"Straight to Europe and America" 10 of the most beautiful towns in New Jersey

As one of the most densely populated states in the United States, New Jersey may not be the first place to think when considering the typical small towns in the United States. However, despite widespread belief, Garden State is still full of fascinating neighborhoods waiting to be explored. From Coastal Cape May, America's oldest seaside resort, to Norman Rockwell-style Clintontown, we visited 10 of New Jersey's most beautiful towns.

Cape May

Cape May is the oldest waterfront resort in the United States, with Victorian charm, family-friendly fun and cultural activities. The town's picture-perfect streets and coastline are pristine Victorian buildings, with brightly coloured houses known as "Painted Ladies". Due to Cape May's dedication to preserving its rich history, the entire town was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1976. In addition to its eclectic dining options and boutiques, Cape May is also home to a vibrant cultural scene with two theatre companies and a number of annual festivals, including the famous 26-year-old Cape May Music Festival. Cape May, New Jersey, USA

Lambertville

Nestled on the banks of the Delaware River on the border of Pennsylvania, is the beautiful town of Lambertville. Lambertville's well-preserved Victorian houses and Federal-style townhouses were first settled in the early 18th century and are now home to quaint antique shops that earn the town the nickname "New Jersey's Antique Capital" and lovely cafes. Lambertville's numerous art galleries and annual arts and crafts festival ShadFest make the town a haven for art, creative collections. Foodies will also love Lambertville. In addition to its eclectic restaurants, Lambertville has partnered with neighboring Pennsylvania town of New Hope to host an annual food show and restaurant week event.

Collingswood

Despite massive urban sprawl in Philadelphia, just a few miles to the east, the pretty Collingswood retains its small-town charm. In fact, it's listed as one of the classic towns of Greater Philadelphia, a local initiative that celebrates unique neighborhoods with rich history and a high quality of life. Located in the beautiful heart of the city, Collingswood is home to trendy boutiques, great restaurants and the second Saturday, an annual art and music event every month. The town also boasts the Collingswood Farmers Market, which includes the best products from across the garden state from May to Thanksgiving.

Allentown

Allentown, New Jersey, is a historic village that was originally settled in the 17th century and is not to be confused with the town of the same name in the pennsylvania eponymous Billy Joel song. Situated around a pool of water, this picturesque village is home to many historic buildings, in fact, its designated historic district features 220 dwellings built before 1860. Although the nights in Allentown are small, there is still a lot of work to be done. Check out The Old Mill, where you'll find specialty craft shops, restaurants, and art galleries.

Spring Lake

While the Jersey coast may be more closely associated with Atlantic City's gorgeous over-borders, some towns, such as historic Spring Lake, offer a more refined seaside getaway. Known as the "Jewel of the Jersey Shore," Spring Lake rose to prominence in the late 19th century, when wealthy New Yorkers and Philadelphians gathered there to spend their summers, and many historic inns still exist today. Downtown Spring Lake has boutique shopping and eclectic restaurants offering everything from casual to fine dining. Perhaps most importantly, it is scenic and the uncrowded boardwalk is just a pleasant place to stay.

Clinton

Flawless Clinton is like a scene from a Norman Rockwell painting. Nestled on the banks of the Raritan River, the historic Mill Town's Victorian charm and gorgeous downtown area have made it a popular destination in New Jersey for many years. Its most iconic landmark is the Moulin Rouge, a wool processing plant dating back to 1810 and now home to the Museum Village and 40,000 historical artifacts. Clinton, however, is not only a haven for history buffs, but also plenty of locally owned restaurants, lovely boutiques and contemporary art galleries, the Hunterton Museum of Art.

Frenchtown

Another scenic Delaware River town in New Jersey, today a French town, developed from the late 18th century when Paul Henri Mallet-Prevost, a French-speaking Swiss fugitive, purchased the land on which the town was located, hence the name Frenchtown. Today, Frenchtown is a well-known New Jersey cultural destination with a quaint community with specialty stores, art galleries and several annual festivals including RiverFest and Bastille Day. For outdoors, the towpath that stretches along the Delaware River is a great starting point for exploring the beautiful river town.

Cranbury

Nestled in slightly undulating farmland in Middlesex County, New Jersey, Cranbury dates back to the late 17th century. The town is one of the oldest settlements in the state. Cranbury began to expand during the 18th century, during which several hotels built remain valid, including the Cranbury Inn, built in 1780. The feature makes the town an important break stop between New York City and Philadelphia. Today, its rich history is well preserved, almost all villages are on the National Register of Historic Places, while Lake Brainard and Country Park are home to summer concerts.

Red Bank

Known as Greenwich Village in the Garden State, Red Bank is a cosmopolitan riverside town filled with art galleries, upscale boutiques and gourmet restaurants. Located on the banks of the Navesink River, Red Bank is the premier art destination throughout the state. There's a rich cultural condor, from live rock music at the Count Basie Theater to plays at the Two Rivers Theater. You can walk along bohemian Broad Street to shop and see beautiful historic buildings, and keep an eye out for its lively cultural events, including the town's annual food and music extravaganza, the Red Bank Guinness Oyster Festival.

Chester

With its quaint brick streets and many historic buildings, including the flour mill Cooper Gristmill on the Black River in 1780, Chester is typical of american homeland. Although its history is well preserved, the picturesque town is by no means backward. In recent years, Chester has gained a reputation as a quaint shopping destination and is home to over 80 shops selling everything from antiques and art to jewellery and gourmet chocolate. Visit may or September and you'll find the Chester Craft Show, named one of the best craft shows by Sunshine Artist Magazine of America.