Award-Winning Charmers
Tucked between the big city neighbors of Philadelphia and New York City, our little state is sometimes overlooked. Huge mistake! Welcome to Central Jersey, home to some of the most enchanting towns and small cities around.
Nestled along the banks of the Delaware River, we have a trio of lauded locales. There’s Lambertville, named one of HGTV’s 50 of the Most Charming Small Towns in America. Clinton, one of Far & Wide’s Best U.S. Towns With Fewer than 10,000 Residents. And Frenchtown, a USA Today 10Best Reader’s Choice winner for Best Small Town for Shopping.
Numbered among Country Living’s 30 of the Sweetest Small Towns in New Jersey Worthy of a Hallmark Movie are Princeton and Stockton plus – once again – Lambertville, Clinton and Frenchtown. Travel + Leisure included Flemington, Cranbury and Lambertville on their list of 12 Best Small Towns in New Jersey. PureWow echoed these choices with Frenchtown, Cranbury, Princeton, Clinton and Lambertville all ranking in their 14 Most Charming Small Towns in New Jersey. Of course, we can’t forget Metuchen, winner of the Great American Main Street Award, and our storied capital city of Trenton.
Staying is Believing
From intimate inns to high-end hotels and everything in between, Central Jersey has the perfect accommodations to act as the home base for your getaway. Wrap yourself in cozy, classically timeless vibes at the highly rated Inn at Glencairn (Princeton), Lambertville House Hotel (Lambertville), The National Hotel (Frenchtown), Peacock Inn (Princeton), The Bernards Inn (Bernardsville), The Olde Mill Inn (Basking Ridge), Widow McCrea House Bed & Breakfast (Frenchtown) and Woolverton Inn (Stockton).
If those coveted properties are sold out, you can reserve a room at the equally captivating Inn at Lambertville Station (Lambertville), Nassau Inn (Princeton) or The Heldrich (New Brunswick). All are well located to get you from your guestroom door to just about anywhere in Central Jersey. Loyal to a particular hotel brand? No problem! You’ll find those properties and more right here.
Awe-Inspiring Things to Do
Attractions abound throughout Central Jersey. Add the outdoor art park Grounds For Sculpture (Hamilton) with its packed events calendar to your must-see list. If performing arts are more your style, you can catch a show at Music Mountain Theatre (Lambertville), McCarter Theatre Center for the Performing Arts (Princeton) or State Theatre (New Brunswick).
Harvest the joys of agritourism at Hidden Spring Lavender & Alpacas (Skillman), Howell Living History Farm (Lambertville), Terhune Orchards (Princeton), Schaefer Farms (Flemington) Von Thun’s Country Farm & Market (Dayton), Bobolink Dairy & Bakehouse (Milford) and many others.
Thirsty for more? Discover sensationally sippable varietals from wineries throughout the region including Alba Vineyard (Milford), Beneduce Vineyards (Pittstown), Hopewell Valley Vineyards (Pennington), Mount Salem Vineyards (Pittstown), Old York Cellars Winery (Ringoes), Unionville Vineyards (Ringoes) and Working Dog Winery (Hightstown). More of a craft beer fan? Check out Sip & See Somerset.
History buffs, get your fill of the past right here and now. Follow our American Revolution Trip Itinerary across more than a dozen Central Jersey sites and beyond. Also, be sure to hit the Red Mill Museum (Clinton) as well as New Jersey State Museum and Old Barracks Museum (both in Trenton).
Central Jersey is also home to plenty of parks. Take a leisurely hike at Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park (Princeton), Bull’s Island Recreational Area (Stockton), Spruce Run Recreation Area (Clinton) and Washington Crossing State Park (Titusville) in addition to countless county and local parks. Seeking other ways to get your steps in? Stroll Duke Farms in Hillsborough or join a walking tour of Princeton.
Looking for great golf courses? Tee off at Bunker Hill Golf Course (Princeton), Cranbury Golf Club (West Windsor), Meadows at Middlesex Golf Club (Plainsboro), Mercer Oaks Golf Course (Princeton Junction), Mountain View Golf Course (Ewing), Princeton Country Club (Princeton) Rutgers University Golf Course (Piscataway) or Tamarack Golf Course (East Brunswick).
Divine Places to Dine
Be sure to bring your appetite because Central Jersey is home to some of the best restaurants in the Garden State. Reserve a table at Cafe Luna (Old Bridge), elements (Princeton), The Fisherman (South River), The Frog and The Peach (New Brunswick), Matt’s Red Rooster Grill (Flemington), One 53 (Rocky Hill), Pluckemin Inn (Bedminster), Rat’s Restaurant (Hamilton) and Water and Wine Ristorante Taverna (Watchung). Craving a particular cuisine? Check out even more regional eateries here.
We told you Central Jersey is amazing! But, before you dash off to pack your bags, be sure to swing by the official websites or social media channels of the spots you want to see for the latest visitation information. You can also download our free travel guide and sign up for our e-newsletter for even more vacation inspiration.
