9 Towns In New Jersey With The Best Downtown Areas In 2024
As a populous state surrounded by even more populous states, New Jersey presents plenty of downtown areas to visit in 2024. Tourists can explore Newark, Jersey City, or Trenton and then jump over to see New York City or Philadelphia. Another option, however, is to skip the big, crowded cores in favor of outer crust communities. These are where modern Americana mixes with colonial history and independence-era luxury to create extraordinary downtowns. Admire nine such New Jersey gems during your 2024 vacation.
Lambertville
Located on the Delaware River that separates New Jersey from Pennsylvania, Lambertville is a relatively rural retreat. Still, you can drive to Lambertville's downtown from downtown Newark or Philadelphia in less than an hour. Upon arrival, crush grilled cheese sandwiches at Metá Café, ice cream sandwiches at Peace Pie, and, if you can find its Harry Potteresque hovel at 8 1/2 Coryell St, sip cocktails at The Boathouse. After sobering up, cross the New Hope-Lambertville Bridge to find a new but similarly magical downtown in New Hope, PA. Its attractions range from the Parry Mansion Museum to the Ferry Market.
Red Bank
The opposite of rural, Red Bank is an NYC commuter town on the banks of the Navesink River. But do not let its proximity to the Big Apple rot your perception. Red Bank is a safe, cozy, and entertaining enclave with a picturesque downtown. Along with the red soil that inspired its name, Red Bank's downtown is filled with redbrick buildings that house highly rated establishments like Once Bitten Donuts, Sogo Sushi, Monmouth Meats, Semolina Restaurant, and the Count Basie Center for the Arts. Other colorful haunts include Jack's Music Shoppe, The Dublin House, and, of utmost importance if you are a '90s and '00s comedy or comics fan, Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash.
Somerville
Another semi-rural haven outside of Newark, Somerville has a quaint yet lively downtown with a rare pedestrian-only street. Bridging the gap between West Main Street and South Street, Division Street contains zero cars and dozens of businesses, from an arcade called YESTERcades to a chocolate shop called Carol's Creative Chocolatez to a Mediterranean restaurant called Mo Grill and Sweets to a Costa Rican restaurant called Division Cafe. As you probably guessed, the "Somerville Strip" also hosts street fairs. On 2024's calendar are the Somerville Artisan Fair in August and the Holiday Jubilee in December.
Haddonfield
Haddonfield is home to around 12,500 people and one of the top 10 main streets in America, according to a 2024 USA Today poll. It is dubbed Kings Highway and is lined with stately buildings and majestic businesses. Exemplifying the former category is the Indian King Tavern Museum, which was built circa 1730, operated as a tavern from circa 1777 to 1873, and is where New Jersey’s new patriot government met in 1777 to design the future of the free state. King of the latter category is The Bistro at Haddonfield, a versatile restaurant in a colossal corner building. If you tour Kings Highway on July 13 and/or 14, you can see both attractions as well as join a procession for the 30th Annual Haddonfield Crafts and Fine Art Festival.
Millburn
Millburn is a township that is even closer to NYC than Red Bank. Despite this, it maintains a separate identity as a verdant community with a vibrant downtown. After hiking South Mountain Reservation, a 2,110-acre nature preserve at the confluence of several NJ settlements, visitors can rest and refuel at the Millburn Standard, Millburn Deli, Liv Breads Artisan Bakery and Coffee Bar, and/or Evoo & Lemon. Following this binge of eateries, they can cap off their trip to Millburn with another hike, this time in Taylor Park right in the middle of town.
Asbury Park
As a small beachfront city, Asbury Park's downtown has bustling businesses and beautiful ocean views. One can gorge on sourdough pizza from Talula's, Korean fusion tacos from MOGO, Italian classics from Dolce Fantasia, and artisan cheese from Lola's European Cafe with the Atlantic peeking from the background. Thankfully, a half-mile-long boardwalk is there to help with digestion. From June to August, the boardwalk comes alive with music and merriment for the Asbury Park Live Summer Concert Series. Artists scheduled for 2024 include Mother Hubbard, Blaise, and the Bryan Hansen Band.
Morristown
Morristown is a proper town of around 20,000 in North Jersey. Known as the “military capital of the American Revolution,” its downtown revolves around Morristown Green, which was George Washington's headquarters in 1777. In 2024, the Green is a gorgeous historic park girded by elegant establishments. Examples are The Committed Pig, Ju-Ichi Japanese Restaurant, Surreal Creamery, Just For You Flowers and Gifts, Revolution Gastropub, Roots Steakhouse, and 1776 by David Burke Featuring Topgolf Swing Suite, which is a golf simulation lounge and restaurant with a menu designed by the titular master chef.
Princeton
Get treated like a prince in Princeton, which was voted one of the "2024 Best Places to Live in New Jersey" by the New Jersey Digest. Although the most populous community on this list, this 30,000ish-person borough turns tourists into residents with its small-townlike charm, gourmet restaurants, quaint shops, ravishing art, and, of course, its university. Fringing Princeton University are the Agricola Eatery, Princeton Garden Theatre, Bent Spoon, Morven Museum & Garden, and Nassau Inn, the last of which centers Palmer Square in the heart of downtown.
Metuchen
Metuchen is a small Central Jersey borough that has earned an array of recent accolades. It won the 2023 Great American Main Street Award, was named Jersey’s Best 2024 Destination of the Year, and was voted one of Money.com's 50 Best Places to Live in the U.S. in 2024. The catalyst for Metuchen's success is its revitalized downtown, which features shops like What's the Scoop, restaurants like Bagel Pantry, events like Lunar New Year, and a vacancy rate that was four percent during the crowning of the Great American Main Street Award. That improved from 22 percent several years prior.
In a state flowing—nay, overflowing—with attractions, it is easy to overlook New Jersey's small-town downtowns. Yet Lambertville, Red Bank, Somerville, Haddonfield, Millburn, Asbury Park, Morristown, Princeton, and Metuchen have some of the most beautiful, walkable, and entertaining central districts in the Mid-Atlantic. Sure, Manhattan is great, but these downtown areas showcase the region in a quarter of the time and an eighth of the space.
