Monmouth Heights at Manalapan Travel Guide

Although there really is nothing other to do in Manalapan then shopping, the famous city of Freehold, NJ is just down the road. Downtown Freehold (known as Freehold Center) has lots of shops and MANY restaurants. The best ones are Escondidos (mexican), and Fedrichis (pizza). See my Freehold page.

Whether you eat in the back room where you can watch the cooks in the kitchen through a window, the side room with tan walls and nice paintings, or the upscale pizzaria, with its fancy floors, walls, lights, and brick oven, you're sure to love this authentic Italian food.

Favorite Dish: This restaurant is only about two blocks from my house, yet it's somewhat new, so I've only been there twice. The JoJo's are really good, though. It is a crispy outside crust, filled with sausage, fried onions, mushrooms, and peppers, with cheese and sauce melted on top.

By car or by bus is the easiest way to get here.

From the south, going north on the NJ Turnpike
-Exit 7a for I-195. Through toll to I-195 E.
-Use exit 8 off of I-195 (2 mi.).
-Bear left at the end of the ramp.
-Turn left onto road. Make first right onto CR527.
-Stay on this for around 11 mi. Turn slight left onto Clarksburg Rd.
-At the end, (about 2 mi) make a left and then a quick right at the middle school onto Backbone Hill Rd.
-At the end, make a left and then a quick right onto Sweetmans La.
-At the first light, Rt. 33, turn right (about 5 mi.)
-Take the first exit, NOT the jughandle, for 33B to Rt. 9 N.
-Make a left at the light onto Rt. 9 N.
-Go about 3 mi. to Sweetmans La.

From the the Turnpike S.
-Use exit 8 for Rt. 33 E.
-Go about 12 miles and follow directions above from Rt. 33.

From the Garden State
-Exit 100 for Route 33 West.
-Stay on 33 for about 12 mi. To Kozloski Rd and turn right.
-At the end, make a left and then a quick right onto E. Freehold Rd.
-Go about 2 miles to the crossroad at Robertsville Rd. and turn right.
-Go about 1.5 mi. to Lafayette Rd. and turn left.

This famous mall, one of the biggest in NJ, is well known. It's just a mall. The only thing about it is its 2 story carosel, which is never open anyway.

Unique Suggestions: Let your kids ride the merry-go-round/

Fun Alternatives: Downtown Freehold is only about 1/2 mile away.

Favorite thing: Monmouth Heights is a friendly community. You can just walk around, not having to worry about anything. Walk around either in the streets, or at the EpicCenter, which is a major plaza\mall on the corner of Symmes and Route 9.