10 Underrated Small Towns In New Jersey Worth Visiting
Kristen
Author
New Jersey has some truly incredible small towns, from Lambertville to Haddonfield and Clinton to Stone Harbor. These amazing small towns are popular day trip destinations, but today we’re featuring a few fantastic and often-overlooked small towns that deserve a little love, too. Not only are they great places to live, but they’re also wonderful day trip destinations. Listed in no particular order, here are 10 underrated small towns in New Jersey:
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Of all the underrated small towns in New Jersey, which is your favorite? What do you love about it? If you have a favorite small town you’d like to see featured at Only In New Jersey, tell us why by nominating it here!
To discover more of the best small towns in New Jersey, click here.
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underrated small towns in New Jersey
What are the most charming small towns in New Jersey?
Well, we happen to think each and every one of New Jersey's small towns is charming, but in terms of the *most* charming? That would probably be Clinton. One of the most picturesque towns in The Garden State, Clinton is a breath of fresh air in a busy, harried modern world. Clinton’s Historic Red Mill, which is located against the South Branch of the resplendent Raritan River, is the most photographed scene in New Jersey. Its charming downtown is often described as straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting -- and that's exactly what it is! Within Clinton's downtown area, you'll find mom and pop restaurants and retailers that are the epitome of shopping local. And in terms of restaurants, Clinton boasts some of the best waterfront dining in the state!
What are some fun day trips in New Jersey?
The Garden State was made for day trips; its diminutive size makes getting from one side of the state to the other a breeze! In keeping with our small-town theme, here's a road trip we put together that stops at some of the best small towns in New Jersey. Notable destinations along the easy include Cape May, Buena, Pittsgrove, and Merchantville. In terms of self-contained day trips in New Jersey, visiting the small town of Flemington is always a fun idea. This small town of just over 4,500 residents has it all: historic museums, beautiful gardens, a passenger train, acclaimed restaurants, charming shops, and that indescribable and wonderful small-town ambiance.
What is the oldest town in New Jersey?
New Jersey is home to some of the oldest towns in the country. Officially, the oldest town in New Jersey is Woodbridge. It was granted a charter in 1669 by King Charles II. There are many other historic towns that have been around for nearly as long, too: Burlington was founded in 1677, Newark was incorporated in 1693, and Morristown was settled in 1715. There is so much history here in New Jersey, which is just one of the reasons the Garden State is such a special place.