9 Quirkiest New Jersey Towns To Visit In 2025
When you travel to New Jersey, you will quickly realize there is an abundance of quirky small towns to explore, each with its own brand of eccentric charm. Whether you are wandering past the colorful Victorian homes in Cape May, learning about the history of glassmaking in Millville, or snapping a photo of the iconic Red Mill in Clinton, these towns invite you to slow down and embrace the unexpected. Pack your curiosity and get ready to explore; these nine offbeat small towns in the Garden State await you in 2025.
Cape May
Located at the southern tip of the state, Cape May is a coastal village with eye-catching Victorian architecture lining the streets. Learn more about the Victorian architecture in the town with a stop at the Emlen Physick Estate. As the town’s only Victorian house museum, it gives you an inside look at the 1879 home, which is considered to be one of the best examples of Victorian Stick Style architecture in the United States.
Next, head to the Cape May Lighthouse, where you can climb 199 steps to the top for an impressive view of the town, Delaware Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean. Built in 1859, the structure has interactive panels throughout, where you can learn about the lighthouse’s history and read stories from the lighthouse keepers. Keeping with the theme of visiting historical sites in Cape May, be sure to visit the Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum while in town. During World War II, the site served as a dive-bomber squadron training facility. Today, Hangar #1 is an impressive aviation museum that is home to planes from the 1940s and interactive exhibits the whole family will enjoy.
Haddonfield
In western New Jersey, less than 10 miles away from Philadelphia, sits Haddonfield, which is one of the oldest communities in the state. What sets this town apart is its dinosaur-related history. In 1858, William Park Foulke was visiting the home of John Estaugh Hopkins and noticed a fossil bone being used as an umbrella stand. After realizing that was just one of many bones found on the property, Foulke and Dr. Joseph Leidy led the charge to look for more bones and found the first nearly intact dinosaur in the world. Today, you can head to Hadrosaurus Lane in downtown Haddonfield for a photo op with the Hadrosaurus foulkii sculpture created by John Giannotti.
To learn more about the American Revolutionary War history of the town, visit the Indian King Tavern, where the New Jersey Colonial General Assembly met in 1777. General admission to the museum is free, and tours are available. If you want to relax with a drink after exploring Haddonfield, head to Wildfether Distilling, which is located in a historic home built in 1857. The distillery specializes in whiskey and has a cocktail menu with a variety of drinks to enjoy.
Blairstown
Close to the Pennsylvania border, in northwestern New Jersey, horror movie fans will love visiting Blairstown. It is famous for being the filming location of the slasher movie, Friday the 13th, and today, you can still visit sites from the film. Grab a meal at the Blairstown Diner, which has been open since 1949 and serves classic American fare. It was featured in the film and makes for a great photo op in addition to a delicious meal. If you are a true horror fan, plan your trip around a Friday the 13th, when the town celebrates its claim to fame with showings of the movie and special discounts at local stores.
If you are looking for an activity that is not so scary, make a trip to Hidden Brook Ranch Alpaca and Llama Farm. You can schedule guided tours, meet and greets with the animals, and even yoga sessions alongside the animals. Or, shop for cozy socks or dryer balls made from alpaca fiber. Another popular spot is Roy’s Hall, a local theater built in 1913 that features musical performances, and movie screenings of (you guessed it!) Friday the 13th.
Highlands
On the eastern coast of the state, Highlands offers impressive views of not only the Atlantic Ocean, but of New York City’s skyline. Along the town’s coast is its most famous site, Twin Lights. This lighthouse has a unique double-tower design, has been standing since 1862, and has the unique honor of being the first American primary lighthouse to generate its own electricity. You can climb the towers and embark on a self-guided tour, or book a guided tour with a local historian to learn the ins and outs of this impressive structure.
If you want a beautiful place to enjoy the great outdoors in Highlands, take a walk around Veterans Memorial Park, which includes a circular water fountain surrounded by flags representing the different branches of the military, paved walking paths, and a scenic gazebo. In the summer, the park is home to concerts featuring musicians playing all genres of music. Throughout the year, Highlands hosts several festivals, drawing visitors from across the state. Seafood lovers should plan a trip to the town in early August for the annual Clamfest, which typically features food trucks, a fireworks display, and even a beer, wine, and sangria garden.
Ocean Grove
The town of Ocean Grove officially got its start in 1869, when a group of Methodists wanted to open a summer camp on the seashore and started the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association. Its roots are still evident today, with the association’s tent community. While at one point there were 200 tents for every house in Ocean Grove, there are now still 114 tents set up in the town, where today’s residents continue the traditions of the town’s founders. One of the most famous landmarks in the town is the Great Auditorium, which hosts worship services in addition to concerts.
In the summer, stop by to enjoy a free organ concert for a unique experience, or plan a trip in early July for the site’s Annual Choir Festival. Being a coastal town, no trip to Ocean Grove is complete without hitting the beach. Walk along the boardwalk at Ocean Grove Beach, or venture into the water, which is staffed with lifeguards during the summer. After a day of exploring the town, grab a bite to eat at SeaGrass Restaurant, which specializes in freshly caught seafood, featuring a menu that changes along with the seasons.
Clinton
Just over 40 miles west of Newark, you will find Clinton, which is most famous for its iconic Red Mill. While the town once flourished as an agricultural and mill hub, today it draws visitors interested in history or those looking for a scare. When you visit the Red Mill Village Museum most days, you will feel like you have gone back in time to the 1800s, with an operational blacksmith shop, a log cabin, and a schoolhouse in addition to the eye-catching mill. However, when you visit in October for the Haunted Red Mill experience, get ready for the thrill of a lifetime. Considered one of the top Halloween attractions in the state, prepare to scream as you make your way through the spooky Red Mill.
Another popular spot in Clinton is the Hunterdon Art Museum. In addition to its impressive art collection, the museum hosts educational events for all ages, which would be a fun activity on a weekend visit to the town. From woodcut printing lessons to tote bag decorating sessions, there is sure to be something that appeals to your inner artist. If you want to connect with nature on your Clinton getaway, head to the Spruce Run Recreation Area, which is perfect for picnicking, fishing, boating, and camping.
Spring Lake
Known as the “Jewel of the Jersey Shore,” the town of Spring Lake is most famous for its annual Irish Festival that celebrates its Irish culture. Hosted by the town’s Irish Centre, the June festival features delicious Irish food, dancing, music, and shopping that the whole family will enjoy. Even if you cannot make it in June, you can stop by the Irish Centre year-round to shop for Celtic jewelry, Waterford Crystal pieces, and more.
If you plan a trip to Spring Lake in December, do not miss the Christmas Train Village. The stunning display is a recreation of the entire town with a holiday train running through it, sure to get even the biggest Scrooge in the holiday spirit. You can find the display in Duggan Hall on Washington Avenue, and it is free to access. No matter what time of year you visit, do not forget to check the schedule for the Spring Lake Theatre. The venue hosts six productions per year, like popular musicals and iconic plays.
Frenchtown
Sitting on the Delaware River, Frenchtown has plenty of old-world European charm. Originally inhabited by the Lenni-Lenape tribe, by the 1800s, an influx of French speakers moved to the settlement, giving it the name it still holds. Today, the downtown area of Frenchtown boasts striking Victorian architecture and an impressive arts community. Not surprisingly, the town hosts an annual Bastille Day celebration, which is the French National Day commemorating the July 14, 1789 storming of the Bastille. In Frenchtown, the celebration includes live music, food, raffles, activities, and more.
If you are interested in learning more about the art scene in Frenchtown, plan a visit to ArtYard. The art center features rotating exhibitions and shows in its theater, and it also has residencies for specific artists throughout the year. Do you want to spend some time outside while in Frenchtown? Visit Frenchtown Borough Park, which has a playground for the kids to enjoy, a fishing area, and hiking trails ideal for bird watching.
Millville
Located in southern New Jersey, Millville is a glassblowing hub, thanks to its abundance of silica sand that led to the beginnings of the glass industry. Today, you can visit the WheatonArts Museum of American Glass to learn more about the role Millville has played in the glass industry, watch glassmaking and pottery demonstrations, and view its collection of over 20,000 pieces. If you are interested in trying glassblowing for yourself, head to the Carlisle School of Glass Art, where you can take an introduction to flameworking class, and learn how to make your own glass beads.
Are you looking for a more thrilling trip to Millville? Head to the New Jersey Motorsports Park, which has a top-of-the-line 1.1-mile go-karting facility as well as track days where you can learn about race track driving. More advanced drivers can also take part in progressive-paced laps to fulfill their racetrack dreams.
Enjoy the Quirkiest Spots in the Garden State
When you are ready for a different kind of adventure, make a point to explore New Jersey’s most unique small towns in 2025. From Frenchtown’s European charm to spotting a dinosaur in Haddonfield, there is no shortage of hidden gems to explore. These towns are filled with welcoming communities, fascinating history, and little surprises that turn every visit into something special. Whether you want to sample delicious food, attend exciting festivals, or simply wander around, these small towns offer an experience you will not forget.
