See This View from Monmouth County & Special Memorial to 9-11

Have you been to this scenic overlook and 9-11 memorial in Atlantic Highlands?

The next time we have a clear day, I highly suggest you bring your kids here for a stunning view and a (literal) step-by-step recounting of the attacks that took place on Sept. 11th, 2001.

First of all, did you know that Mount Mitchell in Atlantic Highlands, at 266 feet, is the highest natural elevation in the U.S. on the east coast?!!

From up there you overlook the Raritan Bay Sandy Hook and can see the NYC skyline, One World Trade Center, the Empire State Building, Jersey City, Brooklyn, Long Island, the Verrazano Bridge, Coney Island, JFK Airport, and more. And that's without binoculars!  (Although they do have those big zoom lens contraptions available if you want to see even more detail.)

This photo was taken with my phone camera.

Mount Mitchell, located at 460 Ocean Blvd. in Atlantic Highlands, is also the location of the Monmouth County 9-11 Memorial. On this memorial statue, which features a beam from one of the twin towers that you can reach out and touch, is engraved the names of everyone from Monmouth County who lost their life.

Leading up to this statue (pictured here) is a path that you can walk that lists every horrific event  that took place on the morning of 9-11.

And then, when you look out over that clear view of what's now One World Trade Center, the tallest building in NYC, you can just imagine what it must have looked like to be standing there on Sept. 11th, 2001, and watching those planes crash into the Twin Towers.

You can also see just how close the island of Manhattan is to us by water (instead of having to drive all the way around by car to get there.)

But be warned....on a hot/hazy/humid day, although you'll still get that great view of the Raritan Bay, you won't see even a hint of NYC. It is amazing what a difference a clear sky makes!

CLICK HERE for all the info you'll need regarding Mount Mitchell Scenic Overlook from the Monmouth County Park System.

PS...If you're wondering what other very tall (and 'skinny') buildings are going up in NYC, they will be the second and third tallest buildings in the city upon completion: They are the Central Park Tower (1,550 feet tall) and the 111 W. 57th St. buildings (1,428 feet tall.) But One World Trade Center remains the tallest at 1,776 feet. (In this photo is is the one farthest to the left.)