History and Hiking at Monmouth Battlefield State Park in Manalapan, New Jersey

Monmouth Battlefield State Park in Manalapan, New Jersey, has long been a special place for me to wander. I grew up not too far away in Freehold and spent many days of my childhood exploring the battlefield. Our school's field day was even held there! On a recent trip to New Jersey, we visited the battlefield for a little adventure enjoying nature and history. Monmouth Battlefield remains one of my favorite places to visit in the United States.

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Treats at a New Jersey Staple: Jersey Freeze

If you are visiting New Jersey and are looking for a real New Jersey experience, I recommend stopping at my childhood favorite Jersey Freeze in Freehold. Jersey Freeze has been a local staple since 1952 and even stands as favorite of Bruce Springsteen who grew up in the area. Jersey Freeze is a fun small business for a visit!

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Allaire State Park and Historic Village in New Jersey

Allaire State Park and Historic Village gives a unique peek into the early industrial history of New Jersey. The historic site is the location where iron was ored and smelted into pig iron. The pig iron was then transported to New York where it was used in ship building.

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Sandy Castle for Sandy Relief {Jersey Strong}

With a mission to support Sandy relief efforts, sand sculptor Ed Jarrett set out to craft a masterpiece to honor the Jersey Shore. Jarrett sculpted his magnificent castle at Jenkinson's Beach in Point Pleasant, an area impacted by the storm. What an impressive way to welcome summer to the shore in its first season since Sandy!

My sister recently visited the Sandy Castle and sent some pictures for me to share with you. I am originally from New Jersey and saw many of my family and friends affected by the storm. The first few weeks after the storm were especially difficult for everyone in New Jersey. While life has eased for many, there still are families in need because of the storm damage.

Some of the places that live in my childhood memories were changed forever. In fact, we took my daughter to Jenkinson's Beach, a place where I used to play with my siblings, just two years ago. I am definitely glad to hear about how the state has worked to recover from the storm.

It is truly inspiring to see Jarrett's dedication to helping the relief effort:

The Sandy Castle's official ribbon cutting ceremony was held on July 16. Admission consists of a donation of $2 per adult and $1 per child to benefit Hometown Heroes. Hometown Heroes is an organization that helps those in need in local communities. Following its mission, Hometown Heroes is helping those affected by Sandy.

The Sandy Castle has already raised more than $20,000 to aid those affected by Sandy. Wow! Jarrett says that over 2,500 children helped him construct the Sandy Castle. Overall, 4,500 volunteers aided in the effort. The scale of this tribute is amazing!

To see more about the Sandy Castle, you can check the Sandy Castle Facebook page. Also, the Brick Patch has a nice article about the effort. Jarrett is set to craft another sand castle with eyes on the Guinness Record. He attempted breaking the record with the Sandy Castle, however complications from restoration efforts in the area made construction a little more difficult than he expected. We will have to wait and see if he breaks the record--a record he set in Connecticut, in fact!

If you would like to donate to Hometown Heroes, you can do so through Jarrett's website. There are still many families in need as a result of the damaging storm. The restoration effort is ongoing but has made great progress!

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Walking Through Historic Smithville, New Jersey

On a spring trip to New Jersey last year, we stopped by Historic Smithville. The village is a cluster of quaint shops and restaurants in historic buildings. Just strolling through, you are quickly swept up in the charm of the village. Surprisingly, the village not only appeals to adults but kids as well. There are a few activities for kids such as a marina with remote controlled boats, a carousel, an arcade, and more. However, I do suggest contacting Smithville first to see if these activities are open as many were not open when we visited. (We were visiting off season.) Visiting the stores was enough to keep us busy. Of course, the kids loved stopping at the candy shop and ice cream shop. There also was a butterfly shop that really caught the wee ones' attention.

Take look at the cute village:

Isn't it  charming? The kids really loved the vintage carousel. It is beautiful!

The buildings and landscaping created a pleasant scene:

The kids had a great time at the marina. There was a lot to look at and some ducks and geese to watch.

Smithville is one of those places that you can amble around for quite some time. The scenery does give you a little escape. The stores are also unique, so there is plenty to experience. The village also has two bed and breakfasts. So, if you are looking for somewhere unique yet relaxing to stay, this may be your place!

**Disclosure: No compensation was received for this post. All opinions are 100% my own.

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