9 Small Towns In New Jersey To Visit For A Weekend Getaway

As the most densely populated state in the country, New Jersey is practically built for weekend trips. Within a short drive, you can reach an incredible variety of towns, giving you plenty of options if you only have a day or two free. These nine towns are among the best to visit in 2025, featuring art galleries, riverside parks, Victorian inns, and flea markets that could make your next weekend getaway the best one yet.

Asbury Park

Asbury Park is filled with quirky venues and attractions that are perfect for a weekend of nostalgia. The Silverball Retro Arcade, a tribute to vintage pinball and arcade games, boasts over 150 machines.

Travelers hoping to enjoy some live music during their weekend can attend a show at The Stone Pony, a music venue that has been operating since 1974 and has seen artists like Bruce Springsteen, Steve Van Zandt, and Southside Johnny. The accommodations in town are equally unique, such as The Asbury Hotel, an eclectic and colorful hotel with live music events, a rooftop movie screen, and a pool.

Lambertville

Lambertville is an ideal destination for antique hunters seeking their next treasure in the “Antiques Capital of New Jersey.” Begin at the Golden Nugget Antique Flea Market, one of the largest antique markets in the state, with over 30 indoor shops and 200 outside dealers.

The People’s Store Antiques and Design Center is another highlight, a four-story emporium that has vintage goods from more than 50 dealers. At the end of the day, unwind at the Lambertville House, a cozy hotel on Bridge Street, where each guest room is uniquely decorated.

Red Bank

Packed with performing arts venues and art galleries, Red Bank has become a favorite destination for art lovers across the state. The Count Basie Center for the Arts puts on events throughout the year, with upcoming holiday performances including Elf in Concert and The Nutcracker.

The art galleries are equally abundant, including gems like the Beacon Fine Arts Gallery, which showcases works from both nationally and internationally renowned artists. End the day at the Molly Pitcher Inn, a gorgeous hotel that has an onsite restaurant and piano bar.

Frenchtown

Sitting along the lush riverbanks of the Delaware River, Frenchtown is one of the most picturesque river towns in the state. The best way to enjoy the river is by visiting the Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park. This 70-mile linear park is popular for all kinds of recreational activities, including canoeing, jogging, hiking, biking, and horseback riding. The town also hosts a range of boutiques and galleries.

ArtYard is a worthwhile attraction to visit, a contemporary art center composed of four buildings that contain exhibitions, a theater, and residency programs. For a historic night away, consider making reservations at the National Hotel, which is housed in a building that dates back to 1833.

Ocean Grove

Ocean Grove is right next door to Asbury Park, a town that packs impressive entertainment into just one square mile. Home to renowned entertainment venues, such as the Great Auditorium, one of the most impressive closed auditoriums in New Jersey, it is particularly well known for its summer music events.

Walking through town, you’ll also find plenty of unique restaurants, including The Starving Artist, which has been serving fresh dishes in the community since 1999. Travelers can spend the night at The Majestic, a boutique hotel dating back to 1870 that sits near the beautiful New Jersey coastline.

Cape May

Cape May is best known for its beaches, but it also has plenty of other attractions that make it a worthwhile destination for a weekend away. Nature lovers can check out one of the nearby preserves, such as South Cape May Meadows, a 200-acre preserve that protects both native and migratory bird species, offering a variety of walkable trails for visitors.

Interested in history? There are several historic sites around town as well. The Emlen Physick Estate, for example, allows visitors to walk through an 18-room Victorian mansion built in 1879. Continue the Victorian theme with an overnight stay at the Angel of the Sea, a 27-room Victorian Inn that is just steps away from the beach.

Princeton

Home to the famed Princeton University, visitors can easily spend a few days touring the many cultural institutions and museums that lie throughout town. To view some incredible art, spend a morning at the Princeton University Art Museum, where you can appreciate rotating exhibits, artist talks, workshops, and more.

Later, stop by the Morven Museum & Garden, a National Historic Landmark that was once the home of Richard Stockton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. The Peacock Inn is a wonderful place to wrap up the day, a 16-room luxury hotel that is located in the heart of town.

Spring Lake

Spring Lake is a more laid-back coastal town, home to fewer than 3,000 residents. Start your trip with a hot coffee from Driftwood Coffee House, a local coffee shop that serves espresso, cold brew, tea, Italian soda, and other beverages.

Afterward, head out for a peaceful walk on the Spring Lake Boardwalk, a noncommercial stretch along the ocean. Those looking for a charming place to spend the night will love the Spring Lake Inn, housed in an elegant building that dates back to 1888, just a block from the sea.

Stockton

Stockton is just up the river from Lambertville, making it a great addition to your weekend itinerary. AA local landmark, the Prallsville Mills is a restored 19th-century grist mill on the Delaware River that operated into the 1950s and now offers tours.. Concluding your historic tour, head over to Odd Bird Brewing, where you can enjoy a cold craft beer in the brewery’s cozy taproom. In the evening, stay at the Woolverton Inn, a welcoming property with 14 cottages and guestrooms.

Plan Your Next New Jersey Getaway

Few states make short getaways easier than New Jersey. Beach days and nature preserves are just around the corner. Even once the chilly weather sets in, there is still plenty to enjoy: cozy coffee runs, afternoons at the arcade, and nights at the brewery included. So grab your calendar and pick the dates for your next weekend escape. You’ll likely find that you can’t go wrong with any one of these towns!