Olivia Fisher 
New Jersey is home to hundreds of communities, many of which have vibrant downtowns and main streets with a plethora of restaurants, salons, and shops. These centers are characterized by their walkability and family-friendly vibes, as well as the public transport options, local businesses, and community events. Finding an ideal spot for a family dinner, an afternoon stroll, or a night out on the town all comes down to location. We’ve done the work and looked at numerous towns across the region to pick out the best ones. Read on for a guide to some of the best downtowns and main streets in Northern New Jersey.
Denville
Denville is a picture-perfect small town with a sweet and charming downtown. Broadway is the heart of this community and the key to their stomachs. Those in the mood for something sweet, head over to Beignets and grab some doughnuts and beignets. For more inspiration when you visit, we have compiled a list of spots below.
Dining Options: Beignets, Church Street Bagel, El Mejicano, The Pasta Shop, Thatcher McGhee’s, Dante’s, Denville Dairy, Denville Dog, Hunan Taste, Denville Seafood, Diamond Spring Brewing Company, Cafe Crevier, Chocolatine, Anthony + Son’s, Casa d’ Pizza, Miga Sushi, Second Half on Main, Smartworld Coffee, Summit + Main
Exercise: Pure Barre, Renzo Gracie, Prana Yoga Center
Annual/Ongoing Events: Holiday Shopping Open House, Sidewalk Sales, National Night Out, Downtown Denville After Dark, Pink Witches Night Out, Denville Fire Department Carnival, Denville Farmers’ Market
Shopping: Furniture Revival Studio, Faith + Begorra, California Beach Hut, Sisters, Wish, Bluebird by Bullet Boots
Wellness: Moxie Salon + Beauty Bar, Tracy’s Nails, The Urban Muse
Read More: 10 Family-Friendly Beaches in New Jersey
Hoboken
About a mile and a half in length, Hoboken’s main drag of Washington Street is full of cafes, bakeries, sit-down restaurants, hair salons, clothing stores, and workout spots. With views of the Manhattan skyline, this pedestrian and bike-friendly city is the perfect spot for date night, birthday celebrations, and just about anything. Naturally, Frank Sinatra’s hometown is known for its Italian food and spots like Sorellina, Sirenetta, and Grimaldi’s.
Summers in Hoboken come with a variety of good music, free exercise activities, and, of course, food. Throughout the summer, there are free fitness classes at different parks, as well as movies under the stars at various Hoboken parks. If guests have room during the week, stop by Sinatra Park for a concert featuring rock, jazz, Latin, folk, and more.
Parking can be a challenge, but no need to worry. Nine NJTransit lines and branches pass through Hoboken Terminal and can connect visitors from Manhattan, Montclair, Millburn, Cranford, Hackensack, Westwood, Morristown, Rutherford, Clifton, Belmar, and many more. Plus, the view from the terminal is phenomenal and allows easy access to both Hoboken and Jersey City.
Dining Options: bwe kafe, Elysian Cafe, La Isla, Benny Tudino’s, Sorellina, Sirenetta, Grimaldi’s, The Brass Rail, Alfalfa, Bin 14, Napoli’s, Viv + Jules, Antqiue Bar + Bakery
Exercise: SoulCycle, Club Pilates, Project Sculpt, Prime Cycle Body, Jane DO, Rumble, Elevate Pilates
Annual/Ongoing Events: Concerts in the Park, Fitness in the Park, Movies Under the Stars, St. Ann Italian Festival, Hoboken Italian Festival, Hoboken Mutzfest, Main Street Pops, Hoboken Arts + Music Festival
Indoor Activities: Hoboken Historical Museum, Ivy Mane Studio, Hudson Golf, Hudson Table
Shopping: Little City Books, Alba Boutique, Luna Rose Decor, Washington General Store, Wicked Scents, Noellery, Brooke + Bel
Wellness: 718 Beauty Bar, Salon Gatto, BOND, Aspen Prime Med Spa, Health in Hands
Madison
Madison’s quaint and historic shopping district along Main Street showcases over 50 businesses that have flavorful cuisine, gift shops, second-hand clothing, and haircuts. This town has restaurants boasting Mexican, Colombian, Japanese, Thai, French, Italian, and Mediterranean cuisine. Noon Tea Creperie is a great spot for crepe cakes, egg waffles, boba tea, and a variety of other drinks. The Morristown Line of NJTransit passes through Downtown Madison, connecting residents and visitors to Manhattan, Hoboken, South Orange, Chatham, Morristown, Hackettstown, and more.
Dining Options: Nahm Thai + French Cuisine, Jungle Juice, Butter + Jam, iL Goccino Ristorante, Sunday Motor Co Cafe, Noon Tea Creperie, The Hartley Restaurant, One Prime
Exercise: Club Pilates, Santosha Yoga Studio, Fitness for Mankind, MAX Fitness + Wellness Center
Indoor Activities: Museum of Early Trades + Crafts
Shopping: Home Sweet Home, Tons of Toys, The Pink Pear, The Chatham Bookseller
Wellness: Polished Nail Lounge, Strandz Salon
Maplewood
In 2021, Maplewood was voted 17 out of 25 for the coolest towns in America, which makes sense as this village is bursting with charm and has a downtown full of flavors. MG recommends Margherita Pizza at Artie’s and fresh-baked cookies at The Able Baker.
Every fall, Maplewood hosts the Art Walk and Music Fest. Maplewood Avenue, Baker Street, and Highland Place are shut down to vehicular traffic, and customers can buy ceramics, jewelry, and more. The event also features dancers, live music, and a children’s corner. Dickens Village, held in December, brings various scenes to life from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Visitors can peek inside the little houses and look at fireplaces, stockings, and antique toys.
The Morristown Line and Gladstone Branch of NJTransit pass through Maplewood and connect residents and visitors to Manhattan, Hoboken, East Orange, Summit, Morristown, Bernardsville, Denville, Hackettstown, and more. You can find a variety of restaurants, bakeries, home decor stores, and more here.
Dining Options: The Able Baker, Ani Ramen, Artie’s, Village Trattoria, Palmer’s Bakehouse, Chutzpah Kitchen, Scratch Taco, Coda Kitchen + Bar
Exercise: The Core Place, Baker-Street Yoga, Wolfpack Maplewood
Annual/Ongoing Events: Maplewoodstock Music + Art Festival, Art Walk + Music Fest, Dickens Village, Sunset Saturday Music Series
Indoor Activities: Greens Indoor Golf + Cafe, Maplewood Memorial Library
Outdoor Recreation: Memorial Park, Richard G Walter Park, Memorial Playground
Shopping: Meus, Maplewood Mercantile, Words Bookstore, Brave Floral, Perch Home, Toy Division, Baker Street Market, Maker + Muse
Wellness: Victory Hair Salon, Anthony Garubo Salon, Hands-on Massage + Facial Spa, CHOP Salon, InTune Wellness
Montclair
Just over a mile long, Montclair’s main street, Bloomfield Avenue, showcases a variety of restaurants, bakeries, wellness centers, clothing stores, movie theaters, bookstores, and exercise spots. Montclair features flavors from all over the globe like Italian, French, Greek, Spanish, American, Soul, Caribbean, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Mexican, Colombian, Brazilian, Cuban, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Thai, and Indian.
During late April and early May, the Montclair Film Festival features fiction, non-fiction, world cinema, and student films, drawing over a thousand attendees. In June, Montclair hosts a notable Pride Festival featuring music, food, and more. Not only is Montclair pedestrian-friendly, but a block-long on-street bike lane was installed on Glenridge Avenue. The long-term plan is to connect this section to the Essex Hudson Greenway Project.
The Montclair-Boonton Line passes through Montclair, connecting residents from Manhattan, Hoboken, Newark, Little Falls, Wayne, Montville, Netcong, and more. Those looking to reach downtown should get off at the Bay Street or Walnut Street Stations. While Bloomfield Avenue may be Montclair’s downtown, it’s not the only walkable business district. There are a variety of restaurants, shopping stores, recreation, and exercise spots in Upper Montclair, Watchung Plaza, Walnut Street, and the South End.
Dining Options: Ani Ramen, Raymond’s, Leone’s, Tacoria, Plum Bakery, Samba, Sweet Kitchen, Nami Nori, Bareburger, Faubourg, Porta, Sweet T’s Southern Eatery, Uncle Momo, Trend Coffee + Tea House, Rooster’s Hot Chicken, Absolute Zero Ice Cream, Cuban Pete’s, Seoul Bistro, Efi’s Gyro, Dan + Day’s Burgers + Shakes, MM by Moriomoto
Exercise: CYCLEBAR, Row House, Anytime Fitness, Club Pilates, Pure Barre, The Bar Method, The Drip (coming soon)
Annual/Ongoing Events: Montclair Pride Festival, Montclair Film Festival, Montclair Jazz Festival, Winter Wonderland
Indoor Activities: Doin’ Dishes, The Clairidge, Montclair Art Museum, Montclair Public Library, Studio Montclair, Wellmont Arts Plaza, Mud Clay Studio, Montclair Indoor Golf Club, Alchemy Scent Bar
Shopping: Giftbar, Parcel, Anthropologie, DollyMoo, Montclair Book Center, The Eclectic Chic Boutique, Forever Noellery, White Rabbit Black Heart
Wellness: Hand + Stone Massage + Facial Spa, Bangz Salon + Wellness Spa, Woodhouse Day Spa, Planta
Morristown
Since the birth of this nation, Morristown has been at the crossroads of culture, commerce, and community. This vibrant and diverse town has over 100 businesses in its downtown and so much to offer. Patrons travel the streets of Morristown and sample American, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Italian, Irish, French, German, Polish, Greek, Mexican, Thai, and Japanese food.
The Morristown Green, situated in the center of downtown, serves as a fantastic spot for picnics and getting takeout. NJTransit’s Morristown Line passes through Downtown Morristown, connecting residents and visitors to Manhattan, Hoboken, Orange, Millburn, Summit, Denville, Netcong, and more.
Dining Options: Millburn Deli, The Godfather of Morristown, End of Elm, Beenie’s Ice Cream, Stack Creamery, Roots, Jungle Juice
Exercise: The Yoga Way, Powerflow Yoga
Indoor Activities: AMC, Mayo Performing Arts Center, The Morristown + Morris Township Public Library, Morristown Masonic Center Museum + Library, Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, Washington’s Headquarters
Shopping: Merzatta, 23 South, Apricot Dried Fruits + Nuts
Wellness: Bloom, Massage Heights, Salone Pisani, Blo
Ridgewood
Ridgewood has a charming downtown that has Eastern European, Italian, French, Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Indian, Szechuan, Korean, Iranian, Mediterranean, and American cuisine. This is a great spot to eat takeout and soak in the beauty of the area. This walkable community provides a lot of parking for shoppers interested in purchasing clothing, olive oil, stationery, and more. The Main and Bergen County of NJTransit passes through Downtown Ridgewood, connecting residents and visitors to Manhattan, Hoboken, Clifton, Ramsey, Rutherford, Waldwick, and more.
Dining Options: Park West Tavern, Felina, Sook Pastry, From Scratch, Lula, White Maple Cafe
Exercise: Real Hot Yoga, Fitometry Health Club
Indoor Activities: Ridgewood Public Library, Pinot’s Palette
Shopping: Suite Paperie, Olive R Twist Olive Oil Co, Majestic Yarn, Victor’s
Wellness: Salon Toujours, Hiro’s Day Spa, 21 Godwin, Cozy Nails, Namaste Organic Spa, Hand + Stone Massage and Facial Spa
Rutherford
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Rutherford’s main street, Park Avenue, features a variety of restaurants, bakeries, and cafes. Those looking for a pretty quiet downtown, Rutherford is the spot. Lining the block are restaurants serving Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Iranian, Italian, French, German, Greek, Mexican, and American cuisine. For a handmade Danish or other bakery treat, stop by Varrelmann’s Bake Shop, an authentic German bakery.
The Bergen County Line NJTransit passes through Downtown Rutherford, connecting residents and visitors to Manhattan, Garfield, Ridgewood, Allendale, Ramsey, and more.
Dining Options: Dumpling Dojo, Suprema, Fiorentini, Casano’s Pizza Parlor, Song’E Napule
Annual/Ongoing Events: Fall Festival
Indoor Activities: Williams Center for The Arts, Rutherford Public Library
Shopping: Soldato Books + Records
Wellness: Substance Salon + Barbershop, Michele’s Station Square Hair Salon, Fond + Faye
South Orange
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South Orange has a walkable, vibrant downtown community boasting a variety of flavorful cuisines. MG recommends gluten-free empanadas from Miti Miti. There are a plethora of spots for outdoor recreation. Just north of downtown are several baseball fields, tennis courts, and a basketball court. During the summer, residents can soak up the sun and swim laps at the Peter S. Conner Memorial Swimming Pool. Since 1991, the South Orange Farmers Market has been a source for the community with local produce and products from nearby vendors. The Downtown on Display program partners with downtown businesses to curate unique events highlighting the best of South Orange. Small businesses showcase their products and services during Small Business Saturday and the Holiday Market.
The Morristown Line and Gladstone Branch of NJTransit pass through Downtown South Orange, connecting residents and visitors to Manhattan, Hoboken, Summit, New Providence, Morristown, Bernardsville, Denville, Hackettstown, and more. The architecture of the buildings, churches, and businesses adds a charm like no other, especially the South Orange station, which is conveniently located downtown.
Dining Options: The Order, Miti Miti, Village Trattoria, Grid Iron Waffle Shop, Walia Ethiopian Restaurant, Bay Leaf, Sonny’s Bagels, Jackie + Son, Elitist Coffee
Exercise: Three Birds Yoga Studio, D+I Fitness, GameChanger South Orange
Annual/Ongoing Events: South Orange Farmers Market, Pride Month Celebration, Halloween Spooky Spiotta, Holiday Tree Lighting, Holiday Market, Live Music, Seton Hall Welcome Back Week, Small Business Saturday Street Fair
Indoor Activities: The Village at SOPAC, South Orange Performing Arts Center, South Orange Public Library
Shopping: Victor’s Florist, Rocky’s Crystals + Minerals, Pet Wants, Kitchen a la Mode
Wellness: Oranges Spa, Rock Spa Club, YK Salon, Gladys Nails, 7’s Barbershop
Summit
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Summit has a walkable downtown with a variety of restaurants, nail salons, hair salons, clothing stores, and gift shops. Those who have always wanted to eat inside a train car, Summit is the place. For nearly a century, the Summit Diner has been serving American comfort food to thousands of people. Patrons can order the famous corn beef cabbage and a slice of cheesecake for the road. Every Sunday, Summit Farmers Market has a variety of fresh baked goods, tomato sauce, jam, produce, pizza, and more. During the summer, neighbors can enjoy performances by artists from numerous genres at the Summit Street Sounds.
The Morristown Line and Gladstone Branch of NJTransit pass through Downtown Summit, connecting residents and visitors to Manhattan, Hoboken, Orange, Millburn, Chatham, Morristown, Denville, Dover, and more.
Dining Options: Summit Diner, Pizza Vita, Boxwood Coffee, The Committed Pig, Summit House, Bake Bakery, BarBacoa, Batavia Cafe, Zappia’s
Exercise: StretchLab, The Bar Method, Vita Athletics, Summit YMCA, The R3finery
Annual/Ongoing Events: Summit Farmers Market, Summit Street Sounds, Summit Has Pride
Indoor Activities: Pinot’s Palette, Summit Public Library
Shopping: Bluemercury, Paper Source, Fleet Feet, Wool & Grace, The Papery
Wellness: Drybar, Blow In Blow Out, Joinus Nails, Place Vendome, Bellissima Waxing + Spa
See More: 16 New Jersey Towns for a Fun Summer Day Trip
Westfield
The streets of Downtown Westfield provide plenty of opportunities to shop, dine, and stroll. Grab a slice of pizza from Casa di Pizza or a burrito from Tinga. Spend hours walking down East Broad Street and Elm Street shopping at Urban Outfitters, The Town Book Store, and J McLaughlin. In July and August, Westfield holds its Sweet Sounds Downtown Music Festival, where residents, visitors, shoppers, and diners can enjoy free music and various outdoor venues.
The Raritan Valley Line of NJTransit passes through Downtown Westfield, connecting residents and visitors to Manhattan, Newark, Union, Cranford, Plainfield, Somerville, Lebanon, and more.
Dining Options: Orgreen Poke, Chutzpah Kitchen, Chez Catherine, Fresh Bui, Surreal Creamery, Bareburger, Casa di Pizza, Almost Home General
Exercise: Club Pilates, The Bar Method, OsteoStrong, Barre3, 908 Athletics
Annual/Ongoing Events: Sweet Sounds Downtown Music Festival, AddamsFest
Indoor Activities: Yestercades, Westfield Historical Society, Westfield Memorial Library
Shopping: Fleet Feet, Hope Chest, The Town Book Store, Urban Outfitters, J McLaughlin
Wellness: Salon Visage, Radiant Waxing, Blende, Foot + Body Massage Spa
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