Ten Garden State destinations for a quick getaway from NYC.
Anthony Bourdain once said , “ To make love New Jersey is to screw 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 likefood at Asbury Parkandthings to do at the Jersey Shore , those who have pass any time in the state beyond the NJ Turnpike recognize that it ’s full of walkable small towns .
While many flock to New England for small town good luck charm , there are plenty of New Jersey locales that check the boxes for beautiful architecture and prime antiquing . We ’ve lash out up some sorcerous destinations with everything from historic main street to state - of - the - graphics cultural centers — and all of them are an easy getaway from NYC .
NJ Small Towns in the Gateway Region
Palisades Park
Distance from NYC : 14 milesSure , New York City has a vivacious Koreanenclave in Flushing , Queens , and Manhattan ’s Koreatown , but just over the span , 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 resident are of Korean origin . take the air along its primary street , Broad Avenue , for Korean food of all kinds like barbecue atSo Moon Nan Jipor naengmyeon noodles atSambong Noodles . Save room for pillowy Korean shave ice atCafe Mocha .
Get in some self upkeep atKing Spa & Sauna , a sprawling facility with 10 dissimilar kind of sauna rooms , a waiting area , and a dining domain with vegetarian - favorable Korean food for thought options . Of naturally , you could also just pass the day impose the many neighborhood workshop , which include Korean bookstoreKoryo Books and & Media Inc , wear dress shop KKI Trend , andKorean Red Ginseng , a wellness nutrient store that also sell the namesake root word . For an outdoor excursion , it ’s about a 5 - hour drive toOverpeck County Park , which includes a innovative sport building complex , equestrian shopping centre , walk trails , and a canoe and kayak launching .
Rutherford
Distance from NYC:13 milesJust a quick trip-up off , drop some sentence walk Rutherford ’s tree - canopy streets , many of which are lined with huge Victorian homes . The business district hub along Park Avenue is a short walk from the train post with restaurant likeRutherford Pancake HouseandSonoma Bistrofor breakfast / lunch , and the vegan bakerySweet Avenue Bake Shop . While this is a dry town , there are a few wine shops to snap up a bottle before dinner at one of the BYOB eating place likeCafé Matisse , a European - style topographic point with impressionistic paintings in a historic edifice . Also right business district isWilliams Center , a vintage theater built in the 1920s that ’s now a cultural center with programming like film screenings and drum circles .
Do n’t leave before visiting theMeadowlands Museum(open Saturdays ) for exhibits showcasing the area ’s geological chronicle , a pre - galvanising kitchen display , and the works of poet William Carlos Williams , a womb-to-tomb Rutherford resident . you’re able to also take a walk past his former house located at9 Ridge Road , though it ’s currently a private residence .
Millburn
space from NYC:20 milesMillburn ( also call Millburn - Short Hills ) has a very walkable business district filled with eatery and dress shop shops . From spring to descend , the Ithiel Town closes off Main Street for program like springy medicine performances . To catch a theatrical output before it possibly makes its way to Broadway , rule book slate for thePaper Mill Playhouse , a regional non - profit field that ’s been the debut venue for beloved musicals such as Les Misérables .
Millburn is also home to a moderately expectant universe of Asian descent , and the non-profit-making organizationMillburn Short Hills Chinese Associationorganizes issue throughout the twelvemonth such as the annual Millburn Lunar New Year Festival . Also a great hub for nature lovers , theCora Hartshorn Arboretum & Bird Sanctuaryis a family - favorable spot with almost 17 acres of woodlands and three naut mi of trails . For a long raise , the 2,100 - acreSouth Mountain Reservationhas five different trail , the longest being the 36 - air mile Lenape Trail , which have a scenic viewpoint and a falls . On your manner out , take a stop at theEssex County Turtle Back Zooor tour Thomas Edison ’s home and laboratory at theThomas Edison National Historic Park , both located in West Orange .
NJ Small Towns in the Skylands Region
Vernon
space from NYC : 52 milesFor an soft day slip , Vernon’sMountain Creekhas long given the township cred as an outside diversion seaport . The expansive resort hotel , which wall the rusticRed Tail Lodge , is primarily recognize as a snow sports hub , but there are other activities to be love in warmer months , such asziplining , amountain bike parkwith trails for various skill levels , and awaterparkduring summer season .
Not far from the resort , additional outdoorsy activity let in theTreEscape Aerial Adventure Parks Ropes Course , where you may take on a rope course richly above in the tree . If hiking is more your speed , Wawayanda State Parkhas over 60 miles of trail , include the 7.3 - international mile Stairway to Heaven trek , which runs along the Appalachian trail and takes you to a panoramic view .
The nearbySterling Hill Mining Museumis deserving a sojourn . The last working mine in New Jersey before it closed in 1986 ( and the fourthly oldest mine in the nation ) , the site ’s highlights admit the trippy fluorescent Rainbow Tunnel , an belowground lake , and a gift shop class . tour of duty are on Saturdays and Sundays only at 1 pm .
Lambertville, NJ|EQRoy/Shutterstock
Frenchtown
Distance from NYC : 64 milesSituated along the bank of the Delaware River , Frenchtown is worth a visit for the shopping alone . The charming downtown is line with Victorian computer architecture brim with boutique , gallery , and eating house .
you could easily expend an integral day perusing eclectic shop class like theSunbeam General Storefor everything from topically made jamming and condiment to toys and biz — there ’s even a dedicated assortment of Bigfoot product , including ornaments , stumper and play placard . Music lovers will require to check outRock Art Revivalfor vinyls and post horse andFrenchtown Potteryis a must - hold on for its hand-crafted ceramic , jewellery , and candles .
Get a bite to eat at theFrenchtown Cafe , a cozy juncture that sources from local farms . Of course , you ca n’t pass on townsfolk without some humble batch handmade frappe emollient atSandy ’s Scoopsfor favorites like Honey Strawberry . For sweets for the road , LibbyBeansis a small artisanal candy shop class offer housemade confections and old - schooltime treats .
So Moon Nan Jip in Palisades Park, NJ|Photo by Michelle Harris for Thrillist
Clinton
Distance from NYC : 53 milesArguably 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 porch are the norm .
The main attraction here is theRed Mill Museum Village , the site of a 19th - century era grist milling machinery on the money box of the Raritan River ( also , plainly one of the top photographed internet site in the land ) . Tour the mill on weekend and explore exhibits detailing the field ’s farming and industrial story and a historical village with a school , blacksmith shop , and carriage shed . The museum also host year - roundeventslike its pop Haunted Red Mill around Halloween . Grab fresh baked treats and a spot on the patio atThe Stone Bean at Riverside Coffee and Tea , which overlooks the river and is prime for experience a snapshot of the Red Mill . There ’s also a variety of nearby artisan shops likeKilhaney ’s PicklesandKaren ’s Dollhouse Shop , a hobby shop with handcrafted miniatures , piece of furniture , and doll’s house .
Lambertville
space from NYC : 68 milesJust next door to New Hope , Pennsylvania , Lambertville , found in 1705 , is an artist ’s haven with art gallery , shops , and historic building . The town also happens to be an antiquer ’s paradise — every Wednesday , Saturday , and Sunday , there ’s a hugeoutdoor and indoor flea market place , in accession toThe People ’s Store , a three - tarradiddle antique shop with over 40 dealers .
Another intellect to visit ? Lambertville is rated one of thetop LGBTQIA+ well-disposed town in New Jersey . Home to a big LGBTQIA+ community , you ’ll line up the rainbow fleur-de-lis display at many organization . For some caffeine , Union Coffeeis an LGBTQIA+-owned hybrid coffee shop and retail store that hosts events . Grab a proper meal of tappa atUnder the Moon Cafeand for waterfront views , Lambertville Station Restaurant & Innis a historic locale inside a restore nineteenth C train depot with o.k. dining and lodging .
Of course , you ca n’t impose the area without taking a scenic saunter along the Delaware River . The pedestrian - friendlyNew Hope - Lambertville Bridgeconnects you toDelaware Canal State Parkin New Hope , which has a 60 - mile towing path way of life that runs along the Delaware .
Photo by Jeremy Daniel, courtesy of Paper Mill Playhouse
NJ Small Towns in the Shore Region
Red Bank
space from NYC : 49 milesSet along the Navesink River , Red Bank ’s buzzy downtown is better known for its vibrant arts and culture scene . A must - stop includes theCount Basie Center for the Arts , bring up after malarky musicianWilliam James “ Count ” Basie , who was born here in 1904 . Originally opened in 1926 as a vaudeville theatre and movie theatre , the historical venue hosts a chain of mountains of issue , including flick covering , concerts , and funniness deed . Other historic sites include theT. Thomas Fortune Cultural Center , where civil rights drawing card and founder of the Black newspaper , The New York Age , resided in the early 1900s . Tourthe home , which is undetermined to the public on weekends .
If you plan to make a weekend of it , theMolly Pitcher Innis within walking distance of downtown . While in townspeople , sip some craftiness beer at kin - ownedRed Tank Brewing Companyor grab a bite while supporting a adept cause atJBJ Soul Kitchen , a non - profit residential area restaurant co - founded by Jersey boy Jon Bon Jovi and married woman Dorothea Hurley .
Tuckerton
Distance from NYC : 100 milesFor a muted weekend getaway , Tuckerton is a marine settlement located along Tuckerton Creek that ’s just a 15 - instant drive fromLong Beach Island .
Though visitor incline to hit up Jersey ’s shore towns in the summer , Tuckerton is great every time of year . The main attraction isTuckerton Seaport , a nautical museum and village capable year - round with exhibits on the area ’s maritime history and plenty of hands - on activities like woodcarving workshops ; clam lessons atParson ’s Clam House ; and a chance to climb Tucker ’s Island Lighthouse , a replica of the original ( which fell into the ocean in 1927 ) . Do n’t vamoose theNew Jersey Surf Museum , where there are over 50 surfboards on display along stories of local surfers highlighting the state ’s surfing story . Grab a sharpness atDockside Cafe , a popular breakfast and lunch slur situated flop alongside the creek .
NJ Small Towns in the Greater Atlantic City Region
Smithville
Distance from NYC : 111 milesJust a little drive from Atlantic City , Historic Smithvilleis definitely a blast to the past . The darling township got its scratch line in1952 when local dyad Fred and Ethel Noyes bought an abandoned stage shop and several acres of land . They soon openedThe Smithville Innon the property , which became a popular restaurant and hang out spot for locals and visitant . To this 24-hour interval , the lakefront eating place is still a go - to dining area that serves traditional yet forward-looking culinary art in an elegant context .
Smithville has since develop into a category - friendly goal where you’re able to saunter cobble walkways filled with shops and restaurants . With over 50 shops — or , “ shoppes ” as the topical anaesthetic write it — head toFeather Your Nestfor whimsical home decor and women ’s appurtenance , or get hand-crafted easy lay atL.E.H. Soap , a local brand that specialize in natural soaps and skincare products . For the fiddling ones , Toy Markethas games and puzzles . There are also monthlyeventsto keep you harbour , let in Oktoberfest and an Art Walk ( so be after your tripper consequently ) .
Lambertville, NJ|EQRoy/Shutterstock
Red Bank, NJ|Photo by Michael Colarusso, courtesy of Monmouth County Tourism
Tuckerton Seaport|Andrew F. Kazmierski/Shutterstock
