11 Places to Go in New Jersey
Planing a quick weekend getaway from New Jersey? What fun! From Atlantic beaches at sunset to countryside garden walks, The Garden State has given us plenty to choose from to explore while living on the East Coast for 10 years.
This is exactly why I decided to share my favourite things in New Jersey so that you can use my guide as an inspiration to plan your own road trip. Here are my top getaways I hope you’ll love for your next dreamy 48 hour weekend or a longer road trip.
- Places on the Jersey Shore
- - #1. Wildwood - #2. Cape May - #3. Red Bank - #4. The Atlantic Highlands -
- Day Trips in Central Jersey
- - #5. Princeton - #6. Stockton and Woolverton Inn - #7. Lambertville
- Places in North Jersey (NYC Metro & Nearby)
- - #8. Morristown - #9. Montclair - #10. Jersey City
- - #11. Wayne NJ and Chengdu 23
Best Places to Visit on the Jersey Shore
When people ask me where to go in New Jersey, the Jersey Shore instantly pops to mind. Without a doubt some of the most relaxing weekend spots can be found here.
Wildwood
This is one of my favorite places to visit in New Jersey when I'm in the mood for a lively boardwalk and beaches (of course!). In addition, Jersey Shore is easy to get to, whether we drive in or take affordable public transportation from New York City (about 2.5 hours from NYC!)
You can spend the morning on the beach, enjoying the boardwalk energy all around you. For lunch, head to Dogtooth Bar & Grill for a casual meal.
After a relaxing afternoon on the beach, we then headed out for dinner at Poppi’s Brick Oven Pizza & Kitchen. I think they serve one of the best NJ pizzas ever.
Need a place to stay? We checked into the 2-star Starlux Boutique Hotel for two care-free days.
The next morning was all about Uncle Bill’s Pancake House, my favorite breakfast spot. You get stacks of pancakes for an affordable price that let you fuel up on the cheap for a day at the beach.
Cape May
Even more famous Jersey Shore beach town is Cape May, just 20 minutes south from Wildwood along the shore. Here you'll find beautiful beaches, historic homes, and great food as well.
The town is very walkable but I recommend wearing comfortable shoes, sunscreen, and arriving early (especially on the weekend). I have to warn you that parking can fill up quickly in the summer. But once you park you can relax because the beach, cute shops, and local cafes are close together.
I think that the Victorian architecture all over town is beautiful. In addition, if you are in the mood for shopping, Washington Street Mall sells all sorts of items. Sunset Beach is also a must—visit, especially at sunset. This beach especiallu lives up to its name with fantastic Jersey Shore sunsets!
On our first visit, we joined a guided tour to better understand the town’s history and make sure we didn’t miss anything important. But because the town is small, you can easily explore it on your own.
Local tip:
Cape May is especially popular for weddings in the spring. Check out The Shore Club, a family-friendly golf club with a Grand Ballroom that can be booked for special events.
What I loved best:
Birdwatching at Cape May Point State Park, with its lighthouse and ocean views was my personal highlight. I instantly thought our journey was worth it!
My second favorite was the Emlen Physick Estate ($20 adult admission), a grand 1879 mansion that is now a museum.
Red Bank
Much closer to NYC than Wildwood and Cape May, I thought this town was one of the best New Jersey day trips we've taken since living on the East Coast.
In fact, it took us only about an hour by train from New York City. We started in the walkable downtown packed with independent shops, restaurants, and music venues.
Next, I admired the restored Count Basie Center for the Arts. If you are still in town in the evening, you can attend a world-class performance right in the heart of town, a real standout.
What I loved best:
On our spring getaway, I adored the riverfront parks in Red Bank (my favorite highlight!)
The Atlantic Highlands
This is one of my favorite places to visit in New Jersey because of how easy it made it to relax. We especially love the incredible views of the New York City skyline from The Atlantic Highlands.
Visiting The Atlantic Highlands on a day trip from NYC truly felt like we discovered a hidden gem just an hour from NYC by car. It's even faster if you take Seastreak Ferry (about 45 minutes, $24 one way)!. We often did this because driving out of the city can be stressful.
First, I loved exploring the historic Victorian homes, then browsed the local farmers’ market, and finally enjoyed a stroll along the marina before lunch.
In the afternoon, we hiked down a trail in the nearby Hartshorne Woods Park.
What I loved best:
My favorite meal was at laid-back On the Deck Restaurant & Bar overlooking the marina.
A downside? I found that Atlantic Highlands isn’t without rough edges. Some storefronts on First Avenue stand empty.
Turning your day trip into a romantic weekend getaway? 3-star Blue Bay Inn is for you.
Best Day Trips in Central Jersey
Beyond the beaches, there are so many NJ cities and towns to discover. You'll find this part of the state full of history and scenic landscapes. Here are my favorites that I hope you'll enjoy visiting.
Princeton
I have to admit that before visiting, I mostly knew Princeton as the home of the famous Ivy League university. But first things first, what I love most about Princeton is how easy it is to get to. From New York City, you can take a NJ Transit train from Penn Station directly to Princeton Junction in about an hour. Then transfer to the short train that takes you straight into town.
If you enjoy museums, the Princeton University Art Museum should be your very first stop. It’s completely free. You can see an impressive collection ranging from ancient artifacts to modern art. It’s an easy way to spend an hour or two, especially on a hot or rainy day.
If you hare here for just a day, head downtown and have lunch (or coffee) on Nassau Street.
What I loved best:
If the weather’s nice, I recommend a walk through Princeton Battlefield State Park or along Lake Carnegie.
3-star Nassau Inn ($209, historic inn dating back to 1756, right on the square) is a romantic weekend idea.
Stockton and Woolverton Inn
This is a cool side trip from Princeton (or a romantic weekend getaway in New Jersey), just 35 minutes by car. Stockton, NJ is a historic Delaware River town where you can visit the 19th-century Prallsville Mills, and hike in the D&R Canal State Park.
We loved staying at Woolverton Inn. It's a serene countryside retreat that really lets you recharge over the weekend.
Mornings began with breakfast by the fire (fresh-baked scones, local honey, and great coffee!). Our days were spent wandering along the Delaware & Raritan Canal Towpath, crossing over to nearby Lambertville and New Hope for art galleries, antique shops, and riverside cafes.
To book, check availability or prices for Woolverton Inn
Lambertville
Less than 10 minutes from our previous stop in Stockton, Lambertville has a coold downtown, and a lovely path for walking along the river.
For me, Golden Nugget Flea Market is a must visit, usually open on Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday (Outdoor hours: 6AM to 4PM; Shops: 8AM to 4PM).
What I loved best:
We paused at the historic James Wilson Marshall House. He was the discoverer of gold in California.
Best Places to Visit in North Jersey (NYC Metro & Nearby)
I'm most familiar with this area because of visiting my in-laws over the years. You can go birdwatching, hiking, and eat great food too.
Morristown
Our first stop on this NJ weekend getaway was Morristown National Historical Park. It preserves George Washington’s 1779–80 winter encampment at Jockey Hollow. It's over 1,600 acres of preserved land with reconstructed soldier huts and trails so we only got to see the parts closest to the parking lot.
We also toured the Ford Mansion (1774), Washington’s headquarters during that winter. Admission was $7. We spent a comfortable night at the Hyatt Regency Morristown ($189, modern and central).
What I loved best:
Sea Bass with laksa curry, asian vegetables and scallions for dinner at 1776 Morristown was amazing and my personal highlight.
Montclair
After Morristown, drive less than 30 minutes to Montclair. You'll find yourself at the base of the Watchung Mountains.
We parked downtown on Bloomfield Avenue, grabbed coffee at a local café, and browsed the local boutiques.
If you hike to nearby hills, they open into sweeping views of Manhattan’s skyline, my personal highlight (just 12 miles away!).
We checked into The George for the night, a boutique hotel in a restored 1902 mansion (from $235/night). I recommend Greek Taverna on Bloomfield Avenue for dinner.
Jersey City
Drive just 35 minutes from Montclair towards Hudson River and you'll reach Jersey City (and some of the best views of Manhattan).
I always head for the waterfront which is pure magic. The skyline views are spectacular!
Have lunch at Orale Mexican Kitchen, a real standout!
We spent the afternoon exploring Liberty State Park which is close to downtown. Seeing the Statue of Liberty so close was amazing and my favorite thing to do.
What I loved best:
Joining the Beyond the Plate Food Tour and sampling local favorites was my personal highlight.
Wayne NJ and Chengdu 23
Speaking of culinary adventures, driving (or taking the train) out to Wayne NJ is totally worth it if you are like me and love authentic Sichuan flavors.
I know that NYC itself has so many restaurants, but Chengdu 23 is definitely worth the trip out of the city, trust me! It’s the kind of meal you think about for months after.
Booking Checklist
1. Book Your Flight - I use Expedia because I like their mobile app with my itinerary. They've helped me re-book flights on many occasions. Once you reach their Gold tier, support is especially good.
2. Book Your Hotel - I use Booking.com or Expedia, depending on my destination.
3. Book Your Rental Car - I use Expedia.
4. Book your tours on Viator or Get Your Guide.
5. If you are planning to visit more than three national parks in the next 12 months, we've found that buying the America the Beautiful Pass is cost effective.
