Discover Central New Jersey

How to Invite Nature into Your Backyard: April 18th

Brad Fay — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 17:53:54 +0000

by Jenn Rogers, guest columnist

Just in time for Eath Day, my organization, the Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space (FoHVOS) is holding a Community Conservation Conference that will help address a common source of stress in 2026.

Ecoanxiety—the growing fear that our environment is deteriorating beyond repair—has become increasingly common. It’s hard not to feel this way when environmental protections are weakened and vital programs are defunded at both federal and state levels. These setbacks can make it seem as though nature has little support on the horizon.

But at FoHVOS, we hold a different perspective: even when top-down policies falter, bottom-up, grassroots action remains profoundly powerful. We’ve always believed that meaningful change begins in communities, neighborhoods, and backyards. And one of the most overlooked sources of environmental hope is right at home—in the spaces we steward every day.

One overlooked set of stakeholders—and a source of hope—is close to home. In fact, it’s right in your front or backyard. A lawn, or at least portions of it, is a perfect palette to begin making change.

Does your ½-acre yard mat

ter? The Watershed Institute experts informed me last year of an amazing statistic: when a ½ acre of lawn is converted to native meadow, it can absorb up to 500,000 gallons of water a year. Imagine how helpful it could have been if half of our residential properties (there are 3,000 in the Valley) had small meadows during Hurricane Ida. Up to 750,000,000 gallons of stormwat

er could have been held in the ground and slowly released instead of surging into our local streams and rivers.

If collaborating with your n

eighbors to reduce dangerous flooding isn’t your thing, maybe carbon sequestration is more your flavor. A lot of meadow plants have extensive root systems—many native grass species have root

s that extend 6–10 feet into the soil—making them ideal carbon sinks. The majority of their biomass is underground, and they mature fairly quickly, at about three years of age. Trees, by contrast, have significant biomass above ground and take decades to mature. Planting a meadow in your yard reduces carbon emissions, reduces maintenance, and absorbs more carbon in a sustainable manner.

Studies suggest that for every acre of land converted from lawn to meadow, carbon in the air is reduced by half a ton, stormwater is reduced by 30% to 43%, and potentially hundreds of thousands of gallons of water are saved through reduced lawn irrigation.

While the deep-in-the-soil values of a native meadow are mind-blowing (we’ve just grazed the surface here), the simple and selfish part of me loves the butterfly and insect population I host each year in my yard’s not-so-perfect meadows. In 2025, I spent part of my birthday watching four individual monarch butterflies laying eggs on my milkweed plants—the perfect gift for a nature nerd. This winter, flocks of wintering birds—Dark-Eyed Juncos especially—were picking seeds from the flowerheads of my meadow plants; a great food source when a blanket of snow covers the ground.

But don’t take my word for it. Regional and national experts are saying the same thing. Dr. Doug Tallamy, professor at the University of Delaware, New York Times best-selling author, and founder of Homegrown National Park, also believes that your backyard is one of nature’s best hopes:

“If Americans replanted half of their lawns with native plants, shrubs and trees, we would have more wildlife habitat than all the national parks combined… That’ll give us more than 20 million acres that we can restore right where we live.” —Doug Tallamy

FoHVOS has been supporting homeowners for nearly two decades in creating habitat at home through our Community Conservation program.

“In 2019, FoHVOS came to my property and gave guidance on how to plant a native meadow. Watching it grow over the years has been not only enjoyable but deeply meaningful—it’s created a stronger connection to the environment right in my own yard. Thanks to FoHVOS’s support, I now see an incredible variety of butterflies and countless types of bees and pollinators every day. I joined the Community Conservation program because I wanted to be part of something that restores and protects nature, starting at home.”
—Kate Dunham, Community Conservation Participant

Dr. Douglas Tallamy and one of his book covers.

For 2026, we’ve redesigned the program to provide more support and education for our participants. We’ll kick off this relaunch with our first annual Community Conservation Conference, held at Hopewell Valley Central High School on Saturday, April 18. It is a half-day event featuring Dr. Doug Tallamy as our keynote, a morning of presentations, and exhibitors. Tickets are on sale—and we’ve extended the Early Bird ticket price through March 15 for those just hearing about the event. Purchase them online and learn more about the conference on the FoHVOS website.

P.S. For those looking for more hope, here’s one last quote from Doug Tallamy:

“Headlines about global insect declines and three billion fewer birds in North America are a bleak reality check… The good news is that none of this is inevitable. Choosing the right plants for our landscapes will not only address the biodiversity crisis but help fight our climate crisis as well.”

I choose to believe that the future is in our hands.
Put on your (native) gardening gloves.

About the Author: Jenn Rogers is the Executive Director of Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space, an accredited land trust that has preserved land in the Valley for people and nature since 1987. She is a long-term conservation professional, and has spent the majority of her career working (and living) in Hopewell Valley.

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March 14 Symposium Reveals Legacy of Somerset County Rev War History

Brad Fay — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 17:10:50 +0000

As New Jersey begins to celebrate the 250^th anniversary of the nation, a coalition of historical organizations in Somerset County is hosting its fourth and final Middlebrook Symposium on March 14, 2026, to deepen public understanding of the encampments known as “Middlebrook” that happened in and near the Watchung Hills. The symposium will be held at Raritan Valley Community College from 9 AM to 3:30 PM.

This year’s symposium will focus on the “legacy” of the Middlebrook encampments, which includes the establishment of the first military academy of the United States, the predecessor of West Point 24 years later.

“Before West Point, there was the Academy at Middlebrook,” said event co-director Linda Barth, who is executive director of the League of Historical Societies of New Jersey. “It was here, in Somerset County, where the American Army built a permanent barracks with classrooms to teach officers the science of war, particularly how to build and deploy cannon and other artillery.”

Among the speakers at the conference will be Dr. John Seidel, an emeritus director of Washington College and a leading expert on Pluckemin Artillery Camp in Bedminster, near the Jacobus Vanderveer house, headquarters of General Henry Knox, artillery commander of the Continental Army.

George Washington (aka David Emerson) will talk about his time at Middlebrook.

In addition, several living history reenactors will bring to life important figures at Middlebrook, including David Emerson as General George Washington and Leslie Bramlett as Hannah Till, an enslaved cook who served Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette, bought her own freedom, and became a prominent member of Philadelphia’s free African American community.

Additional speakers include Roger Williams, the historian of the New Jersey Society of the Sons of the American Revolution who will speak about the forage war, in which American and British soldiers fought over food and other supplies, and Dr. Robert Selig, who will speak about the movement of troops through the area as they marched to Yorktown, VA, to win the American Revolution in 1781.

“The encampments at Valley Forge and Morristown may be more famous, but Middlebrook was just as important—in some ways, more so,” said Linda Barth.

The Middlebrook spring encampment occurred in 1777. During the winter of 1778-1779, 10,000 Continental troops spread out among the present-day municipalities of Bridgewater, Bound Brook, Manville, and Bedminster in what is known as a “cantonment” because of its duration and the durability of the huts they constructed.

This year’s symposium is the final in a series of four. Tickets may be purchased to attend in person or virtually, from anywhere in the world. Tickets for in-person or virtual attendance must be purchased in advance at https://heritagetrail.org. In-person registration, which includes lunch, is $35 for adults, $28 for veterans, and $20 for students (ID required). Early in-person registration is encouraged because space is limited. Books by presenters will be available on site for purchase and signing. The virtual livestream tickets cost $20 on the Afton platform and can be viewed for 30 days. Proceedings volumes of the previous three symposia are available at Amazon.com in paperback or digital versions (Search on The Heritage Trail Association under Amazon books).

Leslee Bramlett will speak as Hannah Till.

Funded in part with support from the Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Commission, a partner of the New Jersey Historical Commission and the New Jersey Society, Sons of the American Revolution, this series was developed and organized under the leadership of several local historical organizations including the Heritage Trail Association, Friends of Abraham Staats House, Wallace House State Historic Site and the Wallace House and Old Dutch Parsonage Association, Somerset County Historical Society, the Jacobus Vanderveer House, and the Washington Camp Ground Association. Raritan Valley Community College provided technical and logistical support. The Friends of Bridgewater History also provided support.

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New Musical about Jersey’s Revolutionary Story Comes to Franklin

Brad Fay — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 20:49:37 +0000

On February 28^th Central New Jersey audiences will have the rare opportunity to witness the birth of a major new American musical when The Crossing: A Revolutionary New Musical presents its Concert Version Preview—featuring professional actors from Broadway and television—in Franklin Township.

Directed by longtime Somerset resident Terri Seggio and musically directed by composer John Allen Watts, with book and lyrics by Jason Huza, this landmark event offers an early look at a groundbreaking production centered on one of the most decisive moments in American history: General George Washington’s daring crossing of the Delaware River, which led to crucial victories at Trenton and Princeton.

Martin Hargrove’s opera roles include His operatic roles include Colline, in La Boheme, Figaro in Le Nozze di Figaro, Sparafucile and Monterone in Rigoletto, Angelotti in Tosca, Jake in Porgy and Bess,

Developed through meticulous historical research and collaboration with leading scholars, The Crossing weaves together military strategy, political philosophy, and deeply human storytelling. The result is a powerful narrative that honors the courage, sacrifice, and determination that shaped the birth of our nation.

“This show is an inspiring celebration of history, artistry, and national resilience that I am proud to bring to local audiences,” said director Terri Seggio.

Part of a series of Franklin 250 events, the preview of The Crossing is one night only, February 28, at 7 pm, at Sampson G Smith School Auditorium. Tickets are just $10 and are available online in advance and at the door. All proceeds will benefit Franklin 250, which supports educational and cultural programming throughout this historic anniversary year.

A Living Portrait of America’s Founding

“The Crossing was born from the belief that history isn’t something we leave behind—it’s something we continually step into with courage, clarity, and heart,” said composer John Allen Watts.

The Crossing breaks new ground by bringing historically overlooked voices to the forefront. Featured characters include Private Jacob Francis, a free Black soldier who served in Washington’s army, and Billy Lee, Washington’s enslaved and trusted valet. By highlighting these stories, the production presents a fuller, more inclusive portrait of the American Revolution—one that reflects the diversity and complexity of the nation’s founding.

This approach strengthens the relevance of New Jersey’s revolutionary sites for contemporary audiences and reinforces the city’s vital role in telling America’s complete story.

World Premiere in 2026

The full stage production of The Crossing is scheduled for December 2026 in Trenton, aligning with the 250th anniversary of Washington’s crossing of the Delaware. The production is being co-produced by the Passage Theatre Company and TenCrucialDays.org. This preview concert offers supporters and history lovers an exclusive opportunity to be part of the journey from its earliest stages.

Stellar Cast

Jim Schubin created the Role of Phillip Gardner on the Emmy Award-Winning Series Broadwalk Empire on HBO.

The concert features a distinguished cast led by Martin Hargrove and Jim Schubin. Following the performance, Watts and Huza will share behind-the-scenes insights and engage directly with the audience in a Q&A session—offering a rare opportunity to connect with the creative minds behind the work.

Mr. Hargrove has performed opera, musical theatre, recitals, and concerts throughout the US, Europe, Canada and South America. Martin is a celebrated operatic performer whose graced many stages with credits that include roles such as Colline (La Bohème), Figaro (Le Nozze di Figaro), Ramfis (Aida), Balthazar (Amahl and the Night Visitor), and Jake (Porgy and Bess). He has performed with major companies including Boheme Opera NJ, Houston Grand Opera, and The Metropolitan Opera. Educated at Westminster Choir College, and Trenton State College, Martin is also an active church soloist, lecturer, and music workshop leader.

Mr. Schubin is a NY based actor and singer, and 1^st prize winner of the 2016 Lotte Lenya Singing Competition. Jim has starred in shows off-Broadway, National Tours, and at theatres across the country. He created the Role of Phillip Gardner on the Emmy Award-Winning Series Broadwalk Empire on HBO and has had multiple guest roles in Law & Order, L&O: SVU, Fosse Verdon and more. Jim also works as a private voice and acting instructor in Hamilton NJ. www.schubinstudios.com

Meet the Creatives

John Allen Watts (Composer) brings decades of experience in composing, performing, and producing music across popular and theatrical genres. A graduate of NYU Tisch School of the Arts’ Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program, he has developed The Crossing through multiple professional readings. His dynamic, accessible score is designed for both large-scale theatrical and filmed productions.

Jason Huza (Book and Lyrics) is a multidisciplinary writer whose work spans musical theatre, plays, novels, and screenwriting. His musical It Happened in Key West premiered on London’s West End in 2018, and his play Dante’s Omission was a Eugene O’Neill Playwriting Conference semifinalist. His experience supports The Crossing’s planned expansion into a serialized television format in future years.

Terry Seggio (Director) has been teaching literacy, directing, and choreographing for over 35 years, the last 23 years in Franklin Township, and has directed or choreographed over 50 shows. She currently serves as the educational consultant for The Crossing and is the Chairperson of the Franklin Township Cultural Arts Council. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Project Broadway in NYC bringing her expertise in the Arts to both organizations. Mrs. Seggio continues to coach students privately for theatre auditions and was overjoyed to watch one of her former students win a Tony Award in 2025. She firmly believes all children should experience a standing ovation once in their lifetimes.

An Evening of Patriotism, Artistry, and Hope

The Crossing is more than a musical—it is a tribute to the ideals that forged a nation and the people who carried them forward against overwhelming odds. Audiences are invited to join this extraordinary evening of music, history, and community, and to help launch a production that honors America’s past while inspiring its future.

“Join us for an unforgettable night celebrating courage, creativity, and the enduring American spirit,” said Director Seggio.

The new musical tells the overlooked story of Black and Brown men who helped win American independence, as portrayed by these reenactors at the Washington Crossing State Park.

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Join Washington for Lunch after Princeton Victory

Brad Fay — Sat, 06 Dec 2025 23:50:28 +0000

A famous revolutionary event in the Kingston section of Franklin Township will be recreated, for the first time, on January 4, 2026, following that morning’s annual reenactment of the Battle of Princeton. Known as “The Conference on Horseback,” General Washington and his senior officers met in Kingston soon after their victory at Princeton in January 1777 to decide their next move.

The reenactment at 2:30 PM will be open to the public at no cost and will follow the Battle of Princeton reenactment at 9:30 AM at the battlefield on Mercer Street, and a ticketed lunch at 12:30 with Washington and his officers at Eno Terra restaurant in Kingston. The lunch and The Conference on Horseback are being organized by the Millstone Valley Preservation Coalition in cooperation with the Franklin Township 250 Committee, the Princeton Battlefield Society, and the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route Association (W3R-US).

Washington and his Generals after crossing the Delaware, startingto the Ten Crucial Days that ended with the Conference on Horseback.

“Franklin Township is very proud to have been the site of a War Council meeting on horseback on the last of the ‘Ten Crucial Days’ when the possibility of American independence was saved,” said Franklin Mayor Phil Kramer.

“This reenactment will officially kick-off a robust schedule of events throughout 2026 to commemorate our nation’s 250^th anniversary, with a focus on the important things that happened right here in Franklin,” said Bob Lacorte, the chairman of the Franklin 250 Committee.

The featured reenactors at the lunch and the Conference on Horseback will have participated in the reenactment of the Battle of Princeton at 9:30 am on January 4, with tickets available from the Princeton Battlefield Society for just $10. Following the reenactment the officers will ride four miles to Kingston, just as occurred 249 years earlier. John Godzieba, Board President of the Friends of Washington Crossing Park (PA), will portray George Washington, while Princeton Battlefield Society Vice President Ken Gavin will portray General John Sullivan, and Jim French of the 4^th Light Dragoons of Pennsylvania will portray General Nathanael Greene. The reenactors will wear wireless microphones so the public can hear the debate they have as they decide whether to continue fighting the British in New Brunswick, or to retire to Morristown for the winter.

Tickets for “Lunch with Washington after the Battle of Princeton” are available on Eventbrite for $60 and will feature a hearty Brunswick Stew and other farm-to-table delicacies, including vegetarian options. For an additional $20, guests can enjoy Revolutionary-themed alcoholic beverages from Unionville Vineyards and River Horse Brewing in Central Jersey, and War Cannon Spirits from upstate New York. Proceeds of the event will support Franklin 250 events.

“The luncheon at Eno Terra is a special opportunity to interact with these wonderful reenactors, enjoy local wine and craft beverages,and partake in a farm-to-table meal,” said Brad Fay, Founder of the Discover Central New Jersey agritourism program, an organizer of these events. “What a great way to kick-off the 250th annivesary year of our nation!”

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Harvest Season Comes to Revolutionary New Jersey!

Brad Fay — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 19:19:57 +0000

During the American Revolution an officer passing through New Jersey described it as “the garden of America.” Another called it “a land of milk and honey.”

Harvest season is the perfect time to experience Central Jersey’s farms, wineries, breweries, and historic sites in the place where Washington crossed the Delaware and won the crucial Battles of Princeton and Trenton.

As the nation approaches its 250^th anniversary in 2026, the farms of Central New Jersey hold a special place in American history, a place that saw a “forage war” between competing American, British, and even French armies seeking sustenance. Quite a few farms have been operating since before the nation was founded—some operated by descendants of the very same families!

The Mount family has welcomed visitors to Terhune Orchards for 50 years.

The main attraction is the same today as it was then – fertile lands conveniently located between two great historic cities, New York and Philadelphia, a relatively short trip for so many people, with great place to stay overnight.

An autumn visit to Central Jersey offers fall festivals, apple- and pumpkin-picking, live music, wine tastings, and Oktoberfest-style local beer. Check out our interactive map to find lots of exciting things to do here.

At DiscoverCentralNJ.com you’ll find farms and orchards to please everyone, including families, friends, young couples, and seniors. Harvest festivals generally require the purchase of tickets, either in advance or on-site. Our favorite festivals can be found at these farms, listed in order of opening weekend:

Terhune Orchards and Winery, near Princeton, attracts thousands of visitors every year to a 250-acre family-owned and operated farm celebrating its 50th anniversary year. Starting September 6, autumn brings Terhune’s Fall Family Fun Weekends, Saturdays and Sundays 10-5 through November 2, featuring live music, pick-your-own pumpkins, country food, pedal & play tractors, corn stalk & hay mazes, adventure barn, and farm animals. Estate wines served among 100-year-old apple trees. Admission discounts with advance purchase. Or buy a season pass!
Norz-Hill Farm’s Family Fun Fall Festivals in Hillsborough start September 13 on weekends (10 to 6), expanding to weekday afternoons on October 1 through late October. Enjoy hay wagon rides, a corn maze, u-pick pumpkin patch, Kids’ Corner, and a food stand. They also offer Scare Farm, a popular Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night experience September 26 to October 26. Buy tickets in advance here.
Abma’s Farm in Hillsborough starts fall festival activities September 13 through November 1, weekdays 3-4:30 and Saturdays 9-4. Admission tickets are needed for hayrides, corn maze, pumpkin picking, petting zoo. Geared towards families, couples, friends, and casual groups. Kids under 24 months are admitted free.
Giamarese Farm in East Brunswick opens its Fall Harvest Weekends on September 20 and will be offering hayrides, pony rides, apple-picking until mid-October, and pumpkin-picking through the end of October. They also have an on-farm store open daily Tuesday to Sunday through December.
Miss Central Jersey visits piglets at Abma’s Farm.
Etsch Farm in Monroe begins their fall festival featuring their 19th corn maze season on weekends September 20 through October, featuring hayrides, barrel train, bakery trailer, and pumpkin patch.

Snyders Farm in the Somerset section of Franklin Township offers a family-oriented Farm Festival weekends starting October 4 through October 26, from 11am to 6pm. Activities include pumpkin picking, hay rides , corn maze , sunflower trail , giant slide, lots of activities, food trucks , local breweries, and great photo op areas. Entry tickets are paid for in cash, upon entry. Last entry at 4:30.

For folks interested in combining harvest season with revolutionary history, East Jersey Old Town Village in Piscataway is offering a free family-friendly Fall Harvest Festival on two long weekends, October 23-25, and October 31-November 2, from 10-5pm. Enjoy conversations with historic reenactors while visiting authentic 18^th Century homes, schoolhouses, taverns, and barns. Take an accessible wagon ride to our farm fields, pick your pumpkins, and snap your postcard-perfect family photo. Then, stop by the tent and take home a variety of pies, cider donuts, pickles, salsa, and preserves.

On Saturday, October 4, the folks at Love Flemington are hosting the third annual Hunterdon Harvest Fair from 11 to 7 on Stangl Road, the site of the Stangl Farmers Market on Saturdays. Throughout the fall, historic Flemington offers self-guided historic walking tours, great shopping, and extraordinary restaurants. Visit Flemington on September 13 for the Central Jersey Jazz Festival!

Fall Festival at East Jersey Old Town Village.

You’ll also find a great Fall Music Series every Saturday in September and October on the Palmer Square Green in world-famous Princeton, home to Princeton University and a dozen farm-to-table restaurants, plus a vibrant shopping district.

You can also find autumn festivals in the areas many wineries and breweries, including:

Oktoberfest on September 20 at River Horse Brewing in Ewing, from 2 to 9pm, featuring family friendly games, German food, live music, speciality casks, and a dunkel fester release.
Oktoberfest on September 27 at Sunken Silo in Lebanon in partnership with Metropolitan Seafood.
Oktoberfest is on October 4 at Flounder Brewing in Hillsborough from noon to 10pm. Guests can spread out on our South Paddock field with their own blankets and camp chairs or hang inside a historic barn while enjoying local beer including Last Train to Munich Octoberfest Marzen! Flounder’s Brass band will play traditional German favorites in the afternoon followed by at 6 by the Garret Tatano Band from Pittsburgh with their incredible German oompah party!
Harvest Celebration on October 11 at Unionville Vineyards in Ringoes from noon to 5pm, featuring Antimo’s Food Truck, live music, and vineyard walks.

Next year, in 2026, Central New Jersey is expected to host more than a million visitors, many from overseas, who will be coming for the World Cup games played in New Jersey and nearby Philadelphia, as well as being a hub for heritage tourism related to the nation’s 250th anniversary. This fall is the perfect time to beat the crowds and enjoy harvest season in the Garden State.

Bobolink Dairy & Bakehouse in Milford produces 100% grass-fed, raw cows’ milk cheeses, pastured meats, and rustic breads baked in a wood-fired oven.
Cherry Grove Farm is a sustainable dairy farm and creamery on 480 acres in Lawrenceville, making award-winning farmstead cheeses from grass-fed raw cows’ milk.
Hike with goats at Gorgeous Goat!
Gorgeous Goat Creamery in Stockton offers Goat Hikes and Farm Tours every weekend through Thanksgiving. Get ready for the surprise and delight of over 100 goats at the only goat dairy farm in New Jersey. Purchase tickets online.
Griggstown Farm Market near Princeton sells its famous “Griggstown chicken” and other farm products using all-natural methods. The market sells seasonal fruit pies, pot pies, poultry sausages, and more.
Hidden Spring Lavender and Alpaca Farm is offering “walk with an alpaca” tickets on Saturdays, while their store is open both Saturdays and Sundays. Their on-farm store is chock full of bouquets, buds, oil, lotions, creams, and more.

Next year, in 2026, Central New Jersey is expected to host more than a million visitors, many from overseas, who will be coming for the World Cup games played in New Jerseyand nearby Philadelphia, as well as being a hub for heritage tourism related to the nation’s 250th anniversary. This fall is the perfect time to beat the crowds and enjoy harvest season in the Garden State.

For more information about everything to see and do in Central Jersey, visit discovercentralnj.com. This article is supported in part by a grant from New Jersey Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism.

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Enjoy a “Nearcation” in Beautiful Central Jersey this Summer!

Brad Fay — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 16:09:41 +0000

The summer of 2025 promises to be the year of the “nearcation” as uncertainty about air travel and the economy are encouraging folks to seek drivable vacations to relaxing yet affordable destinations with lots to do.

Berry picking at Synders Farm in Somerset.

That makes Central Jersey perfect for more than 22 million Americans who live within a five-hour drive of a bucolic region midway between New York and Philadelphia. In some ways, Central Jersey is the quieter “the Jersey shore,” bordered by the Delaware River on the western side of the state.

Central Jersey offers a surprising variety of attractions! It is a center of agritourism, with numerous family-owned farms you can visit, serene vineyards and craft brewing; notable historic sites; trails for hiking and birdwatching; affordable inns and hotels; and a variety of cultural attractions and festivals. And for foodies, it is becoming known as the farm-to-table capital of the east.

So, skip the airport security lines and take a road trip to Central Jersey where you’ll find something for everyone.

Family Farms

Central Jersey’s bountiful farms and vineyards are a big draw, and a key reason why New Jersey’s nickname is the “Garden State.” One of the biggest draws, Terhune Orchards near Princeton, is celebrating its 50^th anniversary this summer. The Mount family, owners of Terhune, deserve credit for launching agritourism in New Jersey when they bought a local farm with the idea of inviting the public to pick their own produce, learn about farm crops and animals, and attend their many festivals, including their Blueberry Bash, Firefly Festival, Just Peachy Festival, and fall family festivals.

Over the following decades many more Central Jersey farms have opened their doors and fields to the public. Norz-Hill Farm and Snyders Farm in Somerset County also welcome many visitors for berry and pumpkin picking and seasonal festivals. Several other farms are known for their local cheeses—Bobolink Dairy & Bakehouse, Cherry Grove Farm, and Gorgeous Goat Creamery.

Terhune Orchards is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

A complete list of our farms can be found at the Discover Central New Jersey website.

Farm-to-Table

The bounty of local farms has made it possible for Central Jersey to enjoy a remarkable concentration of farm-to-table restaurants. Princeton alone boasts about a dozen farm-to-table businesses, including not only fine dining but also farm-to-table ice cream, baked goods, pizza, and crepes! Additional farm-to-table hotspots include Hopewell, Flemington, and Hightstown.

Live music at Needle Creek Brewery in Pennington.

Vineyards and Breweries

Central Jersey is increasingly recognized as a destination for wine lovers, with a growing number of high-quality wineries such as Unionville Vineyards, Old York Cellars, and Hopewell Valley Vineyards, and Federal Twist. These vineyards offer stunning views, live music, and great wines.

If you are a craft beer lover, you’ll find many choices. Flounder Brewing and newly opened Needle Creek are housed in historic barns, allowing you to combine an agritourism experience with great beer, while Sunken Silo Brewing’s name is a homage to the farms lost to the Round Valley Reservoir, now a recreation area. Several other breweries are in charming towns liked Princeton, Flemington, and Hightstown.

A comprehensive list of Central Jersey beverage makers is available here.

Charming Towns and Villages

Central Jersey offers some wonderful downtown shopping and cultural districts including the famous university town of Princeton, where you can shop, eat, and take a selfie at the university’s famous front gates, at the Trenton Battle Monument, or at the temporary Einstein’s Brain exhibit at Dohm Alley.

Another great downtown is historic Flemington, in Hunterdon County, with something for everyone. Stroll its tree-lined streets, where 65% of the borough is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Famously, the Hunterdon County Historic Courthouse was the scene of the Lindberg “trial of the century,” recently restored and available for visits by appointment.

Surrounded by 1,600 farms, Flemington has been the bustling agricultural and railroad hub of Central New Jersey for hundreds of years. It is now home to 450 businesses, including artisan coffee shops, farm-to-table restaurants, antique shops and boutiques, and craft beverages. A weekly farmer’s market on Saturdays at the old Stangl factory is popular, and you can enjoy weekend excursions on the historic Black River & Western Railroad, which offers a popular Wine Express.

The historic Inn at Glencairn in Lawrence.

If you like truly small, quaint villages, consider bicycling along the 70-mile-long D&R Canal State Park that passes through historic canal villages such as Frenchtown, Stockton, and Lambertville near the Delaware River, or through Kingston, Rocky Hill, and Griggstown along the main canal to the East. We love the D&R Canal so much, we’ve made it the defining feature of our Central Jersey Agritourism map.

Where to Stay

Central Jersey has lots of wonderful places to stay, but two of our favorites are the charming 1736 Inn at Glencairn and the 100-room Chauncey Hotel and Conference Center, both just outside Princeton in Lawrence Township.

Increasingly, the region is seeing the development of new destination inns and hotels designed with leisure travelers in mind. Indeed, this is only the second summer when Central Jersey has been an official tourism region of the Garden State, following a years-long effort that was even featured on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert!

This summer, come to Central Jersey and find out what all the fuss is about!

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Follow Washington’s Footsteps for 3 Days in Beautiful Central Jersey

Brad Fay — Wed, 28 May 2025 15:43:42 +0000

250 Years Ago, General George Washington began his campaign to create an independent nation on the American continent, and three of the most important battles occured in Central New Jersey—an agricultural region that today still offers some of the nation’s most inviting farms, wineries, and farm-to-table restaurants.

Enjoy lunch and a wine tasting at Hopewell Valley Vineyards.

For the first time, you can enjoy a three-day tour of a region where Washington crossed the Delaware River and won pivotal battles at Trenton and Princeton during “ten crucial days” inspired by the words of Thomas Paine: “These are the days that try men’s souls.”

While touring these historic sites and battlefields, you’ll also visit farms for cheesemaking and seeing livestock, enjoy tastings at a brewery and winery, and shop and dine in picturesque Princeton and Hopewell.

The three-day, two-night tour is offered by Starr Tours in association with Discover Central New Jersey and Ten Crucial Days, a non-profit organization offering expert tours of Revolutionary battlefields and sites.

A guestroom at the Chauncey Hotel.

Travelers will stay at the Chauncey Hotel & Conference Center, a luxurious, 100-room hotel in a campus-like setting, close to Princeton and Central Jersey farms.

The tour is being offered in November this fall, with the opportunity to see where the Continental Army departed and landed on the shores of the mighty Delaware River. (Unfortunately, you won’t see the reenactors depicted in the photo above unless you make a special trip for the twice-annual reenactment of the crossing that occurs each December.)

For a detailed itinerary, accommodation details, departure dates, more photographs, and costs, visit the Starr Tours website.

Princeton’s historic shopping district offers great restaurants and more.

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The post Follow Washington’s Footsteps for 3 Days in Beautiful Central Jersey appeared first on Discover Central New Jersey.

Foodies Flock to Farm to Table Capital of the East!

Brad Fay — Tue, 06 May 2025 22:06:33 +0000

The origin of the farm-to-table movement is credited to the opening of Chez Panisse in Berkely, CA in 1971 by famed restaurateur Alice Waters, inspiring many more such restaurants in the nation’s largest state. The idea was to prepare meals with locally sourced wholesome ingredients, while avoiding industrially farmed and packaged food.

Momo family matriarch Terese in Chile, where she lives today.

Soon after, an east coast origin story was underway in 1976 when Italian immigrant Terese Momo opened a deli on the New Jersey/New York border, preparing food with locally sourced ingredients and recipes of her homeland. Her innovation inspired a great many additional farm-to-table style establishments, including those opened by her four sons—Raoul, Venanzio, Carlo, and Anthony—who became farm-to-table entrepreneurs, most notably in Central New Jersey. (Three of the four brothers shown in black and white photo above.)

Jammin’ Crepes in Princeton shows off its farm partners.

Today, Central Jersey is home to more than 20 farm-to-table restaurants with the largest concentration in Princeton, the famous university town, with clusters in Hopewell and Flemington. It truly is high time for foodies and culinary travelers to partake of Central Jersey’s restaurants, as well as its welcoming farms and farmer’s markets, vineyards, and craft breweries.

Princeton alone has about a dozen farm-to-table restaurants, including the Momos’ Mediterra, Eno Terra, and Terese’s Pizza & Wine Bar, named for the family’s matriarch. You’ll also find two farm-to-table ice cream shops, a bakery, a creperie, a second pizzeria, and several outstanding white table-cloth restaurants, all featuring locally grown meats and produce.

Flemington’s historic downtown is an emerging farm-to-table destination thanks to the perennial favorite, Matt’s Red Rooster, the Bread & Culture bakery, and several more opening soon.

Matt’s Red Rooster has held its perch for more than two decades.

Hopewell Fare is a newly relaunched community space in Hopewell Borough with several local food businesses including Farmer’s Café, Maria’s Market, and Sourland Bread. It’s elegant sister restaurant, Brick Farm Tavern, is down the road, while Aunt Chubby’s Luncheonette offers farm-to-table breakfasts and lunch in a diner-style atmosphere.

You can also find farm-to-table dining in Hightstown, Sergeantsville, Lambertville, Somerville, New Brunswick, and other Central Jersey towns.

Central Jersey farms, of course, are a big part of the story. The state’s agricultural society dates to 1781 when the United States was still just an idea. But farms welcoming visitors is a newer phenomenon in the Garden State. Indeed, 2025 marks the 50^th anniversary of Terhune Orchards, New Jersey’s first major agritourism destination farm. The region also boasts cow and goat dairy farms that specialize in making cheeses, a perfect complement to the region’s increasing number of wine growers.

Hopewell Fare has become a farm-to-table cooperative.

Rutgers University in Central Jersey may be the secret source of the entire farm-to-table movement. One of the oldest and most important land-grant universities with an extensive history of agricultural research, Rutgers educated the father of Alice Waters, Charles, with a degree in agricultural engineering. And Raoul Momo earned his degree from Rutgers in agricultural economics. During those early years, Raoul and his brothers opened their first restaurant, a pizzeria, next to the Rutgers campus in New Brunswick.

New Jersey’s nickname, the Garden State, has been fodder for sarcasm as the state has become the most densely developed in the United States. But large swaths of farmland, parkland, and open space continue nourish residents and visitors alike, thanks to statewide preservation efforts and the dedication of farm families. Farming has been part of New Jersey’s identity since before the nation’s founding. Fighting over the fruits of the Garden State’s bounty.

Cherry picking at Terhune Orchards, near Princeton.

Farming has been part of New Jersey’s identity since before the nation’s founding. Fighting over the fruits of the Garden State’s bounty—the forage wars—was a key feature of local battles and skirmishes during the American Revolution. New Jersey expects to be a major draw for history buffs as the nation celebrates its 250^th birthday, starting this year.

Whatever brings you to New Jersey—the farms, food, nature, history, beaches, craft beverages, or the arts—make sure to reserve yourself a farm-to-table table.

Agricola is an elegant farm-to-table restaurant in the heart of Princeton.

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Finally, the Story of Central Jersey’s Rev War Encampment Is Told

Brad Fay — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 19:56:52 +0000

A sold-out audience of more than 200 people heard five historians describe crucial events of the American Revolution in the suburban “backyards” of Somerset County residents at the third Middlebrook Symposium held March 15 at Raritan Valley Community College. The symposium included maps that showed where the Continental Army twice encamped between 1777 and 1779, relative to modern-day interstate highways—such as Routes 287, 28, 22, and 18—and provide new perspectives on the strategic importance of these encampments.

An edited video recording of the proceedings is viewable on the Afton streaming platform at a cost of $25 through April 19. Tickets are available at https://heritagetrail.org/.

Speakers and reenactors at the 2025 MIddlebrook Symposium.

“The Middlebrook encampments are such a fascinating episode in the history of New Jersey and of the Revolutionary War that have not seen the attention they deserve because [the historic sites] are split up,” said Monmouth University archaeologist Richard Veit. “They are in people’s backyards and pocket parks across Somerset County.”

Dr. Veit showed historic maps overlaid with modern interstate highways that reveal how history happened all around the daily activities of Central New Jerseyans. He also displayed images of bullets, cannonballs, musket pieces, boot buckles, and other artifacts he and his students have found in digs near major highways such as Route 18 and at the Washington Campground in Bridgewater. And he showed high-tech “LiDAR” images that reveal Revolutionary fortifications on the local landscape.

Another presenter, Dr. Michael Beck, expanded on his thesis that Middlebrook was the “center stage” of the entire Revolutionary War, as he asserted at the 2024 symposium, because the natural fortress of the Watchung Hills provided a strategic counterweight to the British dominance of New York City throughout the American Revolution.

Historic Map of Middlebrook encampments by W. Scull, 1779, annotated with modern highways by Monmouth University student Michael Brown, 2020, in “Retracing the Middlebrook Encampments of the Revolutionary War: A Cartographic Analysis.

Following a series of skirmishes over food and other provisions in June 1777, the British General William Howe marched 18,000 troops toward Bound Brook to draw out Washington’s army from the safety of the hills to fight them on the open plains. When Washington refused to take the bait, “it signified that Howe was no longer able to occupy New Jersey. The battle for New Jersey had been won by the Continental Army,” Beck said.

David Lang describes the Battle of Bound Brook.

Symposium organizers have announced a $5,000 prize for a paper based on “original research on the Middlebrook Spring Encampment, the Middlebrook Cantonment, or other aspects of the war in the Somerset County or central New Jersey area. With a deadline of December 31, 2025, the prize is funded by the generous support of the Heritage Trail, the Friends of Jacobus Vanderveer House, and anonymous donors. Additional information is available here.

At the recent symposium, historian Larry Kidder gave a presentation on the New Jersey militia who served their communities during the American Revolution by helping to keep the peace. He explained that the militia were not trained and equipped to fight a revolution, yet many of them played important roles, particularly during the Forage War of early 1777 across Central Jersey.

Historian William Welsch described the evolution of the Continental Army from a state of disarray at Morristown in January 1777, into a professional and better organized army at Middlebrook, under the direction of General George Washington.

David Lang of the Middlebrook Theatrical Society and former Heritage Trail board member gave his presentation in the uniform of a Revolutionary soldier while displaying his own annotated maps illustrating how the Battle of Bound Brook unfolded in April 1777. Mr. Lang described how Hessian soldiers under contract with the British captured Bound Brook for a few hours, capturing prisoners, intelligence, cannon, food, and other provisions before retreating. A key engagement in the Forage War, the plunder of Bound Brook directly led to Washington’s strategic decision to encamp at Middlebrook following the battle that spring.

Dressed as a Hessian jaeger fighting for the British, Dan McCarthy also reported on the Battle of Bound Brook from the perspective of the Hessians, relying on the diary of Johann Ewald, the Hessian commander, who planned and directed the attack on April 13, 1777.

The symposium was opened by Somerset County Commissioner Melonie Marano who described the county’s plan for preparing for the 250^th anniversary of the United States next year. Plans include the creation of a park on the site of the Battle of Bound Brook, and improvements to the county’s Washington Valley Park where some of the Middlebrook encampment occurred. The county recently expanded the park to include a lookout where General Washington could keep a watch on British movements in the valley below, as portrayed in the photo at the top of this article.

Reenactors on horseback at the Wallace House, Washington’s headquarters during Middlebrook.

Next year, historians and history buffs will again gather at Raritan Valley Community College on March 21, 2026, from 9 AM to 3:30 PM. to explore the importance and legacy of the two Middlebrook encampments, when thousands of American troops and leading generals dominated the New Jersey battle zone by holding the high ground of the Watchung Mountain range.

The Middlebrook Symposia are funded, in part, by the Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Commission, a partner of the New Jersey Historical Commission. The series was developed and organized through the joint efforts of several local historical organizations including the Heritage Trail Association, Inc., Friends of Abraham Staats House, Friends of the Jacobus Vanderveer House, Somerset County Historical Society, Wallace House and Old Dutch Parsonage Association, Friends of Bridgewater History, Wallace House State Historic Site, Washington Campground Association, and New Jersey Society, Sons of the American Revolution.

The post Finally, the Story of Central Jersey’s Rev War Encampment Is Told appeared first on Discover Central New Jersey.

Central Jersey Wine Country Has Arrived

Brad Fay — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 00:04:47 +0000

Fifty years ago, the famous “Judgement of Paris” proved American wines were just as good as French and Italian counterparts, leading to boom in west coast winemaking. In 2012, the Judgement of Princeton provided a similar impetus for New Jersey wines, and the positive reviews keep coming in.

Wine Enthusiast recently named New Jersey as one of seven “up-and-coming” wine regions, and one of just two in the United States, with the other being Texas Hill Country. Decanter Magazine recently ran a feature on the growth of New Jersey wines.

The garden at Hopewell Valley Vineyards.

Central Jersey’s Unionville Vineyards (pictured above) participated in the 2012 Judgement of Princeton and was joined by Old York Cellars for a reunion in 2023. Other notable Central Jersey winemakers include Hopewell Valley Vineyards, that recently won the Governor’s Award for its NV Estate Chocolate Porto Rosso, while one of the region’s newest wineries, Federal Twist Vineyard, founded by an award winning horticulturist.

Unionville General Manager John Cifelli compares the soil and climate in Central Jersey to that of the Rhone Valley and France. That may be the reason why wine critic Stuart Pigott once said of Unionville’s Syrah: “the best American Syrah I ever had! A pepper kaleidoscope and so elegant, so fresh.” Already in 2025, Unionville has received awards from the Cork Report for its 2023 vintage Sauvignon Blanc Reserve and its 2022 Hunterdon Mistral Rose.

Old York Cellars was recently named New Jersey Winery of the Year from the New York International Wine Competition. They offer a full schedule of festivals, comedy nights, food and wine pairings, and special edition wines including a collection with Run-DMC’s Darryl McDaniels.

Owned by a Greek and Italian couple, Hopewell Valley Vineyards’ owner-winemaker is an accomplished jazz pianist, and they offer live music every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, either indoors or in the garden, depending on the weather.

A wine cabana at Old Yok Cellars.

Family-owned Federal Twist Vineyards has just opened its tasting and barrel rooms on the banks of the D&R Canal and Delaware River in beautiful Hunterdon County. The new venue will be available for special events as well as everyday visitation.

And Terhune Orchards, the incredibly popular agritourism destination for apple- and pumpkin-picking also has a winery and a wine garden in the middle of an ancient orchard.

Besides wineries, you can also find in Central Jersey a wide variety of craft beverage makers including brewers and distillers, who, like the winemakers, offer great experiences including music and great atmosphere. You can also find family-friendly farms with local cheeses to pair with wine, as well as open-air farmers markets and on-farm markets. The Garden State is for real!

While in Central Jersey wine country, we highly recommend you visit our great downtowns, including Princeton, which boasts about a dozen farm-to-table restaurants, ice cream shops, and bakeries, as well as its world-famous university and arts scene. Downtown Flemington offers farm-to-table restaurants, and a local brewery and distillery, and a remarkable number of historic register homes and buildings, including the newly restored Historic Hunterdon County Courthouse, home of the Lindbergh Trial of the Century.

Terhune’s winery offers “Sips and Sounds” in an old apple orchard.

Visit for a long weekend or longer, while taking advantage of the increasing number of charming places to stay overnight, such as the National Hotel in Frenchtown, Lawrence’s Glencairn Inn, or Princeton’s Chauncey Hotel.

Central Jersey only recently became an official tourism region of the Garden State, with an emphasis on agritourism, heritage tourism, and ecotourism. Central Jersey’s wine and beverage makers are among the great reasons to explore Central Jersey!

This article is supported in part by a grant from New Jersey Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism.

Sunset at Federal Twist Vineyards.

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