Stories

Discovering New Jersey.

1/1/2024

On January 1, 2024 I moved to Central New Jersey (rough map here) with my family. Since I knew absolutely nothing about the Garden State, I relied on a strategy that has served me well on all my road trips (see Travel page here). I began getting recommendations from kind locals and seasoned fellow travelers, and then I followed up with some research. I am happy to report that all of that culminated in me getting a small grasp of the many places that make this state so amazing. And now I get to pass that information onto you.

As you will see, this page of diverse resources is divided into four sections. First is a listing in the northern part of Central New Jersey. Second is a listing of the area south of that. Third is a listing of some brand new recommendations that people have been kind enough to offer. And fourth is a listing of recommended links for Kids, Adults and Future Exploration.

I hope this helps you understand and appreciate NJ as much as this newcomer does. And if you have any positive recommendations or feedback, please let me know so I can add it to this ever-growing list and perhaps write about it for my New Jersey travel page here.

Northern Part Of Central New Jersey.
Here's a non-freeway map http://tinyurl.com/4a37n2b3 and links to locations in this area.

Basking Ridge
Lyon’s Mall https://lyonsmall.com/store-links.html Walgreens (Prescriptions/Photos), Wine, Thai Food, Cleaners, Subway, Dunkin, Nail Salon, Dental, Urgent Care, Master Yoo’s Martial Arts, UPS, etc.
Stop & Shop https://stopandshop.com/savings/all-specials/category/2098
Blue Café https://www.bluecafe.net/
Washington House https://www.washingtonhouserestaurant.com/
Ridge Cafe https://www.ridgebagelcafe.com/
3 West https://www.yelp.com/biz/3-west-basking-ridge
Toca Vez www.tocavez.com/
Just Riding Along Bicycle & Liberty Coffee Shop https://www.justridingalong.org/
Bernards Township Library https://www.bernardslibrary.org/ Tech Teens/Free Scanning
The Raptor Trust/Great Swamp https://theraptortrust.org/visit/tours/
YMCA https://www.gscymca.org/ Martial Arts https://www.gscymca.org/programs/sports/martial-arts/ Dance https://www.gscymca.org/programs/sports/dance/ Gymnastics https://www.gscymca.org/programs/sports/gymnastics/ Programs/Calendar https://operations.daxko.com/Online/5029/ProgramsV2/Home.mvc
Senior Wellness Center https://www.co.somerset.nj.us/government/human-services/aging-disability-services/senior-centers
Pleasant Valley Park (has playground equipment) https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g46287-d23712118-Reviews-Pleasant_Valley_Park-Basking_Ridge_New_Jersey.html
Harry Dunham Park 490 Somerville Rd, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
Harry Dunham Park, Bernards Twp., NJ https://www.njplaygrounds.com/1839/harry-dunham-park-bernards-twp-nj/
Bernards Township Parks/Facilities  https://www.bernards.org/recreation-page-list/260-facilities

Bernardsville
ShopRite https://www.shoprite.com/sm/pickup/rsid/3000/circular
Liberty Farm Dogs (Doggie Daycare) https://www.libertyfarmdogs.com/
The Station (Restaurant) https://www.thestationbernardsville.com/
Penguin Ice Cream https://penguinicecream.com
The Bernie/Red Horse https://redhorsebydb.com/restaurant-bernards/
The Coffee Shop www.thecoffeeshopbernardsville.com/
Taekwon Coffee & Bubble Tea (And Laundry) https://www.facebook.com/TaekwonCoffee/
Rush Mixed Martial Arts https://rushmixedmartialarts.com/
The Claremont Tavern theclaremonttavern.com/ Live Music theclaremonttavern.com/events/
Osteria Morini osteriamorini.com/bernardsville-nj/ Happy Hour https://osteriamorini.com/bernardsville-nj/menus/happy-hour/
The Olde Mill Inn & Grain House Restaurant https://www.oldemillinn.com/grain-house/
Minuteman Smokehouse & Grill https://www.minutemanbbq.com
Ristorante MV https://www.ristorantemv.com/trattoria
Bernardsville Cinema (Movies)  https://www.bernardsvillecinema.com/
Frankie’s Car Wash https://www.jerseycarwashes.com/category/25831/frankies-car-wash-of-rockaway-boro.htm
Walgreens https://www.walgreens.com/locator/walgreens-123+morristown+rd-bernardsville-nj-07924/id=19953

Morristown
Homestead Bar & Kitchen https://www.thehomesteadnj.com/
Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen www.jockeyhollowbarandkitchen.com/
Roots Steakhouse https://rootssteakhouse.com/morristown
The Laundromat Speakeasy https://www.thelaundromatbar.com
Cafe Sapori https://saporicafe.com/
Lidl (Grocery Store) https://www.lidl.com/stores/US01454
AMC Theaters https://www.showtimes.com/movie-theaters/amc-headquarters-10-9519/
Tavern Off The Green, Morristown, NJ https://www.tavernoffthegreenmorristown.com/ live music
End of Elm https://endofelm.com/
Jiffy Lube https://www.jiffylube.com/locations/nj/rockaway/457
County College of Morris https://www.ccm.edu/
Washington Headquarters Museum home.nps.gov/thingstodo/visit-washingtons-headquarters-museum-in-morristown-nj.htm
Morris County Parks https://www.morrisparks.net/ Mennen Ice Arena https://www.morrisparks.net/index.php/mennen2/general-information/ Learn to Skate https://www.morrisparks.net/mennen2/learn-to-skate/ Maps https://www.morrisparks.net/info-center/maps-apps/ Calendar https://www.morrisparks.net/calendar/

Morris Plains
Tommy's Tavern & Tap - Morris Plains https://www.tommystavernandtap.com/morrisplains Happy Hour https://www.tommystavernandtap.com/tommystaverntap-happyhour
Uncle Giuseppe's Marketplace https://ecomm.uncleg.com/stores/morris-plains
Kohls - Morris Plains https://www.kohls.com/stores/nj/morrisplains-383.shtml
First Watch www.firstwatch.com/locations/morris-plains/

Denville
Shoppes At Union Hill https://www.theshoppesatunionhill.com/store-directory/
Trader Joes https://www.theshoppesatunionhill.com/store/trader-joes/
Dollar Tree https://www.dollartree.com/locations/nj/denville/7738/

Rockaway
Missy's Main Street Cafe https://www.facebook.com/missysmainstreetcafe
Rockaway River Commons https://locations.uedge.com/rockaway-river-commons/ Dollar Tree, TJ Maxx, ShopRite, etc and Marcade Family Fun Center
Dollar Tree https://www.dollartree.com/locations/nj/rockaway/3120/
Aldi stores.aldi.us/nj/rockaway/212-route-46-east
Marcade Family Fun Center https://marcade.us/
Goodwill https://locations.goodwillnynj.org/goodwill-nynj-store-and-donation-center-7a6d75a9eb62

Dover
Salvation Army https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-salvation-army-thrift-store-and-donation-center-dover-2
Dollar Tree https://www.dollartree.com/locations/nj/dover/3190/

Ledgewood/Wharton
Walmart, Home Depot - Ledgewood www.walmart.com/store/3912-ledgewood-nj
Costco Gas - Wharton https://www.yelp.com/biz/costco-wholesale-wharton

Chester
Bernie's Hillside Lounge https://www.facebook.com/bernieschester#Bernies%20Facebook%20Page
Marylin's Cafe https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g46355-d4941943-r259073034-Marilyn_s_Cafe-Chester_Morris_County_New_Jersey.html
Chester Diner www.chesterdinernj.com/
Bella Pizza https://www.bellaspizzanj.com/menu-1
Benitos Trattoria https://www.benitos-trattoria.net
Redwoods Grill & Bar https://www.redwoodsgrillandbar.com
Old Mill Tavern  https://www.facebook.com/oldmilltavern/
Hacklebarney State Park Playground  www.njplaygrounds.com/2959/hacklebarney-state-park-long-valley-nj/
Hacklebarney Farm Cider Mill/Bakery/Farm Store www.hacklebarneyfarm.com/#/
Main Street Chester https://www.themontclairgirl.com/chester-new-jersey-things-to-do/
Chester Hikes https://chestertrails.org/ctrails/

Peapack and Gladstone
Sunoco Gas (Lowest price in area?) https://www.sunoco.com/locations/store/28-us-highway-206-peapack-nj-0267630200
CocoLuxe Fine Pastries https://www.cocoluxepastry.com
Gladstone Market https://gladstonemarketnj.com/
Gladstone Tavern https://www.gladstonetavern.com/  Live Music https://www.gladstonetavern.com/livemusic#live-music
Cafe Azzurro https://www.cafeazzurronj.com/
Natirar Park https://www.somersetcountyparks.org/natirar and Ninety Acres
Bluebird Farm Alpacas www.bluebirdfarmalpacas.com
Coco Luxe Fine Pastries https://www.cocoluxepastry.com/
IL Monello Italian Restaurant https://ilmonello.com
Restaurant/Cooking School http://www.natirar.com/ninety_acres/
Second Chance Thrift friendsofmatheny.org/get-involved/#second-chance
Main Street Peapack http://www.peapackgladstone.org/content/459/default.aspx

Southern Part of Central New Jersey.
Here's a non-freeway map tinyurl.com/3zz357aa and links to locations in this area.

Far Hills
Far Hills Train Station/Butler’s Pantry Train Station https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g46435-d2366380-Reviews-The_Butler_s_Pantry_Trackside-Far_Hills_New_Jersey.html
Coffee and Company https://restaurantguru.com/Coffee-and-Company-Far-Hills
Shooting Stars/Anne’s Playhouse (Dance/Gymnastics) https://www.anniesplayhouse.com/class-schedule.html
Post Office https://www.postallocations.com/nj/far-hills/far-hills
Local Government https://www.farhillsnj.org/

Bound Book
Columbian Steakhouse colombiansteakhouse.com/
Goodwill - Bound Brook https://locations.goodwillnynj.org/goodwill-nynj-store-and-donation-center-7e6758ab44a3
Bridgewater Promenade - Bound Brook https://visitsomersetnj.org/fun-somerset-nj/bridgewater-promenade/ Costco, Target, Trader Joes, Home Depot, Marshalls, PetSmart,

Bridgewater
Chimney Rock Inn https://www.chimneyrockinn.com/order
22 West Tap and Grill https://www.22westtapandgrill.com/
Valero, Fuel 4, Delta, Sunoco, Wawa - Bridgewater (Cheapest Gas) www.gasbuddy.com/gasprices/new-jersey/bridgewater
Best Buy - Bridgewater https://stores.bestbuy.com/nj/bridgewater/300-commons-way-544.html
Bridgewater Train Station www.njtransit.com/station/bridgewater-station
Bridgewater KidStreet Park https://parks.bridgewaternj.gov/kidstreet-park/
Additional Bridgewater Parks https://parks.bridgewaternj.gov/calendar/#

Manville
Walmart - Manville https://www.walmart.com/store/2651-manville-nj
Reading Cinemas Manville with Titan Luxe - www.readingcinemasus.com/manville
Habitat ReStore The Marketplace at Manville https://rvhabitat.org/

Somerville
New Jersey Motor Vehicle Center - Somerville https://nj.gov/mvc/
Downtown Somerville https://downtownsomerville.org/ and https://downtownsomerville.org/visitors-guide/
Village Brewing Company www.villagebrewing.com/

Bedminster
Grace Chapel https://gfcnj.com/
Orange Theory Location 1 https://www.orangetheory.com/en-us and Location 2 https://www.orangetheory.com/en-us/locations/new-jersey/bedminster/434-u-s-202
Clarence Dillion Public Library https://www.dillonlibrary.org/ Free Fax/Scanning/Museum Passes https://www.dillonlibrary.org/museum-passes/ Coffee Bar https://www.dillonlibrary.org/cafe/
Delicious Heights https://deliciousheights.com/bedminster/ Happy Hour https://deliciousheights.com/wp-content/uploads/bedminster-happy-hour.pdf
Great Clips/Monica https://salons.greatclips.com/us/nj/bedminster/422-us-hwy-202/206-n/salon-services
Lil Pickles Deli https://www.lilpickles.com/
Pluckemin Inn www.pluckemininn.com/about-us/
Bedminster Pizza https://bedminsterpizzanj.com/index.html
Trattoria Mediterranea https://www.trattoriamediterranea.com
Kings Foods (Albertsons) https://local.kingsfoodmarkets.com/nj/bedminster.html
Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity https://rvhabitat.org/
Raritan Valley Community College https://www.raritanval.edu/
Gus and Bucky's Car Wash https://gusandbuckys.com/

New Recomendations.
Oakflower Brewing, Millington, NJ https://www.oakflowerbrewing.com/
Millington Station Cafe: Millington, NJ www.millingtonstationcafe.com/ Lunch
Stirling Diner, Stirling, NJ www.stirlinghousediner.com/menus/
The Dessert Ladies: Stirling, NJ https://www.dessertladies.com/
The Stirling Hotel: Stirling, NJ https://www.thestirlinghotel.com/dinner Happy Hour/Patio
Trattoria Biagio, Stirling, NJ https://www.biagiostrattorianj.com/ Bread/Sandwiches
Stirling Fountain/Ice Cream, Stirling, NJ https://www.thestirlingfountainnj.com/
Stirling Lake Park: Stirling, NJ https://www.longhillnj.gov/recreation/parks.html
12 Islands Greek Taverna, Stirling, NJ https://www.12islandsgreektaverna.com/
Mountain Hill Bistro: Gillette, NJ www.mountainhillbistro.com/
Vintage Tavern, Gillette, NJ www.vintagetavern.com/
Trap Rock Brewery/Restaurant, Berkeley Heights, NJ traprockrestaurant.net/
United Brewing Company, New Providence, NJ www.untiedbrewingco.com/
Prestige Diner, New Providence, NJ prestigediner.com/
Jaycees Park Playground, New Providence, NJ exploreunioncounty.com/places/new-jersey/new-providence/parks-1/jaycees-park/
Watchung Park/Playground/Nature Science Center/Deserted Village, Mountainside, NJ exploreunioncounty.com/places/new-jersey/mountainside/parks-1/watchung-reservation/
Uproot, Warren, NJ www.uprootrestaurant.com/
Twin Elephant Brewery, Chatham, NJ www.facebook.com/twinelephant/
River Grille, Chatham, NJ chathamrivergrille.com/
The Tewksbury Inn, Oldwick, NJ www.thetewksburyinn.com/index.htmll
Oldwick General Store, Oldwick, NJ theoldwickgeneralstore.com/
Oldwick Farm Market, Oldwick, NJ melickstownfarm.com/oldwick-farm-market/
Howling Basset Books, Oldwick, NJ www.howlingbassetbooks.com/
Good Days Cafe, Whitehouse Station, NJ gooddayscafenj.com/
Jerry's Brooklyn Grill, Whitehouse Station, NJ www.jerrysbrooklyngrillnj.com/
Kitchen American Grill, Whitehouse Station, NJ https://www.kitchenamericangrill.com/
Paper Mill Playhouse, Milburn, NJ https://papermill.org/ live music
Buona Sera, Red Bank, NJ https://buona-sera.com/
Cafe Venezia, Martinsville, NJ www.cafeveneziaofmartinsville.com/
Sammy's Ye Old Cider Mill, Mendham, NJ https://sammyscidermill.com/
Shanghai Jazz, Madison, NJ https://www.shanghaijazz.com/

Kids, Adults and Future Exploration.
Kids Links
Jujitsu Schools https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=kids+jiu+jitsu&find_loc=Far+Hills%2C+NJ+07931
Jersey Family Fun https://www.jerseyfamilyfun.com/advertising-options/ and www.youtube.com/@Jerseyfamilyfun
Playgrounds https://www.yelp.com/search?cflt=playgrounds&find_loc=Far+Hills%2C+NJ+07931
NJ Playgrounds https://www.njplaygrounds.com
Regatta Playground www.jerseyfamilyfun.com/regatta-playground-south-mountain-recreation-complex-west-orange-nj/
Somerset County https://www.co.somerset.nj.us/home
Somerset County Park Commission https://www.somersetcountyparks.org/
Colonial Park, Franklin Township https://www.somersetcountyparks.org/colonial-park/pages/playground-equipment
Duke Island Park, Bridgewater  www.somersetcountyparks.org/duke-island-park
Frelinghuysen Arboretum, Morristown www.arboretumfriends.org/plan-your-visit/
Burnt Mills/Miller Lane/Pluckemin School House/River Road Parks https://www.bedminster.us/services/parks_facilities
North Branch Park www.somersetcountyparks.org/north-branch-park
Raptor Trust theraptortrust.org/
Great Swamp  www.fws.gov/refuge/great-swamp
Essex Hunt Club Hockey League https://essexhunt.com/
Branchburg Sports Complex https://branchburgsports.com
ClubAir https://clubair.fun
Five Nearest Affordable Theme Parks finance.yahoo.com/news/5-theme-parks-way-cheaper-221906125.html

Adults Links
Happy Hours https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=happy+hour&find_loc=Far+Hills%2C+NJ+07931 and https://blog.northjerseyinmotion.com/2018/07/a-foodies-guide-to-north-jersey-happy-hours-great-places-to-eat-drink-and-be-happy/
Best Restaurants https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g46435-Far_Hills_New_Jersey.html
Best Coffee Places https://www.yelp.com/search?cflt=coffee&find_loc=Far+Hills%2C+NJ+07931 and https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g46435-c8-Far_Hills_New_Jersey.html

Future Explorations Links
Princeton https ://travellemming.com/things-to-do-in-princeton/
New Hope & Lambertville https://www.thrillist.com/lifestyle/philadelphia/things-to-do-new-hope-pa-lambertville-nj
Long Branch https://www.new-jersey-leisure-guide
.com/long-branch.html
Cape May https://www.capemay.com/things-to-do
Round Valley www.stateparks.com/round_valley_recreation_area_in_new_jersey.html
Clinton www.clintonnj.gov/visitors/pages/things-do
Sea Bright https://www.thecitypulse.com/post/easy-to-park-plenty-eat-swim-surf-and-sun-at-sea-bright-the-first-beach-town-at-the-shore
Madison https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/new-jersey/visit-madison-nj/
Milburn https://exploremillburnshorthills.org/explore-millburn-short-hills/ Papermill Playhouse https://papermill.org/

Les Maness
www.StoriesFromTheRoadLesTraveled.com

*Disclaimer: I have provided this info for entertainment purposes only. You are solely responsible for your experience. Always drink responsibly. See your Doctor prior to any new activity, dietary change and/or Covid travel concerns. And please treat your Servers with kindness, patience and generosity.

Take Me Home, Country Roads Is Now Available.

11/30/2023

0 Comments

My free e-book Take Me Home. Country Roads is now available at http://www.lesmaness.com/take-me-home-country-roads. The 52 page travelogue follows my 7000+ mile road trip across America in 2024ish. It highlights my cross country move and showcases some of the Amazing Places I was blessed to see in the months that followed. So, whether you are just joining me now or you came along for the entire ride, I hope you enjoy the trip.

Les Maness www.StoriesFromTheRoadLesTraveled.com

Contents Books Home Hire Stories

0 Comments

For More Travel And Encouragement.

4/21/2023

Thank you to everyone who joined me on my Living In America road trip. If you'd like more eBooks about travel or encouragement, go to my Books page at www.LesManess.com (AKA Stories From The Road Les Traveled). For more about my background and passions, see the Gigs, Photos and Stories pages on my website. And if you are interested in subjects like Health, Humor, Encouragement, Travel, Pet Pals and Heroes, check out the Topics page there.

Contents Books Home Hire Stories

Pet Pals Update.

4/20/2023

I just updated my Pet Pals page to include these new Amazing Faces I've met or pet sat for in my travels. You can read all about them at http://www.lesmaness.com/pet-pals.html

ARIZONA: A Brief Guide To Amazing Places.

11/22/2021

Go Your Own Way Is Now Available.

11/20/2021

My free e-book Go Your Own Way is now available at https://tinyurl.com/stmvepad. The 110 page book follows my 9000 mile, 143 day road trip across America during summer of 2021. The book showcases many of the Amazing Places I was blessed to see, with a special emphasis on my discovery of the many diverse and beautiful wonders of my boyhood home state of Michigan. As with all of my previous travel books (link https://tinyurl.com/f845hbuy), I hope that reading it inspires all those who love travel.

Les Maness www.StoriesFromTheRoadLesTraveled.com

Contents Books Home Hire Stories

Every Picture Tells A Story Is Now Available.

10/2/2020

My free e-book Every Picture Tells A Story is now available at https://tinyurl.com/yyum4wrk. The 30 page book chronicles my one month road trip across America during the 2020 pandemic. The book includes photos of some of the Amazing Places I was able to see and offers some reflections about traveling and living during this most unusual time in history. It is my hope that in reading it that you will be able to enjoy the ride and get excited about planning your next great adventure.

Les Maness www.StoriesFromTheRoadLesTraveled.com

Cover Home Stories Gigs Photos Topics B ooks

50th Anniversary Of Goose Lake Music Festival.

8/4/2020

Original Facebook personal post here and RHS Class Of The 60's group post here.

On August 7–9, 1970, I and 200,000 of my closest hippy friends went to the Goose Lake International Music Festival near Jackson, MI. The weekend festival was billed as Michigan's answer to Woodstock, which actually took place in Bethel, New York one year prior. So our expectations (and musicians) were pretty high. And the revolving stage of artists didn't disappoint. The acts included Rod Stewart, Bob Seger, Jethro Tull, Mitch Ryder, Chicago, MC5, SRC, Brownsville Station, Ten Years After, Mountain, Teegarden & Van Winkle, John Sebastian and the James Gang.. I don't remember much else, so I'm hoping those of you who were there 50 years ago might share a memory. Peace, Love and Bell bottoms. :-)

For more about Goose Lake and Woodstock, go to:
https://tinyurl.com/yxtyuhx3, https://tinyurl.com/y2lovk3k,
https://tinyurl.com/yylaub25 and https://tinyurl.com/y6ga3s4d

For big hits from the artists who played there, check out
MC5 https://tinyurl.com/y6jjahho
Jethro Tull https://tinyurl.com/yxmamvah
Rod Stewart https://tinyurl.com/y3o935cd
Mountain https://tinyurl.com/yxfpgt7k
James Gang https://tinyurl.com/y5cgfb4h
Chicago https://tinyurl.com/y57khuyx
Ten Years After https://tinyurl.com/yxgb2kn8
Mitch Ryder https://tinyurl.com/yylecwlb
John Sebastian https://tinyurl.com/yxgrapke
Bob Seger https://tinyurl.com/y56jmome
SRC https://tinyurl.com/yyel2s3b
Brownsville Station https://tinyurl.com/yyfplug4
Teegarden & Van Winkle https://tinyurl.com/y3cedja9

Encouraging Words 3 Is Now Available.

4/9/2020

This e-book has a very simple format. It is one of my images coupled with a powerful quote from some of the world's most life-affirming minds. My goal was to give some reassurance and courage to those who needed it. But what I never expected was all of the inspiration, hope, love and support that was returned to me and shared with others. (See final chapter Thank You for more on this.) To make it easier to copy, paste and share these individual links, I put them in the Table Of Contents. In doing so, I hope these messages of hope find their way to those who really need them.

Les Maness StoriesFromTheRoadLesTraveled.com

Contents Books Home Hire Stories

Encouraging Words 2 Is Now Available.

11/20/2019

My newest book, Encouraging Words 2 is now available for free on my website at https://tinyurl.com/uj9wd2d. Like my first book, Encouraging Words (https://tinyurl.com/wv4p9b6), this book is a compilation of upbeat, reassuring, humorous and gratitude-inspired posts. It is my hope and prayer that they offer some insight, comfort and perspective to those who are seeking peace, inspiration and restoration.

Les Maness www.StoriesFromTheRoadLesTraveled.com / www.LesManess.com

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