Don't get me wrong, Hunterdon County is a diamond in the rough all year round. It’s one of those rare places that somehow looks just as flawless at -5 degrees as it does at 90 degrees and that has charm in both the darkest winter nights and the warmest summer evenings. Luckily, summer is right around the corner. School days are getting longer (and hotter), graduation invitations are being sent out and free time is about to be abundant. So what’s there to do this summer in Hunterdon County? I’ll tell you.
1) Get outside! Whether you’re enjoying an uphill hike at the Devil’s Tea Table or Milford Bluff’s, enjoying the Delaware River tubing experience, walking under the shade in Frenchtown’s toe path, or basking in the sun at Spruce Run or Round Valley – get out there. Summer only comes once a year, so it is necessary to enjoy some of the things this scenic farming community has to offer.
2) Eat some good food... There are simply too many restaurants to name in this fabulous county, and I don’t think any of them are chains or franchises. Some of my personal favorites include Dora’s in Clinton, The Pittstown Inn located in Pittstown, Clinton Bagel, Jimmy’s Ice Cream in Milford, Mountain View Chalet and the Sky Café at Sky Manor Airport.
3)… and drink some, too! For a fun and fancy experience, try Teaberry’s Tea Room in Flemington; it'll make you feel like the queen of England. Another unique place is Beneduce Vineyards in Pittstown. It's a newer winery with live entertainment and a picnic style set up. These are two perfect locations for a great summer Instagram post!
4) Learn something new. Have you ever wanted to learn how to fly a helicopter or an airplane? Check out Sky Manor Airport in Pittstown. Want to learn about some local artists? Check out the studios in Frenchtown and Clinton. Frenchtown even boasts about a retro bowling center (West Hunterdon Lanes) so you can pick up that old hobby you had as a child. If you want to learn something about fitness (good for you, I may add) there are too many incredible yoga, dance and fitness studios to count, so good luck trying to pick one. If I were you, I would try them all. You only get to enjoy Hunterdon County in the summer once (or, well, forever if you’re lucky).
5) Make some new friends. Hunterdon County is full of some of the friendliest people on the planet (and definitely in the state of New Jersey). Join local Facebook groups such as Ladies of Hunterdon County, try out one of the beautiful churches in the area, or just walk around town and say hello to others. There are also some incredible festivals this time of year in and around Hunterdon County (hello Pork Roll Festival), so you are bound to meet some unfamiliar faces for once. You never know the beauty of this place until you dive right in.
My hope for you this summer is that you find yourself well rested, well educated, and well, full. Not too full, though, because you still have to exercise after all. And what better place to do it than in New Jersey’s favorite place: Hunterdon County.
