8 Coziest Towns to Visit in New Jersey in 2024
The northeastern state of New Jersey is best known for its bustling cities, summer beach towns, and close proximity to all that New York City has to offer, but its small communities give it a cozy, welcoming feel. No matter what time of year you visit, either on a business trip, holiday vacation, or weekend getaway, you'll find a charming small town to make you feel "at home" during the duration of your stay. Check out one of these eight picturesque towns while traveling in 2024.
Asbury Park
Pretty Asbury Park is the quintessential New Jersey shore town, complete with a historic beach boardwalk lined with ice cream shops and cafes, plenty of sandy coastlines, and a warm and welcoming community feel. The charming beach town comes to life with an abundance of special events, such as the AsburyFest, the Annual Asbury Park Restaurant Tour, and the Asbury Park Zombie Walk, all throughout the year.
Start your visit by stopping in the Asbury Park Chamber, where you can get an up-to-date events calendar and become acquainted with all that the town offers. If you love the arts, catch a show performed by the Premier Theatre Company or listen to live music at The Stone Pony, a famous music venue dating back to 1974. Don't miss the Silverball Museum Arcade, which features a collection of 600 retro and modern-day pinball machines, as well as a museum and an eatery.
Ocean City
Nestled on the Atlantic Coast, Ocean City is the perfect vacation destination during the warm summer months and offers several special events and indoor attractions all year long. Whether you're planning a family trip or a girls' weekend getaway, Ocean City will welcome you with an exciting boardwalk, a 10-mile stretch of sandy beaches, and a cozy community feel. The quaint seaside town was also named Coastal Living Magazine's "Best Beach in America."
To enjoy the ideal Ocean City summer day, simply put a towel or chair down on the powdery sand, and watch the waves roll in, or splash around in the cool water. If you're feeling more adventurous, take surfing lessons from downtown's 7th Street Surf Shop, or rent a paddleboard or kayak from Heritage Surf & Sport. Congo Falls Miniature Golf beckons to kids and adults of all ages, as does Jilly's Arcade.
Princeton
Pretty Princeton is best known for being home to Ivy League Princeton University, but it also offers much more, whether you want to spend just a few days or an extended stay. With its charming downtown, collection of locally owned shops and eateries, and rich arts and culture background, the small town of Princeton has a warm, cozy vibe. The destination also has an impressive number of historical attractions, including Princeton Battlefield State Park, a Revolutionary War site.
History lovers also will want to check out the Morven Museum and Garden, the Historical Society of Princeton, and the Old Barracks Museum, which showcases a brick building that was built in 1758 as a French and and Indian War military barracks. For outdoor enthusiasts, the New Jersey Audubon Society's Plainsboro Preserve in a must-see spot. The 1000-acre preserve consists of more than five miles of trails, and is home to over 150 species of birds and wildlife.
Montclair
The picturesque town of Montclair appeals to many travelers as it offer big-city amenities in a friendly, laid-back setting. The charming urban suburb of New York City has a vibrant downtown filled with museums, art galleries, eclectic boutiques, antique shops and eateries. The town draws in creatives and artists of all types, and is home to the impressive Montclair Art Museum, which offers a dynamic collection of rotating exhibits, films, and live concerts.
Garden lovers won't want to miss the Avis Campbell Gardens, a 7000-square-foot relaxing retreat filled with fragrant blooming flowers during the warm spring and summer months. If history is your thing, spend a few hours at the Montclair History Center, which is housed in the Clark House and Albert Payson Terhune Library. The Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center explores the life and career of the professional American baseball catcher, a New Jersey native.
West Cape May
The cozy seaside town of West Cape May offers miles of pristine Atlantic coastline and is known as the "Queen of the Seaside Resorts" due to its abundance of Victorian-era architecture. Cape May is the oldest seaside resort in the country, and the entire town is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. You can wander around the town's charming historic downtown on foot, exploring locally owned shops and eateries, or sign up for a narrated trolley tour.
Be sure to check out the Cape May Lighthouse, which was constructed in 1859 and features a 199-step original, cast iron spiral staircase. From the top of the lighthouse, you'll be treated to an expansive view of the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay. The 1879 Physick House Museum, which is filled with period pieces and depicts life during the Victorian Era, is another must-see attraction.
Ridgewood
Located in Bergin County, welcoming Ridgewood is considered a "bedroom community" of New York City, but it offers much more. Although the small town is just 20 miles from Midtown Manhattan, it feels like a world away due to its relaxing atmosphere and friendly community. The town features a quaint downtown village square, which boasts a blend of locally owned and Zagat-rated restaurants, cafes, and unique shops. If you're visiting during the warmer months of the year, enjoy the outdoors at Graydon Park, which features a pool, sports fields, and an outdoor roller rink.
Spring Lake
The stunning small town of Spring Lake is situated on the Jersey Shore and offers visitors the chance to "get away from it all" while still enjoying a variety of outdoor adventures, charming shops and eateries, historic sites, and miles of sandy beaches. Dubbed the "Jewel of the Jersey Shore," Spring Lake draws in visitors from all over due to its scenic tree-lined downtown, non-commercial boardwalk, and the relaxing sounds of ocean waves.
One of the town's most popular attractions is the Allaire Historic Village, which was once a self-sufficient community filled with a blacksmith shop, a bakery, a general store, and a church. Today, the historic site features original buildings and is an interactive, hands-on museum that brings local history to life. Anglers can sign up for an expedition on the Big Mohawk Fishing Charter Boat, and bike riders won't want to miss the Edgar Felix Bike Path, which offers a route that meanders through town and ends up at the beach.
It doesn't matter what region of New Jersey you travel, though, because you're bound to find a sweet small town that is ideal for either a romantic weekend getaway or a family vacation anywhere. While New Jersey's big cities have their charms, it's the state's quaint towns that offer an intimate, cozy travel experience. Take some time to get to know the friendly communities on a deeper level by attending special events and stopping in at locally owned shops and eateries.
