Discovering New Jersey.

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/ 
Blooming Grove Inn https://www.bloominggroveinn.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
Liquid Church https://www.liquidchurch.com/
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
Liquid Church https://www.liquidchurch.com/​
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.