Need a quick escape from your daily routine? New Jersey’s packed with beaches, small towns, and hidden gems that make for the perfect day-long adventure.
If you are in a hurry, I recommend:
Unique Day Trips in New Jersey:
1. Morristown National Historical Park
Morristown National Historical Park was the United States' first National Historical Park at its founding in 1933.
The 1,676-acre park protects a number of sites related to the American Revolutionary War, including General George Washington's Headquarters at Ford Mansion, which is known as the site of the Revolutionary War's "hard winter." Washington's Headquarters Museum showcases three exhibit rooms and showings of the documentary film Morristown: Where America Survived.
Fort Nonsense overlooks Morristown's landscape atop a hilltop overlook, while Jockey Hollow preserves the site of a former Continental Army encampment.
More than 24 miles of hiking trails are also offered, along with the preserved New Jersey Brigade Encampment Site, which was used by large populations of soldiers throughout the winter of 1779-1780.
Morristown National Historical Park, 30 Washington Pl, Morristown, NJ 07960, Phone: 973-543-1949
2. Beyond the Plate Food Tours
Beyond the Plate Food Tours provides visitors to New Jersey a unique and delicious way to delve into the foodie culture of a variety of New Jersey destinations including Jersey City, Somerville and Red Bank.
Your guided walking tour of each destination’s hottest and most iconic restaurants and bars include stops at several tasting locations, a few drinks, and the chance to chat to the chefs, owners, bakers, brewers or wine-makers.
Food tours offer a unique way to gain an insight into a town’s foodie scene, taste some regional specialties, and to seek out the best establishments to return to during the remainder of your visit. Beyond the Plate Food Tours , Phone: 551-233-9553
3. Barnegat Lighthouse State Park
Barnegat Lighthouse State Park is a lovely 32-acre park on Long Beach Island's northern edge, preserving the historic lighthouse of the same name, which was once known as one of the most important navigational aids for ships entering New York Harbor.
The picturesque lighthouse was originally lit in 1859 and operated until 1927.
In 2009, it was relit by the Friends of Barnegat Lighthouse nonprofit organization. Visitors can scale the lighthouse's 217 steps daily throughout the summer months for stunning views of Long Beach Island, Island Beach, and Barnegat Bay.
For visitors looking to avoid the trek, the park's adjacent Interpretive Center showcases live image transmissions of panoramas at the top. Fishing, birdwatching, and picnicking are also popular throughout the park, which is home to a half-mile self-guided loop nature trail.
Barnegat Lighthouse State Park, 208 Broadway, Barnegat Light, New Jersey 08006, Phone: 609-494-2016
4. Cape May
Cape May is one of New Jersey's most popular seaside resort areas. The city is known for its stunning Victorian-era houses, which are all designated within the Cape May Historic District, making the entire city a National Historic Landmark.
Stunning historic houses include the Emlen Physick Estate, which is operated as a living history museum.
The Cape May Lighthouse and the World War II Lookout Tower are also operated as living history sites, overseen by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts and Humanities.
Visitors can enjoy excellent opportunities for birdwatching on the city's beaches, view dolphins and whales aboard year-round cruises, or view stunning "Cape May diamonds" clear quartz pebbles at sites like Sunset Beach. Charming shops and restaurants line the Washington Street Mall pedestrian mall area and city boardwalk. Cape May Map
Romantic Day Trips in New Jersey:
5. Cheesequake State Park
Cheesequake State Park is a gorgeous 1,610-acre state park located within the city of Old Bridge, originally established in 1937.
The unique park is noted for its diverse ecosystems, which lie at a transitional zone between unique state habitats like saltwater and freshwater marshes, tidal estuaries, white cedar swamps, and northeastern hardwood forest.
Visitors can fish for trout, catfish, sunfish, and largemouth bass on the six-acre Hooks Creek Lake, which also offers opportunities for crabbing. Boating, canoeing, and swimming are permitted throughout the summer months, with lifeguards staffed on duty between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Five marked hiking and mountain biking trails meander through the region's forest and marshland areas, while an interpretive center offers exhibits on the region's unique ecology. Throughout the winter months, visitors can enjoy opportunities for cross-country skiing, sledding, and snowshoeing.
Cheesequake State Park, 300 Gordon Rd, Matawan, NJ 07747, Phone: 732-566-2161
6. Clinton
Clinton is a picturesque village in Hunterdon County, located along the banks of the Raritan River's southern branch.
The lovely town has been featured in many feature films and television series, noted for its historic attractions, including the 10-acre Red Mill Museum Village, which was constructed in 1810 and has been featured on the series Ghost Hunters for its purported haunting.
Visitors can explore the museum's living history exhibits, which include a replica quarry building, schoolhouse, and log cabin, or attend its annual Red Mill Haunted Village Halloween celebration.
Across the river at the Stone Mill, the Hunterdon Historical Museum showcases a collection of more than 40,000 historic artifacts related to the city's history.
The Hunterdon Art Museum showcases contemporary art and craft works in an 1836 mill building. Nearby, the city's downtown district is lined with lovely art galleries, cafes, and boutiques. Clinton Map
7. Columbia
Columbia is a lovely town in Knowlton Township, located on the eastern edge of the Delaware River.
The community is known for its environmental conservation efforts, including the preservation of the Columbia Wildlife Management Area, which protects stream and forest habitats and offers opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, fishing, hiking, and wildlife watching along the banks of the Columbia and Delaware Lakes.
Visitors can view endangered tundra, Arctic, and timber wolves as part of family-friendly Wolf Watch Tours at the Lakota Wolf Preserve, along with rare species of foxes and bobcats.
Stunning views of the region's natural wonders are offered from aboard the Portland-Columbia Toll Supported Pedestrian Bridge, which spans the Delaware River between New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Visitors can also sample delicious red and white wines at Brook Hollow Winery or stay overnight at the charming Rosemary Inn bed and breakfast facility. Columbia Map
Family-friendly Day Trips in New Jersey:
8. Edgewater
Edgewater is a charming historic borough located in Bergen County along the Hudson River, known for its connection to the American Revolutionary War and the region's colonial history.
Many of the city's lovely historic buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including its 1904 Borough Hall, which was fully restored to its original condition in 2009.
Visitors can explore the town's Edgewater Free Library, the only remaining Carnegie library in the state, or stroll along its beautiful River Walk, which stretches for 11 miles along the Hudson and showcases stunning Manhattan skyline views.
Edgewater is also known for its free-flying monk parakeet colony, which are native to South America and have lived in the region since at least 1980.
9. Grounds for Sculpture
Grounds for Sculpture are one of New Jersey's loveliest outdoor sculpture parks, located on 42 acres in Hamilton on the former New Jersey State Fairgrounds land.
The nonprofit park, which was originally founded in 1992 by John Seward Johnson II, showcases an ever-changing collection of contemporary art sculptures, including a permanent collection of more than 270 large-scale works by American and international artists.
Prominent past works on display have included significant works by artist Seward Johnson, including his Forever Marilyn sculpture of Marilyn Monroe and his Unconditional Surrender, which recreated the iconic V-J Day Times Square photograph.
Six indoor galleries are also showcased, along with special events throughout the year like art classes, lectures, and moonlight garden tours. After viewing sculptures, visitors can dine at the grounds' lovely Rat's Restaurant, which is named in honor of the Wind in the Willows character of the same name.
Grounds for Sculpture, 80 Sculptors Way, Hamilton Township, NJ 08619, Phone: 609-586-0616
10. Haddonfield
Haddonfield has been named as the Delaware Valley's best shopping and dining destination by Philadelphia Magazine, located just 10 minutes from the city of Philadelphia in Camden County.
The charming city, which is accessible from downtown Philadelphia via the Ben Franklin and Walt Whitman bridges, is home to more than 200 lovely shops and art galleries, which have earned it multiple titles as the Courier-Post's top downtown shopping district.
Unique stores include eclectic children's toy store Happy Hippo, and vibrant pet accessory store Velvet Paws. Visitors can dine at some of the Philadelphia region's top restaurants and cafes or explore historic attractions like the Historical Society of Haddonfield, which is housed within the 1841 Greenfield Hall. Haddonfield Map
📔 I get asked this a lot so I decided to include it:
- What makes New Jersey's coastline special?
- New Jersey is home to more than 130 miles of gorgeous Atlantic Ocean coastline, which are home to some of the nation's top attractions, including the picturesque Victorian homes of Cape May and the boardwalk attractions of Atlantic City.
- What are some good day trip options to explore New Jersey?
- Visitors can easily day trip to sites throughout the state from nearby areas like New York City and Philadelphia and explore the state's historic towns.
- What outdoor activities are available in New Jersey's state parks and forests?
- State parks and forests provide opportunities for year-round outdoor recreation, ranging from hiking and swimming to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Best Time for Day Trips in New Jersey
- April to June – Perfect for mild weather, blooming gardens, and outdoor adventures.
- September to October – Ideal for fall foliage, harvest festivals, and scenic drives.
- July & August – Warm summer days for beach trips, boardwalks, and water activities.
- November – Enjoy cooler temperatures and fewer crowds at historical sites.
- December to February – Great for holiday lights, indoor museums, and cozy winter getaways.
Map:
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