Looking for for a romantic getaway that’s close to Morris County, NJ but still offers that far from home feeling of adventure?
Need ideas for romantic getaways from NJ? These five weekend excursions—all within an hour of Morris Co.—are guaranteed to ignite passion and have your partner begging for another trip out of town. Whether you’re trying to rekindle an age-old love affair or are still waiting to pop the big question, we’ve done all the planning so that you and your beloved can experience the weekend of a lifetime.
This carefully curated list of ideas and activities will give you the perfect start in planing your next trip:
1. Head to the Shore!
One thing NJ has in spades is our highest-quality beaches and shorelines. From Sandy Hook to Cape May no other state is as renowned for its seaside resorts. Every year our beloved sands and cool ocean waters attract millions of visitors from across the globe. If you live in Morris Co. then you’ve lucked out because these sun-filled shores are easy as pie to reach. There’s no need to hop on a plane from JFK; you can visit a world-class coastal destination in half the time it takes to reach the tarmac. Everyone of our summer colonies offer their own take on what it means to cut loose down the Jersey Shore.
For this list we’ve decided to go as close to home as possible. The cottages at Summer House (Highlands, NJ) offer a great bang-for-your-buck while clocking in at less than 55 miles from Morristown—pack a bag for Monday and you can commute back to work or if your commute takes you to the city, ferries leave Highlands daily for the Wall Street and Times Square areas.
The cottages are only ten-minute walk to the entrances of the Sea Bright beaches. Sandy Hook (the NJ portion of Gateway National Recreation Area) is also easily accessible with the entrance to the park being about five minutes by car from the cottages. Feel the warm sand between your toes and hold hands with the person you love so dearly. Set up a bike rental with cottage or ferry drop off, through Kranky’s Cycles at www.krankycycles.com.
Where to Stay: Summer House, 30 Jackson St, Highlands, NJ 07732•(732) 648-9328
Costs: $115/night — Sea Bright Beaches $8/day — Sandy Hook Parking $15/day
2. Hit the trail!
Do you and your partner love the great outdoors? Well, you don’t have to hoof it up to the Catskills or Adirondacks to get the feeling of great open spaces. NJ’s own Delaware Water Gap National Recreation area offers 70,000 acres of pure woodland adventure. There is camping and trails on both the NJ and PA sides of the river as well as spectacular views of the entire region from the cliffs of Mt. Tammany. If waterfalls catch your fancy there’s a dozen of those in the area as well!
If you plan on bringing the bikes to this perfect outdoor weekend, then you’ll want to make use of the McDade Recreational Trail. The packed gravel path that parallels the Delaware River on the Pennsylvania side of the park offers 32 miles of trail. This is the best option for cyclists with a mountain or hybrid bike. For those enthusiasts who tend towards the road, Old Mine Rd. on the New Jersey side offers 34 miles of scenic byway.
If you’re more of the glamping type, then might want to check out the nearby—and oh-so quaint—borough of Milford, PA with it’s stunning 19th century architecture and cosmopolitan downtown. There’s world-class cuisine to be had at The Delmonico Room at the Hotel Fauchère, and sightseers delight at the Romanesque spires of Gray Towers—an L-shaped fieldstone chateau now owned and ran by the U.S. Forest Service.
Where to Stay: Worthington State Forest Campground, Hardwick Township, NJ 07832
Costs: NJ Residents $20/night — Non-NJ Residents $25/night — Delmonico Room $28-70/meal
3. Get classy in NYC!
Imagine sipping cocktails from a rooftop pool, you’ve just got back from a Broadway show and can hear the bustling din of the New York City streets from someplace far below. You lock eyes with your beloved as they begin beaming a smile that makes your heart flutter. This doesn’t have to be a dream!
From Morristown, NJ you can catch the NJ Transit Line and be in the NYC within the hour. Chances are you’ve already been to the city at some point during your time in Morris Co., but there’s always something going down in the city that never sleeps. Shopping, live sports, live theater, and the best culinary experiences this side of the Atlantic—NYC has it all!
Are you and your partners fans of the great American pastime? Then hop on the subway and see a ballgame at Yankee Stadium or Citi Field. Both teams are off to a great start in 2019 and although it’s early days, it still looks like both teams have a good shot at the pennant race.
Perhaps you’re a little more cosmopolitan? Then we’d recommend experiencing 5,000 years of creative expression by way of a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The two-million-square-foot building hosts the greatest collection of fine art on the planet. Visit and you can see the works of Picasso, Van Gough, Da Vinci, Rembrandt, Dali, Hopper, Vermeer, Homer, Grandma Moses, and so many more.
Looking for performing arts? Then you’ve picked the right town. Broadway tickets are available for everyday of the calendar year. Plus there’s always smaller, independent theaters putting on quality acts.
On your way back to the hotel, you could stop by John’s Pizzeria in Times Square—traditional NY pizza served out of a former church. The ambiance is certainly one-of-a-kind!
Where to Stay: Royalton Park Avenue, 420 Park Ave S, New York, NY 10016
Costs: $166/night — Mets $25/ticket — Yankees $18/ticket — The Met Museum $25/ticket — Broadway $30-$299/ticket — John’s Pizza 20.50/pie
4. Take a trip out to the Country!
Looking to escape the suburban sprawl for a historic river valley with beautiful views and a picturesque downtown lined with upscale boutiques and eateries? Then head on over to New Hope, P.A.— the crown jewel of Bucks County!
The cozy and clean Aaron Burr House B&B makes for the perfect countryside lodging. If you feel like getting the full historical experience, you can take a trip back in time to the site of George Washington’s crossing of the Delaware. Those willing to brave the winter cold can catch the two annual reenactments of the heroic passage performed around the Christmas season.
If you’re more interested in a chance to relax with a couple of craft brews and a meal, then head over to Triumph Brewing Co. They’ve got outdoor seating and a great selection of delectable eats. Another easy recommendation is the Cafe Blue Moose—this European “prix fixe” style supper club offers a menu of farm-fresh fine dinning.
If you’re on the hunt for unique shopping, then the iconic Peddler’s Village should be at the top of your to-do list. The 42-acre outdoor shopping mall offers everything from gourmet food provisioners to the latest fashions—definitely a must-see for the area.
Where to Stay: Aaron Burr House, 80 W Bridge St, New Hope, PA 18938
Costs: $145/night — Triumph Brewing Co. $30/meal — Cafe Blue Moose $35/meal
5. Have the Ultimate Staycation!
Do you scoff at the wanderlust that drives others to travel? Do you have kids that would lose their minds if you went away for a weekend? Do you earnestly believe the best times can be had outside our own backdoors? Then there’s no need to drive an hour for a romantic weekend; there’s something for everyone right here in Morris County, New Jersey.
WARNING: This option is definitely for the young at heart!
Forget the stress of the work-week and head on over to East Hanover’s own Funplex! This mega-complex of everything fun offers laser tag, go-karts, water slides, and an arcade so big it might someday require its own zip code. Get the competitive juices flowing over a match of air-hockey or win awesome prizes with a ski-ball high score.
They’ve got private cabanas outside, so if you have little ones in-tow you can set them lose on the water park and get a little R&R by the poolside.
After a day of fun and sun you’ll probably be hankering for something good to eat. Thank goodness for Don Jose Mexican Restaurant which will set you up with the best enchilada platter this side of the Rio Grande. Other options in the immediate vicinity include Chili’s Grill & Bar and SGD Dubu Tofu & Korean BBQ.
Where to Stay: At Home!
Cost: Funplex $45/ticket (excludes certain attractions) — Dinner $20-$40/meal
Love is in the air!
And so, there you have it! These are top our picks for romantic getaways in NJ. There’s many awesome little corners to explore from Morris County, and I’m absolutely certain that there are places we completely overlooked. Please take note that our estimates for costs all tended towards the best rates we could find, so for some of the hotel stays things will be a little pricier during peak times. Make sure to share this post with someone in desperate need of some R&R, and don’t forget to check out our selection of fine jewelry.