Explore Kittatinny Valley State Park, Then Look For Antiques In Andover, New Jersey
By Meghan Byers|Published January 23, 2023
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Meghan Byers
Author
A New Jersey native, Meghan is passionate about travel and enjoys finding off-the-beaten path destinations. You're most likely to find her at a coffee shop, or hitting the trails with her dogs. She graduated with a creative writing degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University and has been writing professionally for over a decade.
Andover, New Jersey is an underrated little town brimming with natural beauty and hidden gems. It’s home to Kittatinny Valley State Park – a great destination for hiking, biking, horseback riding, kayaking, and more – and multiple popular antique shops where you never know what you’ll find. Enjoy Andover’s natural wonders at Kittatinny Valley State Park, then go antiquing and discover some man-made treasures to round out your day in Andover.
Established in 1994, Kittatinny Valley State Park encompasses over 5,000 acres. It features four former railroads turned into rail-trails, such as the Sussex Branch Trail, and glacial lakes - including Lake Aeroflex, which is the deepest natural lake in the entire state.
Multiple trails, such as the Kittatinny Glacial Trail, offer lakeside views. You'll likely want to pause and gaze out over the water, taking in the beauty of the park.
You may even see planes soaring over the lake! Aeroflex-Andover Airport is located within Kittatinny Valley State Park. Here you’ll find Andover Flight Academy, which offers biplane rides and flying lessons (fun fact: actors Harrison Ford and James Brolin have both flown with Andover Flight Academy). You can watch the planes land and take off from benches situated facing the runway.
Other trails offer glimpses of the YMCA camp that once existed within Kittatinny Park's borders. You may spot the ruins of a memorial lodge dedicated to campers who served in World War II, originally built in 1947.
When you're done exploring the park for the day, head to Andover's Main Street for some great antiquing. You can't miss Scranberry Coop. This bright and cheerful yellow building boasts over 10,000 square feet and more than 170 dealers.
