There are so many beautiful byways in New Jersey, but only 7 of them have an official "scenic byway" designation... that is, until now. Just recently, New Jersey welcomed its newest scenic byway - the Western Highlands Scenic Byway. It is the 8th scenic byway in the Garden State and the first in Sussex County.
The byway begins where Route 515 intersects Route 23. It traverses north through Hardyston and Vernon to Route 94 and back down south along Vernon Crossing Road, Sand Hill Road and McPeek Road.
The byway was sponsored by the Vernon Township Historical Society. You'll find spectacular views and numerous historic sites along the way including Mastodon Lake, St. Thomas Church, the Appalachian Trail, Pinwheel Vista, the 1881 Railroad Depot at Vernon Crossing, Vernon Valley Farm and many others.
A scenic byway designation can be awarded to roads and routes that are regionally significant in one or more of the following areas: scenic, natural, recreational, cultural, historic, or archaeological. This particular byway offers a mix of these qualities.
You can find numerous opportunities for recreation and entertainment along the 13-mile route including hiking, skiing (at Mountain Creek), fishing and historic sites. Landscapes you'll find include forest and wetlands.
Few things are more relaxing than sitting back with a good book, and the literary world is only getting more diverse. There's something for everyone and a bookstore to sell it. As a fan of great books, I find New Jersey might just be the best state around for diverse reading, and that's why I put together this New Jersey literary road trip through the north and central parts of the state. Seven incredible bookstores and libraries can be found in major cities, small towns, and even along the Jersey Shore. This trip will take a little over three hours of driving with seven stops along the way, but you'll want to budget plenty of extra time for browsing those stacks.
Your road trip will kick off in Northern New Jersey, not too far from New York. This whole trip can be done in a day, but that will depend on how much time you want to spend browsing the massive bookstores along the way - and they don't get bigger than the first.
1. Montclair Book Center (Montclair)
Many books stacked with blurred background of bookstore full of books. Photo with copyspace
The largest independent bookstore in New Jersey, Montclair Book Center is known throughout the state as the best place for rare-book hunters looking for hidden gems. This sprawling institution has been open since 1984 and has more than 100,000 books on its shelves. The three levels have everything you could want, including a movie section.
One of the newer independent bookstores, The Nature of Reading is a tiny space dedicated to the love of nature. Located on Madison's Main Street, it features a carefully curated selection of books as well as a great space filled with plants and little enclaves for reading.
3. Rutgers Art Library (New Brunswick)
This one is pretty close to me, as it's on the grounds of Rutgers University, where I studied for several years. The Rutgers Art Library is a world apart from the massive main library of the campus, a unique and specialized institution with rare art books, and the acclaimed Zimmerli Art Museum right next door with free admission. This is a must-visit for any art lover.
4. Guggenheim Memorial Library (West Long Branch)
Associated with Monmouth University, this library has a fantastic selection of historic and academic books, but the primary reason to visit is its stunning architecture. The Guggenheim Memorial Library was designed by the same team behind the world-famous New York Public Library in Manhattan, and just exploring its storied halls is an adventure.
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5. Paranormal Books & Curiosities (Asbury Park)
This unique paranormal bookstore is filled with some of the eeriest books in the Garden State. You can find some classic NJ ghost stories, or take a deep dive into some of our native cryptids like the Jersey Devil. This is also a popular tourist destination with a paranormal museum upstairs, so check ahead about tours.
A sprawling public library that was completely renovated about 15 years ago, the Princeton Public Library is my personal favorite library in New Jersey. Not only is the massive building the perfect place for a day of exploring, but there's an on-site cafe as well as a huge book sale section where you can find some amazing bargains.
7. The Bear and the Books (Hopewell)
This trip wouldn't be complete without a stop at a children's bookstore, and The Bear and the Books is a charming little haven that feels right out of a storybook itself. Pop in, browse for gifts, and the bookstore will also order books for adults on request. The most unique part of this bookstore is Bear Mail, which allows people to set up books by mail for a child they know.
Which stops have you visited on this New Jersey literary road trip? What's your favorite bookstore in the Garden State? Let us know in the comments section! Princeton is pretty close to your end spot, so consider making a day trip of it and working in a gourmet dinner at Elements and a night at the luxurious and historic Nassau Inn after a day of driving and reading.
As fall arrives, my thoughts often turn to the Jersey Shore. As much as I love the place, it can be a bit much in the summer - between the crowds and the heat. But in early fall, most of the beach towns are still rolling on the weekends, with beaches and attractions open. The crowds have lessened, the weather is beautiful, and the sights are stunning. That makes it the perfect time for a Jersey Shore road trip, and we've come up with a road trip itinerary that will take you to five of the best shore towns in Central New Jersey while only having to drive for around an hour. That will give you plenty of time to explore these beautiful beach destinations and take in all they have to offer.
The beach towns in Central New Jersey don't often get as much attention compared to the likes of Cape May and Atlantic City, but these smaller destinations have a ton of charm and attractions for all ages. You'll only be on the road for an hour, but you can expect some amazing stops.
Red Bank might not be on the shore per se, but its proximity to the stunning Navesink River makes it an honorary first stop on the tour. This charming town of around 12,000 is known for being one of the state's best hubs of the arts thanks to the beautiful Count Basie Theater. It's also a great dining destination - whether you want the state's most creative pork roll sandwiches, or a delicious scratch-made Italian dinner. The kids will love the town's chocolate shop and retro arcade - and if a few hours here isn't enough, check into the Molly Pitcher Inn for a night in the lap of luxury.
The largest town on our list with around 15,000 people, Asbury Park is a world-famous beach destination that's one of the best offseason towns on the shore. Its Crown Jewel is The Stone Pony, an amazing music venue that just celebrated its fiftieth anniversary. The town's historic architecture also helped to put it on the map - just check out this stunning abandoned carousel. Looking for culture here? There's a paranormal museum and a pinball museum, only minutes away from each other. And of course, you can't leave without some famous Boardwalk fries and lemonade.
Belmar is a more laid-back town than the last two, with a population of just under 6,000 and a focus on the beautiful shoreline. Its diverse collection of restaurants, beautiful parks system, and close proximity to the river make it one of the best shore towns around, especially if you're looking to fish or just soak up the sun. There's also a great place to eat right by the water - Klein's Fish Market, which features a massive outdoor patio as well as a still-operating fish market.
Manasquan might just be one of the most beautiful towns on the Jersey Shore. With a population of under 6,000, this is primarily a residential area without too many attractions - which makes it a must-visit for nature-lovers. The Manasquan Reservoir features a gorgeous loop trail that is easy to walk and shows you the most beautiful spots by the town's waterfront, and the local restaurant scene is known for its amazing burgers. If you're here in the summer, you might witness one of the town's most stunning sights - bioluminescent waves!
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5. Point Pleasant Beach
Point Pleasant Beach Palms -01
We'll wrap things up at one of the most iconic beach towns and one of the friendliest towns in New Jersey. Point Pleasant Beach is best known for the massive Jenkinson's Boardwalk complex, which is home to an amusement park, a truly bizarre funhouse, an acclaimed aquarium, and the largest tiki bar in New Jersey. If you're staying for dinner, the town is home to plenty of acclaimed restaurants, including the watefront gem The Shrimp Box and the top-notch French bistro The Poached Pear.
Have you visited any of the towns on this Jersey Shore road trip? Let us know what you thought, and what your favorite shore towns to visit are in the comments section! If you're getting to Point Pleasant Beach at the end of the day and don't want to drive all the way back home, you can check into The White Sands Oceanfront Resort & Spa, the town's premiere luxury destination - perfect if you're planning a late dinner on the water.
