These 9 Towns In New Jersey Have The Best Main Streets

Just across the Hudson River, there are plenty of New Jersey towns with Main Streets worth exploring. Many people overlook them, but that only makes discovering these spots more enjoyable. Today, we’ll highlight nine New Jersey towns with unique Main Streets. Each town below has fewer than 50,000 residents, a beautiful and lively downtown, and a few historic landmarks. Some also have a river, lake, or park nearby. While you read, jot down some of your favorites because some of these will surely make it to your bucket list.

Princeton is elegant. Its main street features collegiate brick storefronts, independent bookshops, cafés, and Palmer Square, which create a cozy, historic loop right next to Princeton University’s campus greens, making it perfect for strolling after visiting the campus. As a university town and a population of around 30,000, Nassau Street (Princeton’s main street) is considered the dividing avenue that separates the campus from the town.

As Princeton's main street, Nassau Street holds everything you’re seeking. It’s a pedestrian-friendly street that provides charm, stores, restaurants, and the arts. For example, Aspendos Mediterranean Cuisine is located at 182 Nassau Street. A restaurant using fresh ingredients to create rich flavors. However, if you're only in the mood for a sweet treat, try Fruty Yogurt, located at 166 Nassau Street.

After your tasty treat, head over to Hedy Shepard, Ltd. for some high-end fashion and get something beautifully made from this cozy town. If you’re touring the university, sit and contemplate on Princeton’s Campus Greens. These beautiful outdoor spaces on campus foster a sense of calmness while offering views of the surrounding architecture.

Ridgewood, New Jersey’s downtown, has a storybook quality to it. The sidewalks are lined with trees and historic buildings. Main Street has plenty of independent shops with farmers' markets clustered around the train station and village green. The best part? Although quaint, it is an urban-feeling downtown that feels elegant, with everything within walking distance. Not to mention, East Ridgewood Avenue has been ranked among the most beautiful streets in America.

With a population of roughly 25,000, this cute town offers high-end restaurants with humble names. Take Cafe 37, for instance. It’s a high-end restaurant serving elegant food. There is nothing about this restaurant that suggests it's a cafe. If you are seeking a more diverse restaurant, try Tori Ramen Chicken to satisfy your ramen cravings. But if you are looking for something closer to home, try an American-style restaurant serving hamburgers, craft beers, and tasty fried foods, like The Office Tavern and Grill. And if you live nearby, they have a train system that makes it easy to get here.

Red Bank is a compact theater-and-restaurant district with an artsy vibe. Broad Street sits near the Navesink River, so you can combine riverwalk views and boutique shopping in one outing. It makes for a great day if you are trying to do it all. Not to mention, this beautiful Victorian downtown has more than 300 shops, 20 art galleries, and around 80 restaurants, according to the Visit New Jersey website. With a population of around 12,000, Red Bank feels like a small town where you stroll, shop, and dine the day away.

Here is how you can lay out your day. Start by walking by the Navesink River. Here you will find boating excursions, peaceful fishing afternoons, and plenty of time to relax by the river. Although Red Bank does not have a traditional “boardwalk” as you find on an oceanfront, it does have a seasonal pedestrian plaza by the river. Next, head to Antoinette Boulangerie for some scrumptious French pastries. Then get your steps in by visiting several shops within walking distance. If you’re looking for something classy and well-designed, head to Forge. It’s a shop that aims to shed light on handcrafted yet beautifully made objects.

Lambertville’s narrow, historic main street runs along the Delaware River and is known for its antiques, galleries, and weekend strolls between river views and bridges to New Hope, Pennsylvania. The town is enchanting, quiet, and quite picture worthy. Antique shops, unique galleries, and cozy coffee shops line the river, making Lambertville a favorite for artists and craftsmen.

The city’s architecture is very cute and worth observing if you are an architecture buff. You’ll find hidden treasures everywhere. Three days a week, the Golden Nugget Antique Flea Market offers a large indoor and outdoor market full of rare finds. The People's Store features around 40 antique dealers around town. You’ll find vintage shops and more along Bridge, Main, and Union streets.

Be sure to visit Artists' Gallery for friendly service, fair prices, and beautiful artwork. And do not forget to stop for a cup of joe at Chive Cafe after all that shopping. Lambertville was voted one of the Top 15 most beautiful towns in America by Forbes, and with a population of around 4,000, it makes you realize it is a kept secret, waiting for you to find it.

If you are looking for a main street or downtown that is a little different, Cape May, New Jersey, might offer that unique advantage you’re looking for. That’s because its “Main Street,” otherwise known as Washington Street Mall, is not a traditional downtown or main street. It is a beautifully restored pedestrian mall framed by Victorian hotels, specialty shops, and cafés. The location is perfectly situated near the beaches and the Cape May Promenade.

Cape May has a population of around 2,700, so it’s not too crowded. Therefore, making a weekend getaway will result in a fun yet relaxing trip. The cozy pedestrian sidewalks of the Washington Street Mall are packed with stores and eateries. You’ll find places like A Place on Earth, a store that makes homemade bars of soap with funny names you’ll remember for a long time.

Let’s take this up a notch with a bar you can eat, like a chocolate bar. Louisa's Chocolate Bar sells artisan chocolate bars, caramels, homemade desserts, and other sweets. If you’re looking for a bit of culture, the Museum of Fine Arts and Popular Culture has many works of art that will inspire you. Or learn some history at the Harriet Tubman Museum.

Haddonfield, New Jersey, is an older town with lots of history. Its history is reflected in the colonial-era architecture and brick sidewalks, which create a certain atmosphere when visiting. Its main street or downtown area is compact and walkable, with parks nearby (like Crows Woods nature preserve) if you wish to get away from the crowds. Although with a population of 12,000 or so, it shouldn’t be too crowded on any given day.

If you wish to walk its main streets, head over to Kings Highway, the heart of Haddonfield’s downtown, with nearby stretches of Haddon Avenue just beyond the district. If you love wine, the William Heritage Winery has plenty to savor. If you need a popular restaurant recommendation, try Verona Ristorante for authentic and incredibly savory Italian food.

If you want to take the family to a cute New Jersey “Main Street,” head on over to Collingswood. Collingswood’s downtown is known for excellent restaurants, weekend street festivals, and a friendly, neighborhood vibe with quick access to Cooper River area parks. Not to mention, Philly is just over the bridge. The city has a population of around 14,000, Haddon Avenue (Collingswood's main street) has plenty of restaurants to feed them all, and you as well.

While you’re visiting, enjoy Il Fiore, a classic Italian restaurant. Or try Heartside, an American bistro with traditional favorites. There are many restaurants to choose from, but we’ll leave it there because we also want to mention Occasionette, a whimsical place with sassy, funny decor. There are plenty of things you can take home from this store. If you like to shop locally, try Collingsweird Apparel & Gift Shop for one-of-a-kind finds.

If community and events are important to you, Westfield, New Jersey, has plenty of both. Now its main street(s), or the downtown area, meets at East Broad Street and North Avenue West. Not only do they have regular community events in their downtown district, like Sweet Sounds Downtown, but it’s a polished suburban area with boutique stores, coffee houses, and even a train station nearby to help you get there. Therefore, it's commuter-friendly and very walkable. Westfield has a lot to accommodate its 30,000 residents.

When you get to Westfield, you'll want to taste it all. A few scrumptious delights include Sum Ramen for your noodle fix, and 1950 Originals for burgers, wings, and cheesesteaks. Follow your taste buds for incredible delights. Westfield truly has it all, like vegan cinnamon rolls made to order and customized with whatever your heart desires. If you like sweets, Cinnaholic is a must.

For something a little more classic, check out Cranford, New Jersey. Its main street is North Avenue. It’s built along the Rahway River with brick storefronts, and the nearby river area with parks gives it a scenic, relaxed main-street atmosphere. It has many arts, crafts, and entertainment spots for you to explore, such as Arthur Murray Dance Center, a dance studio that teaches singles and couples, and assists with important events like weddings.

Or try your hand at pottery or painting on canvas with Fire Me Up! Studio. If you have never done it before, you will appreciate the serenity you receive from making a mug or painting whatever comes to mind. It is a meditation in itself. If you are interested in a shorter walk with a memorial, try walking along Sperry Park. It’s near Cranford's main streets, the hike takes about 11 minutes to complete, and at the end, you’ll see a 9/11 memorial. Cranford’s main streets and avenues really do have plenty to do.

I hope you were taking notes because all of these New Jersey towns have fantastic main streets for you to frolic. Each main street on this list is unique in its own way. They feature great restaurants, boutique shopping, art, and at times, parks and recreational areas for the entire family to enjoy. So, which one are you visiting next? The one with the train? The pedestrian mall? Or the town with the most restaurants? The choice is yours.