8 Surprising New Jersey Weekend Getaways

Head all the way south until you hit the state’s final curve and all you’ll see is blue signaling that you’ve arrived at Exit Zero, Cape May (in fact, to keep going, you need to take the Cape May Ferry across the Delaware Bay). Cape May is the country’s oldest seaside resort, dating back to the early 1800s. However, it’s much more than just a beach destination, although the soft sand here is some of the most impressive on the coast.

The 19^th century Victorian architecture lends the town – all of which is protected as a US National Historical Site – an air of genteel sophistication. You’ll want to make sure you tour the cobblestone and gaslit streets to see the peacock feather-toned homes called Painted Ladies, with their swirling gingerbread trim and wide rocking-chair strew porches. Cape May MAC (Museums + Arts + Culture) conducts both walking and trolley tours of the area.

California has Venice Beach, and New York City has the Rockaways, but New Jersey’s hipster beach town, Asbury Park, out-cools them all with a boardwalk filled with alt-shops, indie dining spots, and colorful creative murals that line the vintage boardwalk.

It’s hard to beat the musical bona fides here: this is where Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band got their start a the legendary Stone Pony, which is still going strong. You can also catch live acts (and a bite to eat) at Asbury Lanes or outdoors as part of the Summer Stage series. Grab a drink at the Wonder Bar, another Asbury Park classic hangout, or play pinball on the vintage machines at the Silverball Museum.

Nestled on the banks of the Delaware River, Lambertville is a historic town dotted with romantic inns and filled with antique and vintage shops. This is prime leaf-peeping country, so expect crowds if you visit in the autumn when the magenta, gold, and copper leaves are at their peak. However, nearby is the glorious Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve, filled with flowers that bloom throughout the spring and summer.

Across the river is New Hope, Lambertville’s sister city in Pennsylvania, chock full of swanky art galleries and boutiques nestled next to shops geared toward mystics and motorcycle riders – basically something for everyone. Grab a bite with a river view at The Deck Restaurant & Bar located behind the famous Bucks County Playhouse, on the patio at The Landing Restaurant, or at celebrity chef Jose Garces’ Stella.

Princeton is often synonymous with its historic ivy-draped university, but there’s more to the charming town than just the storied school – although the former stomping grounds of Albert Einstein are definitely worth a visit as well, especially the collections at the Princeton University Art Museum.

You can spend full days strolling and dining, especially around leafy Palmer Square adjacent to the university. Follow the red brick sidewalks to the Bent Spoon for some of the best ice cream in the state or tuck into modern Mediterranean cuisine at Mediterra before picking up one-of-a-kind jewelry, kitchen wares, books, and clothing at the shops that line the lively square.

A magnet for history buffs, Morristown is where George Washington established both his Revolutionary War headquarters and Fort Nonsense, both of which can be visited today.

Even if you’re not a history lover, there’s plenty to do in bustling downtown Morristown. Around the central green are a number of destination dining options, including the award-winning Jockey Hollow Bar and Kitchen. Live theater productions and star-powered concerts are held at the MAYO theater.

New Jersey’s ski mountain resort town, Vernon, offers 1,000 vertical feet of winter slopes at Mountain Creek across four different peaks traversed by trails and gondolas – plus a snow tubing park, so even the littlest snow lovers can join in on the winter fun.

The slopes aren’t just popular in the winter, though. In sunnier seasons, the mountain transforms into green getaway with downhill mountain biking trails and a waterpark that utilizes the hills for particularly zippy waterslides. Speaking of zippy, there’s a treetop zipline as well.

Outside the mountain resort, there’s plenty of other greenery, including several golf courses and hiking trails that include large swaths of the famed Appalachian Trail.

Here’s an insider tip that New Jerseyans love to share: The best views of New York City are actually from across the Hudson River in Jersey. In fact, from the arts and entertainment hub of Hoboken, you’ll have stellar views from the Statue of Liberty straight up to the lights of Times Square. Outdoor dining at upscale spots like Blue Eyes (named for Hoboken’s favorite son, Frank Sinatra) or super trendy The Ainsworth allow you to enjoy dinner with a view.

Hoboken in also a magnet for creative arts, with many musicians, artists, and actors calling the city home. You can catch performances year round at local clubs and galleries, or at outdoor venues like Pier A Park, or plan a visit for the twice annual Hoboken Arts and Music Festival held in the spring and fall.

Another New Jersey surprise for nature lovers is the scenic beauty of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, the body of water separating New Jersey and Pennsylvania (interestingly, despite its name, it’s nowhere near Delaware).

Base your explorations in Blairstown, a charming small town with a historic mill at its center. From here you can reach waterfalls, tubing, canoeing, fishing, and swimming locations.

Plan a hike in Worthington State Forest. The trail leads uphill to a fantastic overlook of the “Gap,” the break in the Kittatinny Mountains that was carved by the Delaware River with great views surrounding area and Mount Minsi.