Summit has always been a popular place to raise kids thanks to its walkable downtown, pretty tree-lined streets, historic homes, highly-rated schools and great restaurants. Now it’s getting national attention, too. HGTV just named Summit one of the 20 Hottest Suburbs in the U.S. for people tired of city living.
HGTV worked with real estate experts at Suburban Jungle to spotlight suburbs with a mix of indoor and outdoor spaces, the kinds of top-notch restaurant and entertainment options big cities offer, seasonal festivals and events, and enriching theater programs.
Summit is actually a city of about 23,000 people in Union County with an average home price of about $1.3 million that offers many of the perks of a bigger city with a quieter, suburban feel. Whether you’re looking to have dinner, shop or spend the day outside, here are some of our favorite things to do and see in Summit:
Where to Eat in Summit
Start your day at Boxwood Coffee Roasters, where the beans come from all over the world. Hill City is a light blend of pear, grapefruit zest and honey; while El Jefe is a darker roast of milk chocolate, molasses and sweet almond.
Lunchtime at Batavia Cafe offers salads, homemade soups, sandwiches, paninis and desserts in a casual setting. If you’re on the go, Marigolds Cafe has takeout only, so you can grab avocado toast, soup, lasagna or chicken cutlets and sit outside on the patio in nice weather.
Before 3 pm, you need to head to the Summit Diner. The original railroad car diner is considered one of the best diners in the state. Go for the breakfast platters (here they call it Taylor ham!), sandwiches, soups, salads, and early-bird dinners.
Dinner at Winberie’s Restaurant & Bar is extra special since you’ll eat inside the historic Opera House. Summit House is farm-to-table, sourcing its ingredients from local farms and fishers, putting a focus on in-season veggies and humanely-raised meats. Roots Steakhouse is for a special and elevated night out and has all the vibes of the top steakhouses in New York City.
Due 360 has an eclectic menu of Argentine Italian tapas, including a prix fixe menu and a brunch menu. Aubrey’s Corner has a fusion mix of new American with French influences.
The Huntley Taverne is another elevated hot spot with a great bar and atmosphere. We love the fireplace in the winter. Fiorino Ristorante Bar offers Italian antipasti, pasta, meat entrees, dessert and an impressive wine list. Fin Rawbar & Kitchen is has an extensive raw seafood selection, with half-priced oysters on Tuesdays.
For dessert, Magic Fountain Ice Cream Shop is an institution in Summit, with people lining up for its homemade ice cream, milkshakes, gelati or a strawberry shortcake sundae.
Where to Shop in Summit
The Red Balloon is a beloved children’s clothing shop for babies, toddlers, kids and teens.
The Summit Antiques Center is the longest-operating antiques center in NJ! Located inside a multi-story old house, it has more than 50 vendors selling antiques, vintage, jewelry, art, furniture, collectibles, home decor, props and gifts.
No. 18 Boutique is a high end boutique with denim and upcycled and custom clothes, bags, shoes and more. Or for NYC-style shopping outside of the city, Dor L Dor has everything from dresses for a night out to comfy clothes to lounge in.
Sweet Nothings is a beloved sweet shop that sells lollipops, artisan chocolates, cookies and candies.
Natale’s Bakery has a “breakfast” menu of apple cider crullers, donuts, apple turnovers, coffee rings, croissants, danishes and muffins. Picking up a cake, cookies, bread, cupcakes, Italian pastries, Philly Fluff, a pie, puff pastries, tarts and tea breads is a must when in town.
The Summit Cheese Shoppe has individual selections, cheese boards and gift baskets. Ask about the Cheese of the Day or their specialty sandwiches.
The Wine List & Marketplace has a rich selection of vino, as well as coffee, cheese, chocolates, flowers and olive oils.
What to See and Do in Summit
Reeves-Reed Arboretum is a peaceful retreat of 13 acres, where wildflowers, rock gardens, mini waterfalls, and bogs come to life each spring. Daffodil Days in April offer 50,000 daffodils blooming in an area cleared by a glacier.
The Watchung Reservation, though located in nearby Mountainside, has a 6-mile trail among 2,000 acres that start and end at the Trailside Nature & Science Center.
The Summit Playhouse is one of the oldest continuously operating community theaters in the U.S., founded in 1918. It’s located inside an 1891 Richardsonian Romanesque building, which was actually the town’s first library. My Fair Lady is on stage through May 10; while the 2026-27 season includes By the Water, Marjorie Prime and Once.
Vivid Stage, which used to be the Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre, is located at the Oakes Center. Meet the Artist: New Play Readings are scheduled throughout May; The Flip Side is May 9; and the Local with Laura Ekstrand podcast streams monthly.
Also at the Oakes Center, the Pebble Players Youth Theatre – a junior high, high school and college repertory program – is the youth division of the adult-based Stony Hill Players. Tickets for Broadway Blockbusters Cabaret are currently on sale.
For History Buffs
The Summit Historical Society was formed in 1929 but played more of a role starting in 1962. You can see photos, genealogy files, Summit house files, historic structures surveys, maps, newspapers, postcards, yearbooks, city tax atlases, city directories dating back to 1890, and new materials donated to the center.
Walk along Kent Place Boulevard and look for the green marker for the former Summit Opera House, which had a little bit of everything: shops on the ground level; an 800-seat stage hall upstairs that featured Vaudeville and later became Summit’s first movie house; a coffee shop, reading rooms, the W.C.T.U. meeting hall and resort-quality sleeping rooms in the rear; and 60-foot bowling alleys in the basement.
More Things to Do in Summit
The Summit Farmers Market has been a community staple for more than 30 years, and is considered to be one of the best in New Jersey because of its rich selection of local produce and specialty foods. It’s open on Sundays from 8 am to 1 pm through December 20.
Summit is also known for its festivals, like Arts & Cars: Downtown Art Festival & Peotter’s Car Show, fireworks on the Fourth of July and the Welcome Back Summit shopping weekend before school starts in September.
The Summit Area YMCA is beloved for its classes, events and kid-centric activities focusing on pool time, sports and rec, health and wellness, and even camp.
The Co-Co is a woman-owned collaborative co-working space that hosts community events like career panels and networking nights.
These are the 20 Best Suburbs Across the Country for People Tired of City Living, According to HGTV (2026):
- Chappaqua, New York
- Larchmont, New York
- Summit, New Jersey
- Port Washington, New York
- Greenwich, Connecticut
- Westport, Connecticut
- Glencoe, Illinois
- La Grange, Illinois
- Needham, Massachusetts
- Winchester, Massachusetts
- Lafayette, Colorado
- Littleton, Colorado
- Bethesda, Maryland
- Fairfax, Virginia
- Boca Raton, Florida
- Wesley Chapel, Florida
- Mill Valley, California
- Redwood City, California
- Dunwoody, Georgia
- Milton, Georgia
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Read More:
Reeves-Reed Arboretum in Summit Is a Peaceful Escape into Nature
These 30 Towns Are the Top Places to Live in New Jersey, According to Niche
These Are the Best Towns in NJ to Raise a Family in 2025, According to Niche
