9 New Jersey Small Towns With Unmatched Friendliness
Friendliness in New Jersey shows up on a schedule. Frenchtown has thrown the same Bastille Day party with a server race every July since 1997. Livingston fills its gazebo with movie nights and summer concerts all season long. Collingswood turns its downtown over to craft festivals and porch music year after year. A town keeps repeating these gatherings because it wants neighbors out of the house and talking. Asbury Park still gives the Stone Pony stage to local acts the way it always has. These nine boroughs treat welcoming people as a habit worth practicing.
Red Bank
The borough of Red Bank combines a Navesink River setting with a welcoming downtown and strong cultural scene. The Beacon Fine Arts Gallery is a worthwhile stop, as guests can view and purchase paintings, sculptures, and serigraphs by local and regional artists. Each piece of art is handcrafted, individually numbered, and signed by the artists themselves, making them even more special. Further down the street, the Count Basie Center for the Arts and The Vogel bring musicals, live performances, concerts, open mic nights, and comedy shows to town. Both venues help make the arts a regular part of community life.
At the northern tip of town, Riverside Gardens Park offers views of the Navesink River. It also has picnic space, marina access for exploring the water, and room for local gatherings. The annual Summer Series brings live music, outdoor movies, and family fun days to Riverside Gardens Park June through August. Jazz in the Park adds another reason to visit, with local jazz performances held every Thursday in July and August.
Chester
The town of Chester has a friendly feel built around its walkable downtown, busy event calendar, and nearby outdoor recreation. In the heart of downtown, New York Pizza and Italian Restaurant serves pizzas such as NY Special, Penne Vodka, Chicago Style, and Buffalo Chicken. It gives diners a casual meal without a trip into New York City. Down Perry Street, El Monte Coffee Roasters is a comfortable stop for a freshly brewed cup of coffee or bags of coffee to take home.
On the northern tip of town, Riamede Farm preserves the area's agricultural character and has been open to the public since 1974. The farm has pumpkin fields, apple trees, treats for sale, cornhole, live music, and hay wagon rides. In September, the annual Chester Fall Craft Festival fills town with art vendors selling paintings, sculptures, woodcraft, jewelry, and antiques. Travelers can also enjoy local food and browse downtown boutiques.
Livingston
The township of Livingston feels neighborly through its local traditions, parks, restaurants, and arts spaces. On the western end of town, Panevino Ristorante serves pasta dishes, wood-fired pizzas, and entrees in a comfortable setting. Guests can also eat outdoors in the gardens and play bocce on two courts. A bit north of Panevino, Riker Hill Art Park covers 42 acres. The art park sits on a former United States Missile Tracking Base that was purchased from the federal government for one dollar in 1974. It has 38 artist studios, an observation deck with township views, and space for birthday parties, art classes, and workshops.
The Oval, a memorial park between Livingston High School and the Livingston Municipal Building, is one of the township's main gathering places. It has a baseball field, softball field, two soccer fields, and space for jogging and walking during warmer months. Local events at the Oval include the annual Fourth of July Celebration, with fireworks viewed from the center of the park and the gazebo. The annual Auto Fest runs from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., giving visitors a chance to see classic cars and buy food from local vendors. Summer Movie Nights and the Summer Concert Series at the Gazebo also bring residents together.
Cape May
The coastal city of Cape May earns its friendly reputation through its beaches, restaurants, indoor attractions, and community events. Cape May Beach is a classic Jersey Shore destination, with space for volleyball, swimming, fishing, surfing, and kayaking in the Atlantic Ocean. Across from the beach, the 931 Beach Guest House occupies a Victorian-style house with views of the beach and ocean. The bed-and-breakfast has warm rooms and suites and sits within walking distance of downtown.
During the summer, the Rotary Park Free Music in the Park series runs from mid-June through early September. Local artists perform jazz, acoustic music, tribute shows, and other styles at Rotary Park. The concerts are free, and guests are encouraged to bring a blanket or beach chair because seating is limited. A short walk from Rotary Park, Washington Street Mall gives residents and visitors a place to browse restaurants and shops. Stops include Delaney's Irish Pub and Grill for drinks and meals, and the Cape May Pickle Company, a gift shop with over 300 kinds of pickles from local businesses, along with pickle-inspired merchandise like t-shirts, mugs, and quirky accessories.
Lambertville
Set on the Delaware River in Hunterdon County, the peaceful city of Lambertville draws visitors with its walkable streets, arts scene, and antique shops. Known as the "Antique Capital of New Jersey," the city has shops such as A Touch of the Past Antiques and Midiri Antiques. A Touch of the Past Antiques sells fine art, sculptures, and lighting. Midiri Antiques sells traditional furniture, original couches, modern pieces, and decorative items. Lambertville also has galleries such as Union Gallery, where visitors can view and purchase paintings by local and regional artists. Highlands Art Gallery displays paintings and sculptures.
A cheerful summer event in town is the annual Lambertville Sunflower Festival. On weekends from mid-August through mid-September, the event features thousands of sunflowers, food vendors, live music, a beer garden, a play area, family activities, and photo opportunities. The festival is held at Bellemont Farm on weekends, with limited weekday visits also available. Tickets are available online. The Lambertville Station Restaurant and Inn gives visitors a place to have dinner and stay overnight in the community. The menu includes a wide mix of entrees and drinks; the rooms are spacious and comfortable; and the Restaurant and Inn can host weddings for up to 200 people, corporate events, private events, and meetings.
Frenchtown
Sixteen miles north of Lambertville, Frenchtown is a welcoming borough with a small-town atmosphere, a walkable downtown, and lively cultural events. The town has honored Bastille Day each year since 1997 with vendors in Sunbeam Lenape Park, live music, a magic show, and a server race. Finnbar is a riverfront restaurant for a night out. It serves Italian dishes such as fried wild blue catfish, spaghetti with arugula pesto, and ricotta and greens. The restaurant also hosts private events in its dining room, including engagement parties, birthdays, graduations, rehearsal dinners, and personal celebrations.
On the southern tip of town, ArtYard gives local and regional artists space to show work in a 21,000-square-foot facility with art exhibits and a 162-seat theater. The venue also hosts artist talks, live music, and workshops. In the heart of downtown, the National Hotel combines lodging and dining in a historic setting. Its restaurant menu includes seafood and sushi. It also hosts weddings, corporate events, and gatherings for families and friends.
Spring Lake
The peaceful shoreside borough of Spring Lake, often called "the Jewel of the Jersey Shore," has small-village charm, a walkable downtown, parks, and beaches. Divine Park is a pleasant place for a walk around a 1.3-mile loop. The route has views of Spring Lake, wooden footbridges, and shaded picnic spots. The park also works well for engagement and graduation photos. The Spring Lake Summer Nights Block Party brings four local bands to town on Wednesdays through the summer. Food and activities add to the evening.
Honey Berry Cafe is a relaxed breakfast stop serving omelets, breakfast sandwiches, burgers, coffee, and morning classics. Further up the street on Madison Avenue, Spring Lake Theatre presents local plays, musicals, and live performances. The theater also offers summer programs, a play garden, and auditions for volunteer performers interested in community theater.
Collingswood
Just outside of Philadelphia, Collingswood has a strong community calendar, small-town feel, and pedestrian-friendly downtown. The Collingswood Crafts and Fine Art Festival brings local and regional artists together to share their work with the community. The festival also includes food vendors, live music, and family entertainment. On Irvin Avenue, the Perkins Center for the Arts supports artists through visual art, performance art, music, and dance classes for all skill levels.
In the heart of downtown, Jersey Kebab serves Mediterranean-inspired dishes such as chicken gyros, falafel wraps, and Turkish coffee. The restaurant also provides catering for larger gatherings. Knight Park adds 70 acres of green space, with baseball fields, softball fields, a pond, and walking paths. During July and August, Movies in Knight Park brings the community to the park's gazebo for outdoor films.
Asbury Park
The beachfront city of Asbury Park welcomes visitors with a busy arts scene and deep musical history. The Stone Pony is a landmark near the shore. It helped launch Southside Johnny and Steve Van Zandt, and Bruce Springsteen has treated its stage as a second home for decades. The venue continues to host concerts for local and emerging artists and can also host parties, weddings, and other events. As summer begins, the Asbury Park Bazaar celebrates makers, music, and art with pop-up markets, handmade goods, food, live music, and family-friendly activities in late June.
Asbury Park Beach draws summer visitors for surfing, swimming, and relaxing by the ocean. The adjacent boardwalk has shops, parks, restaurants, and views of the Atlantic. One restaurant along the way is Buttermee Pancakes, a breakfast spot serving homemade buttermilk pancakes in varieties such as classic Nutella, s'mores, salted cookie butter, and spiced banana.
Friendliness stays on the calendar in New Jersey
New Jersey's small communities give visitors many ways to feel welcome. Asbury Park, Cape May, and Spring Lake offer beaches and shore history. Lambertville and Frenchtown bring riverfront views, art, and local dining. Livingston shows its community spirit through events at the Oval. These towns make New Jersey a memorable place for a vacation or road trip.
