Photo: Courtesy of Crystal Springs Resort
In the wake of the holiday season, filled with its usual rush of food, family and festivities, many New Jerseyans (including our editors) want nothing more than to take some time for themselves and escape the hustle-and-bustle routine of everyday life.
The dawn of a new year is the perfect time to plan a weekend getaway, whether in the coming weeks or a few months down the road. Luckily, there so many great New Jersey getaway destinations that don’t require a trip out of state.
New Jersey Monthly has put together eight itineraries, complete with our recommendations for activities, restaurants and hotels. Princeton, Montclair, Lambertville and Cape May all have fantastic downtowns with culture, shopping, restaurants and more. A combined Jersey City and Hoboken weekend is thrilling for the city lover.
If you prefer a resort, the luxurious Pendry Natirar hotel—abutting Natirar Park, a 411-acre public green space—opened this fall. Spa treatments, hikes and even a cooking class could be on tap. Or relax at NJM favorite Crystal Springs, whether you’re looking to spend the weekend with a significant other, the kids or a pal.
Enjoy your travels!
Photo: Courtesy of Visit Atlantic City
There are some towns that need no introduction, and Atlantic City is one of them. It is well known as the birthplace of the Boardwalk, the longtime venue of the Miss America competition, and was the street-name inspiration for the board game Monopoly. And, of course, don’t forget to enjoy its stretch of the Atlantic Ocean. Atlantic City was made for big rollers and big comebacks. READ MORE
Photo: Courtesy of Cape Resorts
This charming seaside resort town at the tip of southern New Jersey is known for its grand Victorian houses and beautiful beaches. In the off season, stroll along the pedestrian Washington Street Mall and peruse its shops and restaurants, or head to the Cape May Lighthouse for gorgeous views across the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean. Exit 0 feels like a different place and time when you arrive—people still get around on bicycles and spend afternoons whiling away the time on the porches of the picturesque and historic hotels and inns that dot this town. READ MORE
Photo: Courtesy of Crystal Springs Resort
This beautiful luxury resort of Crystal Springs, tucked in northern New Jersey, is the perfect weekend getaway if you’re looking for someplace that makes you feel like you’re really away, without actually leaving the state. Located in Hamburg along the edge of the Appalachian Mountains, just an hour from New York City, Crystal Springs has two hotels: the main Grand Cascades Lodge and, a few minutes away, the Mineral Springs Hotel. The resort boasts six top-rated golf courses, ten restaurants, two spas, and well-appointed guest rooms with gorgeous mountain views. This is the perfect spot for a family vacation, a romantic getaway or a girls’ weekend. READ MORE
Photo: Laura Moss
Bask in the glory of the Manhattan skyline while reveling in the many charms to be found on this side of the Hudson River. Jersey City sits under the watchful gaze of Lady Liberty, and Hoboken is suffused with the spirit of its most famous son, Frank Sinatra. These bustling cities boast wonderful strolls, sophisticated restaurants, scrappy sandwich institutions, and exciting live music and nightlife. READ MORE
Lambertville, a historic mill town on the Delaware River, has a bit of everything for the cold-weather visitor. There are cozy inns, top-rated restaurants, comfy coffee shops, stylish boutiques, art galleries, and a host of antique shops and markets. You can walk everywhere and enjoy river views on the D&R Canal State Park towpath and the charming, pedestrian-friendly bridges spanning the Delaware. READ MORE
Photo: Kate Albright
Long a haven for artists, actors, musicians and writers, Montclair’s coolness quotient got a post-pandemic boost when young outer-borough residents flocked to town. A new theater, art galleries, music venues, and dozens of new restaurants have joined the town’s already long list of dining and entertainment options, making it the perfect getaway for anyone looking for a fun, action-packed weekend. READ MORE
Photo: Courtesy of Pendry Natirar
If you’ve ever been to Ninety Acres restaurant in Peapack-Gladstone—a regular on New Jersey Monthly’s Best Restaurants list—you may have spied a historic stone mansion in the distance. A stellar example of Tudor-style architecture, the building was once a private home for a Moroccan royal. Today it has been masterfully re-envisioned as premier getaway destination that opened this past fall. READ MORE
Photo: John Emerson
For first-time visitors to Princeton, the centerpiece—its beautiful Ivy League college campus with rolling lawns and ivy-covered buildings—is exactly what you’d imagine this town to look like. Its quaint downtown, with a mixture of high-end stores (Polo Ralph Lauren, Barbour and Hermès) and middle-of-the-road shops (J.Crew and Faherty) and terrific restaurants, gives visitors plenty to do. There’s also history here, as well as natural beauty, architecture and fabulous art. READ MORE
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