New Jersey is famous for its beaches and boardwalks. But Hunterdon County is a naturally stunning destination west of the turnpike that has quietly remained a secret to travelers. The word is starting to get out.
Recently named a “Top Hidden Travel Destination in America,” Hunterdon County in central western New Jersey is a getaway-worthy destination set against a rolling countryside landscape. Here you’ll find charming historic towns, scenic trails, antique shops, museums, elegant inns, and total relaxation. The county’s tourism board has even branded it “The Other Side of Jersey,” and honestly, that’s a fair description.
Things To Do In Hunterdon County
Hunterdon County’s acres of preserved mountains, forests, meandering rivers, and dreamy waterfalls make it the perfect spot to explore the outdoors and reconnect with nature. Hiking, biking, and kayaking are all game.
If you’re more into edible exploration, there’s a passionate farm-to-table dining scene here. A rural wonderland with over 1,400 farms, including the world’s largest chile pepper farm, Hunterdon County’s restaurants, gourmet shops, farmers’ markets and stands, wineries, breweries, and festivals will keep you infinitely happy.
After a recent trip, we’re sharing a taste of what there is to do in beautiful Hunterdon County and why it’s one of New Jersey’s best-kept secrets.
Trip at a glance: Hunterdon County is a rural, river-and-farmland stretch of central western New Jersey, about an hour from both NYC and Philadelphia. Base yourself in Flemington, Clinton, or Lambertville, and you’re close to wineries, a farm-to-table dining scene, historic mills and museums, and miles of hiking and biking trails along the Delaware River.
Key takeaways
- Hunterdon County is roughly 60 miles (about an hour) from both NYC and Philadelphia.
- Flemington, Clinton, and Lambertville are the three towns to anchor a trip around.
- Unionville Vineyards and Old York Cellars are the standout wineries, both near Ringoes.
- Woolverton Inn’s long-promised barn restaurant is finally open, it’s called Northridge Restaurant.
- The towpath trails along the Delaware River connect several towns for hiking or biking.
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~60 mi
From NYC or Philadelphia
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1,400+
Working farms in the county
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15
Mountains within the county
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Where Is Hunterdon County Located?
Hunterdon County lies in the western central part of New Jersey and is roughly 60 miles from both NYC and Philadelphia.
Some popular towns include Flemington and Clinton. In the western part of the county, towns that run along the Delaware River include Frenchtown, Stockton, Milford, and Lambertville.
Its southernmost town, Lambertville, is a quick ride over the bridge from New Hope, PA, and less than 90 minutes from Wilmington, Delaware. The Delaware River runs along its western side, acting as a border to neighboring Pennsylvania.
If you love the outdoors, you’ll find Hunterdon’s landscape stunning.
Flemington, New Jersey
Dating back to the 1700s, today Flemington is a lively, artsy place with preserved history around every corner. Travel + Leisure recently named Flemington as one of the best small towns in New Jersey.
Where is it? Flemington is in the heart of Hunterdon County and is also the county seat.
The scoop: here you can wander Flemington’s historic, charming downtown surrounded by stately homes and ornate Victorian architecture, where 65% of the buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1756 and now a museum, you can even tour the home and gardens of Flemington’s founder, Samuel Fleming.
With several unique attractions all within Flemington’s 1.4 square miles, it makes a perfect destination for a day trip or staycation.
Things to Do in Flemington
We started our visit at Flemington’s historic Stangl Factory, a preserved pottery factory with roots dating back to 1814. Once renowned for its dishes and collectible bird figurines, the factory now has a new life.
Stangl Factory
50 Stangl Rd, Flemington, NJ 08822 · stanglfactory.com
Stangl Factory’s renovated historic buildings and kilns were central to the way of life here for almost two centuries. And they still are. Today it’s an art and culture district home to a variety of shops, places to eat, a yoga studio, and a world-renowned psychic.
Sip gourmet coffee in an old kiln at the unique local favorite Factory Fuel Co., or grab a So-Cal-inspired lunch at Blue Fish Grill. Afterward, get lost in the impressive and mesmerizing award-winning abstract artworks at the eclectic Kev Von Holt Gallery.
At Flemington Pottery you can shop for local artist-made pottery or attend a 2-hour “Throw and Go Night”, where you can make a piece for yourself.
On Saturdays at Stangl Factory, starting at 9 am, don’t miss the year-round indoor farmers’ market featuring over 30 local artisanal vendors.
Flemington also hosts a variety of exciting events throughout the year. At the annual Corn, Tomato, and Beer Festival in August, festival-goers can enjoy farm-to-table dishes featuring Jersey’s best produce (corn and tomatoes, of course) and sample local craft brews in a beer garden.
Make your way over to Flemington’s Main Street to shop their wonderful boutiques and antique stores with one-of-a-kind finds.
You’ll lose time exploring all the decades of treasures in Ye Olde Antique & Curiosity Shop. Then head to Fat Farm Antiques across the street, where you’ll find more time-worn novelties like vintage signs, antique decoys and lures, tools, toys, and more lining the walls of a historic home.
For more nostalgia, every other Saturday in the summer, check out the Flemington Auto Show, where you can stroll along Main Street and see a gleaming collection of hot rods and restored antique and classic cars with other car enthusiasts.
True crime fact: Flemington became internationally famous in 1935 when its courthouse held the Lindbergh baby kidnapping trial. Today, true crime fans can tour the Hunterdon County Courthouse on Main Street and see the original courtroom and exhibits from one of America’s most famous trials.
Where to Eat & Drink in Flemington
For a small town, Flemington is a place foodies will love. One trip wasn’t enough time to experience it all, but that leaves us something to look forward to on our next visit.
Here are a few must-try places in Flemington:
The Kombucha Bar
6 Bloomfield Ave, Flemington, NJ 08822 · kombuchabarnj.com
If you get thirsty, pop into The Kombucha Bar, where you can sample bubbly probiotic-rich fermented tea beverages in a variety of yummy flavors like RoseBiscus and Blueberry Pomegranate. Take a growler to go.
Humdoo Ice Cream
20 Stangl Rd, Flemington, NJ 08822 · humdooicecream.com
What started as a girl with an ice cream dream is now an adorable ice cream shop selling over 30 rotating flavors of hand-crafted ice cream in a log cabin. The ice cream is luscious. Find it next to Stangl Factory. Their Banana Cream Pie flavor is scrumptious. Humdoo’s gotten popular enough that they opened a second location across the river in Buckingham, PA, in 2026, so if you fall in love with it here, you don’t have to wait for your next Hunterdon trip.
Matt’s Red Rooster Grill
22 Bloomfield Ave, Flemington, NJ 08822 · mattsredroostergrill.com
Ask any Hunterdon County local for a restaurant recommendation, and the award-winning Matt’s Red Rooster Grill will be at the top of their list. The food isn’t just good, it’s incredible.
With a relaxed, upscale casual vibe in a Victorian home, owner and chef Matt McPherson offers New American dishes featuring fresh, seasonal, and locally available ingredients, with a creative menu where Matt’s wood-fired grill is the star of the show.
Matt’s Victorian-covered porch is romantic, but in the dining room, you’ll get a front-row seat to the dancing flames and action in the open kitchen.
Highlights of our meal were the Griggstown Farm deviled eggs, topped with sliced ahi tuna over a wasabi whipped yolk, sprinkled with sesame seeds and finished with a soy glaze. Also, a perfectly fried soft shell crab appetizer served on buttery grilled avocado toast. It was so good it revived my love of soft shells.
The Rocket Salad was a delicious mix of arugula, spinach, quinoa, creamy goat cheese, and roasted beets, tossed in a zesty lemon poppy seed vinaigrette.
If you’re in the mood for seafood, try the generously portioned crabmeat stuffed trout, with lemon thyme brown butter. For a special, the seafood cioppino was a delicious medley of fresh clams, shrimp, and mussels in a red sauce over perfectly cooked pappardelle.
To end on a sweet note, don’t miss the creamy bread pudding or rich and decadent chocolate-covered peanut butter bomb.
Matt’s is BYOB with no corkage fees, but they also serve delicious wines from the local award-winning Unionville winery.
Clinton, New Jersey
With incredible views of the South Branch Raritan River and filled with landmarks and historic architecture, you can easily spend a day strolling through museums, shopping small, and dining your way through this charming town.
Where is it? Clinton, New Jersey is in the northwest part of Hunterdon County, right off I-78 (exit 15).
The scoop: this quaint and historic riverside village, with adorable boutiques and great little restaurants, is a delightfully compact (and easily walkable) Main Street with some wonderful attractions in a small radius. Free parking is available on the street and in public lots off Main Street, making it the perfect place for a day trip or a quick getaway.
The Red Mill Museum Village
56 Main St, Clinton, NJ 08809 · theredmill.org
Dating back to 1810 and in operation until 1928, this four-story mill served several roles over the years, including a wool processing plant, a textile mill, a peach basket factory, and a graphite and talc factory. It was once also home to the Mulligan quarry.
A central part of Clinton’s history, today you can take a self-guided tour and explore the restored mill and its outbuildings spread over 10 acres, which include a one-room schoolhouse, a log cabin, a blacksmith shop, dynamite shed, carriage shed, lime kiln, and over 40,000 artifacts. You’ll learn about the Red Mill, the history of the surrounding area, and what life was like for the locals centuries ago.
The museum regularly holds a variety of events throughout the year. We were lucky to visit on the day of their British Car Show. Throughout the summer, check out their Music at the Mill Concert Series with a variety of performers, food, and drinks, or the Corvette Show in August.
Tip: admission for adults is $10, but head to the third floor of the museum for million-dollar views of the river, Main Street Bridge, and the Hunterdon Art Museum.
Main Street Historic Bridge
Main St, Clinton, NJ 08809 · clintonnj.gov
They don’t make them like this anymore. Erected in 1870 and made of wrought and cast iron, Clinton’s Main Street Bridge is a style of bridge called a pony Pratt truss bridge no longer made. Beautifully ornate and considered a marvel of engineering, this bridge was once part of the old route for the New Jersey Turnpike.
Today it connects Clinton’s Main Street shops and the Hunterdon Art Museum on one side of the river and the Red Mill Museum Village on the other. Standing on this historic bridge and taking in panoramic views of the South Branch Raritan River, its dam, and historic Clinton is like something out of a painting.
Hunterdon Art Museum
7 Lower Center St, Clinton, NJ 08809 · hunterdonartmuseum.org
Dubbed a “center for art, craft & design,” the Hunterdon Art Museum’s permanent collection includes drawings, paintings, and photographs dating from the 1930s on, with local and international modern artists including Salvador Dali, Mark DiSuvero, Alex Katz, Ann Steele Marsh, Faith Ringgold, and more.
Plan to visit on Friday evenings in the summer from 6 to 9 pm for ArtBar on the Terrace, where you can enjoy craft cocktails under the museum’s outdoor tents overlooking the river. The museum’s bar serves cocktails, wine, beer, and seltzers, but you’re welcome to bring dinner or snacks to enjoy. Live music from Clinton’s summer “Come Together Friday Night Music Festival” starts at 7 pm.
Tip: check their event calendar. The museum regularly holds educational programs and events for both adults and children, like drawing and painting classes and yoga.
Hunterdon County Wineries
Winemaking in New Jersey has been on the rise, and in Hunterdon County you’ll find stunning vineyards and impressive wines.
Here are a few places where you can spend a day touring beautiful vineyards, learning about the craft of winemaking, or indulging in a wine tasting to discover your new favorite bottle.
Unionville Vineyards
9 Rocktown Rd, Ringoes, NJ 08551 · unionvillevineyards.com
Nestled down a long driveway surrounded by preserved rolling farmland and vineyards, Unionville Vineyards makes wine from grapes they grow on four local farms with 300 acres of preserved farmland. There’s magic happening here. And it’s not going unnoticed.
Unionville is currently the only New Jersey winery to be awarded several 90+ point scores from three of the top authorities on wine: Wine Enthusiast, Wine Advocate, and James Suckling.
John Cifelli, General Manager, Unionville Vineyards
Single vineyard Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Rhone-inspired blends are Unionville’s specialty. To get a taste of their portfolio, head to Unionville’s tasting room and wine shop upstairs in their renovated rustic barn.
Start with a friendly guided wine flight at the bar, then grab a bottle or glass to enjoy at a table overlooking the winery’s fermenting tanks, or take it outside and relax on the grounds.
Some of our favorites were the 2022 Unoaked Chardonnay and the 2019 Sourland Ridge Red, named after the local Sourland Mountain that stretches throughout Hunterdon County and under Unionville itself.
Each summer, Unionville hosts the Sourland Mountain Fest to benefit the Sourland Conservancy, a non-profit organization that works to protect the Sourland Mountain and its surrounding habitat, home to countless native species and migratory birds.
Unionville Vineyards doesn’t have an onsite restaurant, but on the weekends, they serve prepared sandwiches and cheese boards from local The Blawenburg Bistro. They also offer small snacks like Di Bruno Brothers cheeses and crackers daily. You’re welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy outside.
- Guided tastings are available Thursday through Monday, 12 to 4:30 pm, and the tasting room is open until 5.
- Two miles off Rt 202/31 South, it’s conveniently located 5 minutes from Flemington and 12 minutes from Lambertville and New Hope.
Old York Cellars
80 Old York Road, Ringoes, NJ 08551 · oldyorkcellars.com
With some of the oldest vines in New Jersey, up the road from Unionville, Old York Cellars is a working vineyard and winery with stunning terraced views of their 28 acres of vineyards and the Sourland Mountain.
It’s a gorgeous place to relax, dine, and unwind. One visit will change everything you thought you knew about New Jersey.
On the weekends, take a free tour of the vineyards or head to the wine shop for a guided wine tasting of their award-winning reds, roses, whites, dessert wines, and sweet varietals.
Don’t miss their “White Port Tonico” cocktail on a warm day. Made with their Southpaw White (a white port made from Riesling and Ravat grapes and fortified with brandy), served over ice, topped with a splash of tonic, and served with slices of citrus, it’s liquid heaven.
To relax with service and a view, reserve one of the vineyard’s charming cabanas, which are an Old York guest favorite. From the cabana, you can order flights, bottles, specialty cocktails, and food as you kick back and enjoy the views. With room for 6, they’re perfect for groups or couples, and fire pits are available seasonally.
And speaking of food, come hungry. Old York Cellars’ chef José Díaz, who trained with Michelin three-star chef Ferran Adrià of El Bulli in Spain, serves a menu showcasing old-world-inspired Spanish cuisine. The menu features dishes like tapas, sandwiches, salads, Spanish cheese and meat boards, and paella.
For a curated selection of wine and food, try one of their multi-course wine and food pairing experiences, like the “Wine, Charcuterie & Chocolate Pairing” or “Wine & Tapas” pairing.
For appetizers, we tried the Spanish meatballs, Serrano ham croquettes, and the delicately wrapped and perfectly spiced beef empanadas. You can’t go wrong with the Paella del Chef, with imported Bomba rice, chicken, chorizo, and fresh shrimp. The grilled salmon with chimichurri was buttery and fresh.
Visit during one of their ongoing fun events like their Sunday Brunch, “Wine & Music” series with live music performances, and “Wine & Comedy” evenings every other Saturday night.
For a special experience, in summer you can take a ride to Old York on the historic Black River & Western Railroad (leaves from Flemington across from Stangl Factory) to Old York Cellars. Check for dates on their site.
- Old York Cellars is open Thursday through Monday.
- Guided wine tastings are available on weekends only.
- The restaurant is open 7 days a week.
- 1.5 miles off Rt 202/31 South, it’s conveniently located 5 minutes from Flemington and 13 minutes from Lambertville/New Hope.
Old York Cellars welcomes walk-ins but suggests making reservations.
Where to Stay in Hunterdon County
For a tranquil, luxury European-style hotel experience overlooking the Delaware River, stay at the Lambertville Station Inn, ideally located in the heart of historic and artsy Lambertville.
Lambertville Station Inn & Restaurant
11 Bridge St, Lambertville, NJ 08530 · lambertvillestation.com
Location: the iconic and recently renovated Lambertville Station Inn is the only boutique luxury hotel in Lambertville and the only full-service hotel in Hunterdon County.
With gorgeous panoramic views of the Delaware River in the heart of Lambertville, the location is incredible.
Steps off the property and you’re exploring colorful and historic downtown Lambertville, known as the antique capital of New Jersey and named one of the “Top 15 Prettiest Towns in America” by Forbes Magazine. Then cross the bridge (walk or drive) in front of the Lambertville Station Inn and you’re in historic New Hope, Pennsylvania.
Nature lovers can hike or bike the historic Delaware and Raritan Canal towpath trails next to the property while discovering a few of Hunterdon County’s waterfalls.
Hotel amenities: with 46 beautifully furnished rooms and suites, the Lambertville Station Inn will pamper you with lux linens, comfy Sealy Encore beds, wide-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and nightly turndown service.
Where to eat: a special service each morning here is the complimentary continental breakfast of freshly brewed coffee and pastries delivered to your room (other breakfast items and room service are available for an additional fee).
For lunch or dinner, eat at the inn’s Lambertville Station Restaurant across from the hotel, in a meticulously restored 1867 train station. They serve upscale seasonal New American cuisine, featuring locally grown ingredients and herbs from the hotel garden. For tapas or a glass of wine by a cozy fire, head down to their beautiful rustic wine cellar. Seasonally, outdoor dining is canal-side, and Sunday brunch here is a special occasion.
Chimney Hill Estate Inn
207 Goat Hill Road, Lambertville, NJ · chimneyhillestate.com
While touring through the beautiful countryside of Hunterdon County, I also had the pleasure of staying at the stunning Chimney Hill Estate Inn.
Built in 1820, this sprawling 8.5-acre, 200-year-old property, with the atmosphere of an English countryside manor, feels like a faraway rural escape. But it’s only minutes from charming downtown Lambertville, New Jersey, known for its antique shops, great restaurants, and Delaware River views.
Here you can get cozy, surrounded by peaceful scenery with stone walls, rustic woods, and centuries-old details around every corner. But its elevated modern decor and amenities, like jacuzzis, gas fireplaces, and kitchenettes, make it feel more like a spa-like luxury retreat than a B&B. It’s the perfect place to disconnect, but the free Wi-Fi throughout the property and flat-screen TVs are ready when you need them.
Chimney Hill has 14 beautiful rooms to choose from, each unique. Book one of the seven rooms in the main house, or choose from one of the seven additional spacious and modern luxury suites scattered throughout the property in completely renovated converted original barns.
Our home for the weekend was the utterly charming Carriage House Suite. With a bright, spacious living room, comfortable leather couches, a stunning brand-new modern full kitchen, and a laundry room, it felt like we had our own apartment in the country.
The Carriage House Suite also has a large, private bathroom and a cozy, quiet bedroom with tons of storage, perfect for a rejuvenating sleep.
Each morning, we strolled over to the fireplace-warmed dining room of the original main Fieldstone House for freshly brewed coffee and a delicious, healthy breakfast from Chimney Hill’s kitchen, made with eggs courtesy of their happy flock of resident chickens. And for some delightful farm fun, we loved visiting their coop toward the back of the property to say hello throughout our stay.
At night, Chimney Hill invites guests to sit around the large fire pit surrounded by welcoming tiki torches. Then take a dip in one of the large outdoor hot tubs, relax in the Swedish sauna, and cool off in the cold plunge. (The property had plans to add a salt cave at the time of our visit; worth asking directly about current amenities when you book.)
Another lovely feature is the property’s greenhouse, where up to 18 guests can gather and dine privately.
When we felt like venturing off-property, downtown Lambertville was just a five-minute, scenic drive away. Overflowing with culture and charm, we had a great day browsing the town’s many vintage boutiques, antique shops, and art galleries. It’s hard not to fall in love with this lively little river town.
Where to Eat at Chimney Hill Estate Inn
While breakfast is included in your stay, there are some great eats in Lambertville too. Check out Chez Alice for some incredible French pastries and desserts, and then head to The Hawke for upscale creative tavern food served in a renovated 19th-century home.
If you’re hungry but would rather relax in your suite, order up a delicious pie like we did from Nicola’s Pizza, Lambertville’s oldest pizza shop. They deliver, but we wanted to check out their dining room, which dates back to the 1700s. It didn’t disappoint, and their pizza was great too.
Visit Goat Hill Overlook
For some outdoor adventure and stunning panoramic views, we took a quick hike at sunset to Goat Hill Overlook, only a 4-minute drive from the inn. From its peak, you can see the Delaware River, the Lambertville-New Hope Bridge, and the surrounding hills and forests. It’s a great spot to take photos, relax, admire the scenery, and even see local wildlife, like deer and birds.
For anyone looking to escape the bustling grind of city life, I can’t recommend the serenity of Chimney Hill Estate Inn highly enough. From 18th-century barns to 20th-century manors with 21st-century amenities, Chimney Hill Estate Inn is a luxurious and peaceful countryside oasis. It’s tailor-made for appreciating nature while still having sophisticated modern comforts and easy access to quaint and quirky Lambertville.
I left Chimney Hill Inn and Estate feeling refreshed and invigorated, already planning another visit. And you should too.
Woolverton Inn
6 Woolverton Rd, Stockton, NJ 08559 · woolvertoninn.com
For a unique and luxurious B&B experience, check into the historic Woolverton Inn.
In this enchanting Revolutionary-era estate, you can stroll its stunning gardens, enjoy a 3-course gourmet breakfast on a romantic verandah, and make friends with sheep.
While it feels like a world away from everything, Woolverton is a short drive to everything in Hunterdon County.
Woolverton Inn Isn’t Just a Place to Stay. It’s an Experience.
In Stockton, New Jersey, minutes from Lambertville and New Hope, this immaculate 10-acre sprawling estate, with a three-story grand Colonial Manor house dating back to the 1700s, has 8 luxurious suites in its main house and 6 private cottages. We checked in and never wanted to check out.
The inn itself sits on a bluff overlooking the Delaware River. Surrounded by preserved farmland and forests, Woolverton Inn is an island of serenity. Even when fully booked, you feel as if you have it all to yourself.
Beautifully decorated, each room and suite here has its own personality and special amenities like gas fireplaces and whirlpool tubs. On the third floor of the main house overlooking the sheep’s pasture, the Newell’s Library Room where we stayed has a comfy king-size bed, a luxurious spa shower, and a gas fireplace.
But this room came with an even bigger surprise.
With over 700 books lining its shelves, the Newell’s Library Room is a book lover’s sanctuary. And there’s a secret tucked within the pages.
Over the years, guests have been hiding dollar bills in the pages of several books. To find them, a journal on the bedside holds clues left by previous guests hinting at which book titles and authors to check. Once you find a bill (we found 3!), you can move it to a new book and write your clue in the journal for the next guest to find. It’s a fun and memorable experience.
The mornings are also something to look forward to here. Guests are treated to a delicious three-course, gourmet, country-style breakfast using local ingredients (some harvested from their own garden), served on the verandah or rose-surrounded patio with views of the sheep pasture. It’s your choice.
The menu changes daily, but Woolverton’s chef likes to offer both healthy and decadent selections. One breakfast we enjoyed Boston Cream French Toast and a veggie-filled omelet served with fresh fruit and Innkeeper Mary’s delectable rhubarb sour cream bread.
Woolverton Inn also offers 24/7 amenities, including all-day fresh coffee (they have an outstanding gourmet machine with espresso and cappuccino), bottled water, and a selection of cold drinks like sparkling water. Sweet treats like freshly baked cookies and lemon blueberry bread await you in the afternoon when you need something sweet.
There’s so much to love here, but don’t leave without feeding Woolverton’s resident sheep. Ask the innkeepers for some “sheep snacks” and you’ll instantly have some new wooly best friends.
If you decide to venture off-property, there’s plenty to explore in Hunterdon County within a few minutes’ walk or a short drive.
- A 5-minute walk will take you to the quaint and historic town of Stockton. Grab a bite at one of the handful of eateries, then check out the historic and preserved Prallsville Mills, once owned by the original owner of Woolverton. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this 10-building complex dates back to the 1700s and often hosts events.
- Bike (20-minute ride) or hike (3.7 miles) on the canal towpath trail that runs along the Delaware River down into Lambertville (8 minutes by car).
- Historic and quaint riverside Frenchtown is a 17-minute car ride to the north.
- Unionville and Old York Cellars are a 15-minute car ride.
At night, before turning in, sink into one of the Adirondack chairs around the fire pit, or play board games in the main house’s parlor.
Where to Dine at Woolverton Inn
2026 update: Woolverton’s long-promised barn restaurant is finally open. It’s called Northridge Restaurant, led by chef Lance Knowling, serving dinner Wednesday through Saturday from 5 to 8 pm, plus Sunday Suppers from 4 to 7 pm, right in the restored 1830s barn on the property. For a close-by alternative, the Sergeantsville Inn is also a quick 5-minute drive.
Sergeantsville Inn
601 Rosemont Ringoes Rd, Sergeantsville, NJ 08557 · sergeantsvilleinn.com
In a renovated 1700s historic stone building that once served as a pelt-trading center, feed store, and host of George Washington, this fine dining restaurant in the countryside of Hunterdon County features a seasonally changing menu inspired by fresh, locally produced ingredients.
The kitchen is under the direction of co-owner and chef Daniel Brunina, who has worked in some seriously prestigious kitchens around the country, including the 3-Michelin-star Inn at Little Washington (Washington, Virginia).
The food here isn’t just delicious and expertly prepared, the dishes are a work of art.
Highlights of our visit were the grilled Cape May oysters with leek, bacon, white wine, and buttery parsley breadcrumb. The New Jersey cheeseboard, with an assortment of local artisanal cheeses paired with fruit preserves, honey, and cranberry pecan toasts, is the perfect dish with a glass of wine.
The asparagus salad, with tender local asparagus spears, hard-boiled egg, and caper sabayon, was a luxurious blend of textures and flavors that instantly became a favorite. Their pecan-crusted local fluke, which is sweeter and firmer than flounder, was topped with a crispy pecan breadcrumb and delicately dressed mixed greens that cut through a rich, plated lemony sauce. We ate every bite.
Almost too pretty to eat, the handmade smoked ricotta ravioli, served with fresh English peas, mushrooms, and caramelized shallots, was creamy and earthy. Edible flowers and fresh pea tendrils made a stunning presentation.
And for a unique sweet finale, the “Not Key Lime Pie” is a stunning dessert, with tangy key lime custard, crumbled poppyseed shortbread, dollops of meringue, and Pernod whipped cream. For a timeless classic, try the hearty strawberry shortcake, with fresh strawberries nestled between layers of shortbread, ice cream, and fresh whipped cream.
For a romantic dining experience, ask for a table by the fireplace. The lovely outdoor patio is a perfect spot when the weather’s fine. If you’re dining more casually, a tavern menu is available.
You can also go to the bar for cocktails and small plates, or visit their wine shop called the Ice House next door. In the 1800s, the shop was once a real ice house where locals would collect ice for their home iceboxes. Today it’s a wine shop and bar with a curated selection of unique wines and liquors from around the world. Stop in and enjoy wines by the glass and snacks from the Sergeantsville Inn’s kitchen.
Final Thoughts
- Whether you’re looking for a fun getaway or a relaxing staycation, Hunterdon County is an amazing, still-under-the-radar destination in central western New Jersey.
- It’s convenient to Philadelphia, New York City, and the Mid-Atlantic, making it the perfect staycation destination.
- Here you’ll find stunning scenery, charming historic towns, art, culinary delights, elegant inns, antiques, and events throughout the year.
- Foodies will love the thriving farm-to-table dining scene in restaurants throughout Hunterdon County, plus the local farmers’ markets and farm stands.
- You can enjoy the outdoors, whether touring vineyards while tasting award-winning wines or hiking, biking, or kayaking along the Delaware River.
Hunterdon County Is One of New Jersey’s Best-Kept Secrets
A perfect getaway for nature lovers and foodies. Visit the links below for more info to plan your next staycation in Hunterdon County.
Towns: Flemington · Clinton · Lambertville
Hotels & Inns: Lambertville Station Inn · Woolverton Inn · Chimney Hill Estate Inn
Art, Culture & Museums: Stangl Factory · Red Mill Museum Village · Hunterdon Art Museum
Restaurants: Matt’s Red Rooster Grill · Sergeantsville Inn · Northridge Restaurant
Wineries: Unionville Vineyards · Old York Cellars
More Resources: Explore Hunterdon · Hunterdon 579 Trail · Hunterdon Main Streets · Hunterdon County Beer Trail · BikeHunterdon.org
More Regional Getaways
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