Smart New Yorkers know that NJ is the place to be! Whether it’s because you’re moving here or just getting away for a day trip or the weekend, the Garden State has so much to offer that city dwellers envy. Our charming little towns are the perfect example of why city folk flock here, and now Thrillist has named the 8 Best Small Towns in New Jersey Near NYC for a Weekend Getaway. Can you guess which ones made the list?
From our nature preserves to these charming towns with bustling Main Streets, here are the top 8 towns to put on your list for a weekend getaway (and even if you already live in NJ, these places are definitely worth a day trip or even an overnight!):
Palisades Park – Just 14 miles from the city, New Yorkers flock here for shopping and spa treatments. “Home to one of the most densely populated Korean American neighborhoods in the U.S., over fifty percent of Palisades Park residents are of Korean descent,” says Thrillist. “Take a walk along Broad Avenue and you’ll find numerous dining options, such as the popular Korean barbecue spot So Moon Nan Jip or Sambong Noodles, known for their naengmyeon noodles…”
Rutherford – Just 13 miles from NYC, this town has tree-canopied streets and Victorian homes. “…right downtown is Williams Center, a vintage theater constructed in the 1920s that’s now a cultural center with events like film screenings and drum circles,” says Thrillist. “And fun fact: Rutherford has a castle—situated on the campus of Felician University, Iviswold Castle was originally built in 1868 …Though the castle is closed to the public, you can still view the exterior in all its glory.”
Millburn – Located 20 miles from NYC, Millburn has a very walkable downtown. “During spring, summer and fall, the town closes off Main Street for programming like live music performances,” says Thrillist. “To catch a theatrical production before it possibly makes its way to Broadway, book tickets for the Paper Mill Playhouse, a regional non-profit theater…”
Red Bank – Located 49 miles from NYC, this town has some great food and drink options. “sip some craft beers at family-owned Red Tank Brewing Company or grab a bite while supporting a good cause at JBJ Soul Kitchen, a non-profit community restaurant co-founded by Jersey boy Jon Bon Jovi and wife Dorothea Hurley,” says Thrillist.
Other towns on the list to visit include: Clinton, which was named New Jersey Family’s Best Town for Families in 2017, Lambertville, which was just named one of the country’s most charming towns by HGTV, Vernon and Tuckerton.
Read more:
A Day Trip in Lambertville and New Hope
6 Day Trips to Go on This Spring