Day Trip: Morristown

Brush up on your Revolutionary War history here—and leave time for some culture and fine dining, too.

Posted December 20, 2007 by Lauren Murphy

Since 1973, the Dublin Pub has been a great place for lunch, happy hour, and dinner.

Photo: Christopher Villano

C'est Cheese offers breakfast and lunch selections.

Photo: Christopher Villano

Scotti's Record Shop has called Morristown home for more than 50 years.

Photo: Christopher Villano

Irish eyes: A staple since 1973, the Dublin Pub (4 Pine St, 973-538-1999) is a great place for lunch, happy hour, and dinner. Serving traditional Irish food, such as corned beef and cabbage, the pub also has great sandwiches, salads, and of course, beer.

Let’s do lunch: For a quick meal, try C’est Cheese (pictured, 64 South St, 973-267-2941), a gourmet food shop that offers breakfast and lunch selections. Don’t miss L’Appetito’s tasty sandwiches and salads (23 Washington St, 973-539-8844). For a taste of southern comfort, dig into ribs and barbecued chicken at the homey Savannah Café (46 Morris St, 973-984-0999).

Stocking up: By its own account the oldest independent music chain in the world, Scotti’s Record Shop (23 South St, 973-538-5164) has called Morristown home for more than 50 years. The shop carries CDs, DVDs, books, clothes, concert tickets—even vinyl. Head over to the four-floor Century 21 (1 N Park Pl, 973-401-9500) for clothing, cosmetics, shoes, and accessories at deep discounts.

Revolutionary wonders: George Washington and his Continental Army arrived in Morristown on January 6, 1777, after victories at Trenton and Princeton. The areas of their encampment then and in the winter of 1779–1780 are part of Morristown National Historical Park (30 Washington Pl, 973-539-2016). Visitors will enjoy tours of Jockey Hollow, the Ford Mansion, Washington’s Morristown headquarters, and Fort Nonsense, a fortification built by Washington’s army on a hill overlooking Morristown.

Taste matters: Exotic cuisine and atmosphere make Origin (pictured, 10 South St, 973-971-9933) a standout. The fusion of Thai and French is deftly handled here. The upscale Grand Cafe is the place to be if you want classic French cuisine (42 Washington St, 973-540-9444). For something a little more two-fisted, yet refined, check out the recently established George & Martha’s (67 Morris St, 973-267-4700).

Downtown stroll: The town green, the center of this community for more than two centuries, features a giant statue of American revolutionary Thomas Paine.

Bagels and Beyond: In need of that perfect morning sustenance to get the day started? Head over to Jersey Boy Bagels (16 South St, 973-455-7222) for breakfast or lunch and find out for yourself whether they truly offer the “best meal in town” as their motto so boldly boasts.

Theater: In 1993 the Community Theatre (100 South St, 973-539-8008, communitytheaternj.org) was abandoned and in complete disrepair. A year later it opened its doors to a sell-out crowd. Today the Community Theatre is home to a thriving showcase of visual and performing arts

For more stories about: George and Martha's, C'est Cheese, Morristown , L'Appetito, Grand Cafe, Origin, Century 21, Morristown National Historical Park