2023 is upon us, and there is no better resolution to make than to explore everything New Jersey has to offer. But how do you know where to begin? New Jersey’s small towns – some nearly unknown, some legendary – are full of surprises, and each one has a perfect time to visit. On this year-long tour of the best small towns in New Jersey, you’ll experience winter bliss, raucous holidays, a summer of fun, and a 2023 holiday season to remember. The one thing all of these small towns have in common is that they’re all quintessentially New Jersey, and there’s a reason that they belong on any New Jersey resident’s travel bucket list.
January - Frenchtown
Jazz Guy/Flickr During the cold winter months, this quiet town’s network of art museums, antique shops, and charming cafes make the perfect day trip destination. Frenchtown, NJ 08825, USA
February - Cape May
Cape May MAC/Flickr Cape May during the summer is bustling - but in the winter months, the coastal town is shockingly peaceful. It’s perfect for a unique Valentine’s Day getaway. Cape May, NJ 08204, USA
March - Metuchen
Hailey’s Harp & Pub/Facebook Metuchen may be the best place in New Jersey to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, thanks to Hailey’s Harp & Pub - an authentic Irish pub right on the town’s main street. Metuchen, NJ 08840, USA
April - Chester
Alstede Farms/Facebook The quiet farm town of Chester comes alive in April, as Alstede Farms hosts the state’s biggest Easter event for families. Hayrides, egg huts, and countless other activities await. Chester, NJ 07930, USA
May - Asbury Park
Acroterion/Wikipedia As summer approaches, the shore comes to life - and you can begin your adventure at NJ’s live music capital in Asbury Park. Asbury Park, NJ 07712, USA
June - Point Pleasant Beach
Luigi Novi/Wikipedia Home to a boardwalk, amusement park, aquarium, funhouse, and massive arcades, this shore town is a state institution. Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742, USA
July - Margate City
Margate City, NJ/Facebook Fourth of July fireworks can be crowded, but this tiny beach town holds a celebration where you can beat the crowds and take in the amazing sights. Margate City, NJ 08402, USA
August - Wildwood
Public Domain/Wikipedia As summer winds down, there’s no better way to celebrate than with a visit to NJ’s biggest - and some would say best - boardwalk, with its craziest rides. Wildwood, NJ 08260, USA
September - Manalapan
Nathan Traxler/Google Local Fall foliage in New Jersey is stunning, and Manalapan’s Monmouth Battlefield State Park is one of the best places to walk along the trees. Manalapan Township, NJ, USA
October - Holmdel
Haunt O’Ween Holmdell is home to NJ’s most immersive Halloween event - Haunt O’Week, located at the former Bell Labs building. Get ready to get scared! Holmdel, NJ, USA
November - Manasquan
Hinck’s/Facebook This beautiful beach town is quiet in November, which makes it a great place to take in the sights. It’s also home to Hinck’s Turkey Farm, where it’s Thanksgiving all year round - and especially all November! Manasquan, NJ, USA
December - Smithville
Historic Smithville - The Village Green/Facebook There is no better way to celebrate Christmas in New Jersey than with a visit to the Village Green, the charming Christmas village in the heart of historic Smithville. Smithville, Galloway, NJ 08205, USA
Have you been to any of these small towns in past years? Let us know about your trip, and tell us your picks for the best small towns in New Jersey in the comments section! If you want to make sure your visit to Manasquan delivers delicious food, make sure to drop by the website of Hinck’s Turkey Farm to see what they’ve got cooking. To get your 2023 off to a fast start, why not try some of these winter day trips?
Jazz Guy/Flickr
During the cold winter months, this quiet town’s network of art museums, antique shops, and charming cafes make the perfect day trip destination.
Frenchtown, NJ 08825, USA
Cape May MAC/Flickr
Cape May during the summer is bustling - but in the winter months, the coastal town is shockingly peaceful. It’s perfect for a unique Valentine’s Day getaway.
Cape May, NJ 08204, USA
Hailey’s Harp & Pub/Facebook
Metuchen may be the best place in New Jersey to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, thanks to Hailey’s Harp & Pub - an authentic Irish pub right on the town’s main street.
Metuchen, NJ 08840, USA
Alstede Farms/Facebook
The quiet farm town of Chester comes alive in April, as Alstede Farms hosts the state’s biggest Easter event for families. Hayrides, egg huts, and countless other activities await.
Chester, NJ 07930, USA
Acroterion/Wikipedia
As summer approaches, the shore comes to life - and you can begin your adventure at NJ’s live music capital in Asbury Park.
Asbury Park, NJ 07712, USA
Luigi Novi/Wikipedia
Home to a boardwalk, amusement park, aquarium, funhouse, and massive arcades, this shore town is a state institution.
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742, USA
Margate City, NJ/Facebook
Fourth of July fireworks can be crowded, but this tiny beach town holds a celebration where you can beat the crowds and take in the amazing sights.
Margate City, NJ 08402, USA
Public Domain/Wikipedia
As summer winds down, there’s no better way to celebrate than with a visit to NJ’s biggest - and some would say best - boardwalk, with its craziest rides.
Wildwood, NJ 08260, USA
Nathan Traxler/Google Local
Fall foliage in New Jersey is stunning, and Manalapan’s Monmouth Battlefield State Park is one of the best places to walk along the trees.
Manalapan Township, NJ, USA
Haunt O’Ween
Holmdell is home to NJ’s most immersive Halloween event - Haunt O’Week, located at the former Bell Labs building. Get ready to get scared!
Holmdel, NJ, USA
Hinck’s/Facebook
This beautiful beach town is quiet in November, which makes it a great place to take in the sights. It’s also home to Hinck’s Turkey Farm, where it’s Thanksgiving all year round - and especially all November!
Manasquan, NJ, USA
Historic Smithville - The Village Green/Facebook
There is no better way to celebrate Christmas in New Jersey than with a visit to the Village Green, the charming Christmas village in the heart of historic Smithville.
Smithville, Galloway, NJ 08205, USA
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