8 New Jersey Towns That Rival Europe's Best
The first explorers from Europe arrived in New Jersey in the 1500s. Today, European influence can be seen in some of New Jersey's small towns. From the German flair found in Long Valley to the Italian heritage of Fairfield, the eight towns explored here are all comparable to some of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Read on to discover these New Jersey towns that rival Europe's best.
Long Valley
The small town of Long Valley in Washington Township, Morris County, with a population of around 2,000, resembles a German village. This makes sense, as Germans were some of the first settlers of the town in the early 1700s. Once called German Valley, the town's name was changed during World War I due to anti-German sentiment in the US. Today, Long Valley has its own German Valley Historic District, which includes buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries. The South Branch of the Raritan River and Electric Brook are popular waterways in Long Valley, where residents and visitors enjoy the waters and their banks for hiking, fly fishing, and canoeing.
Long Valley's downtown area includes the aforementioned German Valley Historic District, which is part of the National Register of Historic Places. The former German Valley school in the district, circa 1830, today is used as the Washington Township Historical Society Museum. The museum and its cemetery showcase the history of the area. The Long Valley Pub and Brewery, designed like an Alpine beer hall, offers a German experience in what is known as the town's Restaurant Village. Another popular attraction in Long Valley is Schooley's Mountain County Park, encompassing 823 acres and providing over seven miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails.
Fairfield
Fairfield, in northwestern Essex County, was first settled by the Dutch in 1669, who called it "Gansegat," meaning "duck's pond." Today, Fairfield has been called the most Italian place in the United States. More than half of its over 7,900 residents claim Italian ancestry. Many say that Fairfield is the best place in New Jersey to experience Italian culture.
The most Italian part of Fairfield is its many Italian restaurants. Lumi's features seafood specialties; Calandra's Mediterranean Grill serves authentic Mediterranean cuisine; and Cucina Calandra is a festive setting serving Italian classics. If you want to experience the outdoors, Fairfield will not disappoint. There are seven parks throughout the town, most with trails and upgraded playground equipment. They include Oak Park, Summit Park, and Hollywood Complex.
Sparta
With just under 20,000 residents, the downtown area of the hamlet of Sparta, on Lake Mohawk in Sussex County, northwestern New Jersey, mimics a Swiss village. Its small downtown area includes eateries, such as the St. Moritz Bar & Grill the Alpine Creamery, and a boardwalk around Lake Mohawk. Sparta's buildings feature Tudor, English Cottage, and German Baronial architectural styles.
Other Sparta-area attractions include Sparta Glen Park, with a network of trails; and Tomahawk Lake Water Park, with water activities for the whole family. If you follow the boardwalk in Sparta, it will take you to the Lake Mohawk Country Club, with its castle-like clubhouse, beaches, playgrounds, walking trails, and pool. This private community is membership-only, and only available to those who own property within the association.
Ho Ho Kus
Just 26 miles from New York City, with a population of about 4,000, the village of Ho Ho Kus was settled in 1698 by the Dutch. Although the town's name is Native American, meaning "red cedar," it has the feel of a European small town, with its historic Colonial and Tudor style homes, and quaint atmosphere. Like many European towns, Ho Ho Kus is pedestrian friendly and emphasizes walkability.
The Hermitage, an English Gothic Revival style museum designated as a National Historic Landmark, dates to the 1700s and claims George Washington stayed there. It is open to the public for tours and provides information on Revolutionary times. Downtown Ho Ho Kus includes the Ho Ho Kus Inn & Tavern, a historic landmark open as a restaurant. Ho Ho Kus maintains a small-town, European charm to this day.
Wantage
Named for Wantage, England, and founded in 1798, the small township of Wantage is in the Kittatiny Valley in what is known as the Skylands of New Jersey. This town of just under 11,000 residents in Sussex County contains High Point, the highest point in the state, at an elevation of 1,803 feet. It is located within High Point State Park. If you climb to the top of High Point, you can see stunning views of New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.
The township of Wantage has a bit of a Dutch and English feel to it, with the Old Clove Presbyterian Church, a former Dutch Reformed church built in 1829 and on the National Register of Historic Places. It could also be said that Wantage represents Spain, as its Ventimiglia Vineyard produces wines from red vinifera grapes, indigenous to Spain. Wantage's rivers and streams are tributaries of the Wallkill River watershed and include Neepaulakating Creek, Papakating Creek, and Clove Brook. These areas provide visitors and residents opportunities for fishing, canoeing, and hiking.
Cape May
A popular seaside resort town and the oldest one in the US, Cape May was named for the Dutch sea captain Cornelius Jacobson Mey, who explored the coast in 1621. This town of about 3,000 residents draws thousands of visitors each year, many of whom are drawn by its more than 600 Victorian-style buildings and homes. The entire town was named a National Historic District in 1976. Cape May's Victorian architecture is reminiscent of England during Queen Victoria's reign. Many of the Victorian-style homes, including the Emlen Physick Estate and John Hand Black and White House, are open to the public for tours.
Part of Cape May's European charm is its Washington Street Mall, a pedestrian-only area like many European towns. The brick-lined streets lead to shops such as Across the Way and eateries such as Delaney's Irish Pub & Grille. The mall also hosts events such as the popular Christmas parade each December.
Frenchtown
Located on the Delaware River in Hunterdon County, Frenchtown, with a population of just over 1,300, is a quaint village. The French Huguenots settled the town in 1725, and Frenchtown still honors its heritage, including by celebrating Bastille Day each year. The shops, boutiques, and restaurants in the downtown area resemble a European village, its wide streets suitable for strolling. Shops such as Village Toy Shop and restaurant/bars like National Hotel, with its cellar pub, beckon visitors to enter.
Outdoors lovers will enjoy the Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park, with a towpath starting in Frenchtown and running along the Delaware River all the way to Trenton. The Raritan River, also in town, can be followed to New Brunswick. In addition to the Bastille Day festival, Frenchtown hosts a Wine and Artfest in May and RiverFest in September.
Smithville
In 1787, Smithville was just a stagecoach stop consisting only of the Smithville Inn. Today, the historic town of 10,000 in Galloway Township, Atlantic County, southern New Jersey, is full of cobblestone walkways, footbridges, and more than 60 old-world shops. Its Dutch and English roots are evident in the architecture present in this town that is just 15 miles north of Atlantic City. The Smithville Inn still exists as the centerpiece of the town and a renowned restaurant.
Many visitors to Smithville enjoy the town's brightly colored carousel. Others savor views of this quaint town from paddle boats on Lake Meone. European-themed events taking place year-round in Smithville include Oktoberfest, the Renaissance Faire in April, and the Dickens Fest in November.
The chance to visit Europe is something that many people desire but cannot fulfill their wishes for various reasons. While they are not in Europe, these towns in New Jersey bring some European atmosphere and flair to the Garden State. Whether you choose to bask in the French heritage of Frenchtown or savor the Victorian English vibes of Cape May, visiting any of these eight towns might make you feel that you are in Europe without having to cross an ocean.
