New Jersey is a great place for antique shopping; we have dozens and dozens of amazing antique shops. Another fun feature of the Garden State? We have entire antique towns; charming towns overflowing with vintage goods. You won’t find a single store, you’ll find several, each with a spectacular selection to choose from. One of the best ways to see these little towns, perfect for antiquing? Your very own antiques road trip!
The Route
This trip spans three days and two nights, though you're welcome to take longer. Over the course of 7 hours (drive time), you'll explore much of our state, discovering antique treasures along the way. While I've listed Lambertville as a starting point, the map is completely customizable.
Day 1 - Lambertville, Mullica Hill, Salem
You'll begin your journey in lovely Lambertville, along the Delaware River. If you haven't had breakfast yet, head to the Full Moon Cafe. You'll enjoy delicious dishes including omelets, benedicts, breakfast burritos and more in a fun, welcoming atmosphere. Lambertville offers a variety of antique shops, perhaps the most famous of which is The People's Store. The award-winning antique center features four floors of vendors and collections of European, American and Asian antique furniture, silver, porcelain, paintings, jewelry, vintage clothing, accessories, books and more. Other shops in the area include A Touch of the Past and Antiques For Today.
Mullica Hill is home to a variety of antique shops including The Old Mill, which offers two floors of dealers; you can find everything from old bottles to vintage toys. Another popular shop in town is the Yellow Garage; it recently won a Best of Mullica Hill Award. You'll find 35 dealers in this renovated bus terminal, selling a wide range of goods. Grab lunch at Marino's, a local favorite that serves up classics like sandwiches, salads, stromboli and pizza.
Salem will be your last shopping stop of the day and there are plenty of options to choose from. Cawman's Mall has 40 vendors and a helpful staff that will assist you in finding that perfect piece, whether it be a lamp, dresser or rug. Royal Port Antiques is a charming shop with a focus on furnishings and hardware. While many pieces are already complete, you'll find doors, windows, shutters and panels to make your own. The Little Shop In The Middle is another favorite, with rave reviews. Grab dinner here, Jersey-style, at the Salem Oak Diner. Lodging in the area is sparse, so head down to Cape May for the night. Where to stay? There are so many charming choices including the Carroll Villa Hotel, Southern Mansion and Congress Hall.
Day 2- Cape May, Cape May Courthouse, Barnegat Township
If you stayed at a bed and breakfast, there's no need to search for a breakfast spot - you're guaranteed a good meal. If breakfast isn't included with your stay, start your day right at The Mad Batter (try the Chesapeake Bay Benedict). Stroll along the beach and then browse antiques at fantastic shops including the West End Garage, Cape May Antique Center and Out Of The Past Antiques. Cape May Antique Center is home to 80 different dealers and is a definite must-see. Out Of The Past is a smaller shop with a wonderful mix of hard-to-find treasures including vintage furniture for both you and your Victorian dollhouse.
Just a quick drive north, Cape May Court House offers a treasure trove of antiques. You'll find many along Shore Road including August Farmhouse, Ancient of Days, Cape May Antiques, Teaberry and Hourglass Antiques. Teaberry is a wonderful marketplace offering more than just antiques; you'll find art, estate jewelry and a full line of Alpaca clothing products - visitors come from miles away to enjoy the selection. If you've got time, check out the Cape May Zoo nearby - it's free! Grab lunch in town at Bellevue Tavern; they've got great burgers.
This town has a nice mix of funky antique shops including Bay Avenue Antiques, Recycling The Past and Unshredded Nostalgia. Unshredded Nostalgia is a favorite, offering some truly unique merchandise. They specialize in ephemera and have an entire room dedicated to New Jersey. Recycling The Past focuses on architectural salvage -
lumber, stone, windows, wrought iron, mantles and more. Head to Sweet Jenny's for dinner and dessert and spend the night in Point Pleasant. My pick? Pelican Point Motel, with an outdoor pool and patio.
Day 3 - Point Pleasant Beach, Montclair, Lafayette Township
Many people head to Point Pleasant Beach for the boardwalk, but you'll find great antique shops on and around Arnold Avenue. Point Pleasant Antique Emporium is perhaps one of the most popular shops and Point Pavilion and Fond Memories are other favorites. Point Pleasant Antique Emporium offers 40 dealers and on-site estate sales; find everything from comic books to car collectibles. Since Point Pleasant Beach is your first stop of the day, you'll probably want to get breakfast here. For a healthy, delicious meal, head to Kali-O's Juice Box; you'll find fruit bowls, smoothies and Greek yogurt parfaits. You can also take a "wellness shot" for an extra nutritious boost.
Montclair offers great shopping and dining; several of these shops are antique-based. Bloomfield Avenue is the place you want to be, though you'll find several shops around town. Check out Little Cricket, Born Again Vintage, Jerry's Antiques, Makeready Gallery (offering antique prints and maps) and Montclair Book Center, with a great selection of new and old books. Where to get lunch? You're practically in culinary heaven here! Cuban Pete's is a BYOB spot with an island vibe, Ah' Pizz is the place to go for thin crust pies and Raymond's is a retro-style spot with a menu of American classics.
Lafayette Mill Antiques Center may be the star of the show, even offering its own cafe (open until 3 p.m.), but there are several other shops to enjoy while you're in town including Sweet Pea's and Black Pony. Lafayette Mill is home to 55 specialty dealers, selling everything from Fine China to Americana and vintage ads. Finish your day with dinner in town at the Lafayette House, offering live music on Friday and Saturday nights. For a unique dining experience, head just a bit north to Augusta. You'll find the Chatterbox Drive-In, an auto-themed restaurant that's straight out of the 1950s. Visit on Thursdays for Bike Night, Saturdays for Cruise night or on the second Friday of the month for Corvette Night. All events are held May-September and feature a DJ to liven up the atmosphere.
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