Summer is just around the corner, and if you’re like us, you’re already making a list of fun things to do.
Warm weather bucket lists definitely include plenty of days at the beach, but sometimes you need a break from the sand and sun.
When you feel the itch for something different, hop in the car and go on an adventure. Check out the pontoon bridge crossing a lake, or view the ever-changing graffiti hidden in the woods. Watch a movie on the drive or visit an orchard to pick fresh strawberries, raspberries, and peaches.
The beach can wait.
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Cross a lake on a floating trail
About an hour west of the coast (maybe a little further if you’re coming from North or South Shore Points) is Smithville Historic Park in the town of Eastampton in Burlington County.
Not to be confused with Smithville, an attractive shopping village in Atlantic County that also makes a great day trip, Historic Smithville Park is a former industrial village now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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The 312-acre park has places for biking, hiking, fishing, canoeing, and picnicking, and animal lovers should keep an eye out for beavers, turtles, and herons. But perhaps its coolest feature is the “floating walkway” over Smithville Lake. The boardwalk is over 500 feet long, making it feel like you’re walking on water, and there are more parks to explore on both sides.
If you’re traveling the distance to get here, make the most of the trip by stopping in at the nearby Columbus Flea Market. Spend some time shopping and then visit the food court, farmers market, and Amish markets before heading home.
Go: 803 Smithville Road, Eastampton; 609-265-5858, co.burlington.nj.us.
Catch a movie when you’re driving
Dinner and a movie take on new meaning in the car, and watching under the stars is a perfect way to spend a summer night.
The Delsea Drive-In Theater in Vineland, Cumberland County, is New Jersey’s last official movie theater. Dual features run on two screens each night, serving dinners and snacks from the concession stand.
Moviegoers bring foldable chairs and blankets or sit in the beds of pickup trucks and hatchbacks to watch movies that begin after dusk.
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Tickets cost $12.50 per person and include one double benefit. The movies run Friday through Sunday through Labor Day; Ticket office opens at 6:15pm
Go: 2203 South Delsea Drive, Vineland; 856-696-0011, delseadrive-in.com.
Choose your products
Nothing beats a ripe Jersey peaches, warm from the sun and as juicy as can be.
Find them on any farm in the summer, or head to one of these farms or orchards to pick your own — along with strawberries, raspberries and cherries:
- Battleview Orchard in a freehold town The picking season begins with strawberries and then moves on to tart cherries, peaches and nectarines. 91 Wimrock Rd, 732-462-0756, battlevieworchards.com
- Eastmont Orchards In Colts Neck it is a favorite of peaches and nectarines. 169 County Road 537, 732-542-5404, eastmontorchards.com
- Haluk Yo Peak Farm In the Heliopolis section of Bloomsted there are strawberries, tomatoes and plenty of vegetables to pick; 38 Fisher Street, 609-758-8847, hallocksupick.com
- Emery’s farm In Plumsted grow five types of blueberries and are famous for their blueberry ice cream (346 Long Swamp Road, 609-758-8514, emerysfarm.com). Other vineyards include Bear Peri At Brown’s Mills (1449 Junction Road, 609-636-5158, facebook.com/bearberries91); Haines Berry Farm in Pemberton (98 Sheep Ben Hill Rd, 609-894-8630, hainesberryfarm.com); And Hammonton Demio Farms (3101 Nesco Road, 609-561-5905, dimeofarms.com), Blueberry Bell Farms (914 11th Street, 609-839-4306, blueberrybillfarms.com, Lindsey pick your blueberries (436 Pleasant Mills Rd., 609-561-2474, facebook.com/LindsaysBlueberries).
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The story continues below the show.
Find graffiti in the forest
Pine Barnes of New Jersey has long been a source of mystery, thanks to tales of the Jersey Devil. The lure of the beautiful blue hole, the quarry full of water where swimming is so dangerous, it’s against the law; Abandoned buildings located among the pine trees.
One such place is the Brooksbrae Brick Factory, located along the eastern edge of the Brendan T. Byrne State Forest in the Whiting Department of Manchester, Ocean County. Built in the 20th century, the site was supposed to become a mud brick factory, but its owner died before the factory could open.
Over the years, the place has become something else entirely: a canvas by graffiti artists, who painted and repainted the walls, floors, and ceilings of buildings that remained after a fire on the site. It’s a little scary but also a bit beautiful, and since people are still visiting spray paint, the art is always changing.
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To get there, program your map to Pasadena Woodmansey Road in Whiting, which runs between Route 72 to the south and Route 530 to the north. About halfway through, keep your eyes on the road: graffiti on the asphalt will tell you where to park.
From there, head west into the woods and cross the railroad tracks (also deserted). Watch for spray-painted leaves, tree trunks, and little signs: follow these, and within a few minutes’ walk of the paths, you’ll find the site.
Beat the heat inside
When you’re faced with a rainy day—or need to spend time on the air conditioner—take a trip to Bell Works, a sprawling complex full of food, fun, and plenty of room to stretch your legs.
The second floor of the 2-million-square-foot building in Holmdel, Monmouth County, is lined with offices, but the first is home to the town’s library, indoor golf course, escape room, virtual reality center, and jewelry and clothing stores.
When your appetite whizzes by, visit the food court for pizza, pasta, sushi and baked goods; Oink and Moo BBQ & Burgers for scorched breasts and extremities; Booskerdoo Coffee & Baking Co for Lattes; Bella Cocktail Bar. And Jersey Freeze for Ice Cream.
Go: 101 Crawfords Corner Road in Holmdel; 732-226-8818, bell.works/new-jersey/explore.
Go back in time
With the 2021 season approaching, the leadership of the historic village of Alair were concerned that the pandemic would keep visitors away. They were glad they were wrong, and as the epidemic approached, the village of Alair expanded its hours.
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The village and its historic buildings, homes, and shops are open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, April through late November. In the past, this schedule was contained between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
In April 1822, James P. Allaire purchased 5,000 acres of land in what is now Wall and Howell. The village you find there today in Allaire State Park includes 13 buildings from the old Howell Iron Works, which thrived as an isolated, self-sufficient community of up to 500 residents from 1822-1846. A snapshot of life during the Industrial Revolution, it has become one of New Jersey’s most famous life history sites and is operated as a non-profit organization with limited state assistance.
History buffs will enjoy one of Allaire’s guided tours, offered at 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from April through November ($5).
Go: 4263 Atlantic Ave., Wall; 732-919-3500, allairevillage.org.
Writer Jerry Carino contributed to this story.