The greatest thing about every single North Jersey town, part 2 – nj.com

New Jersey is composed of 565 municipalities and scores more sections and hamlets. I, Pete Genovese, have spent a lifetime wandering around and writing about this incredible state. Now, I have compiled the ultimate list: The greatest thing about every single town. Yes, all 565.

Landmarks, attractions, parks, historical tidbits, museums, restaurants — unique features that give each borough, city or village (every type of municipality is a “town,” for this project) its special character or personality.

My mission: to show the richness, charm and wonder of New Jersey; no state is more mocked, maligned and misunderstood.

In this, the second part of our series, we’ll look at Morris, Passaic, Sussex, Union and Warren counties. On Monday, we visited Bergen, Essex and Hudson. Wednesday we’ll hit Central Jersey. Then South Jersey Thursday. Friday we’ll finish at the Jersey Shore.

MORRIS COUNTY

Boonton Town: The Morris Canal

Without the Morris Canal, New Jersey may have withered on the development vine. The 102-mile waterway, which opened in 1831, enabled boats to transport goods from Phillipsburg all the way to Jersey City, the latter due to an 1836 expansion. Mule-drawn canal boats took five days to traverse the state. A marker on North Main Street describes the canal’s importance.

Boonton Township: The Tourne

The Tourne sounds like some fancy-pants residential development, but it’s actually a clifftop with sensational views of the New York City skyline. The Tourne can be found in Tourne County Park, a 561-acre expanse with nearly 11 miles of trails. The Decamp Trail leads you to the top of the Tourne; don’t miss out on the Emily K. Hammond Wildflower Trail, with 250 species of plants. The Tourne, by the way, is from the Dutch word for “lookout” or “mountain.” But you knew that.

Butler: The wooden fireman

How does a wooden fireman get two right legs? Here’s the story. The fireman once stood on top of the Fireman’s Insurance Co. building in Newark. Many fire companies tried to obtain it; Butler won out. The fireman apparently lost his left leg when the Newark building was torn down; it was mistakenly replaced with a right leg, so the statue you see today in the window of the Carey Avenue Firehouse has two right legs. The fireman has been “a favorite subject for the jibes by newspaper scribes” over the years, according to the Butler fire department website. What a surprise.

Chatham Borough: Namkeen Hot Chicken

Forget Nashville hot chicken, Pakistani hot chicken is all the rage, at least in Chatham. Usman Chaudhry and Amena Chaudhri opened Namkeen Hot Chicken last October, and it was an immediate success. Their classic Nashville sandwich comes with hot chicken, pickles, coleslaw and chipotle aioli. The Tikkaville sandwich features regular fried chicken topped with tikka sauce, coleslaw, pickled onions and mint chutney.

Chatham Township: St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center

For 80-plus years, St. Hubert’s has offered refuge for lost, stray and abandoned animals in the hope they will be adopted. St. Hubert’s “always has a large variety of beautiful dogs and cats of all types, sizes and ages available for adoption,” according to the website. “In addition, we offer small and furry pets like hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, rabbits and the like who are in need of new homes.”

Chester Borough: Taylor’s Ice Cream Parlor

Main Street in Chester Borough is one of the state’s most charming thoroughfares, with its antique, glassware and gift shops, clothes stores, bakeries — and Taylor’s. It’s a classic ice cream parlor, and the white benches outside make for prime sundae seating. Good luck picking a flavor: there are almost 50 to choose from.

Chester Township: Telephone pole farm

What’s with the telephone poles — 750 to be exact — along Route 513? They were installed in 1927 for test purposes, used first by AT&T, later Bellcore and Telecordia. Birds and other animals were allowed to peck, chomp and bite away to test the wood, and technicians would use them for climbing practice. You can park in a gravel lot for the inevitable Instagram shots. It’s undoubtedly one of New Jersey’s odder sights.

Denville: Mo’Pweeze Bakery

“Where having allergies can be a treat” is the slogan at Mo’Pweeze; owner Christine Allen (photo) makes cupcakes, cakes, pies and bread free of the top ten allergens (dairy, eggs, peanuts, gluten, fish, shellfish, soy, sesame, mustard, tree nuts). Her cupcakes are excellent, and the jelly donut is light, sugary and addictive. The origin of the bakery’s name? That’s what Allen’s twins would say when mom would bake a bread or cake.

Dover: South of the Border

It’s doubtful any New Jersey town boasts more Latin American restaurants per square mile than Dover, where nearly 70 percent of the population is of Hispanic origin. Taqueria Pancho Villa, Brenda Lee Restaurant, Arepas Paisas Dover, Pollos Pucalor, Sa Casa Colombia — that’s just for starters.

East Hanover: Nabisco

Nabisco, makers of Oreos, Lorna Doones, Barnum’s Animal Crackers and other cookies and snacks, is based in East Hanover, under the Mondelez International parent company umbrella. In 1898, the American Biscuit and Manufacturing Co. and the New York Biscuit Company merged 100-plus bakeries into the National Biscuit Co., which later became Nabisco. The company’s Fair Lawn plant sadly closed last month after 63 years.

Florham Park: New York Jets headquarters and training facility

The New York Giants and New York Jets are both Jersey teams (don’t let New Yorkers tell you otherwise), so it’s only natural both teams’ training facilities are on this side of the river. The Jets unveiled the $75 million Florham Park facility in 2008; Jets owner Woody Johnson called it “the most beautiful site on the face of the earth for a football team.” That’s wonderful. If only it translated into Jets victories!

Hanover: Whippany Railway Museum

A ride on a vintage caboose? Be still my locomotive heart. It’s one of the draws at the museum, which really started when the Morris County Central Railroad opened in May, 1965 in Whippany. On the first day, 1,500 passengers took a ride on the steam locomotive. The railroad ran until 1980 and the former freight house became home of the railway museum. There are regular 10-mile excursions featuring those vintage cabooses.

Harding: Jockey Hollow and Morristown National Historical Park

“Where America Survived” is the online description of Morristown National Historical Park, which commemorates the winter encampments by George Washington and the Continental Army in 1779-80. Today, you can visit soldier huts, plus walk or hike on 27 miles of trails. The grounds are open but the buildings, including the visitor center, remain closed due to COVID-19.

Jefferson: Headley Overlook

The Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, at 3,494 acres, is the largest park in the Morris County park system, and Headley Overlook, of which it is part, offers breathtaking views of woods, trees and hills; you might get the mistaken impression New Jersey is one vast green space. The highest point in Morris County, at 1,395 feet, is nearby. There are 7.5, 5 and 3.8 mile hikes to the overlook, but I’m about to save you a lot of time and trouble. Park in the picnic area parking lot off Weldon Road. Walk over to the message/map board. To the right is a trail and a marker that says “overlook.” Follow that short trail through the woods to Weldon Road. Cross the road and pick up the trail on the other side. Ten minutes later, you’ll be atop Headley Overlook. You’re welcome.

Kinnelon: Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area

It’s amazing how many of our sublime open spaces were once in danger in development (Great Swamp, anyone?). The same is true of Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area. It was established in 1989 after a prolonged grassroots campaign to save it. Pyramid Mountain is 1,675 acres of rugged trails, fields, forest, rock outcroppings and wetlands. And those are no ordinary rocks. Tripod Rock, in Montville, is a massive boulder balanced on three much smaller ones. Whale Head Rock, in Kinnelon, really does look like a whale. Both rocks can be accessed on a 5.2-mile-long loop trail.

Lincoln Park: Food pantry

In the past two years, food has been a precious resource, with food banks around the state overwhelmed with demand during the pandemic. The Lincoln Park Food Pantry has served the town for 30-plus years. It’s located at 10 Boonton Turnpike, in the white building to the right of the PAL Community Center. Needed items include children’s snacks, juice boxes, baby wipes, coffee, soap and toothpaste.

Long Hill: Raptor Trust

From humble backyard beginnings, when founder Len Soucy and his wife, Diane, spent 15 years rehabilitating birds behind their house, the Raptor Trust has grown to be one of the nation’s preeminent wild bird rehabilitation centers. Injured birds are dropped off by homeowners, police and fire departments, rescue squads and others. Fun fact: About 600,000 insects (mealworms, crickets, waxworms, etc.) provide the birds’ diet every year. You’re not going to find this kind of inside info on Wikipedia, trust me.

Madison: Museum of Early Trades and Crafts

An oft-overlooked attraction, the Museum of Early Trades and Crafts was founded in 1970 by Agnes and Edgar Law Land, who donated their extensive collection of 18th and 19th Century artifacts. The collection now includes nearly 9,000 items — textiles, tools, pottery, and archival materials that tell the stories of those who lived here in the past. The museum is housed in the James Library building, which served as the town library from 1900 to 1967.

Mendham Borough: Black Horse Tavern and Pub

The tavern, founded in 1742, is one of the oldest restaurants in the country. The pub is its much-younger, more casual sibling; it’s open for lunch and dinner, while the tavern is open for dinner only. Dishes at the latter include baked lobster mac, shepherds pie empanadas and squid ink linguine.

Mendham Township: Schiff Nature Preserve

The preserve started with 340 acres in Mendham Township and Mendham Borough. Schiff Natural Lands Trust now includes four preserves and 768 acres in both Mendhams and Chester. Schiff Nature Preserve, at 502 acres, is home to a nature center, Great Meadow and Lookout Point. Got all that? There will be a quiz later. Access to the preserve is by one-way road via Pleasant Valley Road in Mendham Township.

Mine Hill: Garden State Elite Volleyball Club

Working on your serve, set and spike? GSEVC is the premier volleyball center and youth volleyball cub in North Jersey. “Where the best become elite” is the motto. Athletes are offered services, programs, products and leagues “not currently available at any other club or facility in the state,” according to the website.

Montville: New Jersey Badminton Club

Badminton is just a silly little game, right? Don’t you dare say that to anyone at the New Jersey Badminton Club, which describes itself as the most professional badminton club in the state. The facility includes seven professional badminton courts, conference room, even a pro shop. Its goal: to train youth to qualify for the U.S. National Badminton Team. Founder Jacky Liu is a former member of the China National Badminton Team. “The stereotype in America is that badminton is just a fun backyard game,” says Liu. “It is a very competitive sport in Asia.”

Morris: The Seeing Eye

Official state dog of New Jersey? The Seeing Eye dog (yes, really). The Seeing Eye breeds and raises puppies to become Seeing Eye dogs for the blind. Co-founder Morris Frank employed six Seeing Eye dogs in his life, all German Shepherds named Buddy. Seeing Eye, incorporated in Nashville in 1929, was located in Whippany from 1931 to 1965, when the Morris campus was built. There is a statue of Morris Frank and Buddy on Morristown Green.

Morris Plains: Arthur’s Tavern

Arthur’s may boast the biggest collection of neon beer signs in the state. Arthur was Arthur McGreevey, the late owner of Arthur’s in Hoboken and North Brunswick, plus Llewellyn Farms in Morris Plains and Larison’s Turkey Farm Inn in Chester. Oh, and Arthur’s makes a mean burger, too.

Morristown: The Green

It seems like a good name for a large expense of greenery in the center of town. It was the site of Morris County’s first two courthouses, and was purchased from the Presbyterian Church in 1816. Check out the statue of George Washington, Alexander Hamilton and the Marquis of Lafayette, huddled in a meeting. Restaurants of all types are along or near the Green, the Committed Pig, Roots Steakhouse, Origin Thai 2, Agricola, Iron Bar among them.

Mountain Lakes: Elephant Rock

A gigantic boulder is tucked all by its lonesome deep in the woods. That’s Elephant Rock, 12 feet high and 25 feet long. It’s not hard to find, just drive north on the Boulevard, bear left onto Elrock Avenue, then make an immediate left onto Rock Lane. Proceed to the end and follow the trail into the woods 100 yards to the great big rock. There’s nothing online about how it got there — the borough website merely says it’s “relatively unknown to adults but popular to kids who love to climb on it” — but it’s a bizarre sight. Steps away is the St. Therese Shrine, a tiny chapel open to the public.

Mount Arlington: Bertrand Island

Bertrand Island Amusement Park was one of New Jersey’s most famous amusement parks from the 1920s to early 1990s, with its wooden roller coaster, merry-go-round, the Lost River Mill Chute, haunted house, arcade games and food. Woody Allen filmed scenes from “Purple Rose of Cairo” here in 1983. The park closed for good the same year. The Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club is now located on Bertrand Island, and just offshore is the unfortunately named Bedbug Island.

Mount Olive: Islamic Society of North Jersey

ISNJ, established in 1999, began with 75 members. There are now 200-plus active members. Services offered include the five daily congregational prayers, Jumuah khutab (religious sermon during the Friday Prayer), Eid prayers and celebration, community dinners and more. ISNJ is an active member of the Mount Olive Clergy Association, an interfaith organization that fosters healthy relationships across different groups of faiths.

Netcong: Growing Stage and The Children’s Theatre of New Jersey

For 40 years, the Growing Stage has provided arts education to children through its Creative Arts Academy, Summer Arts Camp, Master Classes and other programs. Their production of “Alice in Wonderland” was available via streaming in April and May. The current season schedule is still being worked on.

Parsippany-Troy Hills: Mount Tabor

“A Place Like No Other” is how the Mount Tabor Camp Meeting Association describes this idyllic village, with its 350 gingerbread houses clustered along hilly streets. It started in 1869 as a Methodist camp meeting colony. The library is one of the oldest in New Jersey, and the Tabernacle is the town gathering spot; leaseholders can rent it for no charge. Call Mount Tabor the Ocean Grove of North Jersey.

Pequannock: Family hoedown!

Hee haw! The Hoedown is an annual fall festival with craft vendors, food trucks, live music, hay rides, pony rides and more. The 39th annual Hoedown will be held this year Oct. 16 at Greenview Park. There’s something about the word “hoedown” that just makes me smile.

Randolph: ‘Where life is worth living’

Well, that’s an interesting town slogan. The 21-square-mile town was a popular vacation spot in the early 1900s, especially for New Yorkers wishing to escape the crowded big city. The town has an extensive park system, including 172-acre Freedom Park, once part of the Brundage family estate.

Riverdale: Albanian American Cultural Center

More proof of New Jersey’s astonishing ethnic diversity, the Albanian Associated Fund, formed in 1978, has sought to preserve the Albanian language and culture. The cultural center hosts programs and services, and members continue to take an active role in providing food to families in need during the pandemic.

Rockaway Borough: Adam’s Beer Garden

We need at least one beer garden on this list, don’t we? Adam’s might the state’s smallest beer garden, which is exactly its charm. Inside looks your basic neighborhood dive bar, albeit one with a well-stocked cigar humidor. You’ll want to head to the outside deck. When it’s lit up at night, it basks in an eerie yet somehow comforting red glow. It’s like drinking at a bar on Mars.

Rockaway Township: Picatinny Arsenal

“Joint Center of Excellence for Lethality” is the motto of Picatinny Arsenal. The 6,000 personnel on site research, develop and acquire small arms weapons, mortars, howitzers, ammunition, gunner protection armor and more for the U.S. military. There are 64 laboratories on the 6,500-acre site. It started as the Dover Powder Depot and then the Picatinny Powder Depot; in 1907 it became the Picatinny Arsenal. Part of it also lies in Jefferson.

Roxbury: Cliff’s Homemade Ice Cream

Double dark chocolate fudge crunch. It’s my single favorite New Jersey ice cream flavor, and it can only be found at Cliff’s, in Ledgewood. The roadside ice cream stand was opened in 1975 by Cliff Freund. Stop at night under its warm, comforting neon-lit glow, for the full experience.

Victory Gardens: A very tiny town

Victory Gardens started as a 300-unit World War II housing project in Randolph for workers at nearby Picatinny Arsenal. In 1951, Randolph residents voted for Victory Gardens to secede from Randolph and form its own municipality. Today, there are 1,500 residents in the .14-square-mile borough, the smallest town in Morris County and the fourth-smallest in the state.

Washington: Long Valley

Long Valley, one of the state’s most bucolic burgs, is a section of Washington found at the crossroads of routes 513 and 517. Long Valley Pub & Brewery and Chilton Mill Brewing are here, and so are Valley Shepherd Creamery, Pulled Fork BBQ and Chesapeake Tavern. Route 513 makes for a splendid scenic drive from West Milford, at the NJ/NY state line, all the way down to Frenchtown.

Wharton: 13th Hour Haunted House

Glow-in-the-dark hatchet throwing? Sounds like bloody good fun! 13th Hour hosts “the most entertaining and original events in the country,” according to the website. Three haunted houses, six 60-minute escape rooms and don’t forget those Haunted Hatchets.

PASSAIC COUNTY

Bloomingdale: Reptile Roadhouse

“Super cool monkey tail skinks available!” That announcement can come from only one place — Reptile Roadhouse. Snakes, tarantulas (not reptiles, but you tell them that), iguanas, tegus, dart frogs, tiger centipedes, chameleons and scores more slithery, scaly beasts call this one-of-a-kind pet shop home. They also carry every imaginable accessory and pet food, too, like Pet Odor Extermination Candles and Repashy’s Cherry Bomb spring seasonal blend “for the complete gecko diet.”

Clifton: Rutt’s Hut

It’s the nation’s best hot dog joint (according to The Daily Meal) and an essential Jersey food experience, as New Jersey is the center of the hot dog universe. Abe Rutt opened Rutt’s Hut in 1928. In the 1930s, bacon and eggs cost 80 cents, pie a la mode 20 cents. A “Ripper” — a deep-fried hot dog — is the must-order. You can also try a Weller (a well-done Ripper), or a Cremator, which is essentially a burnt hot dog. In the back is the other Rutt’s, the time-warp, tile-floored dining room that seems frozen in the ‘40s. Try the duck, the co-owner once told me. One of these days, I will.

Haledon: American Labor Museum

This fascinating museum was originally built in 1908 for immigrant and silk mill worker Pietro Botto and his wife, Maria. From the balcony, labor union organizers addressed thousands of silk mill workers on strike in the early 1900s. In 1983, it opened to the public as a museum. Exhibits, historic photographs, and restored period rooms tell the story of a turn-of-the-century immigrant family.

Hawthorne: Hawthorne Pride Alliance

The Alliance was formed in June 2020 “to educate, dedicate, motivate and celebrate members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies,” according to its mission statement. Its first Pride Ball was held this June, and the group produced a comedy, “My Big Gay Italian Wedding,” at Macaluso’s Restaurant in May.

Little Falls: Great Notch Inn

Improbably situated at one of Jersey’s busiest stretches of highways — where routes 3 and 46 meet — the neon-lit “Notch” is bar, roadhouse and music venue. Its origins can be traced to 1924, when current owner Rich DiLeo’s grandfather opened the Green Chateau, where you could get beer, in the bar, and milk from a walk-up window. A massive road project seemed to swallow up the bar in 2020 and 2021, but the Notch keeps on rocking.

North Haledon: Arigato

This small, cozy Japanese restaurant has attracted a devoted following with its sensational sushi and other traditional dishes. Someone at Arigato had fun putting together the menu; there’s a Playboy roll, a White House roll, a Tebow Time roll and a What the ??? roll, among others.

Passaic: Taqueria Brenda Lee

Passaic is packed with taquerias, but my favorite may be the smallest, Taqueria Brenda Lee on Monroe Street. What you get are plain, unfussy, unadorned tacos, which taste real and homemade, with flavor that is absent from the tacos at the bigger, brighter — and more popular — places in town. A clerk stands behind a glass-fronted counter that may remind you a check cashing service. It all adds to the experience that is Taqueria Brenda Lee, and why places low on charm are often so high on my list of must-visit spots.

Paterson: The Great Falls

Yeah, yeah, everyone’s heard of the Great Falls, but have you actually been there and stood on the bridge overlooking the state’s greatest natural wonder? Visit it in floodwater stage for maximum magnificent effect. I’m going to keep writing about the Great Falls until every last New Jerseyan visits it. That may take a while — I’m continually astonished how many people have never been there. Go. Now. Or I’m going to pester you until the end of time.

Pompton Lakes: Maine Monument

Remember the Maine! The battleship exploded while at anchor in Havana in 1898, killing two-thirds of her crew. The incident led to the U.S. embarking on the Spanish-American War, which lasted just six months. Pieces of the Maine can be found at monuments and memorials around the country but the engine room funnel is atop a monument at Triangle Park in Pompton Lakes.

Prospect Park: Freakin’ Vegan

That’s a freakin’ good name for a vegan restaurant! Two brothers are the owners of Freakin’ Vegan. Menu highlights include empanadas, mac n’ cheese, meatball parm subs, chicken sliders, tamale cakes, and for those who want to push the vegetarian envelope, the BBQ Cheesy Waffle Fry Sandwich, “pulled porkless” with crisp coleslaw topped with waffle fries and drenched in vegan cheese sauce. Who said vegan eats are boring?

Ringwood: Ringwood State Park

Shimmering ponds and streams, specialty gardens, an intricate trail system and historic manors are among the attractions at Ringwood State Park. Those are not my words but the state park service’s. Shepherd Lake makes for a picturesque backdrop for your barbecue, and hiking trails are accessible from all three park sections. The state botanical garden is also located here. What are you waiting for?

Totowa: Dominick’s Pizzeria

“Home of the Grandma pie!” announces Dominick’s, which opened in 1973 in Lincoln Park with “a unique recipe for a Sicilian Grandma-style pizza.” Grandma pie is a thin square pizza, often with olive oil and plum tomatoes. The one at Dominick’s is sassy and saucy.

Wanaque: Berta’s Chateau

Berta’s is an ageless Italian-American restaurant sequestered in a carriage barn on an estate once owned by a local physician. Dishes here are just like your Italian grandmother made. Piedmontese egg noodles, Sicilian anchovies and roasted peppers, along with veal, seafood and chicken dishes. And save room for the rum cake!

Wayne: Willowbrook Mall

Can you imagine New Jersey without its malls? The East Coast’s first enclosed one, after all, was the Cherry Hill Mall in 1961. The Willowbrook Mall, at the crazy crossroads of routes 80, 46 and 23, opened in 1969. There are 177 stores, with a mere 32 food options. My favorite Chinese restaurant in the state, Chengdu 23, is within walking distance. So is Palazzone1960, a first-rate Italian pastry shop.

West Milford: Fairy Tale Forest

This roadside attraction, which opened in 1957, harkens back to a kinder, gentler time. Fairy tale characters — Hansel and Gretel, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, the Three Little Pigs, the Old Lady Who Lived in the Shoe — were on display in cute little cottages. Kiddie rides, merry-go-around and picnic area added to the festive family atmosphere. Fairy Tale Forest closed in 2005, underwent renovation in 2018, and is expected to re-open sometime this year.

Woodland Park: Garret Mountain Reservation

West Paterson may have changed its name to Woodland Park, but the awesome views form Garret Mountain remain. It’s Passaic County’s major recreational area, a sprawling 568-acre park with trails, fields, basketball courts and picnic areas. And those views, chef’s kiss.

SUSSEX COUNTY

Andover Borough: Cafe Pierrot

I love this place. Cafe Pierrot has a bakery/cafe in Sparta, but the Andover location is bakery only, filled with delectable pastries, croissants, scones (I know, boring, but oh so good) and breads. The chocolate peppermint cupcake is one of the ten best cupcakes I’ve had anywhere. You can order cakes — cheesecakes, strawberries and cream, and triple chocolate, among others — online.

Andover Township: Perona Farms

Black bear on a stick? That was one of the oddball dishes cooked by celebrity chefs at Perona Farm’s annual wild game dinner. The event was last held in 2018, but Perona Farms remains one of North Jersey’s most popular wedding venues, and its Sunday brunches are legendary. Emil Perona worked in a London hotel kitchen when he was 14, performed on vaudeville stages around the world, and somehow ended up buying a 260-acre dairy farm in Andover. He took in boarders at first, then opened a restaurant, which attracted a stream of stars — Groucho Marx, Eva Gabor, Jimmy Durante and Errol Flynn, among others.

Branchville: Victoria Diner

At the top of New Jersey is diner heaven in the form of the Victoria Diner, which, like many diners, has a complicated history. It started as the Wayside Diner in Rockaway and was trucked here in the ‘50s, where it was later known as J.D.’s and the Five-Star Diner. Those expecting just pancakes and burgers will be surprised by a menu that includes Tuscan roast pork loin, Chicken Napoleon, Bayou Blackened Steak and the Mixed Berries French Toast, warm and wonderful.

Byram: Wild West City

Saddle up, cowboys and cowgirls! Wild West City, like the Land of Make Believe and Storybook Land — all three opened in the 1950s — is one of those old-school Jersey attractions that have managed to survive if not thrive despite Six Flags Great Adventure and other hi-tech diversions. The replica western town is patterned after Dodge City. Live action shows, including the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral and Jesse James’ famous Northfield, Minnesota bank raid, are presented each day. The “Old 97” narrow gauge train makes regular trips through “Arapaho Territory,” and the stagecoach winds through town every 15 minutes. Kids can shoot cap guns at the bad guys, even make “arrests.”

Frankford: Crawfish Fest

It started as a small crawfish boil for 70 people homesick for boiled crawfish in 1989; Michael Arnone’s annual Crawfish Fest is now an exuberant three-day celebration of food, fun and Cajun, zydeco, Delta blues, New Orleans R&B, gospel and jazz music. Boiled crawfish, po boys, etouffee, grilled alligator sausage, beignets, and boudin are on the menu. The 2021 fest recently postponed another year due to pandemic concerns.

Franklin: 4Chicks Cafe

There really are four chicks behind 4Chicks Cafe — co-owner Ariadne Laboy and her three daughters. Ariadne and her husband, Richard, originally opened a cafe in Newton. Now they’re on Route 23 in Franklin, and the emphasis is on empanadas, with burrito bowls and tacos also on the menu. The Original empanada is a mix of beef, sweet plantains and cheese. There are also Cuban, jerk chicken, beef, 4Cheese and veggie empanadas. Tasty range of sauces, including garlic aioli, curry mustard, and tamarind.

Fredon: Windy Brow Farms

Jake Hunt, managing partner of Windy Brow Farms, is the mad scientist of New Jersey ice cream making. This is the guy, after all, who unleashed Taylor ham ice cream on the world in 2018. He followed that up with tomato pie ice cream. His more conventional ice cream is terrific. Flavors include Madagascar bourbon vanilla, salty caramel, milk chocolate, white mint chip. and vegan coconut blackberry sorbet. Windy Brow, named for its windy location at a brow of a ridge, has been in operation for 75-plus years.

Green: Tranquility

Tranquility more than lives up to its name, even with a bar right in the middle of it. A section of Green Township, Tranquility straddles Route 517, one of New Jersey’s great scenic drives. There’s Tranquility Cemetery, Tranquility Farms, Tranquility Liquors (best liquor store name ever), and the Tranquil Valley Retreat Center. Pub 517 is across the highway from the Tranquility United Methodist Church. The bar is set well off the road, so you may not even see it, much less hear it.

Hamburg: Gingerbread Castle

New Jersey’s most famous castle, built in 1930, was a popular attraction for decades, with its life-sized fairy tale characters, including Humpty Dumpty and Little Red Riding Hood. It fell into disrepair and closed down in 1978. Ten years later, it underwent a major renovation, only to close again. A new owner arrived on the scene in 2017, and promised to restore the Gingerbread Castle to its prior glory.

Hampton: Bear Swamp Wildlife Management Area

”Bear” and “swamp” don’t exactly sound very welcoming, but the Bear Swamp Wildlife Management Area (partly in Frankford) is an excellent example of the little-known WMA’s around New Jersey. WMAs are state-administered wild places especially popular among hunters and fishermen. There are 122 WMAs encompassing 358,000 acres in the state. Bear Swamp provides breeding habitat for endangered bald eagles and other raptors. And yes, there are bears a-plenty. Sightings are most common from spring to fall, so be sure to review the rules of bear etiquette. Bear etiquette?

Hardyston: Crystal Springs Resort

“New Jersey’s favorite resort” is how Crystal Springs describes itself. Two hotels, two spas, six golf courses, nine restaurants, including the acclaimed Restaurant Latour — Crystal Springs lacks for nothing. The website encourages you to “realign your mind and spirit with new wellness programs and outdoor experiences including Forest Bathing and Crystal Bowl Sound Healing.” I’m on my way!

Hopatcong: Lake Hopatcong

Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey’s largest freshwater lake, is a recreational paradise. Just look at the armada of boats off its 45 miles of shoreline any summer day. Hopatcong, on the lake’s western shore, started as the Borough of Brooklyn in 1898. The River Styx is here — in fact, the municipal building is located on River Styx Road.

Lafayette: Abbey Glen Pet Memorial Park

Abbey Glen Pet Memorial Park is the largest of New Jersey’s pet cemeteries, a beautiful, impeccably maintained 14-acre property, “an alternative to upright headstones and often depressing atmosphere of traditional cemeteries.” The touchingly written grave markers are testimony to man’s and woman’s best friends. “Bootsie — we miss you and will love you always,” reads one.

Montague: High Point State Park

It’s the state’s highest point, at 1,803 feet, but have you actually been to the top? Turn in your Jersey card if you haven’t. High Point State Park was dedicated in 1923. The landscaping was done by the Olmsted Brothers of Boston, sons of Frederick Law Olmsted, who designed Central Park. Follow the road to the top (there is, improbably, a beach along the way) and take in the breathtaking views from the top of New Jersey.

Newton: Hayek’s Market

Hayek’s, in the middle of Newton, has come a long way since it opened in 1939. Today it’s more supermarket than market or deli, with produce, fruit, prepared foods and canned goods. My favorite sandwich here is a special with Black Forest ham, smoked gouda, mixed greens and caramelized apples.

Ogdensburg: Sterling Hill Mining Museum

Ogdensburg and Franklin, both in Sussex, are world-famous for their rich deposits of minerals. The Sterling Hill and Franklin mines are the most famous zinc mines in the world, and the Sterling Hill Mining Museum houses the world’s largest collection of fluorescent minerals. No other spot on Earth has more minerals crammed into one place. The Sterling Hill Mining Museum, site of the last underground mining operation in New Jersey, offers subterranean tours, although they are temporarily on hiatus.

Sandyston: Jersey’s coolest house

Ricky Boscarino owns New Jersey’s coolest house, and it’s not even close. The artist’s abode is a fairy-tale castle steeped in Victorian sensibility and ’60s psychedelia, a gingerbread fantasy by way of the Velveteen — or is that the White? — Rabbit. He calls it Luna Parc, after a small amusement park near Rome. Besides the main house (entered by way of a giant concrete artichoke), there’s a gnome-sized house made from blue bottles, an A-frame chapel filled with crucifixes and religious art, and a celestial-themed outhouse. Luna Parc is breathtaking, bizarre and beautiful, all at once. Tours are available on selected days; email him at ricky@lunaparc.com.

Sparta: Lake Mohawk

Sparta, formed from portions of Byram, Hardyston, Frankford and since-defunct Newton Township in 1845, is known for its private lake communities, 11 in all. Man-made Lake Mohawk, with its meandering boardwalk and Alpine-style buildings, is a big draw. The 800-acre lake includes ten beaches. Eateries at its northeast end include Krogh’s and Alpine Creamery.

Stanhope: Waterloo Village

Waterloo Village is back. The restored 19th village canal town fell into disrepair over the years, but a $3 million state grant announced in 2019 will restore three buildings — the Tenant House, the Seymour Smith House and the Waterloo Tavern and Hotel. Other buildings on the beautiful grounds include a sawmill, gristmill and blacksmith’s shop. The village is open to the public. Don’t miss the cherry blossom tree by the general store.

Stillwater: Garriss General Store

The Old Stillwater General Store (now Garriss General Store), just off 521, is the state’s oldest-running general store; George Dallas Garris used his mustering-out pay from the Civil War to open the store in 1871, across the street from where it is today. You can get doughnuts, breakfast, burgers, BLTs and more. The town post office is located inside.

Sussex: Crescent Theatre

The 600-seat theater opened in 1917 with the showing of the silent photo play “Miss George Washington,” accompanied by the 14-piece Sussex Orchestra. The theatre shut down in 1976; the last movie played was “Ode to Billy Joe.” The grand old building later served as the town community center and temporary borough hall. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. Cornerstone Playhouse, a community theater, now calls it home.

Vernon: Wawayanda State Park

First of all, you don’t pronounce it “Wawa-yanda” like the convenience store, but “Way-Way-anda.” The state park service extols its “quiet charm” while noting that during summer months it often fills to capacity, limiting access. In any event, it’s a beautiful park, ringed by mountains, with 60 miles of trails, including 19 miles of the Appalachian Trail. The celebrated Stairway to Heaven hike is also here.

Walpack: Walpack Center

This is the prettiest town no one lives in that you’ll ever visit. Main Street is movie set-worthy. Not a soul lives there, although a handful live in Walpack Township, of which Walpack Center is part. In the early 1960s, the Army Corps of Engineers convinced Congress that building a 400-foot-high dam at Tocks Island, six miles north of the Delaware Water Gap, would greatly benefit the regional water supply, curb flooding and create a recreational paradise. The Corps and the National Park Service ended up spending $100 million to buy homes, stores and churches on either side of the river. About 8,000 people were evicted from their homes. The dam was never built. It’s probably not a good idea to bring up the subject around here.

Wantage: Space Farms

The world’s largest brown bear can be found in — where else? — New Jersey. His name was Goliath, all 2,000 pounds of him. His death in 1991 was a sad day, but he lives on in his stuffed self at Space Farms. The zoo/museum started as a general store, repair shop and wild animal shelter in 1927. Today, it’s home to 500 live animals — lions, tigers and bears, plus buffalo, hyena, timberwolves, snakes and more.

UNION COUNTY

Berkeley Heights: The deserted village of Feltville

New Jersey’s only official deserted village is located just off one of its busiest highways: Route 78. It’s a collection of 10 buildings, all that’s left of a long-forgotten quasi-Utopian mill town and, later, a summer resort. In the 1840s David Felt built a mill town with a school, church, general store, barn and blacksmith shop, as well as spacious homes. In 1860, Felt, concerned about the failing health of his brother, sold the property, and it began a slow decline. Today it makes for an unforgettable visit. Park in the lot at the corner of Cataract Hollow Road and Glenside Avenue and stroll down the winding road through a hushed cathedral of trees. Down in the village, among the grand old houses and stately church, the only sound you’re likely to hear are whispers from the past.

Clark: Clark White Diamond

Located steps from the Garden State Parkway, the Clark White Diamond is a shiny, showy diner (I wasn’t overjoyed when they replaced the classic old-school-diner look). Inside, though, it’s all charm and cute, with booths, swivel stools, black-and-white tile floors and replica vintage advertising signs. The Taylor ham, egg and cheese sandwiches and sliders are renowned.

Cranford: The Riverside Inn

Riverside Inn regulars call it, simply, The Dive. A steady cast of regulars — from 20-somethings to grizzled characters like owner Pete “Jake” Jacobs — mix easily in tight, but never cramped, surroundings. The building once housed a Model A dealership, speakeasy and flower shop. Hurricane Irene flooded the town and the bar — the bar became known as the “River Inn Side.” There’s a certain scruffy charm to the place, where dishes are colorfully illustrated on paper plates. Chef John McCarthy works wonders in a kitchen the size of most closets. Cranford, by the way, may be the state’s most underrated dining destination.

Elizabeth: Di Cosmo’s Italian Ice

Best Italian ice ever. Di Cosmo’s Italian Ice is little more than a shack, and one of the state’s food legends. It’s been a Peterstown neighborhood fixture since 1915, when Katerina and Giovanni Di Cosmo started making Italian ice at the corner of Fourth and High. Only three or four flavors are available at any one time. One stop, and you’ll never go to that chain water ice store again.

Fanwood: Fanwood train station

The oldest remaining train station in Union County, and its most photogenic, the Fanwood train station opened in the late 1880s. The imposing Victorian Gothic structure was used as a train station until 1965. It now houses a museum operated by the Fanwood Historic Preservation Commission. Artifacts include the borough’s first ballot box, archival photos, and a vintage potbellied stove. The museum is temporarily closed.

Garwood: Crossroads

I considered &grain (NJ’s best grilled cheese sandwich!) for this entry, but when Brian Fallon — the singer/songwriter formerly with the Gaslight Anthem — told me on Twitter that Crossroads was his “favorite place to play,” the restaurant, bar and music venue won out. George Benson, Richie Havens, Vernon Reid, Leon Redbone and David Johansen are among the national acts who have played here over the years. “I have taken planes, trains, cars, taxis and Ubers and walked 1/2 mile from the train station just to get here at some point over the last 6 or 7 years,” @buhnyfoofoo recalled on Twitter. “That’s how important it is.”

Hillside: Randy the Hot Dog Guy

There is no more colorful or zany hot dog vendor in New Jersey than Randy Pollack, aka Randy the Hot Dog Guy. The lovably nutty hot dog man is a self-described “oddball with a hot dog truck” and “God’s gift to capitalism.” He works from a cart plastered with band stickers (Disgruntled Postal Workers, Transplants, MeTalkPretty) as cars and trucks race and rumble by on Route 22, just overhead. The building, across the street from a Popeye’s, is a former taxi stand.

Kenilworth: The Greek Store

I love — no, crave —olives, so it’s no surprise my favorite specialty food store in the state is The Greek Store, with 20-plus kinds available. There are also pastries, dips, cheeses and homemade frozen foods, but I don’t care. I want my olives!

Linden: Bayway

Bayway is New Jersey’s most spectacular sight, especially at night, when the “Blade Runner”-ish complex of pipes, stacks and towers are lit up and glowing. It’s the nation’s oldest refinery — production began in 1909 — and the largest on the East Coast. A staggering array of products are made here — gasoline, diesel fuel, home heating oil, propane, even chewing gum base.

Mountainside: Watchung Reservation and Trailside Nature and Science Center

The Watchung Reservation is a 2,000-acre preserve in the county’s north end. It was designed by the Olmsted Brothers, who designed Central Park. The 4,500-square-foot nature and science center is packed with state-of-the-art exhibits, including a 34-foot-tall beech tree in the atrium. One cool spot: the Sensory Trail, the most extensive one in the country, with talking kiosks, bird and insect sounds, music, sensory play area, and more. The Deserted Village of Feltville (see Berkeley Heights entry) is nearby.

New Providence: Saltbox Museum

New Jersey is filled with small, fascinating, under-the-radar museums, including the Saltbox Museum: a gold mine of artifacts and memorabilia, some pre-dating the American Revolution. The museum, operated by the New Providence Historical Society, is temporarily closed. New Providence, incorporated in 1899, was once known as Turkey, after the wild turkeys that roamed the area.

Plainfield: Van Wyck Brooks Historic District

Plainfield is studded with majestic homes and the best proof is the Van Wyck Brooks Historic District. Most homes there were built by turn-of-the-century financiers and businessmen, who furnished their “suburban palaces” with sweeping staircases, stained glass windows, turrets and wraparound porches, according to thisoldhouse.com. The Van Wyck Brooks district, the largest of six historic districts in Plainfield, encompasses 152 properties; it’s named after Van Wyck Brooks, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author.

Rahway: Nancy’s Towne House

Downtown Rahway has undergone a serious makeover in recent years, but Nancy’s Towne House hasn’t changed at all. It’s like walking into someone’s basement or den, albeit one that makes excellent thin-crust pizza. Nancy’s is one of those old-school haunts — wood-paneling, red-checked tablecloths, bar — you hope survives into the next millennium. The thin crust here — crackly, airy — may be the state’s most distinctive.

Roselle: Warinanco Park

First of all, it’s pronounced “War-a-Nake-O.” The 205-acre county park, in Roselle and Elizabeth, includes softball fields (I played on them for years as part of a newspaper league), soccer fields, cricket pitches, and tennis, handball, basketball and volleyball courts. The Warinanco Sports Center, which includes a skating rink, re-opened in 2017 after a $7 million renovation.

Roselle Park: Chilean Bakery

The Chilean Bakery is a neighborhood favorite known for Chilean sandwiches, desserts (try the mil hojas or thousand-leaves cake) and especially empanadas. They come in two kinds: baked and filled with meat or cheese, or fried and filled with cheese. The beef empanadas are huge, hearty, crinkle-edged creations filled with meat, onions, potatoes, olives and a boiled egg.

Scotch Plains: Shady Rest

Shady Rest was the first Black-owned golf club in the country. A group of Black investors purchased what was then Westfield Country Club and re-named it Shady Rest. Its dining room hosted such celebrities as Billie Holiday and Count Basie. Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway performed there, and Althea Gibson played tennis on the courts. John Shippen, the first Black professional golfer, called it home for 30 years. In 1964, the township acquired Shady Rest and renamed it the Scotch Hills Country Club.

Springfield: Cannonball House

Two Cannonball Houses — in the same county? The Scotch Plains Cannonball House is so named because a Colonial artilleryman fired at oncoming British troops marching down Park Avenue in 1777. The shot missed, and crashed into the Osborn house. The Springfield Cannonball House was one of only four houses in town not to be destroyed on June 23, 1780, when British troops pillaged and burned the town. A cannonball lodged into the house, thus the name. The house is now a museum maintained by the Springfield Historical Society; it is temporarily closed.

Summit: The Summit Diner

If I had to take a diner first-timer to one Jersey locale, it would be the Summit. The original diner was built in 1929. The current one opened in 1939 and legend has it that Ernest Hemingway was a Summit Diner regular at one time. It’s a time-warp wonder with curved roof, wood paneling, padded booths and a grill where you can see, smell and practically touch your food.

Union: The Flagship

A giant boat in the middle of Route 22? Charles Fritz, a German immigrant, wanted a larger-than-life reminder of how he arrived in this country — he jumped ship — so he built a gigantic boat-like structure, with pointed brow, portholes and canopied deck, on Route 22 in 1938. Then a nightclub, it burned down in 1942, but was rebuilt after World War II and enjoyed a renaissance. Then-unknowns Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis and others performed there. In the early ‘60s, there were plans to turn the Flagship into a strip joint, but public opposition scotched that. The ship later began to collapse and was demolished in 1986. Rebuilt, it is now a P.C. Richard & Son.

Westfield: Charles Addams

They’re creepy and they’re kooky, mysterious and spooky … Charles Addams was a Westfield artist whose Addams family cartoons, penned in 1937, led to the 1964-66 TV series, plus two movies and a Broadway musical. Gomez, Morticia, Uncle Fester, Lurch — Addams did not initially name any characters in his comics; they were added for TV. His friends called Addams “Chill.” He lived in a home on Elm Street for 27 years.

Winfield: Winfield Volunteer Fire Department Carnival

Winfield is the sixth smallest municipality in the state, but the annual fire department carnival is a big deal. A week-long affair with music, rides, games and buffet-style dinners, the event is the fire department’s biggest fundraiser. Winfield, incorporated in 1941 from portions of Linden and Clark, started as a 700-unit mutual housing project for defense workers at the Kearny shipyards.

WARREN COUNTY

Allamuchy: Route 80 Scenic Overlook

New Jersey is packed with scenic views — don’t laugh — even along its most hated highways. The Garden State Parkway is downright gorgeous south of Exit 58, otherwise-commercial-crazed Route 22 really opens up west of Somerville. Likewise, Route 80 through Warren County. The best view is atop the scenic overlook in Allamuchy. The road is hundreds of feet below you, and you can see forever (use your imagination). Check out the whimsical scrawled messages on the rock barrier. The overlook is accessible from 80 eastbound only.

Alpha: Charlie’s Pool Room

Charlie’s is no more, but the state’s most eccentric eatery ever belongs here, as a memorial. Squeaky hardwood floors, a 1920s cash register, tin ceiling, fluorescent-lit pool table, tiny bathroom and just one item on the menu: hot dogs. The trademark hot dog at Charlie’s was a “mealie,” a Kunzler brand dog with onions, hot peppers and “Grandma’s secret sauce.” Brothers Joe and John ran the place (Joe died of cancer in 2014). The building still stands, and here’s hoping some day Grandma’s secret sauce will be resurrected.

Belvidere: Victorian Days

Quick, name the county seat of Warren County. No, not Phillipsburg, but that tiny treasure known as Belvidere. The historic district, filed with Victorian, Greek Revival, Gothic and other styles of homes and buildings, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. The highlight of the town’s social calendar is Victorian Days. There are horse-and-carriage rides, historical presenters, porch teas, classic cars, old-time baseball games and more. Oh, and lots of gents and ladies in period costume. It’s held in Garret D. Wall Park.

Blairstown: Donna’s Runway Cafe

You heard it here first — small airport dining is the next big thing in New Jersey. Restaurants can be found at small airports throughout the state. Donna’s Runway Cafe, at Blairstown Airport, serves up bountiful breakfasts (try the prime rib omelet), sandwiches, and homemade soups, pie and rice pudding. desserts. Grab a table outside and watch small planes chug off into the great beyond.

Franklin: Warren County Habitat for Humanity

Since 1999, WCHFH has built about 20 homes in Warren County. Qualified partner families purchase the home at an affordable mortgage, and each adult is required to put in 250 “sweat equity” hours. The newest homes will be in Franklin, on land donated by the township. Six homes will be built there over the next three years.

Frelinghuysen: Jenny Jump State Forest

Jenny really did jump from a cliff here. Maybe. One story says she did just that to escape a group of Native Americans. Another story holds that the name is just an Anglicized version of the area’s Lenape name. Whatever the truth, the state forest offers breathtaking views of the Jenny Jump Mountain Range, with 14 miles of hiking trails. There are also 22 tent and trailer sites, and eight shelters, open year-round, near the top of Jenny Jump Mountain.

Greenwich: Jim and Mary Lee Canal Museum

One of the state’s more unique museums, the Jim and Mary Lee Canal Museum allowed visitors to walk the canal’s inclined plane, tour the powerhouse remains and visit the museum and its collection of artifacts. The guided tours have been temporarily halted, but visitors can walk the grounds and pick up a brochure at the kiosk by the parking lot. The museum is named after Jim Lee, a Morris Canal author and historian.

Hackettstown: M&M Mars

Mars employees call themselves Martians. I am not making that up. About half of all the M&Ms sold in the U.S. are made at Mars Chocolate North America in Hackettstown. Frank Mars started selling candy from his home in Tacoma, Washington in 1911 and the company’s first factory was in Newark. The vending machines offer free M&Ms, Twix, Snickers and Milky Ways. I’m glad I don’t work there!

Hardwick: Camp No-Be-Bo-Sco

Much of the landmark slasher movie “Friday the 13th” was filmed in Warren County. Luncheonette scenes were shot in Hope, and Camp Crystal Lake was actually a Boy Scout camp outside Blairstown — Camp No-Be-Bo-Sco, a summer camp since 1927. Interestingly, there’s no mention of “Friday the 13th” on the camp’s website, and it’s not open to sightseers, but you can sign up for a special tour through Crystal Lake Tours. The Blairstown Diner, which also appears in the movie, draws big crowds every Friday the 13th.

Harmony: Warren County Farmers’ Fair and Hot Air Balloon Festival

There is nothing like a county fair, and I don’t mean the deep-fried Oreos and Twinkies. The Warren County Farmers’ Fair started in 1837 and today the week-long event covers the family-fun spectrum: rides, food, mud bog, kids’ rodeo, tractor pull, pony rides, baking exhibits, demolition derby and much more. The Hot Air Balloon Festival, added 18 years ago, makes it even more colorful. The fair is held in Harmony, so how can you possibly not be happy?

Hope: Land of Make Believe

The Land of Make Believe, which opened in 1954 (one year before Disneyland) on a former dairy farm, is another of those low-key, low-tech amusement parks that have managed to survive in a day of mega-amusement parks. The attractions are a combination of old-school favorites — Old MacDonald’s Farm, carousel, petting zoo — and modern rides — Blackbeard’s Pirate Ship, Cannonball, Tornado and more. Newest features include a spinning coaster, Scream Machine 360, and an off-road safari adventure.

Independence: Vienna

Vienna and Great Meadows are two country hamlets strung along Route 46 in Independence. The Vienna post office is located in a three-story house, and the Free Union Vienna United Methodist Church is the town centerpiece. The church’s food pantry is open 2 to 4 p.m. on Mondays to help those in need. Independence was established in 1782 and when Hackettstown (in 1853) and Allamuchy (in 1873) were split off, it was reduced by half.

Knowlton: Lakota Wolf Preserve

This jaw-dropping slice of the Wild Kingdom, which opened in 1998, is home to about 20 Arctic, timber and tundra wolves, which collectively eat 50,000 pounds of meat a year. They roam about in their spacious enclosure, spooky eyes and all, never failing to evoke “oohs” and “ahhs” from wide-eyed schoolchildren. It’s open year-round, and you must make a reservation on weekdays. No appointments are necessary for weekend tours. Lakota Wolf Preserve is minutes from Route 94 but a world away from the Jersey most of us know.

Liberty: Mountain Lake

Mountain Lake, at 122 acres, is Warren County’s largest natural lake. The Mountain Lake Community Association, founded in 1967, is dedicated to the conservation and preservation of the 3,625-acre Mountain Lake Watershed. For a scenic ride entirely around the lake, take Lake Side Drive, there’s a beach along the way.

Lopatcong: Toby’s Cup

From the outside, Toby’s Cup, on Route 22, looks more like a carnival fun house than hot dog stand, with its sputnik-like globe (what the heck is that?) atop the roof, and cramped, low-ceilinged interior more reminiscent of a drive-in movie snack bar. They use a Berks beef/pork dog, a rarity in New Jersey. A new owner took over in 2020, and promised renovations.

Mansfield: Pequest Trout Hatchery

The only state-owned trout hatchery, Pequest produces about 700,000 trout annually to be stocked throughout New Jersey. The interpretive center is currently closed, but the Pequest Wildlife Management Area remains open.

Oxford: Shippen Manor Museum

The grand Georgian-style mansion that is now the museum once sat on a 4,000-acre estate. In 1741, Joseph Shippen (his grandfather was the first mayor of Philadelphia) and a business partner built Oxford Furnace, an iron manufacturing facility. The museum, which opened in 1995, is temporarily closed.

Phillipsburg: The Free Bridge

Yes, the Free Bridge between P-Burg and Easton, Pa. really is free. A covered bridge spanned the Delaware River from 1807 to 1896, when a steel span was opened. A repair project is underway, the last one was in 2001.

Pohatcong: Finesville

Finesville is a sleepy hamlet along the Musconetcong River that began as Chelsea Forge in 1751. John and Philip Fine later bought the land and built a dam, gristmill and sawmill. The soil is a vintner’s dream, as two wineries, Alba Vineyard and Villa Milagro Vineyards, are located here.

Washington Borough: Muheisen’s Bagel & Deli

A beloved bagel shop in town, Muheisen’s was founded in 2007 by Muhsin Muheisen. Bagels are hand-rolled and baked fresh daily. The best review of the place from yelp: “If this bagel shop did not exist in Warren County, the country would be nothing!”

Washington Township: Roaring Rock Park

The rocks really “roar” as water cascades over them in times of high water. Roaring Rock Park, one of the lesser-known parks in New Jersey, is a beautiful, woodsy expanse. The 2.1-mile-long White and Blue Trail Loop is a recommended hiking trail.

White: Buttzville

Buttzville can mean only one thing — Hot Dog Johnny’s, the legendary hot dog joint on Route 46. You can quibble over the quality of the dogs, but not the bucolic setting, along the Pequest River. John Kovalsky opened Hot Dog Johnny’s in 1944 — the tiny original stand can be seen on the grounds. His daughter, Patricia Fotopoulos, now runs the business. Johnny’s is probably the state’s best-known hot dog stand, and Buttzville, a section of White, is one of New Jersey’s 20 most colorfully named towns. It’s named after founder Michael Robert Buttz.