8 Towns in New Jersey With Unique Traditions

From feature film locations to the annual Zombie Walk in Asbury Park, small towns across America strive to set themselves apart with their brand of uniqueness. New Jersey is a state that has existed in namesake since 1787. While its way of life and technological advances might have changed, many of these communities still lean on the allure of recurring traditions and annual events to keep their town on the map. Whether you are drawn to the French-inspired Bastille Day in Frenchtown, the spirited Maplewoodstock festival, or the spooky AddamsFest in Westfield, there is no shortage of charming traditions that make New Jersey's small towns worth exploring.

Frenchtown

Frenchtown gets a lot of travel based on its convenient placement: forty miles from Philadelphia, forty-nine miles from Newark, and around 60 miles to New York City. Beyond its incredible sights along the Delaware River and quaint atmosphere that provides travelers with an enriching experience, Frenchtown is known throughout the Northeast US for Bastille Day. This celebration plays on the town's namesake by indulging in French history, music, performances, and cuisine. Follow the calendar for when the French holiday Bastille Day falls on the calendar, and this is when you should be sure to visit this one-of-a-kind New Jersey community. After the event, one can grab a meal at the famous Frenchtown Cafe or settle in for a night at The National Hotel.

Maplewood

Maplewood is a sizable township in New Jersey, with around 26,000 residents. The community's growth has allowed it to provide an almost continual series of annual events that get the residents engaged and active in every season. Perhaps one of the most popular events, Maplewoodstock, happens in mid-July at Memorial Park on Valley St. every year. This two-day festival features live bands, entertainment, vendors, and kid-friendly activities. This community tradition just celebrated its 20th year. Beyond the good vibes and great tunes in this well-known festival event, the arts are alive in Maplewood all year, with performances at the Maplewood Theater, the General Store Shops & Cafe, and the quaint [words] Bookstore.

Westfield

For those who enjoy a little creepy and cooky, the spooky season is officially in full swing in Westfield during October. Being the hometown of cartoonist Charles Addams, famous for creating the Addams Family, the community goes all out to celebrate America’s favorite macabre brood. The month is full of family-focused activities, from screenings of films, a masquerade ball, and haunted house tours. Visitors can even stop at the year-round themed restaurant, the Addams Tavern, for creatively inspired cuisine. Because of its size, Westfield boasts a larger downtown area that is still predominantly specialty shops, cafes, and boutiques. It also embraces its unique history beyond the famous cartoon series with landmarks like the Miller-Cory House Museum.

Asbury Park

Asbury Park is a small seaside town that is popular for travelers year-round. Its biggest attraction and draw is its placement along the Atlantic Ocean shoreline and a lively boardwalk scene. However, one of the unique traditions in the fall comes in the form of thousands dressing up to appear like zombies for a walk/parade. Known as the Asbury Park Zombie Walk, this might be the only time the lively boardwalk becomes a bit, well, dead. Fortunately for those not into this spooky tradition, the beach life is in full swing all year in Asbury Park, with iconic locations like the Paramount Theatre and Convention Hall or the Stone Pony venue that has brought national acts like Bruce Springsteen to the stage.

Lambertville

Sheep play a vital role in the lives and comfort many know and love. Every year, one of the traditions of the residents of Lambertville is to put on a two-day event called the Sheep & Wool Festival featuring all things sheep. The Hunterdon County Fairgrounds come alive with bleating and fun activities as visitors walk through demonstrations on shearing, are given access to one-of-a-kind shows and entertainment, and learn about the complexities of herding. When truly educated on sheep tending, stop into Lambertville for its many other attractions like the cozy Lambertville House accommodations, or grab a sweet bite at Treats of Lambertville.

Blairstown

Blairstown is one of those places you might only encounter if you were taking a scenic drive down Route 94. It has a list of attractions that make it a place to visit while touring the Garden State, including grabbing a bite on your travels at the Blairstown Inn or its namesake diner. However, the town is most widely known for connecting to the 1980 classic horror movie Friday the 13th. Scenes from the film were shot here, and in the past decades, the town has embraced this connection to pop culture with events like movie screenings, walking tours, and themed events centered around the movie that propelled the slasher film industry. This unique New Jersey tradition happens every time the 13th day of the month falls on a Friday during the calendar year.

Cape May

Speaking of yuletide, Cape May can do this holiday like few others in the country. Christmas in Cape May is an annual tradition that involves the entire town simultaneously. With so much historic Victorian architecture, homeowners and business owners alike adorn their locations with era-specific holiday flair. Not only does the outside appearance transform you into a Christmas season gone by, but many of the mansions and historic locations offer tours for an even deeper dive into the magic of the holiday season. If you want more than lights and carols, Cape May is known for its lighthouse, fine dining, and entertainment like the Cape May County Park & Zoo.

Smithville

There is something magical about the Christmas season to many, and Smithville has turned it into one of their best traditions. The lights, sounds, smells, and unique baked goods create a whirlwind of atmosphere that all but lives in Smithville. Every year during this season, the historic village transforms into a veritable wonderland of sights, lights, and sounds. Thousands of lights are displayed throughout the town, allowing thousands of holiday visitors to stroll through the main street with a cup of cocoa and take in the magic. Some even choose to stay a few days, using landmarks like the historic Smithville Inn for sleeping and dining, grabbing a bite at Lakeside Grill, or shopping dozens of unique boutiques. Smithville is also known as one of the places to visit in the springtime.

Wrapping Up

With many of the towns and cities in New Jersey around since the colonial days, every community has a unique story to tell. From iconic pieces of our nation’s pop culture to significant historical events and eras to remember, your next trip to the Garden State could give you quite a lot of one-of-a-kind experiences to discover. Whether you're looking for historical tours, lively festivals, or quirky traditions that capture the essence of small-town charm, New Jersey’s rich diversity of events and attractions offers something special for every type of traveler.