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Trip Ideas|Small Towns

These 7 Beautiful Beaches In New Jersey Are Some Of The Most Peaceful Places To Explore During The Off-Season

Discover charming Jersey Shore towns that are perfect for off-season visits.

Published Feb 28, 2022

Written by 

Kim Magaraci

The Jersey Shore is lovely! It's a world-famous vacation destination, and each little town has something to offer visitors. It can be very crowded and expensive to visit in the middle of summer, when tourism peaks, but that shouldn't stop you from getting to know these charming shore towns. Take a look at a few that are great to visit in the off-season.

1. Cape May

Colorful beach houses line the shore, with people relaxing on the sand and enjoying the ocean waves.
Wikimedia Commons/Smallbones

Cape May is a year-round resort town. While it is busiest in the summertime, the area around Congress Hall and the historic district are popular with visitors even in the dead of winter. It's always a good time here - you can climb the lighthouse, visit the beach bunkers, and shop 'til you drop no matter when you come by.

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2. Brigantine

A sandy path leads to a calm beach under a blue sky with scattered clouds. Green grass lines the dunes.
Wikimedia Commons/Bookfan

Brigantine is a quiet Atlantic County town. It's fun to visit in the off-season when the beach is empty. It's also open to horseback riding from October through April, so you might see a few four-legged friends! Close proximity to Atlantic City means there are always lodging and dining options close by.

3. Asbury Park

A busy beach scene with colorful umbrellas, sunbathers, and a clear blue sky with fluffy clouds.
Wikimedia Commons/Fred170

Visit Asbury Park any time of year to enjoy festivals, concerts, and quality time on the sand. They take Local Summer seriously here, and you'll find that September is truly the best time to visit and have a whole lot of space to yourself.

4. Ocean City

Lifeguard tower on a beach at sunset, with waves in the background and a sign warning to watch children.
Facebook / Ocean City NJ

Ocean City is one of those towns that captures your heart when you're young - and then never lets go! Most of the boardwalk is closed during the off-season, but you can get Manco and Manco Pizza year round, and that's really all you ever need.

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5. Long Beach Island

A tall red and white lighthouse stands among green trees under a blue sky with fluffy white clouds.
Wikimedia Commons/Cory Hauck

LBI is an island full of residential homes, so you'll find plenty of year-round restaurants and shops here. With so much coastline, too, it's easy to find an empty spot on the beach and enjoy the cooler air.

6. Highlands

A sandy beach lined with trees beside a calm river under a clear blue sky.
Wikimedia Commons/Zeete

Highlands is a bayshore town by the Navesink River. It's also home to one of the best secret beaches - Black Fish Cove at Rocky Point. You'll access this beach after hiking through Hartshorne Woods Park, one of the shore's best kept secrets.

7. Island Beach State Park

Aerial view of a long, narrow strip of land bordered by ocean on one side and a bay on the other, under a clear blue sky.
Facebook / Island Beach State Park

Island Beach State Park is glorious on a warm winter day. This park is quiet and empty even in the middle of the busiest seasons, so if you visit in the off season, you'll practically have it to yourself.

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Trip Ideas|Small Towns

7 Christmas Towns in New Jersey That Will Fill Your Heart With Holiday Cheer

Looking for the best Christmas towns in New Jersey? These seven towns illustrate why the Garden State does the holidays better than anyone.

Updated Nov 13, 2024

Written by 

Raymond Goldfield

New Jersey makes getting in the Christmas spirit oh-so-easy, especially with carols playing in shops, mall Santas, and twinkling lights just about everywhere we look. The best Christmas towns in New Jersey are also gearing up for another amazing holiday season. There are so many amazing places to go for Christmas in New Jersey, whether you're looking for an old-fashioned Christmas or a state-of-the-art North Pole extravaganza. We've even got a full-on magical Christmas village hiding in the south of the state. So follow us for an epic Christmas road trip to the best Christmas towns in New Jersey.

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1. Clinton

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A night view of waterfalls at Red Mill, Clinton New Jersey.

Clinton is one of the best Christmas towns in New Jersey primarily due to the historic Red Mill. This stunning building is home to the Festival of Trees during the holiday season, a unique maze of decorated miniature Christmas trees. The festival typically runs from late November through mid-December. But the fun doesn't stop there. The annual Clinton Christmas Parade fills the streets with costumes, floats, and live music, and you can expect to see Santa Claus drop in for a meet-and-greet.

2. Woodstown

Woodstown is the perfect place if your taste in Christmas revelry trends more toward the peaceful and old-fashioned. The town hosts Woodstown by Candlelight, a beloved event that includes special sales at local businesses and a candlelit home tour of some of the area's most gorgeous decked-out holiday homes. Stock up on gifts at the holiday market, and have the little ones write a letter to Santa.

3. Haddonfield

Haddonfield is another town that goes all out for the season, turning its main street into a twinkling wonderland of lights. That's just the beginning, though, as Haddonfield is known as one of the top holiday shopping destinations thanks to its Candlelight Shopping events. Visit Downtown Haddonfield the first three Friday evenings in December for a magical shopping experience. The town will be awash in luminaries and twinkling Christmas trees. Live entertainment is planned, and you can climb aboard a horse-drawn carriage for a scenic ride.

4. Cape May

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Kirkikis/iStock via Getty Images Plus

Cape May is one of the most beautiful Christmas towns in New Jersey thanks to its collection of Victorian homes. What's more impressive than historic mansions? Historic mansions decked out for the holidays! You can have a great Christmas visit here just by walking around town and seeing the lights, but a stop at the town's famous shopping and dining square, Washington Street Mall, is the perfect way to spend a winter day in this enchanting Christmas town in New Jersey. When I lived in New Jersey, Cape May was always at the top of my must-visit list during the holiday season.

5. Whippany

Whippany is home to The Polar Express, perhaps the most famous holiday experience in New Jersey. Unlike many Christmas trains, this one is licensed after the famous book and features iconic scenes straight from the movie. A kaleidoscope of colors, delicious treats including hot chocolate, and a memorable meeting with Santa Claus await kids of all ages as they board for this charming experience.

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6. Mount Holly

Mount Holly is best known for its massive Christmas tree and the annual tree lighting and parade, but locals will tell you the best event in this Christmas town in New Jersey is the Mount Holly Holiday Home Tour. A one-day event that takes you to some of the most beautiful homes in town, the beloved Christmas tradition is a little different every year as the homes and decor are never the same twice.

7. Smithville

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Merry go round at Smithville decorated in holiday lights.

Historic Smithville isn't just one of the best Christmas towns in New Jersey. It might be one of the most beautiful sights in the whole state. This Christmas village takes the town's historic square and transforms it into a gleaming, colorful winter wonderland. All the stores and restaurants are open with many selling special holiday treats, and attractions like the carousel and miniature train are decked out in their holiday colors. It's a unique holiday experience that can only be had in New Jersey.

What are your favorite things to do for Christmas in New Jersey? Let us know by filling out this nomination form. We hope you have a great time on your holiday adventures, and make sure to bring a warm winter coat.

If all this merriment puts you in the gift-giving mood, we've got a new gift guide to help you find the perfect gift for that traveler in your life.

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Trip Ideas|Small Towns

If You Only Have One Day to Visit This Small Town in New Jersey, Here’s Everything You Absolutely Can’t Miss

There are so many great things to do in Pitman, New Jersey, that it makes the perfect day trip.

Published Oct 28, 2024

Written by 

Raymond Goldfield

New Jersey is full of great small towns, but I often feel like the state's suburban south gets short-shift. These towns are actually Philadelphia suburbs, just a transit ride away from the area's second-biggest city, and they have a unique culture that's a little different from the usual Jersey vibe. A perfect example of this is Pitman, a town of around 8,800 people in the southwest corner of the state. The town was originally home to a massive Methodist camp meeting in the 1800s and has blossomed into a beautiful small town since. A visit to Pitman means you'll be able to experience charming scenery, great shopping, fantastic food, and a surprising amount of culture. You could easily spend more than a day here, but if you only have one, here are the best things to do in Pitman that you just can't miss.

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A train station with a brick building, a blue awning, and a nearby railroad track lined with trees and parked cars.
Adam Moss/Flickr

Pitman is a beautiful town, combining the best of suburban New Jersey with remnants of the old-school church architecture that defined the town. You can see these charming details everywhere, and the main street is one of the most peaceful in the state. During the warmer months, the town is home to Laurel Market, an outdoor farmer's market that's an incredible place to sample local goods.

The town's dining scene is one of the best in the region, as well. It's home to some of the state's best pizza at Pizzeria Mannino's, and some of the best Mexican at Dia de los Burritos, which offers funky fusion burritos. For dessert, make sure to stop by Chloe's Creme Puffs, one of the most decadent pastry shops in the state.

Neon Broadway theater marquee illuminated at night, featuring vibrant colors and a classic design.
Broadway Theater of Pitman/Facebook

The signature attraction in Pitman is the Broadway Theatre of Pitman, which offers a unique mix of theater experiences, ranging from local and touring musical acts and children's theater to classic and current musical hits in an environment that is still stunning almost 100 years after it opened as a classic vaudeville theater.

Have you gotten the chance to explore Pitman? Share your favorite things to do in Pitman, New Jersey with a friend and plan a day trip! If you just can't bring yourself to leave after one day, the town is home to The Inn on Holly Bed and Breakfast, one of the best local inns in New Jersey. The on-site garden, English-style breakfast, and daily room service make this the perfect spot for an intimate getaway.

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