Despite being the most densely populated state in the nation, New Jersey is full of charming small towns. They’re perfect for a quaint weekend getaway or living permanently.
1. Lambertville
Located within Hunterdon County and known as the antiques capital of NJ, it’s full of vintage halls, shops, and famous flea markets.
Simply walk across the New Hope – Lambertville Bridge and you’ll enter New Hope, a beautiful town in Pennsylvania perfect for additional strolling and great eateries.
2. Princeton
It’s one of the most famous college towns in the world and home to Princeton University!
This small town in Mercer County is complete with charming boutiques, fine restaurants, and gourmet food stores combined with ample free parking.
Visit the Princeton University Art Museum, which displays everything from Latin American folk art to Italian Renaissance paintings.
Stroll many beautiful parks and walking trails - Barbara Smoyer Memorial Park, Herrontown Woods, Turning Basin Park, Woodfield Reservation, and Greenway Meadows are just a few.
3. Cranbury
This charming town is located in Middlesex County. Many homes date back to the Revolutionary era giving quaint New England charm.
In the summer you’ll see a historic tradition of weekly porch parties, known as PorchFest. It’s a pot luck, backyard block party that is open to the community on Friday nights at different homes in town. The event is intended to build community where neighbors socialize with with neighbors. Now that’s something that is truly unique and fun isn’t it?
4. Chester Borough
This charming small town’s main street is lined with good looking shops and restaurants, perfect place for a nice stroll.
Chester, Morris County is known for its seasonal activities, especially its corn mazes in the fall. Twice a year, Chester has craft shows when artists and small businesses line the grassy field off of Main Street.
During the summer, there is a food truck festival where local food trucks congregate in the same field, and live music is performed in the town’s gazebo. Around the holidays the town’s traditions include the Yearly Christmas Tree Lighting and Festival of Trees which showcases decorated trees for purchase.
5. Glen Rock
Many of the homes in Glen Rock, Bergen County were built in the 1920s and 1930s, giving them a ton of charm.
Two New Jersey transit lines run through town, making it a convenient day away for a city-dweller. It’s just 23 miles from Manhattan.
If you are a Starbucks fan you must visit the one in downtown Glen Rock. You’ll feel like royalty as you sip within what looks more like a castle!
Don’t forget to take a selfie with the giant boulder situated right in the middle of town. This is Pamachapuka, the “Stone from Heaven” where an Indian Council site once stood and from which the town took its name in 1894.
6. Maywood
Another easy Bergen County commute from New York City is the charming town of Maywood.
There, visitors can pop into cafes, shops, and boutiques during a relaxing stroll through downtown.
History buffs and train aficionados shouldn’t leave town without a visit to the Maywood Station Museum at the Maywood Train Station, a restored station that the town saved from demolition and which is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
7. Newton
Spring Street is the heart of charming Newton within Sussex County. Take a stroll along this downtown street and enjoy the dining and shopping options, plus the Newton Fire Museum and Spring Street Art Center.
Newton has a wonderfully enriched historical center, much of which focuses on the history of the region, but also includes Native American artifacts and bones from a Mastodon found nearby.
The Newton Theater, a wonderful locally-owned business that offers frequent musical performances.
8. Branchville
Another Sussex County gem is Branchville. People flock to Branchville in the fall, when the New Jersey foliage bursts into overwhelming beauty and the trees look as if they are on fire.
Be sure to head to Stokes State Forest for hiking paths, scenic overlooks, and picnic facilities. It’s truly a town for outdoor lovers. It’s near the 70,000-acre Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, where boaters, hikers, and picnickers can enjoy the beautiful Delaware River as it flows between New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
If you visit Milk Street Distillery they are currently crafting two Vodka’s, Rum, Rye Whiskey, Malt Whiskey and Bourbon. Check them out for live music and fun events!
9. Peapack-Gladstone
Peapack-Gladstone in Somerset County is so picturesque that it has been a long-time favorite choice as a Hollywood filming location, and often appears as the backdrop for daytime soap operas.
Head downtown and relax at Liberty Pond, complete with swans, a small playground, a walking path, and picnic tables or shop and dine.
The town hosts a number of festivals throughout the year, though public outdoor concerts and shows are also frequent during the summer months.
It is within easy access to New York City by rail and major highways, and is a highly desirable residential community.
10. Belvidere
While in Warren county, be sure to check out Belvidere. You’ll be stunned by the beauty of tree-lined parks, streets lined with antique stores, and fabulous Victorian architecture.
Taking a trip to Belvidere is like stepping back in time to the Victorian era. Belvidere has more certified historic Victorian homes than any other town in New Jersey.
In September, be sure to stop by during the annual Victorian Day festival, during which thousands of visitors, many of which arrive in period costume, stroll the streets and enjoy the festivities.
Situated between the Delaware and Pequest rivers, Belvidere has a lively outdoors scene with plenty of opportunities for boating, canoeing, tubing, and rafting.
Have you visited any of these small towns before? If not, plan a spontaneous trip! If you are looking for a charming small town to live, reach out to me. There are so many through out New Jersey. We’ll be sure to find one that is perfect for you!