15 Must-Visit Small Towns in New Jersey

If you’re driving on the fast-paced New Jersey Turnpike, you may look at the passing miles of dark asphalt and wonder how the state got its nickname, The Garden State. While the state certainly has its share of highways and big cities, such as Newark and Jersey City, there are also plenty of charming little villages and towns. If you’re planning a trip in the near future to this state, check out the 15 must-visit small towns in New Jersey.

1. Lambertville

This quaint small town is situated right along the Delaware River, providing striking views in all four seasons. Lambertville is also home to some stunning historic architecture, charming antique shops, great little boutiques, and wonderful dining venues. One of its interesting features is the bridge that connects New Hope, PA, to New Jersey, allowing you to be in two states at the same time.

Population: 4,149

Things to Do in Lambertville:

• Visit the James Wilson Marshall House Museum.
• There are bounteous antique shops and boutiques in what has been called the “Antique capital of New Jersey.”
• Eat at the Lambertville Station Inn, a restored-train-station-turned-dining-venue from the 19th century.
• Go hiking or biking along the Delaware Canal Towpath.

2. Spring Lake

Located along the Jersey Shore, this town boasts amazing views. If you’re looking for a seaside vacation, this quaint little town is worth checking out. There are winsome bed and breakfasts to snuggle in for the night, some great art galleries to peruse during the day, and a charming downtown area for some excellent boutique shopping. This is the perfect destination for finding a multitude of fun things to do or just to relax and enjoy some enthralling views.

Population: 2,796

Things to Do in Spring Lake:

• Take the Jersey Shore Original Brew Tour.
• Visit the amazing Washington Avenue Beach.
• Take a walk on the beautiful Spring Lake Boardwalk.
• Step inside the opulent St. Catherine Catholic Church, and take a walk around the nearby lake.
• Rent an electric bike and take a bike tour through the town.

3. Frenchtown

Tucked away on the Delaware River, Frenchtown is a great getaway destination for art lovers. This town has plenty of flea markets, art galleries, and vintage shops and boutiques. Besides its vibrant arts scene, there are numerous activities to suit the outdoorsy set as well. Its prime location near the Delaware and Raritan Canal Park provides a 70-mile path along the historic canal for walking, hiking, or cycling while the canal holds great opportunities for kayaking.

Population: 1,377

Things to Do in Frenchtown:

• Visit one of the town’s many art galleries, art exhibits, or arts educational programs.
• Take in the sights from the Uhlerstown-Frenchtown Bridge.
• Get some fresh air in Frenchtown Park.
• Breathe in the smell of new and old books in one of the charming bookshops.
• Get your groove on at the Frenchtown Roller Rink.

4. Clinton

If you’re a history hound, then this is definitely a must-visit New Jersey town for you. Clinton is an area with a rich history in both industry and agriculture. The interactive displays throughout the town along with two Revolutionary War battle sites are great ways to explore the town’s history. In addition to the historical attractions, Clinton has great hiking, dining, and shopping venues.

Population: 2,779

Things to Do in Clinton:

• Take a stroll in the Clinton Historic District, a 175-acre area that was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.
• Enjoy the art in the Hunterdon Art Museum.
• Visit the Red Mill Museum Village, where the 1810 Red Mill sits alongside the South Branch Raritan River.
• Get some fresh air and fun at the Spruce Run Recreation Area.

5. Red Bank

People love visiting Red Bank because of its hip, urban vibe pulsing throughout this walkable suburban-feeling community. While visiting, you’ll have the option of engaging in local nightlife and shopping in the main commercial thoroughfares or visiting the historical sights and enjoying the views of the river in Red Bank from Riverside Gardens Park. You’ll find so much to see and do when visiting Red Bank, one of the top must-visit small towns in New Jersey.

Population: 12,920

Things to Do in Red Bank:

• Walk around the Chetkin Gallery and take in the art.
• Explore the ornate beauty of St. James Church.
• Have fun looking through comic books in Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash.
• Take a musical step back in time at Jack’s Record Shoppe.
• Spend some time in one of the fine arts or antique shops.

6. Cranbury

This New Jersey small town was a mill town developed along an old Native American trail in the 1600s, making it one of the state’s oldest towns. It received a National Historic District designation in 1980 for its illustrious past. This town’s mix of history with its new businesses gives it an eclectic and interesting atmosphere for people of all delectations.

Population: 4,012

Things to Do in Cranbury:

• Take a tour of the historic cemeteries and churches, like the United Methodist Church from 1848.
• Go hiking or birdwatching on one of the trails of the pristine Plainsboro Preserve.
• Wander through the Cranbury Museum and enjoy its treasures.
• Enjoy some entertainment and good food at the Riddlesbrood Dinner Theater.

7. Chester

A history-filled borough, Chester, NJ, is an ideal mix of scenic historic sites and contemporary amenities. In the town’s more than 50 discrete business locations, you can find boutiques, restaurants, jewelers, and any other kind of shop that piques your interest. There are shops and stores housed in historical architecture and plenty of contemporary shopping areas as well.

Population: 1,672

Things to Do in Chester:

• Visit the Cooper Gristmill — one of the last remaining water-powered mills in NJ — that has been restored and produces flour to this day.
• Stroll along the 130 acres of picturesque farmland in the Willowwood Arboretum with its 3,500 different native species and exotic plants.
• Take a tour of one of Chester’s existing farms and experience their pastoral charms through events and activities, like the Harvest Moon Hayrides at Alstede Farms.
• Stay and dine in the Publick House Hotel — a historic public house and stagecoach stop from 1810 that has maintained the original architecture.

8. Highlands

The picturesque little town of Highlands is a travel destination that has it all. It’s located on the shores of the sparkling blue Atlantic Ocean with charming houses and architecture inland. It’s a small area — just 1.39 square miles to be exact — but it packs a lot of fun and adventure into that compact space.

Population: 4,636

Things to Do in Highlands:

• Visit one of the amazing cafés or bakeries for an afternoon treat.
• Dine in one of the restaurants for fresh seafood and a stunning waterfront view.
• Enjoy nature in the Hartshorne Woods Park or Sandy Hook Gateway National Recreation Area.
• Try one of the area’s whale-watching tours.
• Spend a blissful day at Sandy Hook Beach.

9. Andover

Andover, founded back in 1904, is a charming little town nestled in the rural county of Sussex. It’s home to one of the biggest flea market/antique dealer venues around. The Scranberry Coop is 10,000 square feet of antique dealers and displays under one roof. And, yes, there are places to dine, visit, and shop in addition to this antique mecca.

Population: 598

Things to Do in Andover:

• Walk up and down Main Street and take in the historic buildings with a variety of shops housed within them.
• Check out the Addison Gallery of American Art with its world-class art collections and exhibits.
• Take a stroll or hike through the Ward Reservation or the Bay Circuit Trail.
• Get into a canoe or kayak, and spend some time on Pomps Pond.
• Play a round of golf at the Andover Country Club.

10. Cape May

A seaside resort town, Cape May provides one of New Jersey’s best stretches of boardwalks and beaches in this quaint little town. Historians will enjoy visiting the almost 600 Victorian buildings that have been carefully preserved through the centuries. There are also wineries, top-notch birdwatching areas, and lovely little bed and breakfasts for all manner of tastes.

Population: 2,831

Things to Do in Cape May:

• Visit one of the beautiful beaches and spend the day swimming and soaking up the sun.
• Climb the 199 original cast iron spiraling steps up to the 1859 Cape May Lighthouse to capture a spectacular view of the Atlantic Ocean.
• Ride on a trolley to take a historic district tour.
• Join a guided tour through the 1879 Physick House Museum.
• Take a Cape May Island Sunset Cruise.

11. West Cape May

The more colorful side of Cape May, West Cape May is home to lovely buildings, many of which are painted in vibrant colors. Lush greenery and brilliant flowers decorate many of their exteriors. If you schedule your trip just right, you may be able to experience one of the town’s several agricultural festivals, such as the Strawberry or the Lima Bean Festival.

Population: 995

Things to Do in West Cape May:

• Stay, visit, and dine at the Beach Plum Farm, where you can enjoy a farm-to-table meal.
• Spend outdoor time in Wilbrahan Park.
• Rent a bike and ride around the area to see the sights.
• Board a ship to take a whale and dolphin-watching cruise.

12. Ocean Grove

This lovely little seaside treasure is one square mile of tree-lined streets filled with gingerbread cottages, incredible beaches, a boardwalk, and green parks. Ocean Grove is an ideal place to spend some quiet time or quality time with the family or to just get away from the stress and strains of city life. However, Ocean Grove is a dry town, meaning you can’t buy liquor anywhere (though you can drink what you bring), so it’s not for every taste.

Population: 3,151

Things to Do in Ocean Grove:

• Lie on the beach that was voted one of the top 15 beaches in the world.
• Saunter along the gorgeous streets as you take in the beautiful Victorian cottages.
• Explore the history of the town by visiting the living history museum, Centennial Cottage.
• Window shop the unique stores along Main Avenue.
• Dine in one of the cafés or restaurants.

13. Stone Harbor

Encompassing the southern part of the Seven Mile Beach stretch, you can see the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Intercoastal Waterway — the Bay — to the west in Stone Harbor. The town is actually 1 mile closer to the ocean than many of the other Jersey Shore towns with several points of access to the beach. Stone Harbor is a pretty little town with a lot to offer.

Population: 787

Things to Do in Stone Harbor:

• Take any of the numerous paths to the beach and spend a day by the water.
• Visit the Wetlands Institute to explore the exhibits, take a guided beach hike, or tour the marsh.
• Hop into the Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary and spend time with a variety of waterfowl and native birds.
• Stroll along the picturesque shopping district and check out the shops and eateries.

14. Allentown

Visiting Allentown is like stepping back in history. This small town has incredibly preserved historic buildings that date back as far as the 1880s. The architecture is spectacular, the town has a true retro vibe, and there are businesses still running today that you may have presumed defunct.

Population: 1,736

Things to Do in Allentown:

• Have a cup of coffee in The Moth Coffeehouse, a perfectly preserved building that was once the site of an 1855 grain mill.
• Look around the Ashford Estate, an elegant mansion that now serves as a beautiful wedding venue.
• Spend the day strolling through The Old Mill, a living history area.
• Explore the Bent Creek Game Farm, a nature and wildlife area.
• Spend some time exploring the unique shops, like Earth Goddess and The One-Eyed Turtle.

15. Avon-by-the-Sea

A quintessential charming seaside town, Avon-by-the-Sea has a delightful boardwalk, cozy inns, and winsome businesses for anyone wanting a relaxing getaway. The beach is simply amazing. Even if you’re not a surfer or swimmer, you can simply lie on the beach drinking in the breathtaking ocean views.

Population: 1,912

Things to Do in Avon-by-the-Sea:

• Walk along the boardwalk as you enjoy the ocean views.
• Eat at one of the local bistros, cafés, or restaurants.
• Visit The Columns, where live music and great food are served in a former Victorian mansion.
• Relax on beautiful Belmar Beach.
• Have a drink in one of the breezy Jersey Shore bars.
• Charter a boat and scuba dive.

Summary Table of 15 Must-Visit Small Towns in New Jersey