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From Newsday

Fishing and family fun in Atlantic Highlands, N.J.

MICHELE C. HOLLOW
June 8, 2008

WHERE

Fishing for a family friendly vacation spot that is nearby, and yet feels like a million miles from home? Atlantic Highlands is a short distance from New York. However, the pace is relaxed, everything is within easy walking distance, and you won't need a car.

Even getting there is easy. SeaStreak ferries (seastreak .com) leave from Manhattan's Pier 11 (Wall Street) and in midtown from East 35th Street. Round-trip fares are $43 for adults, $20 ages 5-12. In Atlantic Highlands, SeaStreak docks close to First Avenue, the main hub in this quaint seaside town with charming Victorian-style shops, a dozen restaurants, and a wonderful community theater with puppet shows on Saturday afternoons.

ATTRACTIONS

Take a chartered fishing boat, a top draw for many visitors. On the Angler (732-872-0744, partyboatan gler.com) Captain Danny takes families out for five-hour sea bass fishing early in the morning and some evenings, too. It costs $47 for adults, $27 ages 7-12.

A few slips down, Tommy Buban's Atlantic Star (732-291-5508, fishbox .tv/atlanticstar) runs fishing trips from 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:30-6 p.m. It's $38 for adults, $25 for children. Bait provided, rental rods cost $4.

In town, locals say The Paper Moon Puppet Theatre (123 First Ave., 732-291- 7552, firstavenueplayhouse .com /pmpt) is a must. Family shows ("Puss in Boots," "The Wizard of Oz") start at 2 p.m. every Saturday. Puppet master James Racioppi and his assistant bring out puppets to interact with children during the preshow. Tickets are $9.

About two miles away, the Sandy Hook Visitor's Center (732-872-5970, nps .gov/gate) is the entryway to the beaches. It's a $10 fee for a car to enter, no charge for hikers and bikers. Once you're in, you can tour the Sandy Hook Light (nps .gov/history/Mari time/park/sandyhk.htm), American's oldest operating lighthouse, (first-come, first-served, noon-4:30 p.m.) and see the Fort Hancock Museum (its gun batteries were built to protect New York) on weekends from 1-5 p.m. A bus runs from Atlantic Highlands to Sandy Hook and taxis are also available.

Nearby, The Twin Lights or Navesink Light House (732-872-1814, twin-lights .org) is the first lighthouse in the United States to be fitted with Fresnel lenses, which allowed sailors to see more than 22 miles away. Admission is free.

WHERE TO STAY

Accommodations in town are scarce, but The Blue Bay Inn (51 First Ave., 888-708- 4666, bluebayinn.com) is a newly renovated hotel with 27 rooms and four suites, some with kitchens, that range from $234-$550 per night. Sandy Hook Cottage (36 Rte. 36, 732-708-1923, sandyhookcot tage.com) is a bed-and-breakfast with three rooms and views of the Atlantic Ocean. Rates are $159 to $299 a night, based on double occupancy.

Additional lodging can be found about five to 10 miles away in Red Bank, Eatontown and Tinton Falls.

WHERE TO EAT

For breakfast, Jimmy's Town Café (77 First Ave.) is a diner frequented by locals as is Indulgence Café (25 First Ave., 732-708-9500, indulgence-cafe .com). The Memphis Pig Out Restaurant (67 First Ave., 732-291-5533, memphis

pigout.com) is a barbecue joint that specializes in ribs and chicken cooked over hickory. Cheng's Garden (80 First Ave., 908-291-2100) for Chinese takeout is far from fancy, yet the food is amazingly good.

WHERE TO SHOP

First Avenue has a handful of shops that sell paintings, jewelry and clothing made by local artisans. Sherman & Sons Jewelers (85 First Ave., 732-872-8222) sells the Sandy Hook Bracelet, a silver bangle with the Sandy Hook Lighthouse on it and other unusual fine jewelry.

Across the street, Always Elegant Gift Baskets (68 First Ave., 732-872-9100 alwaysele gantgiftbaskets.com) has baskets of teas, cookies, soaps and fine gifts that cost $25-$500.

Related topic galleries: New York, Theater, Fishing, Manhattan (New York City), Restaurant and Catering Industry

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