Trenton, N.J. – A new survey suggests many New Jersey residents think their hometowns are ready for the spotlight — the Hallmark kind.
In a poll of 3,021 adults by travel company Exoticca, respondents were asked which real-life towns they believe deserve to be the setting for a Hallmark Christmas movie.
Cape May, Princeton, and Lambertville emerged as the top three choices, each celebrated for their postcard-worthy charm and festive atmosphere.
The results were released alongside an interactive map highlighting holiday-perfect towns across the country.
Cape May crowned the state’s holiday favorite
Voters placed Cape May firmly in the top spot. The Victorian seaside town, known for its pastel homes, garland-lined streets, and twinkling decorations, was praised for its cinematic holiday spirit.
With horse-drawn carriage rides along Washington Street Mall, cozy cafés serving cocoa, and local theaters staging seasonal performances, respondents said Cape May feels like a living holiday postcard.
Princeton captures timeless charm
Coming in second, Princeton blends historic grandeur with cozy Christmas warmth. The university town’s festive lights, cobblestone streets, and small bookstores create the kind of setting where — in true Hallmark fashion — big-city visitors might rediscover the magic of the season.
Romantic walks through campus greens, warm drinks in local cafés, and community tree-lightings make Princeton a perennial holiday favorite.
Lambertville brings riverside romance
Lambertville rounded out the list with its mix of small-town intimacy and artistic energy. Its riverside galleries, historic brick storefronts, and glowing Bridge Street shops create a festive setting that residents said feels “ready-made for a Hallmark film.”
Holiday markets, handmade ornaments, and candlelit music events give the town a cozy, cinematic feel that blends creativity with Christmas nostalgia.
Each of these destinations, respondents agreed, captures the storybook atmosphere that defines Hallmark’s most beloved holiday films.