New Jersey may be famous for its beaches, boardwalks and big-city neighbors, but some of the Garden State’s best discoveries are tucked inside its small towns.

These destinations offer walkable downtowns, independent shops, acclaimed restaurants, historic landmarks, theaters, galleries and scenic parks. Whether you’re planning a leisurely day trip, a weekend getaway or a fall drive, here are 10 charming New Jersey towns worth exploring.

Come to Collingswood hungry. This South Jersey town has earned a reputation for its impressive restaurant scene, much of it concentrated along a lively and walkable Haddon Avenue.

Dining choices include Zeppoli, Albertino’s Italian, Il Fiore, June BYOB, Kitchen Consigliere Café, Hearthside, Michael Coastal Italian Grille and Villa Barone.

Between meals, browse the town’s independent shops for antiques, books, gifts and home décor. You can also catch a performance at the historic Scottish Rite Auditorium or enjoy the paved 3.8-mile loop at Cooper River Park.

With community celebrations, seasonal events and a popular farmers market, Collingswood gives visitors plenty of reasons to return—and even more reasons to skip breakfast before arriving.

Few New Jersey scenes are as instantly recognizable as Clinton’s bright red mill overlooking a waterfall on the South Branch of the Raritan River.

Begin your visit on Main Street, where locally owned shops and restaurants fill the historic downtown. Cross the 1870 iron-truss bridge for a postcard-worthy view of the river, waterfall and mill.

The landmark Red Mill Museum Village introduces visitors to the area’s industrial past through historic buildings, exhibits and special events. Across the river, the Hunterdon Art Museum showcases contemporary art, craft and design inside a former stone mill.

Adventurous visitors can even see the countryside from above with a hot-air balloon ride. For everyone else, a riverside bench offers a perfectly respectable view without leaving the ground.

Set along the Delaware River in Hunterdon County, Frenchtown combines small-town charm with a creative streak.

Bridge Street is lined with independent boutiques, galleries, cafés and restaurants. The shopping ranges from stylish clothing and home goods to art, gifts and items you didn’t know you needed until they followed you home.

At ArtYard, visitors can experience contemporary art, performances and community programs. For an outdoor break, head to the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park, where the towpath provides an easy route for walking and bicycling beside the river.

Frenchtown is compact enough for a relaxed afternoon but interesting enough to fill an entire day—especially if lunch somehow becomes shopping and shopping becomes dinner.

Haddonfield has all the ingredients of a classic downtown: historic buildings, inviting cafés, art galleries, restaurants and independently owned boutiques.

It also has a dinosaur.

In 1858, the nearly complete skeleton of a Hadrosaurus foulkii was discovered in Haddonfield. The find became an important moment in paleontology, and the dinosaur is now celebrated with the downtown “Haddy” statue.

Film fans may recognize the town’s name for another reason. The fictional Illinois setting of the movie Halloween was named after Haddonfield by screenwriter and New Jersey native Debra Hill.

Visit during October and you may find ghost tours and seasonal events adding an extra shiver to the town’s considerable charm.

Set along the Delaware River across from New Hope, Pennsylvania, Lambertville is one of New Jersey’s favorite destinations for antiques, art and architecture.

Known as the “Antiques Capital of New Jersey,” Lambertville is home to shops such as the Antiques Center at the People’s Store. The nearby Golden Nugget Flea Market adds even more opportunities to hunt for vintage furniture, collectibles and unexpected treasures.

Not interested in antiquing? The town also offers galleries, restaurants, specialty stores and streets lined with beautifully preserved homes. The pedestrian-friendly bridge connecting Lambertville with New Hope makes it easy to visit two states in a single afternoon.

In spring, the town hosts ShadFest, a celebration inspired by the annual return of American shad to the Delaware River. You don’t have to love fish to attend, but it probably helps if you enjoy food, art and a town that knows how to throw a party.

Metuchen proves that a small downtown can make a big impression. Its award-winning Main Street district features locally owned restaurants, cafés, boutiques, service businesses and a calendar of community events.

Known as the “Brainy Borough,” Metuchen combines a friendly neighborhood atmosphere with convenient access by NJ Transit. That makes it an easy destination for visitors who would rather leave the driving to someone else.

Science and history fans can also visit the nearby Thomas Edison Center at Menlo Park. The museum and memorial tower commemorate the inventor’s Menlo Park laboratory and some of his most famous achievements.

Seasonal celebrations—including fall events downtown—keep the borough buzzing throughout the year.

Red Bank packs shopping, dining, theater, history and waterfront scenery into a lively downtown beside the Navesink River.

Catch a concert or comedy show at the Count Basie Center for the Arts, or see a professional stage production at Two River Theater. Comic-book and movie fans can browse Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash, owned by filmmaker Kevin Smith.

For a little nostalgia, play classic arcade games at YESTERcades. History lovers can visit the T. Thomas Fortune Cultural Center, located in the restored home of the influential Black journalist and civil-rights leader.

Save time for a walk through Riverside Gardens Park or the renovated Marine Park—and, naturally, dinner at one of the town’s many restaurants. Birravino is one longtime local choice.

Somerville offers the kind of downtown where the best plan may be having no plan at all.

The walkable district is filled with more than 60 restaurants and cafés, along with boutiques, antique shops, entertainment and colorful public art. Stops include Blue Marble Studio, Elysium Antiques and Evolve Clothing Gallery.

History buffs can tour the Somerville Firemen’s Museum, which preserves firefighting equipment, photographs and memorabilia. Tours are generally offered on select days, so check the current schedule before visiting.

Downtown concerts, street fairs and seasonal celebrations add to Somerville’s energetic atmosphere. Wear comfortable shoes—the town makes it surprisingly easy to turn “just one more shop” into several thousand steps.

Not every memorable small town is built around a row of boutiques. In Sparta, much of the charm comes from Sussex County’s lakes, wooded hills and outdoor spaces.

Lake Mohawk is the centerpiece, surrounded by distinctive architecture and peaceful scenery. The town also makes a convenient base for exploring some of North Jersey’s best outdoor destinations.

Nearby choices include High Point State Park, the Appalachian Trail and Wawayanda State Park. Visitors can also stop at the Sparta Farmers Market or explore Andersen Farms.

Sparta is especially beautiful in autumn, when the surrounding hills put on a show and demand absolutely no admission fee.

Situated between Sea Girt and Belmar, Spring Lake offers a quieter version of the Jersey Shore.

The town became a fashionable summer retreat during the 19th century, and its Victorian homes and grand hotels still reflect that history. Visitors can walk the two-mile, commercial-free boardwalk, relax on the beach or browse boutiques along Third Avenue.

At the center of town, Divine Park surrounds the lake that gave Spring Lake its name. Shaded paths, footbridges and benches make it an inviting place for a leisurely stroll.

Finish the day with dinner overlooking the Atlantic at The Breakers on the Ocean, or simply enjoy the ocean breeze from the boardwalk. Spring Lake isn’t in a hurry—and once you arrive, you may not be either.

New Jersey’s small towns offer far more than pretty main streets. They preserve local history, support independent businesses and provide easy access to theaters, galleries, parks, restaurants and waterfront scenery.

Spend a day browsing antiques in Lambertville, enjoying the restaurants of Collingswood, walking beside the river in Frenchtown or breathing in the salt air at Spring Lake. Whichever town you choose, check attraction hours and event schedules before leaving home.

The Garden State may be small, but it knows how to pack plenty of personality into every exit.