Shad Festival - Lambertville, New Jersey

The Shad Festival highlights the region's arts community, the very charming city, the Delaware River, and of course, their favorite fish, the Shad (we'll hold our opinions on the taste). Shad Fest features the area's finest artists and crafters, great food and family entertainment, and the two-day extravaganza also serves as a venue to support several local non-profit organizations.

J Design - Oldwick, New Jersey

J Design
53 Main Street (County Route 517)
Oldwick, NJ 08858
908.439.0001

Oldwick, New Jersey

The tiny village of Oldwick serves as the main downtown and gathering place for the wealthy, back country township of Tewksbury. A must visit if you crave New England charm in otherwise urban New Jersey.



Magic Shop
60 Old Turnpike Road
Oldwick, New Jersey
908.439.2330

J Design
53 Main Street (County Route 517)
Oldwick, NJ 08858
908.439.0001

Julian Gage Home Collection
43 Old Turnpike Road
Oldwick, New Jersey
908.439.3144

The Tewksbury Inn
55 Main Street on Route 517
Oldwick, New Jersey
908.39.641

Melicks Town Farm
170 Oldwick Road
Oldwick, New Jersey
908.439.2955

The Spirit Spa
3 James Street
Oldwick, New Jersey
908.439.2889

Oldwick General Store
57 Main St
Oldwick, New Jersey
908.439.2642

And just down the road:

Lamington General Store
285 Lamington Road (Rte. 523) - Turn left at the Post Office just south of Oldwick before you hit Melicks.
Bedminster, New Jersey
908.439.2034

Whitehouse Station - Follow Route 523 South past Route 78 and Route 22

Keeping Room Country Furnishings
135 Main St
Whitehouse Station, New Jersey
908.534.1401‎

The Junction
157 Main St
Whitehouse Station, New Jersey
908.534.6900
Gordon Ramsey recently remade this restaurant for his television show.

La Casa Bianca
144 Main Street
Whitehouse Station, New Jersey
908.534.8384
Proclaimed by New Jersey Monthly to offer the best pizza in the state. Many don't agree. We don't agree. But worth a try if you're in the area.

Lambertville, New Jersey

So, I spent yesterday afternoon photographing Lambertville for an article I'm writing. Its good to take a closer look at places like this. Everyone knows Lambertville. They get written up in the New York Times every few years, a major NJ magazine has its headquarters there. Lambertville has no business being on this website. Well, maybe it does. A couple of the stores I visited have killer views of the Delaware River and the bridge. Had I not taken a closer look, I might never have seen this. I think there may be a few more Lambertville posts in me...



Peter Wallace Ltd.
3 Lambert Lane
Lambertville, NJ
609.397.4914

A Stage in Time
9 Lambert Lane
Lambertville, NJ
609.397.3690

The Charming Cafes of Hunterdon County, NJ

Spending some time along the Delaware River or around Western New Jersey or Bucks County PA? You're bound to get hungry. Here are the local country places. Most aren't fancy, but charming and good food (see exceptions below). Enjoy!

The Fine Diner
1 Old Highway 22
Clinton, NJ
908.238.1637

Don't let the diner name or the generic website fool you. This is the place for breakfast and lunch in northern Hunterdon County. Fabulous, innovative yet low cost food done right. Long waits and parking can be tricky but WORTH IT!

Rosemont Cafe
Route 519 about a mile north of the Delaware River
Rosemont, NJ
609.397.4097

Set in an old fashioned general store in a tiny village you'd never find between the Delaware River and New Jersey's only authentic covered bridge, The Rosemont Cafe is a long standing local hotspot with ever changing specials. From Stockton, head north on Route 29/River Road, turn right onto 519 and follow into Rosemont (the Cafe is at the corner of Route 614). While at the Cafe, visit Cane Farm Furniture on an old chicken farm across the street from the restaurant.

Frenchtown Cafe
44 Bridge Street
Frenchtown, NJ
609.996.0663

Right in the heart of the village, another longstanding favorite. And you'll be long standing in line if you hit it at the wrong time. Extremely popular and fabulous food. The owner of the Fine Diner above got her start here. My favorite dish? THE BLISS!

Full Moon Cafe
23 Bridge Street
Lambertville, NJ
609.397.1096

Not exactly hidden but worth a mention if you're spending the day in beautiful Lambertville. Good solid choice.

Meils Cafe
Main Street
Stockton, NJ
609.397.8033

Interesting menu but the prices are absolutely insane. And they don't take credit cards. This is where all the fancy horse people go and pretend that they've found a hidden gem (it is in an old gas station). Breakfast will probably run you $15- $20 each.

Califon Fine Foods
52 Main Street
Califon, NJ
908.832.6360

Small upscale breakfast and sandwich fare set in Mayberry USA. There aren't many choices up here (this is my town), but this one's pretty good. And the village really is quite something. Very midwest chic, maybe?

Gourmet Expressions Cafe
Mountainville, NJ
Brand new - Haven't tried it yet, but only 5 miles from here so I'd better get going! Gorgeous little village and worth a look. If you're in the area and you beat me to it, email your thoughts. Route 78 Exit 24, turn right onto 523, then left onto Rockaway Road, follow for several miles, and obey the speed limits as close as you can! Dead ends in Mountainville, the cafe will be on the left of the intersection.

Oldwick General Store
57 Main Street
Oldwick, NJ
908.439.2642

Beautiful setting in one of New Jersey's most amazing villages. People rave about this place. I don't get it. It's pretty good but not great. Think it has to do with the setting. I include it so you can make up your own mind. My recommendation: Go to the Fine Diner instead.

Shaker Cafe
31 Main Street
Flemington, NJ
908.782.6610

Nice place in Hunterdon's historic county seat. Worth a try. But better still is

The Market Roost
65 Main Street
Flemington, NJ
908.788.4949

This lady knows how to cook! Can take a while to get your food, though.

Oh, and if you just want the diner experience, try the Country Griddle with two locations: at the bus stop in Clinton at Route 78 and 31 and the Circle in Flemington! Very good. Think IHOP or Perkins but more interesting.

Clinton, High Bridge, Annandale and Lebanon New Jersey

Nestled in the hills of Hunterdon County, Clinton is the iconic American small town with its charming historic shopping district and cherry-tree lined neighborhood streets. Clinton's most famous landmarks are its two mills set just above the waterfall on the Raritan River running along the edge of Main Street. The view of these mills from Clinton's antique iron bridge is reported to be one of the most photographed sites in America.

The Red Mill, now a historical museum village, hosts several programs including living history reenactments while the Stone Mill houses a contemporary art museum. Only about an hour west of Manhattan, Clinton draws on the sophistication of the New Yorkers who have settled into the quiet country scene. The vibrant Victorian downtown, along the roaring river, is packed with interesting and upscale stores and restaurants catering to full time and weekend residents, many with ties to the city.

Right next to Clinton is the larger Township of Clinton. Without a proper downtown the Township does offer several smaller villages including part of Cokesbury and the lovely Annandale. Annandale, right at exit 18 on Route 78 is a small walking village with early American and Victorian architecture without much in the way of stores. The express bus stop to Wall Street is located in Annandale, as is one of the local train stations.

Just north of Clinton and Annandale, High Bridge was formed around an old iron works called the Union Tract. One of the main homes, the Solitude House, still stands on the banks of the Raritan River and is now a museum. Downtown High Bridge is slightly lazy but still offers some interesting shopping and dining. High Bridge also has the distinction of being the last stop on the Raritan Valley train line. One of their most fun festivals is the annual Dog Parade in the summer.

To the east of Clinton, and also on the Raritan Valley train line, Lebanon Borough is right off exit 20 on Route 78. With a very impressive Main Street full of early American and Victorian homes, Lebanon is locally famous for its Fourth of July and Halloween Parades.

Tewksbury Township - Oldwick New Jersey

Hunterdon County consistently finds itself in the top 5 wealthiest counties in America and Tewksbury Township is Hunterdon County's wealthiest. Located at Exit 24 on Route 78, Tewksbury is one of the most well preserved and beautiful places in the northeast. Very much like Greenwich Connecticut's Back Country, Tewksbury is known for its very quaint small villages, rolling countryside, estates, and country cottages. Oldwick is the official town center with a couple of restaurants and shops set in 18th and 19th century homes. Just past Oldwick, the land opens up to magnificent views of the unspoiled countryside.

Pottersville is a small hamlet that actually straddles three counties and Cokesbury spills into the Township of Clinton. Mountainville is a hidden treasure just north of Oldwick with a tiny historic downtown rivaling the most beautiful Bucks County setting. Bissell isn't much bigger than the sign on the road marking its existence. Fairmount is the crossroads of Tewksbury's two main roads.

Aside from these main roads--Oldwick Road running north/south from Route 78 and Fairmount Road running east/west, driving around Tewksbury is meant to be a slow and lazy experience. Most of the side streets are 25 mph and some are even 20 mph and the residents like it that way. Some of the large parks in town include the Christie Hoffman Park, Cold Spring Preserve, and the Whittemore Preserve. In addition the Tewksbury Trail Association maintains about 100 miles of riding trails.

Tewksbury Historical Society