10 Must-Visit Small Towns in New Jersey
Head Out of Trenton on a Road Trip to the Towns of New Jersey
New Jersey offers lush forests, biodiverse marshes, sandy shores dotted with lighthouses, and historic small towns that played significant roles in U.S. history. There’s certainly more to the Garden State than crazy shoreside antics and very tanned celebrities.
Rather than just passing through on the way to bigger cities, start exploring more of what New Jersey can provide the intrepid traveler with these must-visit small towns in New Jersey. You’ll find a delightful combination of history, relaxing riverside escapes, and, of course, beaches.
10 must-visit small towns in New Jersey
- Haddonfield
- Seaside Heights
- Lambertville
- Clinton
- Chester
- Allentown
- Bernardsville
- Brielle
- Point Pleasant
- Spring Lake
1. Haddonfield
A small town with both patriotic and paleontological significance
Ideal para: História, Foto, Viagens alternativas
Haddonfield was first settled by English Quakers in the late 17th century. During the American Revolutionary War, the Indian King Tavern was a key meeting place. It’s now a museum and remains one of Haddonfield’s most notable spots and a top traveler attraction today.
Later on, in the next century, Haddonfield gained paleontological significance as the site of the first relatively complete dinosaur excavation in North America. Check the site out in Hadrosaurus Park, and wander the surrounding woodlands. Don’t miss a show at the Haddonfield Plays and Players theater, or the farmers’ market held every Saturday in October.
Haddonfield
2. Seaside Heights
Experiencing the Jersey Shore as it is
Ideal para: Casais, Famílias, Foto
Seaside Heights is most notably the setting for the wildly popular MTV show Jersey Shore. However, don’t make the mistake of thinking that Seaside Heights is only about glitz and glamour.
The town is also a favorite family destination, boasting a boardwalk twinkling with lights and brimming with arcades, restaurants, and boutique shops. Pick up a Jersey Shore-themed souvenir, hop on a thrill ride, and build sandcastles with the kids. A visit isn’t complete without a ride on the beautiful vintage carousel, maintained by the Seaside Heights Historical Society.
Seaside Heights
3. Lambertville
A riverside locale with historical ambiance
Ideal para: Casais, História
Lambertville is located along the Delaware River, and it’s full of historic structures dating back to the 1700s and 1800s. Many of them have been converted into inns, restaurants, galleries, boutiques, and more. It’s also known as the “Antiques Capital of New Jersey,” so be sure to hunt for some vintage treasures at the Golden Nugget Antique Flea Market while you’re here.
A beautiful pathway winds alongside the Delaware River, inviting you to enjoy a sunny walk and soak in the scenery. For another great outdoor experience, explore the nearby Washington Crossing State Park, which features more scenic trails, a museum, and a nature center.
Lambertville
4. Clinton
Witnessing the history that created this young town
Ideal para: História, Foto, Viagens alternativas
Clinton is a relatively young town, established in the mid-1800s. It was built primarily around two mills, a wool processing mill and a gristmill, both of which you can still see today. The latter now operates as the Hunterdon Art Museum, housing rotating exhibitions of contemporary art, classes, workshops, and even a vintage clothing sale.
The wool processing mill is now known as The Red Mill Museum Village and comes with its own haunted lore that once featured on the show Ghost Hunters. The museum’s event calendar is packed full of craft fairs, music festivals, and historical reenactments. Every fall, immerse yourself in the spooky season as the museum transforms into a haunted house, offering ghost tours and family-friendly activities.
Clinton
5. Chester
A pristine escape just miles from New York City
Ideal para: História, Foto, Luxo
Chester is less than an hour’s drive from New York City, but the small town feels a world away from the hubbub and hustle of The Big Apple. It’s home to vast green spaces, agrarian fields, Victorian-style housing, and historic structures.
The lively community is always offering something for locals and visitors alike to enjoy, too, such as live music and holiday events. Agritourism is popular in Chester, so be sure to explore the many green spaces, like Highlands Ridge Park and Hacklebarney State Park.
Chester
6. Allentown
History and shopping in central New Jersey
Ideal para: Compras, História, Foto
Right in the center of New Jersey, Allentown offers travelers a wealth of history, shopping, and dining. The shopping district is one of the more popular neighborhoods of the small town, with lots of specialty boutiques and antique shops. Stock up on high street favorites at the malls, peruse the freshest produce and locally made gifts at the farmers’ market, then hunt for retro classics in the antique stores.
Wander favorite historic spots like the Old Mill along Indian Run Creek and the Old Burial Ground, or check out the NJ Fire Museum, open every Saturday. For concerts, carnival rides, and tasty street food, check out the Allentown Fairgrounds, which hosts several fairs and events throughout the year.
Allentown
7. Bernardsville
History and hiking
Ideal para: História, Foto, Aventura
Bernardsville was a popular, post-Civil War vacation spot for wealthy New Yorkers in the mid-1800s. Now, it’s still a nice little getaway for those seeking not only the great outdoors, but also some great history. Bernardsville’s Olcott Avenue Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, thanks to the district’s abundance of 19th-century and 20th-century structures.
Bernardsville is also directly adjacent to several mountains and contains plenty of places to stretch your legs. Be sure to explore the New Jersey Audubon’s Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary, the Cross Estate Gardens, and the Michael J. Nervine Memorial Park.
Bernardsville
8. Brielle
A riverside town with Dutch connections
Ideal para: História, Foto
Brielle was founded as a primarily agrarian community before the American Revolutionary War. It later became popular with vacationers, leading to its official naming after a similar riverside town in the Netherlands.
Visitors can explore the scenic Manasquan River shoreline and Osborn Island, famously nicknamed “Treasure Island” by renowned author Robert Louis Stevenson, inspired by his popular book. For an exciting adventure, hop aboard a classic Mississippi riverboat replica and enjoy sightseeing paired with gourmet dining, fireworks, or even a thrilling murder mystery experience.
Brielle
9. Point Pleasant
Beach, boating, and more
Ideal para: Casais, Famílias, Foto
Point Pleasant is a great fit for travelers seeking the New Jersey beach scene without the crowds. The mile-long (1.6-km-long) boardwalk is filled with amusement park rides, restaurants, games, mini-golf, and arcades, meaning visitors of all ages can indulge in some nostalgic seaside fun.
Beyond the beach, you’ll find multiple museums, such as the Vintage Automobile Museum of New Jersey and the New Jersey Museum of Boating. See a show at Uncle Vinny’s Comedy Club, wander the waterside path in Riverfront Park, or visit the Beaver Dam Creek County Park for wetland walks, tennis courts, and a playground.
Point Pleasant
10. Spring Lake
Experiencing high society elegance at this Gilded Age retreat
Ideal para: História, Foto, Aventura
Spring Lake was a Gilded Age retreat around the turn of the 19th century. It was lauded by high-society individuals who would flock to the seaside town from hot and hectic New York City and Philadelphia. You can still see their historic homes today, such as the Martin Maloney Cottage and the Audenried Cottage.
Bathing is popular off the town’s shore, as are peaceful non-commercial boardwalk strolls. Spring Lake is also well known for hosting community events from colorful food festivals and art walks to fall family activities and a beautiful Christmas Train Village. You can always participate in the Spring Lake 5 Mile Run, too, arguably the most popular 5-mile (8-km) race in the USA.
Spring Lake
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