10 Best Towns In New Jersey For A Two-Day Recharge
New Jersey stands out for its geographic diversity, ranging from mountainscapes in the Appalachians to coastal plains on the Atlantic Ocean. The Garden State is home to many small towns with populations below 50,000, ideal for a weekend getaway. Lively downtown districts, scenic natural surroundings, a wealth of cultural and historic landmarks, and welcoming communities make these quintessential towns fantastic options for those seeking a rejuvenating two-day escape from the daily grind.
Lambertville
Lambertville is a pleasant town situated on the shores of the Delaware River in the southwestern part of Hunterdon County. The Lambertville Historic District has retained much of its 19th-century charm and aesthetic, thanks to the numerous well-restored buildings. One such example is the James W. Marshall House, childhood home of James Wilson Marshall, who sparked the California Gold Rush, and which now welcomes tourists as the headquarters of the Lambertville Historical Society.
The Delaware & Raritan Canal towpath is a scenic and accessible trail for walkers, cyclists, and joggers along the river. In town, you can shop for rare antiquities, art, collectibles, and more at the Golden Nugget Antique Flea Market, while the Lambertville Station Restaurant & Inn boasts stunning river vistas, modern American cuisine, and well-appointed rooms inside a renovated 19th-century train depot.
Cape May
One of America’s original oceanfront resort getaways, Cape May is located at the meeting of the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay. Travelers visiting this coastal gem at the state’s southern tip should take trolley tours through the Cape May Historic District and note the numerous Victorian-style buildings, especially the Emlen Physick Estate, where the original artifacts and well-preserved architecture shed light on the lives of affluent locals of the 19th century.
Stop by the Harriet Tubman Museum on Lafayette Street to learn more about the life and works of the American abolitionist, then browse the myriad gift shops in town, like Shop Local, which celebrates and supports regional artisans and makers. Restaurants like Tisha’s Fine Dining serve New American dishes with a focus on seafood, while the luxurious Congress Hall invites travelers to spend a night in America's first seaside resort.
Red Bank
A ‘bedroom community’ of the Big Apple, this appealing borough by the southern banks of the Navesink River in Monmouth County, forms a portion of the New York Metropolitan Area. Red Bank seamlessly integrates riverside loveliness with a dynamic arts and culture scene. Downtown is chock-full of gift shops, mostly along Broad Street, like Red Bank Artisan Collective, where you can find unique gifts and souvenirs made by local artists. Catezza Italian Kitchen + Bar serves seasonal Italian cuisine and cocktails, and premium hotels like The Molly Pitcher Inn offer comfortable rooms with beautiful views of the water.
The Count Basie Center for the Arts, a premier cultural arts center, hosts theatrical performances and musical concerts in a classic setting. Meanwhile, nature buffs must head to Riverside Gardens Park, a halcyon recreational area by the Navesink River, that, aside from being a venue for diverse community events, has scenic picnic spots and winding paths providing breathtaking views of the river and marinas.
Princeton
Princeton, a vibrant college town in Mercer County, sits midway between Philadelphia and New York City. The town lures travelers to the Ivy League Princeton University, where the campus itself is an attraction. Nassau Hall is the oldest building on campus and served as the original College of New Jersey when it was built in the mid-18th century, and Prospect Garden is a must, no matter the season.
Palmer Square is a prospering public square at the heart of the town. It has abundant boutiques like Miya Table & Home, with a unique collection of Japanese tableware and gifts, as well as coffee shops like Rojo’s Roastery, for a sustainable and ethically-sourced brew, and restaurants like Winberie’s Restaurant & Bar, serving elevated comfort food. Furthermore, the Nassau Inn, located ideally on Palmer Square, perfectly mixes comfort and convenience.
Ocean City
This family-centered seaside town occupies a barrier island in Southern New Jersey’s Cape May County. Weekend escapists on a trip to Ocean City can't miss the town’s top attraction, the 2.45-mile Ocean City Boardwalk, lined with small amusement parks like Playland’s Castaway Cove and Medieval Fantasy Mini Golf Course, as well as seaside boutiques like Stainton’s By The Sea, and casual restaurants with outdoor seating, like George’s Surfside Grille.
The boardwalk is also home to Ocean City Music Pier, which hosts live performances from stand-up comedy to musicals, and for beach aficionados, the sandy coastline is excellent for basking in the sun, building sandcastles, taking surf lessons, or simply enjoying the sea breeze.
Spring Lake
This captivating coastal town on the Jersey Shore in Monmouth County is an underappreciated gem. Spring Lake’s 1.5-mile boardwalk alongside the Atlantic is perfect for leisurely strolls, morning jogs, and taking in the views. History buffs and architecture enthusiasts will admire the impressive Martin Maloney Cottage, a Queen Anne-style summer residence commissioned by wealthy Irish-American businessman Martin Maloney, and which exemplifies Spring Lake’s roots as a hospitality destination.
Meanwhile, Spring Lake Theatre hosts local musicals and other live performances in a charming, historic space, and The Ocean House Bed & Breakfast is a farm turned resort dating back to the early 20th century. Spend a night or order a treat to go from the Early Riser Bakery.
Chester
Chester sits in the Raritan Valley region of Morris County. A go-to destination for weekenders given its proximity to New York City, this small town attracts visitors to its shopping district full of antique shops like Chester Crafts, Collectibles, & Antiques, trendy boutiques like Mercantile on Main, and eateries like Redwoods, where a variety of dishes are cooked over a wood-burning grill.
Explore the Nathan Cooper Gristmill by the Black River, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and gives insight into Morris County’s industrial history. You can also visit the family-owned Alstede Farms, where you can enjoy picking your own fruits and vegetables, and participate in special family events. Then, head back into town for a meal and a night in the cozy rooms of the Chester Publick House Restaurant & Inn.
Clinton
Clinton, a picture-perfect town located along the South Branch Raritan River in the Raritan Valley region of Hunterdon County, is home to many suburban residents who work in and around New York City and Northern New Jersey. Perhaps the most outstanding site of interest is the Red Mill Museum Village, where you can tour the 1810 grist mill and learn about life in colonial Clinton. Every October, the historic site transforms into ‘Red Mill Haunted Village,’ luring vacationers from far and wide.
Housed in the 1837 Dunham’s Mill, the Hunterdon Art Museum exhibits works of both domestic and international artists. Meanwhile, the Clinton Historic District, covering a substantial part of the town, includes a plethora of must-see heritage properties, such as the Main Street Bridge spanning the South Branch Raritan River. Outdoorsy types can take part in fishing, camping, boating, and picnicking activities at the Spruce Run Recreation Area, and when it's time to call it a night, Hampton Inn Clinton is the hotel of choice for a comfortable stay close to town.
Frenchtown
An enchanting waterfront community in Hunterdon County renowned for its inviting atmosphere and creative spirit, Frenchtown sits by the Delaware River atop the Hunterdon Plateau, roughly 32 miles northwest of the state’s capital city. Anchoring the community is the 100-acre Frenchtown Historic District, featuring prominent structures like the Uhlerstown-Frenchtown Bridge that spans the Delaware River between New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Shopaholics will enjoy downtown's unique local boutiques and gift shops, like Modern Love for tasteful home decor, and Rock Art Revival, which celebrates the art of rock and roll with a collection of new and used vinyl, concert posters, and photographs. When it's time to refuel, Chez Daniel serves French-fusion using the freshest ingredients.
Haddonfield
This small borough located close to the state line with Pennsylvania in southwestern New Jersey’s Camden County flawlessly fuses its rich colonial past with contemporary amenities. Downtown offers a wide range of shops, cafes, and restaurants. Maison Marcelle Boutique sells vintage and couture fashion, while laid-back tasting rooms like the King’s Road Brewing Company invite visitors to kick back and relax with a local craft beer in a comfortable setting.
Among the town’s multitude of well-preserved colonial-era landmarks, the most notable is the Indian King Tavern. This was the first State Historic Site and is the place where the Great Seal of NJ was adopted in a meeting of the legislature in 1777. While in town, be sure to check out the bronze statue of a Hadrosaurus, in honor of the dinosaur fossils discovered here in the late 1830s.
From Cape May and Ocean City on the Jersey Shore to the scholarly town of Princeton, the delightful Garden State beguiles leisure seekers with its beauty and charisma. Whether you wish to be awed by the miles of dramatically soft shorelines, take quiet strolls through the historic districts and magnetic downtowns, partake in infinite outdoor activities amidst serene natural surroundings, or chill out at cozy accommodations, these top New Jersey towns promise an optimal balance of exploration and relaxation, leaving you fully recharged by the end of your 48-hour sojourn.
