VIA VISITNJ – Spring is here and soon New Jersey will be in full bloom. You don’t have to wait to have a great picnic in New Jersey and here’s 5 highly recommended spots to have one.
Lakeside Charm
Nestled into the heart of theTowne of Historic Smithville & Village Greenis lovely Lake Meone, featuring paddle boat rentals, remote control boats and plenty of grassy areas to spread out your picnic blanket. You can even leave dessert to quaint local eateries includingScoop’s Place Ice Creamand theSmithville Bakery.
Urban Pulse
Surrounded by Jersey City’s edgy cultural and dining scene isLiberty State Park, a vast green space with the Manhattan skyline and Statue of Liberty as its backdrop and ample settings for relaxing and recreating. Enjoy an alfresco lunch in the picnic area then stroll the park’s two-mile promenade to take in sweeping Hudson River views.
Serene Seclusion
You won’t find picnic pavilions or grills atDuke Farmsin Hillsborough. What you will find is a more than 1,000-acre tranquil sanctuary dedicated to the preservation of the region’s natural beauty. The public is invited to explore the grounds, immersed in the native landscape. Then linger over a leisurely lunch—you can locate a handful of picnic tables dotting the site on thisproperty map. Or, better yet, bring a blanket and pick an out-of-the-way spot of your own.
Fresh Mountain Air
Whether you’re packing a charcuterie board for two or grilling hamburgers and hot dogs with fixings for the whole family, you’ll enjoy your spread in the clean, crisp air of the Kittatinny Mountain Ridge atHigh Point State Park. Follow the trails on thispark mapto the picnic area of your choosing, then just breathe it all in.
Sun, Sand & Surf
Travel to New Jersey’s southernmost tip and you’ll findCape May Point State Park. Boasting a classic lighthouse, quiet coastal shoreline, sandy dunes and freshwater ponds, it’s a distinctively peaceful and picturesque spot to take in a picnic down the shore.