6 Standout Main Streets In New Jersey
When considering a trip, it is well worth the time to add a day trip or longer visit to the “Garden State” of New Jersey as a worthy contender and more than a mere connector between Philadelphia and New York City. The state is filled with incredibly charming communities with relaxing Main Streets, giving visitors a warm welcome. No matter what part of the state people venture to, a "Garden State" main street excursion can be a calm and tranquil choice with amazing local businesses, museums, restaurants, and shops that beckon with their charm and unique qualities.
Montclair
One of Essex County's vibrant communities is the township of Montclair, a community with an incredible arts scene and the home of Montclair State University. The Main Street in town is Bloomfield Avenue, where visitors to town enjoy a diverse number of restaurants, shops, and museums. At the top of Bloomfield Avenue is the Montclair Art Museum, where visitors can explore exhibits with American and Native American Art from the 18th Century to the present day. Uncle Momo is a short walk away from the museum, where patrons can enjoy Lebanese-French dishes and brunches on a nice sunny weekend.
Further down the Avenue is Montclair Film, an event venue that organizes the annual Montclair Film Festival, which brings filmmakers from all over the world to the community and showcases their movies to the masses. A nice walking distance away from Montclair Film is Cuban Pete's Restaurant, a very popular Cuban restaurant in town serving incredible Hispanic and Cuban-style meals, has outdoor seating, and allows patrons to bring their own beverages for a wonderful night out.
Red Bank
Just a short ride away from the Jersey Shore is the borough of Red Bank, a very charming and walkable community filled with lovely restaurants and shops. The Main Street in town is considered Broad Street. The Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash is a comic book store owned by actor and director Kevin Smith, and is decorated with memorabilia from his films, making it a must-visit for movie fanatics.
The rest of Broad Street has a diverse number of restaurants and shops worth visiting, from the likes of Ceviche House Mi Peru, which serves patrons incredible Peruvian meals, and the Char Steakhouse, serving incredible New York-style steaks and seafood, along with hosting events in the community. Great local shops to visit include Lacrosse Unlimited, which has the latest lacrosse gear for people wanting to improve their game, and Jack's Music Shoppe, for music fans who enjoy listening to music on CDs and records, along with books, DVDs, and much more.
Collingswood
Just east of Philadelphia is the borough of Collingswood, a very walkable community with a lively downtown. The Main Street in town is Haddon Avenue, which has a vibrant business district filled with lovely restaurants and shops. The Symphony in C is a training orchestra that attends events, provides young musicians with opportunities to perform, and offers music education. Just down the block is the Raccoon Taproom, Swedesboro Brewing Company, where patrons can enjoy local craft beers and IPAs, such as the Silk Falls Cream Ale and Lager 25, to name a few exciting options.
Further down Haddon Avenue are wonderful local restaurants and shops to visit. June BYOB is an example of fine dining found on the avenue, where patrons can bring their own wines and enjoy lavish French cuisine for a romantic dinner or a private event. Next door to June BYOB is Kiss and Tale, A Romance Bookshop, where people can find their next favorite romance novel to enjoy and attend events at the store.
Ocean City
Just south of Atlantic City is the charming coastal city of Ocean City. However, many shore towns in the state are renowned for their iconic beaches. Ocean City has a nice Main Street in Asbury Avenue. A hidden gem on Asbury Avenue is the Mark Soifer Park, which was named after the late Mark Soifer, who was Ocean City’s Public Relations Director for 45 years. It is a perfect spot to enjoy a nice sunny day, and has a gazebo and benches ready for people to enjoy the day. The park is within walking distance of charming spots like Hooked on Breakfast and the Ocean City Coffee Company, making them great options to begin the morning on a positive note.
Further up the avenue are the Shoppes at the Asbury, which are boutiques located in a 100-year-old bank that was preserved. Shops in the building include Timeless Tartans, which specializes in collegiate merchandise ties. Across the street from the historic bank, turned into boutique shops, is Stainton's, a former hotel also converted into boutique shops.
Millburn
The township of Millburn is a wonderful Essex County suburb to explore. The Main Street in town is Millburn Avenue, which has incredible restaurants, shops, and access to Taylor Park. The park has the Rahway River going through it, has a basketball court, tennis courts, a softball field, and wonderful walkways to further explore the park. Next to the park is the iconic Millburn Deli, which serves incredible sandwiches, including the iconic "godfadda sandwich," which is a fan favorite for many.
Further down Millburn Avenue is the Millburn Indoor Golf Club, which has TrackMan golf simulators for people wanting to improve their game, and is a great club to meet new friends. Just next door is Joey's Tap and Tavern, a solid place to unwind after a round of indoor golf, and a great place to catch the game with friends and colleagues after work.
Morristown
Morristown is a wonderful mix of suburban and urban in one package, as well as the heart and soul of Morris County. The Main Street in town is South Street, where visitors and residents can venture to an endless number of bars, restaurants, and shops. A staple of the community that keeps the night alive is Iron Bar, a bar that has a DJ performing on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and serves incredible drinks and food. Just next door to Iron Bar is Revolution, A Social Brew House, where patrons can order tasty burgers, brunch, and craft beers of their choosing.
Further down the street is the Mayo Performing Arts Center, a nonprofit community theater that hosts plays, musical performances, live concerts, and much more since 1937. Next to the Mayo Performing Arts Center is the Vail Mansion Lawn, a lovely green space that hosts community events, like the annual Pumpkin Illumination that takes place in the fall, with the historic Vail Mansion in the background, making for an incredible place to visit on South Street.
Don’t judge these communities by their size. Though smaller in scale than adjacent big cities, their Main Streets have wonderfully engaging options that bring each one to life, thanks to the incredible small businesses, restaurants, and shops, with residents and visitors that keep on flocking to them. Another perk of these amazing communities is their access to mass transit options, such as an abundance of train stations weaving throughout, giving New Jerseyans easy access to destinations such as New York City, Philadelphia, or beyond, making ventures far and wide as easy as a little ticket to ride. These communities are well worth the visit thanks to their local charm, histor,y and unique destinations found throughout.
