May 2024: Road Trips | New Jersey Monthly

May 2024: Road Trips

Spring is the perfect time to take a road trip. As temperatures inch their way upward, the weekends are just begging for activities that get everyone out of the house and off their screens.

In this issue, you’ll find several road trip itineraries, none of which require leaving New Jersey. They span the state, and each centers on a theme. Love pizza? Adore all things retro? Love animals? Enjoy local history? We’ve got a road trip for you.

We also feature one couple taking the ultimate New Jersey road trip: Jon and Karri Ricklin, who are on a mission to visit every single diner in the Garden State. Talk about a tasty achievement!

View more back issues

GARDEN VARIETY

Maleah Joi Moon in front of the Shubert Theater, where she’s making her Broadway debut in "Hell’s Kitchen"

Broadway Star Maleah Joi Moon Got Her Start in NJ Public Schools

Maleah Joi Moon is making her Broadway debut in the new Alicia Keys musical. Her Franklin High theater teacher coached her through the audition.

Author Explores Why Social Media Is Especially Harmful for Girls, and What Parents Can Do

A new book by FDU professor Kara Alaimo aims to help parents protect their daughters from online dangers.

Playwright John Patrick Shanley at last year's National Playwrights Symposium in Cape May

‘A Writer’s Paradise’: At Cape May Symposium, Novice Playwrights Learn from Legends

Playwrights flock to Cape May each spring for this five-day master class.

"Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" on Broadway

Hoboken High Is First U.S. School to Stage ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’

The license holders of the Tony-winning play granted rights to Hoboken High School for its robust and unique theater program.

A cat at Catfé Montclair

At New Montclair Café, Patrons Come for the Cats, Not the Coffee

At Catfé Montclair, patrons can enjoy yoga, meditation or simple relaxation sessions with rescue cats—and maybe even take one home.

NJ Nonprofit Has Donated Millions of Diapers to Local Families in Need

Moms Helping Moms distributes baby essentials throughout the Garden State.

Ken Selody at his Atlock Farm in Somerset

East Coasters Flock to This Jersey Farm for Stylish Topiaries

Timeless plants thrive at Atlock Farm in Somerset County farm under the care of Ken Selody.

Embroidery Babes founder Michelle Fleischer with one of her custom totes

This NJ Mom Turned a Therapeutic Pastime Into an Empowering Business

Embroidery Babes offers custom hand-stitched bags and baby gifts, as well as connection-minded workshops for women.

FEATURES

The Walt Whitman House in Camden is open to the public.

Celebrate Walt Whitman’s 205th Birthday in Camden County

The internationally acclaimed poet spent his final two decades living on Mickle Street in Camden, which has been open to the public for the past century.

Rev. Dr. Robert W. Ralph in his baseball memorabilia-rich basement

NJ Pastor Has an Astounding Collection of Old Ballpark Seats in His Basement

75-year-old Rev. Dr. Robert W. Ralph owns more than 250 ballpark seats, which he lovingly restores in his memorabilia-loaded workshop.

The Friends of Washington Crossing Historic Park of Pennsylvania reenact George Washington’s famed crossing of the Delaware on Christmas Day, 1776

On Washington’s Trail: A Road Trip for the History Buff

Tour the sites where the Continental Army turned the tide of the American Revolution.

A digital sign on a Jersey highway that reads, “Texting and driving gives me the ick.”

Dull Road Signs in New Jersey? Fuhgeddaboudit!

Garden State drivers are often greeted with playful or snarky safety messages.

Frank Sinatra Service Area

All the Garden State Parkway Service Areas Named for NJ Celebrities

Jon Bon Jovi, Whitney Houston and Frank Sinatra are just some of the Hall of Famers who have service areas in their honor on the Garden State Parkway.

Giraffes interact with humans at Six Flags Great Adventure’s Safari Park

New Jersey Road Trips for the Animal Lover

Commune with animals large and small at stops close to or along the Parkway.

A thin-crust bar pie being pulled out of the oven at Conte’s Pizza in Princeton

New Jersey’s Top Pizza Tours

What’s more Jersey than a pizza tour? Here are three counties where pizza rules.

Wine and food at Sharrott Winery in Hammonton

Why You Must Wine and Dine in Hammonton

Hammonton’s thriving wine culture, intriguing food scene, vintage downtown and welcoming environment make it a lively road-trip destination.

The Landis Theater in Vineland

Retro Road Trips to Take Through New Jersey

Vintage landmarks, retro diners and classic Americana have us feeling nostalgic.

Young girl on walkway at Jersey City's Liberty State Park

The Hudson River Waterfront Walkway Is a Delightful Way to Experience North Jersey

Stretching from Bayonne to Fort Lee, the walkway is a front-row vantage point to one of the world’s most stupendous views: the New York City skyline.

New Jersey’s Cannabis Business Is Booming—But It Sure Isn’t Easy Money

The Garden State’s legalization of pot had entrepreneurs and town leaders envisioning heady profits. The reality hasn’t been quite so uplifting.

Cord Schlobohm and Jesse Marie Villars outside the old Lambertville firehouse, before they turned it into their adult-use cannabis dispensary, Baked by the River, which opened in December 2023.

Cannabis Helped Them Conquer Opioid Addiction. Now They’re Helping Others.

Baked by the River dispensary in Lambertville is a “warm, welcoming” community space where customers can learn about the health benefits of cannabis.

Kelly Gatto and Jim DiNatale at Brute's Roots Dispensary in Egg Harbor

Egg Harbor Cannabis Dispensary Is a Mom-and-Pop Success Story

Brute’s Roots is beating the odds with low prices, sun-grown weed and plenty of patience.

Uzunma Emezua

Excellence in Nursing 2024: Meet 4 Exceptional Health Champions

We salute a group of irreplaceable New Jerseyans.

Mary Jane Genuino

Excellence in Nursing 2024: DAISY Foundation Award Honorees

Honoring 270 medical professionals from New Jersey with diverse practice specialties at more than 70 participating hospitals and facilities.

HOME & GARDEN

Living room in a Ridgewood home with a performance-linen sofa, cushy chairs, and a mix of mid-century and new artwork and decorative accessories

In Ridgewood Family’s Home, Kids and Fine Decor Coexist

Beautiful, unexpected fabrics and finishes adorn this brightly colored colonial.

EAT & DRINK

Sauteed crab tian at d'floret in Lambertville

d’floret in Lambertville Is Small in Size But Big on Farm-to-Table Flavor

This 22-seat restaurant has matured greatly during its decade in business.

Steak and other meats on grill at La Fusta in North Bergen

La Fusta in North Bergen Is an Argentine Steak House Fit for a Gaucho

The restaurant has been perfecting beef from the land of tango for 20 years.

Karri and Jon Ricklin eat at the Victoria diner in Branchville.

Table for Two: Meet the Couple on an Epic Mission to Try Every Single Jersey Diner

“In New Jersey, diners are a religion,” says Jon Ricklin. He and his wife, Karri, have eaten at more than 200 greasy spoons across the Garden State so far.

A platter of fried food at Castle Rock Bar & Grill in West Orange

Castle Rock Bar & Grill in West Orange Offers Elevated Pub Fare

Plus creative, well-priced cocktails.

A salad with beets and roasted cashews at Kitch Organic in Red Bank

Kitch Organic in Red Bank: No Gluten, Wheat or Dairy—But Plenty of Flavor

This eatery highlights all-natural ingredients from its own garden and other local purveyors.

Marcus Samuelsson

Celebrity Chef Marcus Samuelsson Chews On NJ’s ‘Incredible Food Scene’

His new restaurant, Marcus Live! Bar & Grille, is open in the American Dream mall.

Home Slice Pizza in Mount Holly

All Aboard! NJ Pizzeria Is Churning Out Wood-Fired Pies in a Former Train Caboose

Home Slice Pizza in Mount Holly cooks up fresh, thin-crust pies in a space just big enough for a kitchen and staff.

EXIT RAMP

Illustration of three artists holding up an artist who's sprawled out on a cobalt-blue tube of paint and holding a book titled "History of Art"

How I Became an Artist in My Sixties

A longtime journalist pursues visual art later in life and discovers a rich community of New Jersey creatives.