If you don't live in New Jersey or spend a lot of time there, it's easy to conjure the title song of "The Sopranos,'' or assume Atlantic City casinos or visiting your uncle are the only reasons to go there from Delaware.
That would be a mistake.
After all, Jersey is a friendly (no, really) neighbor and offers a wealth of history, interesting downtowns, lots of farmland and coastline, and other nature beauty to explore.
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WorldAtlas recently compiled their recommendations for the 11 prettiest New Jersey towns to visit. It is just one of the many lists the site has created celebrating the wonders of New Jersey.
This is some of what they had to say about Delaware's neighbor to the north: "New Jersey is the 11th most populous U.S. state, (and) is home to one of the most ethnically diverse populations in the world. Located in one of the nation’s most geologically and geographically varied regions, New Jersey boasts the Highlands and Piedmont physiographic provinces in the northwest and the Atlantic Coastal Plain province with the Jersey Shore and the New Jersey Pine Barrens in the southeast.''
Jersey's many inviting downtowns welcome guests for day trips or weekend adventures.
More Jersey adventures: 7 New Jersey day trips to explore with your family
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There are lots of places we could send you worth your time and money to explore – from Red Bank and Asbury Park to Collingswood and Haddonfield.
But for now, here are the six off of WorldAtlas' most recent list that we think are worth prioritizing next time you are up for a road trip. (If you'd like to see the full World Atlas list, you'll find that here.)
Cape May
A vacationer strolls by a fountain on the Washington Street mall in Cape May.
A short ferry ride away, the City of Cape May and nearby Cape May Point share a southern peninsula that offers the perfect blend of fine dining, seashore fun, deep dives into history and diverse shopping experiences.
The shoreline offers beach adventures with magnificent views of the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean, a big reason why this is one of the oldest vacation resorts in the U.S.
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Take your time exploring the Cape May Historic District, which, according to WorldAtlas, features more than 600 Victorian-style buildings in every color of the rainbow.
There are few things as relaxing as a stroll down Washington Street Mall, a pedestrian shopping and dining area that is at the heart of the city.
It is a short drive or bike ride to the Cape May Lighthouse, and a World War lookout tower, as well as many miles of nature trails that attract bird watchers, monarch enthusiasts and other nature lovers year-round.
"The town hosts various annual festivals, such as the Cape May Jazz Festival, the Cape May New Jersey Film Festival, the Cape May Food & Wine Festival, and the Cape May Music Festival,'' WorldAtlas says.
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More: Enjoy a ride on the Cape May-Lewes Ferry with this historical gallery
Frenchtown
A view of Bridge Street in Frenchtown, New Jersey
There are a multitude of reasons to head up the Delaware River to the quirky borough of Frenchtown in Hunterdon County in western New Jersey.
The first, of course, are the beautiful Delaware River views you will find if you walk along Bridge Street to the span that crosses over to Pennsylvania. The Delaware & Raritan Canal tow path runs along the river, making it an idea place for cycling, dog walking, or just ambling through the river towns to the north (Milford) and south (Stockton and Lambertville).
Next is the shopping, as the community has long attracted artists and creative entrepreneurs.
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It's also a fun place to dine, hear live music, attend a festival or just eat some ice cream. It's enough to buy a cup of coffee and just sit by the river and daydream.
WorldAtlas has this to say about this rural destination: "Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the 100-acre Frenchtown Historic District houses several magnificent colonial structures, including the Uhlerstown-Frenchtown Bridge, Frenchtown Inn, Frenchtown Station for the Belvidere Delaware Railroad, Nathaniel Shurtz House, and Oddfellows Building.''
It's fun to come to town for its annual Bastille Day celebration, but honestly, there isn't a bad time and it's fun to go when it's less crowded, too.
The town hosts various annual festivals, including La Fete Nationale on Bastille Day, Wine & Art Festival in May, and RiverFest in September. But it's also fun to go on a weekday afternoon when stores are open and crowds are to a minimum.
Clinton
The Red Mill is one of two historic mills that stand on opposite sides of the South Branch of the Raritan River in Clinton, New Jersey.
This is another popular Hunterdon County destination, further north and set along the South Branch of the Raritan River.
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The focal point of this small, picturesque downtown are the 19th century mills that straddle the river – the Hunterdon Museum of Art on one side, and the celebrated Red Mill Museum Village on the other. A dam offers a waterfall view in between, making the Red Mill the most photographed spot in the state.
Closer to home: Delaware towns considered 'stress-free' for a weekend getaway. What do you think?
WorldAtlas has this to say about Clinton: "Every October, the Mill transforms into the Red Mill Haunted Village, drawing visitors from across the East Coast. The 19th-century Dunham’s Mill, also known as Stone Mill, is home to the Hunterdon Art Museum, which showcases modern art, crafts, and designs. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy time at the Round Valley Recreation Area, Spruce Run Recreation Area, Landsdown Trail, and Ken Lockwood Gorge Wildlife Management Area.''
Bordentown
A historic marker commemorates founding father Thomas Paine, Revolutionary War-era writer, activist and political philosopher, in Bordentown, New Jersey. Paine lived in Bordentown.
If you love shopping in an eclectic mix of shops, grabbing a quick bite of something interesting or a leisurely dinner in a historic tavern, all while admiring architecture, river views and Revolutionary War-era history, Bordentown is for you.
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While it is by no means the most popular Jersey downtown suggested in guide books, it is no doubt worth the trip. It is home to both founding father Thomas Paine and French statesman and diplomat Joseph Bonaparte (brother to Napoleon).
"Bordentown is situated where the Delaware River, Crosswicks Creek, and Blacks Creek meet in Burlington County, roughly 5.8 miles south of the state capital,'' according to WorldAtlas.
"Visitors can tour historic sites such as the Crosswicks Creek Site III and Point Breeze, and enjoy numerous art galleries, antique shops, bookstores, record stores, breweries, and restaurants downtown. The town draws thousands of visitors annually for festivals like the Iris Festival & Art Show, Street Fair, Cranberry Festival, and events including the Peach Social and Holiday House Tour organized by the Bordentown Historical Society.''
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Lambertville
Lambertville Station Restaurant and Inn dominates a bank of the Delaware River in downtown Lambertville, New Jersey.
If the only reason you go to Lambertville is to find easier parking for a day in New Hope, Pennsylvania, its sister across the Delaware, you are missing out big time.
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As New Hope has become more crowded and exclusive, with many of its funky shops giving way to expensive boutiques and eateries, Lambertville has retained its homegrown charm. You will find block after block of charming Victorians and colonial homes, a wealth of antique, book and gift stores, an eclectic array of restaurants to dine inside or out, and lots of reasons to just stroll and take in the scene.
'The town is situated at the crossroads of Route 29 and Route 179, and the Lambertville Historic District features historic sites such as the James W. Marshall House and Lambertville House, both listed on the National Register of Historic Places,'' according to WorldAtlas.
The same towpath we explored in Frenchtown is here as well, a scenic alternative to Bridge and North Union streets at the center of town.
Its annual Shad Festival each spring is a great excuse to drive north.
Princeton
Fall is a beautiful time to take a stroll through Princeton University's campus while visiting the historic downtown. Pictured is Princeton University Chapel.
Ever wish you could be Harry Potter?
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Well, we can't promise you that a trip to downtown Princeton in the heart of the state will make you a Quidditch star, but we can tell you a stroll through the Princeton University campus will feel just a little bit like exploring Hogwarts. (Don't miss the Picasso statue placed curiously behind a standard-looking dorm.)
As for the borough itself, you will find high-end boutiques and four-star dining, as well as more low-brow pleasures like the legendary Princeton Record Exchange, a vinyl lovers dream.
More day trips: Three places to visit on the shores of the Chesapeake
Among the reasons WorldAtlas cites in its recommendation for taking a trip, there are the nearby ''Morven Museum & Garden, Princeton University Art Museum, McCarter Theatre Center, Albert Einstein House, Princeton Battlefield State Park, and more.
"Nature lovers can easily access beautiful parks, hiking and biking trails along the Delaware & Raritan Canal, and canoeing on Lake Carnegie.''
You can find more recommendations at WorldAtlas, as well as our recent New Jersey day trip story.
Whichever town you choose, enjoy!
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: These 6 beautiful NJ downtowns are worth a day trip from Delaware
[SRC] https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/articles/worldatlas-recently-chose-11-beautiful-081911064.html
