Though known as a summer destination, Spring Lake, NJ is a scenic, off-season locale as well, including in the winter when the 19th century wooden footbridges are lit up for the holidays, and the lake partially freezes, yet ducks and other water birds can still be found.
Though the vast majority of visitors flock to Spring Lake in the summer, many people find the other three seasons to be quite atmospheric, especially without the crowds. This is winter in Spring Lake.
One of the 19th century wooden footbridges shining in the rays of the rising sun in winter. During the holidays, each of the pair of footbridges is strung with lights, making for an even more atmospheric experience if you walk across either of them at night.
Every season is delightful in Spring Lake, though I’m especially fond of the off season. This is one of two footbridges that date to the late 1800s.
Divine Park, the home of Spring Lake, is wonderfully forested with white oaks, sugar maples and many other trees that take on a dramatic hue come fall.
Despite traveling all over the world to the most wonderful places, I always return to Spring Lake, New Jersey that’s a bastion of serenity and bucolic scenery.
Sunrise is a special time in Spring Lake.
Spring Lake, New Jersey is a mere two hours by train from New York City. Yet, no matter how many times I visit in the off-season and no matter the weather, I always notice something new in the nature-scape that calms the soul.
The Chateau Inn and Suites in Spring Lake, New Jersey is perfectly located across the street from the lake where you can jog the loop around the periphery.
During my visit, I was struck by the delightful array of lights radiating from around the facade during the holidays.
The tangle of trees surrounding Spring Lake is part of what makes jogging around the periphery so magical.
For me, Spring Lake is dreamy any time of the year, but especially in winter.
Spring Lake, New Jersey couldn’t be more beguiling year-round, but especially during the holidays. Spanning the namesake lake, a duo of historic wooden footbridges — that date from the late 1800s — are decked in lights.
The almost two-mile-long boardwalk beckons walkers and joggers year-round who delight in the scenic views of sea, sky and sand.
Over the past several months, I’ve been exploring walkable downtowns in New Jersey. I discovered the Bourbon Street Beignet in Westwood. This is an atmospheric coffee shop with a New Orleans vibe and plenty of scrumptious baked goods.
As I walked through downtown Maplewood, a glass of Tempranillo called out to me one sunny afternoon.
In downtown South Orange, I found some captivating street art.
With its Giverny-inspired landscaping, this fine-dining restaurant at Grounds for Sculpture is also perfect for sipping a chilled Pinot Grigio or an iced coffee on the shaded terrace.
As I walked through a particular grassy expanse at this sculpture garden in Hamilton, New Jersey, I was captivated by this giant that appears buried in the lawn. (I took a separate photo of his foot.) This striking sculpture by Seward Johnson was cast in aluminum.
It’s easy to spend the whole day at Grounds for Sculpture, an expansive and ultra creative sculpture garden in Hamilton, New Jersey. After all, there are surprises aplenty in niches, alcoves, beside bodies of water or snuggled in the woodlands. This is “Birth of the Messenger” that was carved from granite by the American sculptor, Viktor who was born in Odessa.
Surprises galore await as you roam the trails networking this 40-some-acre property. This bronze set in a mist-laden venue is “Redon’s Fantasy of Venus” by Seward Johnson.
Even in the winter, Spring Lake couldn’t be more scenic in the early morning. Mallard ducks and the occasional heron huddle near the shore.
One of two historic footbridges that cross over scenic Spring Lake - now partially frozen - in the same named charming town in New Jersey.
It’s easy to fall in love with Montclair, New Jersey, especially if you delight in parks, gardens and other green spaces. But this cosmopolitan town is also noted for its vibrant culinary and art offerings. Now, the recently opened luxe MC Hotel taps into this scene by sourcing numerous foods and beverages from local makers as well as paintings and other works created by artists who live nearby. This is my recent article for ForbesLife on the MC Hotel.
As I continue my off-season travels, I find myself at the delightful Chateau Inn and Suites in Spring Lake, New Jersey where the vibe is calm, the hospitality is ever present, the views are bucolic and the decor is captivating. (It’s hard to pull away from the sun-fill lounge with its creative holiday blue motif.)
Sipping a glass of pinot noir in the lounge at the Chateau Inn and Suites, I was wrapped in an atmosphere that assured a festive mood.
Spring Lake and the Chateau Inn and Suites that faces the lake have a relaxed vibe with an abundance of holiday cheer.
Someone just asked me why I would gravitate to the shore in the off season, after all, they said, it’s so quiet. Hmmm, that’s the whole point. But Cape May, New Jersey offers so much more, including captivating Victorian-style architecture that I’m clearly infatuated with.
Between the abundant foliage, Victorian-style architecture and dazzling light, Cape May makes for a dreamy destination.
A small loop trail navigates through a bucolic forest at the Cape May Bird Observatory where birds of all sorts are spotted, including American kestrels, bald eagles and northern harriers. I love birds; but I also came for the trees.
The Victorian-era architecture in Cape May’s historic district couldn’t be more enchanting.
There are plenty of surprising architectural and design details at the Lokal Hotel Cape May.
Traveling to Cape May, New Jersey off season has many advantages, from stellar bird watching to empty, windswept beaches.
Without a car, you can still access Cape May by New Jersey Transit Buses — you have to connect through Atlantic City from New York City. The five-hour trip, is worth it for the sense of solitude, whether you roam through the historic district, West Cape May that’s dotted with cafes, coffee shops and restaurants, as well as numerous green spaces.
Each section of Montclair — it’s a city with four different downtowns — is blessed with abundance green spaces.
In Upper Montclair, I wandered through a bucolic landscape at Yantacaw Brook Park where it’s easy to sit mindfully on one of the many benches just staring at the clouds and their reflections in the placid water.
In Montclair Center, the grounds of the bucolic Van Vleck House and Gardens are networked with shaded paths that course through dense woodlands. Well-placed benches beckon visitors to sit and stay awhile.
The city of Montclair, New Jersey, is divided into several sections that are easily accessible by New Jersey Transit trains. But no matter where I wandered, I found Montclair, I found a delightful mix of art, cafes and nature-based venues. For example, in Montclair Center, creative outdoor sculptures, both figurative and avant-garde, dot the expansive lawns at the Montclair Art Museum.
In Upper Montclair, I followed a sign for the Mews and wandered down an ivy-coated, brick alley that ends at an atmospheric courtyard. There I discovered a Mediterranean Turkish restaurant and a contemporary art gallery.
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