6 Quirky Little Towns In New Jersey
Between the Shore and the Highlands, New Jersey is full of small towns with outsized character, part landmark, part local tradition, part folklore. These nine quirky stops pair classic attractions with the kind of details you only hear once you’re there: a boardwalk theater with ghost stories, a roadside elephant from another era, and family-run spots that keep the towns grounded. Consider this a quick guide to NJ’s most memorable "only in Jersey" detours.
Margate City
Southwest of Atlantic City is the coastal city of Margate City, a place with wide beaches and the home of the iconic Lucy the Elephant. This landmark was built in 1881 and has been a staple of the community. Lucy stands near Margate Beach and welcomes people from many places. The beach is wide and has clear water for beachgoers, and the city maintains it to keep it clean.
A block away from Lucy is Gilchrist Downbeach Restaurant, where patrons can enjoy breakfast or lunch with access to the beach only a short walk away.
Asbury Park
The city of Asbury Park is a well-known shore point and is famous for its music scene, but it also has a distinct arts scene and some haunted spots in town. The Paramount Theatre is an Art Deco-style theater on the boardwalk. The theater is said to be haunted by the ghosts of the Morro Castle ocean liner, which caught fire and resulted in the deaths of 137 passengers. Some locals believe that victims of the fire still haunt the theater. Near the theater is Sunset Lake Memorial Park, where visitors and residents can spend time by Sunset Lake and St. John's Island on Grand Avenue in a calm setting.
Asbury Park Beach is a major draw for people from many places. The beach stretches for about a mile and reflects the city's arts influence, with the Paramount Theatre standing on the boardwalk. The Stone Pony is another local landmark for anyone wanting to hear live music for the day or night, and it has hosted Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Joan Jett, and other artists.
West Milford
On the state line separating Passaic County from New York State is the township of West Milford. The township may seem quiet, but there is a strange and quirky spot to explore, Clinton Road, which is said to be haunted. There is a story about the ghost of a boy near a bridge, and when people stop their cars and throw coins into the water, the ghost supposedly throws the coin back.
As a rural and natural community, the Highlands Preserve allows visitors to spend time on a wide variety of trails, has baseball and softball fields for recreation, and includes scenic overlooks of the landscape. In the downtown area is the West Milford Museum, which gives visitors and residents a chance to learn about the township's history and view artifacts from the past. Admission is free for everyone.
Berlin Township
Near Philadelphia is Berlin Township, the home of Diggerland USA, an amusement park where kids and families can operate construction machinery. Almost every ride and attraction at the park is construction-themed, giving visitors a memorable experience. Another amusement park in town is Sahara Sam's Oasis Water Park, an indoor and outdoor water park with a lazy river and water slides. It can host birthdays, group events, and other activities for families in any season.
A place to visit in the township is Chocolat Michel Cluizel, a chocolate store and museum that gives private tours, explains the history of chocolate, and includes a tasting session at the end of the tour. Across the street is Ott's Greenstop, a sports bar and restaurant that serves food and drinks and can host private events.
Ogdensburg
On the eastern end of Sussex County is the borough of Ogdensburg, a community known for its mining history. The Sterling Hill Mining Museum, the last operating mine in the state before it closed in 1986, became a museum in 1989. The museum is home to the Rainbow Tunnel, which displays fluorescent zinc that reacts to light and creates a range of colors. The museum also has over 700 specimens of fluorescent minerals from around the world.
Another attraction in town is the Backwards Tunnel, a historic double arched railroad bridge with the Walkill River flowing through the larger arch while Cork Hill Road passes through the smaller one. On the south side of town is Gemma's Country Kitchen, which serves homemade breakfasts, coffee, burgers, and more in a local setting.
Wanaque
Just southeast of West Milford is the borough of Wanaque, the home of the ruins of the Van Slyke Castle, a mansion destroyed during a fire in 1959. People visit the ruins and can see the stone water tower, abandoned pool, and furnace, as the Ramapo Mountain State Forest grows around them. The state forest is a wildlife area with numerous trails to follow, including the three-mile-long Castle Loop Trail, which takes hikers to the Van Slyke Castle.
The rest of the town has parks to visit, such as Lakeside Park, which has a basketball court and overlooks Rainbow Lake, and Back Beach Park, which has a playground and several athletic fields and courts for residents and visitors. People can also hike along the Wanaque River and spend time on the Wanaque Ridge for additional outdoor space. In town, people can visit the Kitchen and Beer Bar for food and drinks and take part in trivia nights, happy hours, and private events on the outdoor patio.
What These Towns Show About New Jersey
These quirky towns and their landmarks show how New Jersey’s history includes unusual stories and local traditions. Each town has its own character, shaped by distinct attractions and the events and tales that surround them. The towns have amenities for visitors, along with stories connected to their unusual sites, which add to the sense of place for each community. These details give travelers material to remember and reflect on the range of experiences found across the state.
