The Best New Jersey Getaways
After a long week – or maybe for a summer vacation – New Jersey offers several getaways for couples. From a few days at the beach or roaming the Boardwalk in Atlantic City, New Jersey may have the perfect spot for a memorable experience.
Atlantic City
Likely New Jersey’s best-known city, Atlantic City beckons you to visit its casinos for an opportunity to leave richer than when you came. But, the city is more than just roulette wheels, black jack tables and slot machines. The Atlantic City Boardwalk is the gateway to fun in the city. Providing easy access to the casinos, hotels, shopping and dining, the Boardwalk is a must-see attraction to visit for anyone, especially for couples, where you walk hand-in-hand enjoy an ice cream cone together or maybe a drink.
photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
From the state’s tallest lighthouse to a museum exploring the story of African Americans in New Jersey, Atlantic City is home to more than casinos and the Boardwalk. Inviting visitors to get up close with sharks, as well as touch sea urchins and more sea creatures, the Atlantic City Aquarium features more than 100 species of sea life.
Your dining opportunities in Atlantic City range from a casino buffet to fine dining experiences that will highlight your couple’s getaway. The city’s dining menu includes restaurants featuring the names of famous chefs like Bobby Flay and Wolfgang Puck.
Wolfgang Puck American Grille Photo credit: theborgata.com
From casino hotels to accommodations away from the Boardwalk, Atlantic City is full of hotel options to make your visit a memorable experience.
Princeton
Princeton may be a member of the Ivy League when it comes to colleges, but it may also be an Ivy Leaguer when it comes to a couple’s getaway. From walking tours to excellent dining opportunities. Princeton is a wonderful location for couples.
Shameless Name Tours take you on a walking tour of the Princeton area that features the homes and stomping grounds of locals such as Albert Einstein, F. Scott Fitzgerald and former presidents Woodrow Wilson and Grover Cleveland. Princeton is home to several historically-significant attractions, including George Washington’s wartime headquarters.
Couples enjoy a taste of when visiting Princeton’s museums and galleries. Dating back to its earliest days, Princeton University’s art museum is home to art from around the world, with some pieces more than 300 years old. Featuring more than 250 sculptures, Grounds for Sculptures is worth the 20-minute drive from Princeton to this outdoor statue garden. Comprising of 42 acres, the garden is home to a series of sculptures obtained from around the country, as well created specifically for the attraction.
Photo credit: Grounds for Sculptures
Enjoy a drink and take in the history and pop culture of classic American artist Norman Rockwell’s first mural at Yankee Doodle Tap Room at Nassau Inn. You may want to stay at the 250-year-old inn, where historical figures like Paul Revere and Thomas Paine are said to have enjoyed a few drinks. Make a date and head to Princeton Pinot’s Palette where you and your partner can enjoy a bottle of wine while you strive to become the next Rockwell or Rembrandt with your painting.
From classic American dishes to fine dining, you can enjoy an Ivy League-caliber dinner during your couple’s getaway. The Alchemist and Barrister Pub features a menu of sandwiches and salads, including Waldorf salad and a variety of burgers. From pan-roasted scallops to grass-fed steaks, The Peacock Inn offers a fine dining experience that you’ll remember long after you’ve returned home.
Consider staying at The Peacock Inn during your Princeton visit. Other fine hotels and inns can be found here.
Photo credit: The Peacock Inn
Cape May
With sandy beaches, Victorian-era homes, delicious dining and great shopping available, a couple’s getaway to this seaside community may result in wanting to stay there permanently. Cape May is situated on the southern point of New Jersey, but may as well as be in another country, as you’ll feel like you’ve left the States for an exotic island getaway. With more than 20 miles of beaches, couples are invited to set up an umbrella and enjoy the day on a beach towel or beach chair. Where’s the cabana boy with your drinks? Enjoy your time in the water as the waves wash ashore.
How about taking a whale watching cruise or maybe a fishing excursion? Dedicated to providing education as well as entertainment, Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center has been offering tours for more than 30 seasons. Cape Star features fishing expeditions along the coast where the challenge is to haul in the fish of your choosing, including seabass and striper. Party cruises are also available in the area.
Photo credit: Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center
With the state’s longest growing season for grapes, Cape May enjoys a fine wine scene. The Cape May Wine Trail features area wineries such as Hawk Haven Vineyard. With more than 20 varieties of wine, the vineyard has produced grapes since 1997 on the 80-year-old farm. Couples can plan samples from all wine to paring drinks with chocolates.
Photo credit: Hawk Haven Vineyard
With boutiques and other small shops, Cape May offers a unique shopping experience. From clothing stores to souvenirs, home décor and more, couples can always find the perfect item to take home to help make a visit to Cape May memorable.
From fast casual to upscale fine dining, Cape May is home to a delicious menu of restaurants. Highlighting dining options featuring seafood, Italian and Mexican entrees, the Cape May dining scene will add spice to a couple’s getaway.
Cape May offers a variety of accommodation options to make any getaway a special one. From romantic bed and breakfast inns to upscale hotels, the area is home to excellent choices.
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Nature lovers enjoy visiting Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Home to about 70,000 acres of beauty and history, the national park is located about an hour northwest of Piscataway. With nearly 240 miles of trails available – including 56 miles of the famous Appalachian Trail along the eastern side – Delaware Water Gap Recreation Area challenges hikers to conquer trails in three sections (northern, middle and south) ranging from easy to difficult. Each trail offers attractive views of the surrounding woods, waterfalls and mountains.
Water sports enthusiasts appreciate all types of boating along the Middle Delaware River. While water skiing and personal craft, such as jet skis, aren’t allowed on the river, canoes and kayaks can be found cruising along the river. Bring your own canoe/kayak or check out area rental options. While the park is home to three beaches for swimming, Turtle Beach is located in New Jersey. The other two are in Pennsylvania. The mostly-grass beach offers a nice spot for swimming, as well as being home to picnic shelters. Fishing and hunting are also available with the proper permits.
While hotels and cabins are available near Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, you may want to consider camping inside the park. From modern campgrounds available for an RV to backcountry camping, the national recreation area offers several opportunities for staying within the park.
Once the spot of a thriving rural community, Millbrook Village encourages visitors to check out the area’s history by touring old buildings and homes that provide a look at life during the 19th century. Enjoy a drive through history along Old Mine Road, which offers a look at life from the last century.
Long Beach Island
Long Beach Island is 18 miles of small beachside communities, home to some of New Jersey’s best beaches. It’s challenging not to find a sandy beach where you can plant an umbrella over beach towels and enjoy the weather, water and view of the Atlantic Ocean and its offerings. From Beach Haven to Long Beach Township, dozens of beaches make up the island. With opportunities for swimming, sunbathing, surfing and all-around water fun, the beaches of Long Beach Island rate as some of the top spots in New Jersey.
Don’t spend all your time on the beach, though. The island’s small communities offer a variety of shopping and dining opportunities. From home décor, antiques and jewelry to clothing boutiques and art galleries, Long Beach Island is home to several spots to spend quality time together browsing and shopping for vacation memories.
With locations like The Woohoo and Panzone’s Pizza, Long Beach Island is home to a grand selection of dining options. The Beach House features a seafood menu that makes a couple’s getaway almost a romantic one. Featuring casual dining on white tablecloth-adorned tables, your dinner at The Beach House may make for a memorable experience.
Created in 1995, Ship Bottom Brewery has enjoyed steady growth over the past quarter century. With a small brewery and tap room in Beach Haven, Ship Bottom offers a bay view while you enjoy a drink or two.
photo credit: Ship Bottom Brewery
History and culture aficionados will embrace a visit to Barnegat Lighthouse State Park. Located on the north end of Long Beach Island, the lighthouse was built in 1857 and still stands. A former schoolhouse is now home to the lighthouse museum.
With a nice mix of hotels, motels and bed and breakfast inns, Long Beach Island offers great choices for a couple’s getaway. From highly rated The Gables Historic Inn and Restaurant to Drifting Sands Oceanfront Hotel, you’re sure to find the best accommodations for your needs.
From hanging out a casino or two, spending some time in the sun working on that perfect tan, or strolling hand-in-hand along boutiques and quaint stores, enjoy a relaxing and loving couple’s getaway to any of the Garden State’s enticing attractions. Relax while you visit and enjoy your time in New Jersey.
Photo credit: Pexels.com
