Tips For A Winter Break Close To Home From Monmouth Tourism

FREEHOLD, NJ — If the shorter days and colder weather have you down, Monmouth County's tourism resources might help you discover fun activities close to home.

You can start by checking the events calendar for the county. You'll learn about things to do that may not have occurred to you.

“While everyone associates Monmouth County with its remarkable beaches, summer nightlife and outdoor adventures during the warm weather months, Monmouth County has plenty of events and activities to take advantage of year-round,” said Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone, liaison to the Division of Tourism.

For example, on the calendar this Sunday, the Jewish Heritage Museum in Freehold Township will begin its Winter Film Festival, with films brought to the public by Menemsha Films.

Admission to the films is $10 per film or $25 for all three. Here are the offerings: Jan. 22, "Dough"; Feb. 19, "Farewell, Mr. Haffmann"; March 26, "Valiant Hearts."

The museum is at 310 Mounts Corner Drive in Freehold Township.

Then there are breweries and wineries to explore.

The county launched its Brewed & Distilled in Monmouth campaign this fall.

“The concept of having all of the breweries, wineries and distilleries (listed) in one place on the new website allows residents and visitors to plan a day of enjoying the local products made in these facilities,” said Arnone.

The county park system offers outdoor fun too.

Apart from long walks and fresh air amid some lovely winter scenery, there are programs at many of the county parks.

At Longstreet Farm in Holmdel, for example, you can take a step back in time and learn how hard it was to keep the house warm in the 1800s.

There is a "Cutting, Splitting, and Hewing" demonstration Feb. 5 from noon to 2:30 p.m.

"Wood heated the farmer three times: once when they gathered the wood, once when the split the wood, and the final time when they burned the wood. Come out to Longstreet Farm and get warmed up using a two-man saw and splitting wedge, and learn how farmers used a froe to rive shingles or a broad axe to hew beams," the park's staff explains.

To learn more about park system activities, visit www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or call the Park System at 732-842-4000.

If enjoying the indoors is more your style, take advantage of the Monmouth County Library system, advises Commissioner Ross F. Licitra, liaison to both the Monmouth County Park System and the Monmouth County Library.

“Both the park system and library system have events and activities for residents and visitors of all ages ranging from book clubs to art and crafts and everything in between," he noted.

So don't spend another weekend streaming another "binge-worthy" series. Check out your own Monmouth County backyard.

For more information about Monmouth County happenings, go to tourism.visitmonmouth.com and follow Monmouth County Tourism on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.