Mays Landing had that small-town rhythm that made it easy to breathe. Tucked among pine trees and winding back roads, it offered simple pleasures—quiet parks, historic ruins, and unexpected moments of connection. I remember driving in with no real agenda and thinking, "Sometimes the best trips aren’t planned—they’re found." Whether you're sipping wine at a family-run vineyard or laughing with goats at an animal sanctuary, this place has a way of surprising you in the gentlest way possible.
Best Things to Do in Mays Landing, NJ
Funny Farm Rescue Animal Sanctuary
The Funny Farm wasn’t just adorable—it was genuinely uplifting. Chickens followed me like I was family, a goat tried to eat my hoodie string, and I found myself smiling nonstop. This wasn’t a petting zoo—it was a sanctuary, a second chance for hundreds of rescued animals living in harmony across acres of open land. I remember watching a woman bottle-feed a baby alpaca and thinking, "This is love, in its purest, quirkiest form."
What I Loved Most: The joy. Every volunteer, every animal—it all buzzed with a kind of warmth that couldn’t be faked.
My highlights? Meeting Tucker the dog in his wheelchair, tossing lettuce to emus, and soaking in stories of rescue that felt like little miracles.
Funny Farm Rescue At a Glance
- Location: 6908 Railroad Blvd, Mays Landing, NJ
- Vibe: Wholesome, interactive, heartwarming
- Best Time to Go: Weekend mornings when it’s most active
- Cost: Free, donations welcome
- Don’t Miss: The animal meet-and-greets and farm stand
Weymouth Furnace
Weymouth Furnace was one of those places that whispered history if you slowed down enough to listen. Moss-covered stone ruins peeked through trees, and the sound of the river filled the spaces where ironworkers once stood. I walked the shaded trails, the air cool and still, and thought, "Even the quiet here feels heavy with memory."
What I Loved Most: The untouched feel of it. No flashy signs or exhibits—just time, weather, and nature taking back what once buzzed with fire and industry.
My highlights? Walking across the wooden bridge and lingering by the water as light filtered through the trees. It was haunting in the most peaceful way.
Weymouth Furnace At a Glance
- Location: Weymouth Rd, Mays Landing, NJ
- Vibe: Historic, serene, a little wild
- Best Time to Go: Late morning or early evening for best light
- Cost: Free
- Don’t Miss: Exploring the ruins and walking the nature trails
Hamilton Historical Society Museum
The Hamilton Historical Society Museum was small, but rich with local heart. Inside the restored house, artifacts told stories of Mays Landing’s past—from shipbuilding to cranberry farming to the simple routines of daily life. I flipped through a collection of old photographs and thought, "Every quiet town has layers—it’s just a matter of peeling them back."
What I Loved Most: The personal touch—docents who shared stories like they were talking about their own grandparents.
My highlights? Seeing old maritime tools, a vintage school desk, and the meticulous care put into preserving every detail. It felt like stepping into a living scrapbook.
Hamilton Historical Society At a Glance
- Location: 49 Mill St, Mays Landing, NJ
- Vibe: Intimate, informative, deeply local
- Best Time to Go: Check open hours—usually limited to weekends
- Cost: Free, with suggested donation
- Don’t Miss: The maritime exhibit and community photo archives
Sakura Japanese Steak
Sakura Japanese Steak was the kind of place that made dinner feel like a show. I sat around the hibachi grill with strangers-turned-friends, watching flames dance and shrimp flip through the air with almost balletic precision. I remember catching a piece of zucchini mid-air and laughing like I hadn’t in weeks. “This is exactly the kind of chaos I needed,” I thought.
What I Loved Most: The energy. It was loud, fun, and full of those little shared moments you only get at a sizzling table.
My highlights? The filet mignon—tender and perfectly seared—served with buttery rice and veggies I didn’t expect to love so much. And of course, the chef’s over-the-shoulder onion volcano finale.
Sakura Japanese Steak At a Glance
- Location: 4450 E Black Horse Pike, Mays Landing, NJ
- Vibe: Playful, lively, crowd-pleasing
- Best Time to Go: Dinner, especially weekends
- Cost: Moderate to high for hibachi fare
- Don’t Miss: Hibachi steak and the chef's wild, fire-filled routine
Balic Winery
Balic Winery felt like a hidden vineyard tucked into the trees. Rows of vines stretched across the landscape, and inside the tasting room, it was warm and low-lit, with the kind of welcome that didn’t need words. I sampled a pomegranate wine and thought, "This is summer bottled." There was something old-world about the space—quiet, fragrant, and just indulgent enough.
What I Loved Most: The unexpected flavors and the staff’s pride in every pour. It felt personal, not commercial.
My highlights? The signature pomegranate and a blueberry wine that surprised me in the best way. I left with a bottle tucked under my arm and that familiar wine-tasting buzz of contentment.
Balic Winery At a Glance
- Location: 6623 Harding Hwy, Mays Landing, NJ
- Vibe: Rustic, charming, quietly elegant
- Best Time to Go: Late afternoon for a golden-hour tasting
- Cost: Tastings are modestly priced
- Don’t Miss: Fruit wines and the garden seating in warmer months
Lake Lenape Park West
Lake Lenape Park West offered that kind of stillness you can only find near water. I walked the trails and watched the lake shift under the breeze, hearing nothing but birds and the occasional splash from a paddleboarder. I remember sitting at a picnic table, toes in the sand, and thinking, "This is what weekends should feel like."
What I Loved Most: The mix of forest and lake—shade when you needed it, open water when you didn’t.
My highlights? A short, peaceful walk to the water’s edge and just sitting with a book and no schedule. A pause that turned into a memory.
Lake Lenape Park West At a Glance
- Location: 6303 Harding Hwy, Mays Landing, NJ
- Vibe: Scenic, tranquil, nature-filled
- Best Time to Go: Morning or early evening for shade and reflection
- Cost: Free
- Don’t Miss: Walking paths, fishing spots, and the lakeside dock
Get Air Trampoline Park
Get Air was pure joy in motion. Bright colors, bouncing bodies, and kids launching into foam pits like little rockets. Even as an adult, there was something contagious about all that energy. I kicked off my shoes, bounced once, and thought, "Okay, this is going to hurt tomorrow—but totally worth it."
What I Loved Most: The all-ages vibe—teens doing flips, toddlers wobbling happily, and parents laughing on the sidelines.
My highlights? The dodgeball court and slackline challenge, where balance was optional and fun was guaranteed.
Get Air Mays Landing At a Glance
- Location: 4403 Black Horse Pike, Mays Landing, NJ
- Vibe: High-energy, playful, family-friendly
- Best Time to Go: Weekday afternoons for fewer crowds
- Cost: Varies by time/session, bring grip socks
- Don’t Miss: Foam pit, ninja obstacles, and trampoline dodgeball
Final Thoughts
Mays Landing surprised me—not with spectacle, but with soul. It was a place where goats could make you laugh before breakfast, where centuries-old ruins stood quietly beneath the trees, and where a glass of fruit wine tasted like a little secret worth sharing. I remember driving away and thinking, "It’s the places you don’t plan for that stay with you longest." Whether you’re looking for nature, history, family fun, or just a slower rhythm for the day, Mays Landing offers it with heart.