New Jersey’s Small Towns Are Bursting with Big Personality

Anthony Bourdain once said, “To know New Jersey is to love her.” The late celebrity chef, who was born in New York City but grew up in New Jersey, was definitely onto something. Along with famous draws like food at Asbury Park and things to do at the Jersey Shore, those who have spent any time in the state beyond the NJ Turnpike know that it’s full of walkable small towns.

While many flock to New England for small town charm, there are plenty of New Jersey locales that check the boxes for beautiful architecture and prime antiquing. We’ve rounded up some charming destinations with everything from historic main streets to state-of-the-art cultural centers—and all of them are an easy getaway from NYC.

Distance from NYC: 14 miles
Sure, New York City has a vibrant Korean enclave in Flushing, Queens, and Manhattan’s Koreatown, but just over the bridge, Palisades Park has its own thing going on. Home to one of the most densely populated Korean American neighborhoods in the U.S., over fifty percent of Palisades Park residents are of Korean descent. Walk along its main street, Broad Avenue, for Korean food of all kinds like barbecue at So Moon Nan Jip or naengmyeon noodles at Sambong Noodles. Save room for pillowy Korean shaved ice at Cafe Mocha.

Get in some self care at King Spa & Sauna, a sprawling facility with 10 different kinds of sauna rooms, a lounge, and a dining area with vegetarian-friendly Korean food options. Of course, you could also just spend the day visiting the many neighborhood shops, which includes Korean bookstore Koryo Books and & Media Inc, clothing boutique KKI Trend, and Korean Red Ginseng, a health food store that also sells the namesake root. For an outdoor excursion, it’s about a 5-minute drive to Overpeck County Park, which includes a modern sports complex, equestrian center, walking trails, and a canoe and kayak launch.

Distance from NYC: 13 miles
Just a quick trip away, spend some time walking Rutherford's tree-canopied streets, many of which are lined with huge Victorian homes. The downtown hub along Park Avenue is a short walk from the train station with eateries like Rutherford Pancake House and Sonoma Bistro for breakfast/lunch, and the vegan bakery Sweet Avenue Bake Shop. While this is a dry town, there are a few wine shops to grab a bottle before dinner at one of the BYOB restaurants like Café Matisse, a European-style spot with Impressionist paintings in a historic building. Also right downtown is Williams Center, a vintage theater built in the 1920s that’s now a cultural center with programming like film screenings and drum circles.

Don’t leave before visiting the Meadowlands Museum (open Saturdays) for exhibits showcasing the area’s geological history, a pre-electric kitchen display, and the works of poet William Carlos Williams, a lifelong Rutherford resident. You can also take a walk past his old house located at 9 Ridge Road, though it’s currently a private residence.

Distance from NYC: 20 miles
Millburn (also called Millburn-Short Hills) has a very walkable downtown filled with restaurants and boutique shops. From spring to fall, the town closes off Main Street for programming like live music performances. To catch a theatrical production before it possibly makes its way to Broadway, book tickets for the Paper Mill Playhouse, a regional non-profit theater that’s been the debut venue for beloved musicals such as Les Misérables.

Millburn is also home to a fairly large population of Asian descent, and the nonprofit organization Millburn Short Hills Chinese Association organizes events throughout the year such as the annual Millburn Lunar New Year Festival. Also a great hub for nature lovers, the Cora Hartshorn Arboretum & Bird Sanctuary is a family-friendly spot with almost 17 acres of woodlands and three miles of trails. For a longer hike, the 2,100-acre South Mountain Reservation has five different trails, the longest being the 36-mile Lenape Trail, which features a scenic viewpoint and a waterfall. On your way out, consider a stop at the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo or tour Thomas Edison’s home and laboratory at the Thomas Edison National Historic Park, both located in West Orange.

Distance from NYC: 52 miles
For an easy day trip, Vernon’s Mountain Creek has long given the town cred as an outdoor recreation haven. The expansive resort, which surrounds the rustic Red Tail Lodge, is primarily known as a snow sports hub, but there are other activities to be enjoyed in warmer months, such as ziplining, a mountain bike park with trails for various skill levels, and a waterpark during summer season.

Not far from the resort, additional outdoorsy activities include the TreEscape Aerial Adventure Parks Ropes Course, where you can tackle a rope course high above in the trees. If hiking is more your speed, Wawayanda State Park has over 60 miles of trails, including the 7.3-mile Stairway to Heaven trek, which runs along the Appalachian trail and takes you to a panoramic view.

The nearby Sterling Hill Mining Museum is worth a visit. The last working mine in New Jersey before it closed in 1986 (and the fourth oldest mine in the country), the site’s highlights include the trippy fluorescent Rainbow Tunnel, an underground lake, and a gift shop. Tours are on Saturdays and Sundays only at 1 pm.

Distance from NYC: 64 miles
Situated along the banks of the Delaware River, Frenchtown is worth a visit for the shopping alone. The charming downtown is lined with Victorian architecture brimming with boutiques, galleries, and eateries.

You can easily spend an entire day perusing eclectic shops like the Sunbeam General Store for everything from locally made jams and condiments to toys and games—there’s even a dedicated assortment of Bigfoot merchandise, including ornaments, stickers and playing cards. Music lovers will want to check out Rock Art Revival for vinyls and posters and Frenchtown Pottery is a must-stop for its handmade ceramics, jewelry, and candles.

Get a bite to eat at the Frenchtown Cafe, a cozy joint that sources from local farms. Of course, you can’t leave town without some small batch handmade ice cream at Sandy’s Scoops for favorites like Honey Strawberry. For sweets for the road, LibbyBeans is a small artisanal candy shop offering housemade confections and old-school treats.

Distance from NYC: 53 miles
Arguably one of most picturesque destinations in the state, the Clinton Historic District comprises most of the town, where quaint storefronts and Victorian homes with wraparound porches are the norm.

The main attraction here is the Red Mill Museum Village, the site of a 19th-century era grist mill on the banks of the Raritan River (also, apparently one of the top photographed sites in the state). Tour the mill on weekends and explore exhibits detailing the area’s agricultural and industrial history and a historical village with a schoolhouse, blacksmith shop, and carriage shed. The museum also hosts year-round events like its popular Haunted Red Mill around Halloween. Grab fresh baked treats and a spot on the patio at The Stone Bean at Riverside Coffee and Tea, which overlooks the river and is prime for getting a snapshot of the Red Mill. There's also a variety of nearby artisan shops like Kilhaney’s Pickles and Karen’s Dollhouse Shop, a hobby shop with handcrafted miniatures, furniture, and dollhouses.

Distance from NYC: 68 miles
Just next door to New Hope, Pennsylvania, Lambertville, founded in 1705, is an artist’s haven with galleries, shops, and historic buildings. The town also happens to be an antiquer’s paradise—every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, there’s a huge outdoor and indoor flea market, in addition to The People’s Store, a three-story antique shop with over 40 dealers.

Another reason to visit? Lambertville is rated one of the top LGBTQIA+ friendly towns in New Jersey. Home to a large LGBTQIA+ community, you’ll find the rainbow flag displayed at many establishments. For some caffeine, Union Coffee is an LGBTQIA+-owned hybrid cafe and retail shop that hosts events. Grab a proper meal of tapas at Under the Moon Cafe and for waterfront views, Lambertville Station Restaurant & Inn is a historic venue inside a restored 19th century train depot with fine dining and lodging.

Of course, you can’t visit the area without taking a scenic stroll along the Delaware River. The pedestrian-friendly New Hope-Lambertville Bridge connects you to Delaware Canal State Park in New Hope, which has a 60-mile towpath path that runs along the Delaware.

Distance from NYC: 49 miles
Set along the Navesink River, Red Bank’s buzzy downtown is best known for its vibrant arts and culture scene. A must-stop includes the Count Basie Center for the Arts, named after jazz musician William James “Count” Basie, who was born here in 1904. Originally opened in 1926 as a vaudeville theater and cinema, the historical venue hosts a range of events, including movie screenings, concerts, and comedy acts. Other historical sites include the T. Thomas Fortune Cultural Center, where civil rights leader and founder of the Black newspaper, The New York Age, resided in the early 1900s. Tour the home, which is open to the public on weekends.

If you plan to make a weekend of it, the Molly Pitcher Inn is within walking distance of downtown. While in town, sip some craft beers at family-owned Red Tank Brewing Company or grab a bite while supporting a good cause at JBJ Soul Kitchen, a non-profit community restaurant co-founded by Jersey boy Jon Bon Jovi and wife Dorothea Hurley.

Distance from NYC: 100 miles
For a quiet weekend getaway, Tuckerton is a maritime village located along Tuckerton Creek that’s just a 15-minute drive from Long Beach Island.

Though visitors tend to hit up Jersey’s shore towns in the summer, Tuckerton is great every season. The main attraction is Tuckerton Seaport, a maritime museum and village open year-round with exhibits on the region’s maritime history and plenty of hands-on activities like woodcarving workshops; clamming lessons at Parson’s Clam House; and a chance to climb Tucker’s Island Lighthouse, a replica of the original (which fell into the ocean in 1927). Don’t skip the New Jersey Surf Museum, where there are over 50 surfboards on display along stories of local surfers highlighting the state’s surfing history. Grab a bite at Dockside Cafe, a popular breakfast and lunch spot situated right alongside the creek.

Distance from NYC: 111 miles
Just a short drive from Atlantic City, Historic Smithville is definitely a blast to the past. The beloved town got its start in1952 when local couple Fred and Ethel Noyes bought an abandoned stagecoach shop and several acres of land. They soon opened The Smithville Inn on the property, which became a popular eatery and hang out spot for locals and visitors. To this day, the lakefront restaurant is still a go-to dining area that serves traditional yet modern cuisine in an elegant setting.

Smithville has since grown into a family-friendly destination where you can stroll cobblestone walkways filled with shops and restaurants. With over 50 shops—or, “shoppes” as the locals spell it—head to Feather Your Nest for whimsical home decor and women’s accessories, or get handmade soap at L.E.H. Soap, a local brand that specializes in natural soaps and skincare products. For the little ones, Toy Market has games and puzzles. There are also monthly events to keep you entertained, including Oktoberfest and an Art Walk (so plan your trip accordingly).

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