouses
Lighthouse fanciers can tick off a number of them in New Jersey, starting with the northernmost Sandy Hook Lighthouse. The oldest standing and operating lighthouse in the U.S. is a late 18th century structure that’s part of the beautiful Gateway National Recreation Area at Sandy Hook. Amazingly, the marshland and beaches so close to New York City belie urban congestion. Entry to the area is free if you tell them at the ticket booth that you’re there to tour the lighthouse.

Next to it stands Fort Hancock with officers’ quarters furnished in a 1940s  style complete with appliances, radios, and even a booklet entitled “17 Ways to Pep Up Lunchbox Meals.” The complex is a former Nike Battery and was the nation’s first proving ground.

Dreamy daytrip
Long Branch is a perfect base for day tripping. the town is awash with superb restaurants like Cask 591. Its welcoming atmosphere, superb wine list, and live jazz entertainment make this restaurant and lounge a relaxing choice for unwinding from a day of traveling.