New Jersey's Best Small Towns For A Weekend Escape
New Jersey, officially admitted to the Union on December 18, 1787, as the 3rd State, is set at the Northeast megalopolis's core within the American Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. Boasting rugged Highlands and Piedmont physiographic provinces in the northwest, the comparatively level Atlantic Coastal Plain province with the famed ‘Jersey Shore,’ and the Outer Coastal Plain’s sandy New Jersey Pine Barrens in the southeast, New Jersey stands out in one of the most geologically and topographically diverse regions of the United States. However, the innumerable small towns sprinkled all over the Garden State’s vivid 7,354.22 sq. mi terrain showcase the true heart and soul of this gorgeous state. So do not wait any longer, visit these little-known towns with your loved ones and spend some memorable moments together on your weekend escapades.
Clinton
Clinton, located in Hunterdon County’s Raritan Valley region by the side of the South Branch Raritan River, serves as a ‘bedroom community’ for thousands of daily suburbanites working in and around Northern New Jersey and New York City. A significant portion of the town is part of the 175-acre Clinton Historic District, comprising around 270 contributing buildings, including the Clinton House, United Methodist Church, Main Street Bridge, Presbyterian Church, Former Baptist Church, Old Grandin Library, and two historic mills placed on the opposing shores of the South Branch Raritan River. Every October, the Red Mill Museum Village, which features the iconic 1810 Red Mill, gets transformed into the ‘Red Mill Haunted Village’, attracting holidayers from all over the East Coast. The Hunterdon Art Museum housed in the 19th-century Dunham’s Mill/Stone Mill displays works of local and international artists. Adventurists must explore the Landsdown Trail, Ken Lockwood Gorge Wildlife Management Area, Round Valley Recreation Area, and Spruce Run Recreation Area; and rest after an eventful day at Hampton Inn Clinton.
Spring Lake
An appealing coastal resort community on the Jersey Shore in Monmouth County, Spring Lake, located only 65 miles from New York and Philadelphia, enchants tourists with its welcoming atmosphere and small-town pleasantness. This 2,789-resident town’s 1 & ½ mile-long non-commercial boardwalk alongside the mighty Atlantic offers visitors the perfect opportunity to unwind and soak in the area’s incredible natural scenery. Walk down the wide tree-lined streets of the downtown and peruse the umpteen landmark properties like Martin Maloney Cottage, St. Catharine Roman Catholic Church, Sea Girt Lighthouse, and Audenried Cottage; fashionable boutiques, unique art galleries, finest outdoor eateries, and home-like hotels and B&Bs like The Ocean House Bed & Breakfast. Also, watch live musicals and theatrical performances at the Spring Lake Theatre and partake in the annual “Spring Lake 5 Mile Run” - considered one of the biggest and the best 5-mile running events in the country.
Frenchtown
This adorable town with just 1,370 inhabitants sits along the Delaware River shores atop the Hunterdon Plateau, approx. 32 miles northwest of Trenton. The 100-acre National Register-listed Frenchtown Historic District encompasses the community and includes countless colonial structures, including the Uhlerstown-Frenchtown Bridge, Oddfellows Building, Frenchtown Inn, Nathaniel Shurtz House, and the erstwhile Frenchtown Station for the Belvidere Delaware Railroad. Downtown Frenchtown is an excellent shopping destination crammed with scores of gift shops, antique stores, bookshops, stylish boutiques, coffee shops, cafes, and eateries like Chez Daniel serving traditional French & American cuisines. Rest for the night at The National Hotel and find time to attend any of Frenchtown’s events, such as La Fete Nationale on Bastille Day, Wine & Art Festival, and RiverFest.
Cranbury
Cranbury, one of New Jersey’s oldest communities occupies the center of the Raritan River Valley region in the southern part of Middlesex County, approximately midway betwixt Philadelphia and New York City. Apart from being a regional cultural, historical, and economic mecca of Central Jersey, Cranbury is an outer-ring bedroom town of the Big Apple within the Tri-State area. The 175-acre Cranbury Historic District features more than 200 notable buildings, including the John S. Silvers Mansion, Cranbury Inn, United Methodist Church, Elizabeth M. Wagner History Center, First Presbyterian Church, etc. Additionally, unwind at Hampton Inn Cranbury after touring the Cranbury Museum, Gourgaud Gallery, Barn Park, Brainerd Lake & Dam, Cranbury Brook Preserve, Cranbury Township Town Hall, Brainerd Cemetery, Reinhardt Forest Preserve, and the nearby Plainsboro Preserve.
Cape May
A teeny seaside resort in Cape May County at the confluence of Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, Cape May is set on the southern extremity of Cape May Peninsula. As one of the country’s earliest vacation resort getaways, the town lures the maximum number of visitors, especially during the warm season. Visitors must check out the 380-acre Cape May Historic District, which includes more than 600 meticulously preserved buildings constructed in the Late Victorian architectural style. The renowned pedestrian-friendly Washington Street Mall, the myriad retail stores, boutiques, award-winning restaurants like Grana BYOB, remarkable attractions next to the 1-mile-long beach promenade, and luxury hotels like Montreal Beach Resort are not to be missed. Furthermore, head to the pristine Cove Beach, check out other sites of interest like the Cape May Lighthouse, Cape May Fisherman’s Memorial, Harriet Tubman Museum, and Cape May Bird Observatory, and try to be there at yearly celebrations such as the Cape May Jazz Festival, Cape May Music Festival, Cape May New Jersey Film Festival, and Cape May Food & Wine Festival.
Lambertville
Called in honor of the Acting Governor of New Jersey, John Lambert, this peaceful town in the southwestern portion of Hunterdon County is situated next to the Delaware River. Initially established as a ‘factory town,’ Lambertville is at present the most sought-after place of interest, tempting holidayers to browse the well-restored 18th-19th century structures such as the James W. Marshall House and Lambertville House, retail shops, art galleries, eating establishments, and bed & breakfasts like The Chimney Hill Estate. All year round, the canal path offers sightseers mind-boggling vistas of the Delaware & Raritan Canal and the Delaware River, aside from providing a leveled surface to joggers, cyclists, and walkers for exercising. The Shad Fest, organized every year in April by the Greater Lambertville Chamber of Commerce, features vendor booths focusing on the local art scene, live music, great food, and lots of fun-filled family entertainment.
Red Bank
Red Bank, an attractive borough in Monmouth County on the Navesink River’s southern banks, is a ‘bedroom suburb’ of New York City and a part of the populous New York Metropolitan Area. A reputed social and economic haven, Red Bank’s dynamic downtown is overflowing with clothing boutiques, specialty shops, art & photography galleries, entertainment venues, homey cafes, diners like Tino’s Mexican Kitchen serving appetizing Mexican cuisines, and comfortable accommodations like The Molly Pitcher Inn. When in town, the majestic Count Basie Center for the Arts, Two River Theater, and recreational parks like Riverside Gardens Park, Johnny Jazz Park, Count Basie Park, Marine Park, Maple Cove Park, Eastside Park, Veterans Park, and Bellhaven Nature Area are must-visits. Annually, the town hosts the Red Bank Sidewalk Sale, Halloween Parade, Town Lighting, Red Bank Guinness Oyster Festival, Holiday Express Concert, and Red Bank Jazz & Blues Festival.
Chester
Chester, christened after northwest England’s ceremonial county, Cheshire, is located in the Raritan River Valley region in Morris County. Chester’s proximity to the Big Apple has made it a favored retreat for vacationers and New York residents who wish to de-stress away from the hubbub of urban cities. Visitors must take note of the several ancient structures such as the Nathan Cooper Gristmill, Chester House Inn, and First Congregational Church fringing the brick-lined streets of the town. Over the past few years, Chester has developed into an outstanding shopping locale packed with uncountable one-of-a-kind shops, trendy boutiques, vintage stores, bakeries, and eateries like Marilyn’s Café, and Redwoods Grill & Bar. Get a good night's sleep at The Chester Publick House Restaurant And Inn after surveying the town’s interesting attractions such as Black River County Park, Riamede Farm, Hacklebarney State Park, Hacklebarney Farm Cider Mill, Chubb Park, Alstede Farms, Willowwood Arboretum, Stony Hill Farms, and Highlands Ridge Park.
From Cape May - the “Crown Jewel of the Jersey Shore” to ‘commuter towns’ like Red Bank and Clinton, vacationers are waiting to discover the postcard-pretty small towns in the nation’s most densely populated state. Although these under-the-radar hamlets might not have the glitziness of the adjacent New York City, they radiate a friendly aura and leave an enduring impression on every visitor with their well-kept colonial properties, energetic downtowns, and expansive natural areas providing copious options for all your adventure pursuits.
