Navesink, NJ

Navesink is a quiet, historic hamlet in Monmouth County's Middletown Township, bordered by the scenic Navesink River and the hills of the Highlands. The area retains much of its old-fashioned coastal character, with preserved eighteenth- and nineteenth-century homes lining narrow village lanes. Between the proximity to the historic Twin Lights and the natural beauty of the surrounding waterfront, it feels like a peaceful, tucked-away retreat while staying well within reach of the rest of the Jersey Shore.

ATTRAshley Blalock / CC BY-SA 3.0

Families are served by the well-rated Middletown Township Public School District, with local neighborhood schools nearby. Daily life revolves around the outdoors, from boating on the river and hiking the trails at Hartshorne Woods to spending summer days at Sandy Hook. Commuting is surprisingly straightforward, thanks to Route 36 and nearby high-speed ferries to Manhattan from Highlands and Atlantic Highlands, while downtown Red Bank is only a short drive away for shopping and dinner.