7 Most Breathtaking Towns In New Jersey
New Jersey isn’t all highways and shorelines. Shocking, right? Located next to New York, Pennsylvania, and the Atlantic Ocean, it is one of the oldest states in the country. Dozens of towns date back to the 1700s, with buildings, streets, and neighborhoods that haven’t been stripped and rebuilt. Many towns retain their original street layouts, historic homes, and vibrant town centers. There are oceanfront streets, colonial battlegrounds, canal towns, and true communities that survive without tourism. Pack your bags and get going. The seven most breathtaking towns in New Jersey reveal what the Garden State was like before the sprawl — and why so much of it is still worth experiencing.
Princeton
Princeton University gives this town a visual identity unlike any other in New Jersey. Start your morning with a walk along the shaded paths around campus before heading into the Princeton University Art Museum, where rotating exhibitions join permanent collections of Mesoamerican sculpture and American photography. After a five-minute drive south, you’ll arrive at Princeton Battlefield State Park, where open fields and monuments mark the site of a key clash in 1777.
After that, check out the trails along Lake Carnegie, a tranquil environment to watch local rowers practice or sit and look out over the water. End the day with dinner at Mediterra Restaurant & Taverna on Palmer Square, known for its Spanish and Mediterranean small plates.
Lambertville
Lambertville is part gallery, part gold rush legend. First, head to the Marshall House and enjoy a guided tour about the hometown hero who started the California Gold Rush, James Wilson Marshall. Then, make a right onto North Union Street and visit A Mano Galleries. This unique creative space is housed in a renovated church and displays handmade ceramics and funky local art by more than 1,200 artists.
In the afternoon, you can rent a kayak or bike from Big Bear Gear and enjoy the Delaware River and the canal paths. Finish your day with dinner at Under the Moon Café. With antique chandeliers and velvet seating, they stylishly serve small plates influenced by Spanish and Argentine cuisine.
Spring Lake
Few shore towns are as calm and well-kept as Spring Lake. Start your visit with a walk along the Spring Lake Boardwalk, an oceanside path that gives you fresh air and unobstructed ocean views. After that, head to Divine Park, especially worth visiting in April and May when cherry blossoms ring the lake. Catch a local production at Spring Lake Theatre, a historic venue that has provided entertainment in the center of town for decades. Plan your visit for the summer to experience Spring Lake Summer Nights, a series of outdoor concerts and sidewalk activities held every Wednesday in July and August, starting July 23.
Clinton
This town looks like it was pulled straight out of a postcard. First, fuel up with fresh pastries and coffee at The Stone Bean, just beside the Main Street old bridge. Then make your way to Spruce Run Recreation Area where fishing spots as well as wooded trails wrap around the lake.
After that, if you are up for more, hop on the Landsdown Trail, a flat path lined with trees that will take you from the quiet edges of town right to the historic center. Finally, end your day with a visit to Fourchette, a staple cheese shop that offers the finest cheeses and the most creative takes on charcuterie boards.
Cape May
A collection of Victorian homes and beachfront elegance? Yes, please. Start your day at Cape May Beach, and if you’re feeling adventurous, walk or bike to the nearby Cape May Lighthouse, which offers views of the Atlantic and surrounding wetlands. After your dose of salt air, head into the Cape May Historic District, where gingerbread-trimmed homes and landmarks such as The Southern Mansion, formerly the George Allen House, line the streets. Next, stop at Jersey Shore Alpacas, a small farm where visitors can feed their friendly alpacas. If you’re visiting in spring or fall, check out the Cape May Bird Observatory, a top destination for spotting migratory birds along the Atlantic Flyway.
Haddonfield
Can you feel Revolutionary grit anywhere but Haddonfield? Begin your day at the Indian King Tavern Museum, where preserved rooms and interpretive exhibits recount pre-Revolutionary politics and everyday colonial life. After your museum visit, head to Crows Woods Park, a serene green space with wooded trails, wildflower plots, and a community garden tucked behind housing developments.
In the afternoon, stop by Tavistock Country Club, known for its championship golf course and well-maintained grounds. Get a drink at King’s Road Brewing Company, a small-batch brewery producing a variety of IPAs and seasonal ales. If you’re in town on a Saturday, take time to visit the Haddonfield Farmers Market. Vendors set up shop on Kings Court with baked goods and handmade items.
Collingswood
Collingswood is a walkable, art-friendly town with a strong local personality. Start your day at Knight Park, a 70-acre green space with broad lawns, shaded pathways, and Victorian homes bordering the edges. Then visit the Perkins Center for the Arts, a historic mansion turned gallery and community space that hosts exhibitions and offers classes.
The town is dry by law, but its restaurants more than make up for it. Sapori Trattoria Italiana serves upscale Italian in a cozy BYOB setting. After dinner, catch a show at the Collingswood Scottish Rite Theatre, a 1930s venue with large interior spaces and ongoing live performances.
You don’t have to cross a border to feel like you’ve gone somewhere else. These New Jersey municipalities don’t use noise, branding, or crowds. They hold on to buildings, street plans, and local rhythms. A beach town with no boardwalk. A Revolutionary location with walkable sidewalks. A canal village still driven by small shops and family diners. These towns haven’t frozen time; they’ve simply kept what interesting. So close the screen, pack a bag, and head out. No ticket, no big show. Just towns still standing, still open, and still worth your time. They’re waiting.
