Do you want to get away for the weekend but don’t want to waste hours in airports? New Jersey offers plenty of locations that are perfect for short getaways. You’ll want to consider one or more of these New Jersey vacation spots for your spring trip.

Cape May

You could spend an entire weekend in Cape May without ever visiting the beach. The nation’s oldest seaside resort is home to a lively arts scene and offers an array of art galleries and intimate music venues.  

Unlike many other beach towns, Cape May hasn’t been overrun by developers intent on replacing old buildings with condos. Victorian mansions line the streets and serve as temporary homes to travelers who flock to the seaside city. The Casablanca, one of the town’s newest boutique hotels, features an eclectic decorating style that mixes modern pieces with classic Victorian furniture and tropical touches.

Spring events in Cape May this year include murder mystery weekends, a car show, the annual spring crafts and collectibles show, and a spring birding festival. After spending hours exploring Cape May’s eclectic mix of stores and galleries, be sure to finish the day with a hearty meal at one of the town’s gourmet restaurants, like the Merion Inn or 410 Bank Street, rated one of America’s Top Restaurants by ZAGAT. (Be sure to check restaurant websites when you plan your trip as some restaurants don’t reopen until April.)

Stone Harbor

The ocean may still be a little chilly, but there are plenty of other activities to keep you busy for a weekend or a few days in Stone Harbor. Boutiques, galleries, restaurants and arcades are just a short walk from your hotel or rental. The Wetlands Institute, located just over the Stone Harbor Boulevard Bridge, is home to an aquarium and exhibits on local marine life and animals.

Are you a boat aficionado? Why not plan your visit to coincide with Spring Tide Festival and Boat Show on May 4^th? Held downtown on 96^th Street, the event showcases boats of all sizes and offers local brews, plenty of food choices and even appearances by pirates. After you check out the boats, pay a visit to the commercial district for the annual spring sidewalk sale.

There’s no better place to stay in Stone Harbor than The Reeds at Shelter Haven, located at the edge of the dining and shopping and district.  The boutique resort offers 37 guestrooms and suites, some with views of the bay. Voted one of Conde Nast’s “World’s Best Hotels” for two years, The Reeds offer a peaceful, luxurious spot to enjoy a little downtime during your getaway.

Amenities include free transportation to the beach, two restaurants, two rooftop pools and a hot tub, complimentary paddle boards and kayaks, boat slips, yoga by the bay, and seasonal, complimentary valet parking.

Hamburg

A visit to Sonoma Valley wine country may be out of the question if you only have a few days for your getaway. Luckily, Crystal Springs Resorts’ New Jersey Wine & Food Festival, held in Hamburg, New Jersey brings the area’s premier wineries and distilleries to you. You’ll sample wines, spirits and food from the best restaurants in New Jersey and New York City and meet the chefs and winemakers.

If you’re not a wine drinker, you’ll still find plenty to keep you busy during a stay at the resort. Swimming (at three unique pool complexes), horseback riding, golf, trap shooting, goat yoga, marshmallow roasts and archery tag are among the many activities available.

Do you hate being confined to a small hotel room when you travel? You’ll have all the space you need when you book a one-bedroom suite at The Grand Cascades Lodge at the resort. The suite features a king-sized bedroom, separate living room, gourmet kitchen, and indoor and outdoor fireplaces.

Galloway

Marriott’s Fairway Villas in Galloway, New Jersey offers the ideal home base for your visit to Southern New Jersey. The inland resort is located less than 30 minutes from Atlantic City and Ocean City and offers all the comforts of home. Your two-bedroom villa includes a master bedroom suite with king bed, whirlpool tub, three flat-screen TVs, a fully equipped kitchen and a fireplace.

The resort offers nature trails, an indoor pool, seasonal outdoor pools and a fitness center. Although there’s plenty to do at Fairway Villas, you won’t have to travel far to enjoy a game of golf or a little shopping. Local beach towns are home to a mix of unique boutiques, in addition to an abundance of souvenir shops. If you’re planning to visit an Atlantic City casino, you may want to set aside a little time for shopping at The Playground at Caesars. The indoor mall features a variety of high-end retailers, including Armani, Burberry and Tiffany.

After spending the morning golfing, shopping or exploring the boardwalk, relax with a visit to the resort’s Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa. Spa services include body wraps, massages, facials, manicures and pedicures. Spa patrons can also use the steam room and plunge and lap pools.

Lambertville

If a shopping trip is your idea of the perfect getaway, you’ll want to plan a trip to Lambertville, NJ, located on the Delaware River. Antiques, crafts and fun gift shops that offer one-of-a-kind wares line the streets of this historic town. In fact, you won’t find a chain store or restaurant in Lambertville. Plentiful dining options make it hard to choose the ideal place for dinner, but if you’re staying for a few days, you’ll have enough time to try a few of the most intriguing options.

Lambertville offers several bed and breakfasts located in historic buildings, such as Lambertville Station Restaurant and Inn, which once served as the town’s railroad depot, or Chimney Hill Estate, an elegant old home built in 1820.

Once you’ve enjoyed everything Lambertville offers, you’ll want to take a short stroll across the Bridge St. bridge to New Hope, PA. The Pennsylvania town offers even more shopping and dining opportunities.

Sahara Sam’s Oasis

Are your kids anxiously counting the days until they can visit a waterpark again? There’s no reason to wait when Sahara Sam’s offers an indoor park with all the attractions kids and adults love. The 68,000-square-foot facility located in West Berlin, NJ, offers a variety of slides and water attractions, including Tut’s Twisters, a mat racing slide; the Snake Eyes tube slides, the Mount Kilimanjaro family tube ride and a popular surfing simulator.

A leisure pool, lazy river and a special area for younger water enthusiasts offer more low-key fun. After the kids dry off, they’ll want to pay a visit to the arcade or stop by the snack bar for some fries.

Sahara Sam’s doesn’t have its own hotel, but when you stay at one of its hotel partners, you can take advantage of discounts offered in the Stay and Play Package.

High Point State Park

Aptly named High Point State Park offers views of rolling New Jersey hills, the Pocono Mountains and even the Catskills on a clear day. It’s the perfect spot for a back-to-nature getaway. The park, located in Sussex County close to the New York border, surrounds 20-acre Lake Marcia. In order to see the breathtaking views, you’ll have to climb the 220-foot High Point Monument, erected in honor of the state’s war veterans.

High Point State Park offers boating, fishing and 50 miles of trails. You can even access the Appalachian Trail from the Park.

Your tent site offers a perfect view of the surrounding hills and comes with a picnic table and fire ring. Flush toilets are offered just a short walk away. If sleeping in a tent isn’t quite what you had in mind when you envisioned your getaway, you’ll want to book one of the park’s cabins. The three-bedroom cabins have furnished living rooms, bathrooms with showers, toilets and sinks and kitchens that have electric stoves and refrigerators. Each cabin sleeps six and costs approximately $75 per night.

Stockton Seaview Hotel and Golf Club

There’s nothing like a golf vacation to help you forget about the stresses of daily life. The Stockton Seaview Hotel and Golf Club is located in Galloway, NJ, not far from Atlantic City. Golfers enjoy playing one of two courses: the Pines and the Bay. The Pines, a course that was the site of the 1942 PGA final, features fairways and greens nestled among the pinelands, while the Bay Course offers views of Atlantic City and Reed’s Bay. Before you hit either of the 18-hole courses, you’ll want to spend a little time perfecting your putts on the 9-hole Turtle putting course.

The Stockton Seaview is the perfect place for a getaway even if golf isn’t your game. The resort offers luxurious guest rooms and suites, three tennis courts, a fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools, a game room, jogging trails and the Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa.

Staten Island

Some of the best getaways are close by, including Staten Island. The 60-square-mile island is home to museums, historical sites, outdoor activities, beaches, shopping, restaurants and more than 170 parks. If you’ve formed your opinion of the island based solely on the view from I287 as you drive to work, you’ll be surprised at the wealth of things to do during your getaway.

Conference House Park at the south end of the island houses four historic buildings, a beach, and hiking and biking trails, while Silver Lake Park on the North Shore is home to an 18-hole golf course, sports fields, trails and tennis courts.

A visit to the Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden is an excellent way to spend an afternoon. After you tour the Newhouse Center for Contemporary Art, take a walk through the center’s seven themed gardens. The Allee, a natural tunnel created by growing hornbeam trees over a series of arches, is a popular spot for photographs. If you enjoy learning about the history of the places you visit, a stop at Historic Richmond Town is a must. The town is the largest historic village in the City of New York.

The major chain hotels have locations on Staten Island, but they’re not the only accommodation options. Several bed and breakfasts, including the Fort Place Bed & Breakfast, The Harbor House Bed & Breakfast, and the Victorian Bed & Breakfast, offer cozy rooms and tasty free breakfasts.

Port Jervis

You never know what you’ll find during a stroll through a small town. From interesting architectural details to quirky antique shops to hole-in-the-wall restaurants that offer amazing cuisine, there are always plenty of surprises. Port Jervis, located on the Delaware River, has a few interesting surprises of its own.

Things were booming in town during the construction of the New York and Erie Railroad and the Delaware and Hudson Canal. You’ll see reminders of that time period in the homes and businesses, many of them featuring Victorian and Gilded Age architecture.

The Delaware River Walking Trail winds through the edge of town, offering impressive views of the river and the town. If you’d rather be on the river during a late spring visit, Lander’s River Trips offers rafting, kayaking, tubing and canoeing trips.

The Fox N Hare Brewing Company, Front Street Café and The Erie Hotel and Restaurant offer convenient dining options while you’re in town. The Erie also offers hotel rooms and is the only place to stay in downtown Port Jervis. If you don’t mind venturing a few miles out of town, the Harrington House in Milford, PA, is a good choice. The restored Victorian home offers uniquely decorated rooms and a hearty breakfast in the morning.

Wilmington

Have you been looking for a getaway location with plenty of things to do? Wilmington just may be the perfect spot for your trip. Spring activities in and around the city include the Delaware Running Marathon Festival on April 26, the OperaDelaware2020 Spring Festival from on the weekends of April 25 – May 3, the Bellefonte Art Festival on May 16,  and the Wilmington Grand Prix and Grand Fondo bicycle race on May 15 – 17.

If you plan to be in town on April 26, you may want to buy tickets to the Celebrity Chef’s Brunch soon before they sell out. The popular tasting event includes offerings from 25 award-winning chefs, cocktails, live entertainment and an auction. Longwood Gardens, a short drive from Wilmington, is full of colorful blooms and foliage during late spring. The Gardens, once the home of industrialist Pierre Dupont, encompasses more than 1,000 acres of gardens, woodlands and meadows.

There’s no shortage of hotels in Wilmington, but if you want to treat yourself during your visit, the Hotel DuPont is the ideal place to stay. The Italian Renaissance building features exquisite touches from the lobby to the 217 guest rooms and suites.

When you live in New Jersey, you’ll never run out of things to do. If you’re not a resident yet but are considering making a move, you’ll want to consider home sites in Country Classics at Hillsborough. Get in touch with us to schedule a tour of our model home and learn more about the final phase of this luxury new home community.