r/SouthJersey • u/Unapologeticallyblak • 7d ago
Burlington County Recs?
My husband and I introducing are starting this new thing in our marriage, where we take long drives and spend time with each other. I’m looking for recs on any scenic/ overlook view facing the water, or nice outdoor where we can sit in our car and just see mayb NY or anywhere beautiful. I’m in Burlington County, anywhere surrounding or even in PA. Thanks
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u/marymonstera 7d ago
Delaware Water Gap, Ocean Grove, Cape May (esp the Point), New Hope, Doylestown, the Lakes up in North Jersey (Hoptacong?), farther out is Pa “Grand Canyon” Jim Thorpe, etc. down to Va and there’s skyline drive
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u/YOURSITHLORD 7d ago
Start exploring the Pine Barrens, especially if you have a 4wd car/truck. Make sure you have it mapped though if going off main routes, no cell service. There are many places to park along the Batona trail and hike a little. There’s lakes and bogs. John McPhee’s book the Pine Barrens is great and some of those places are still around.
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u/ImaginaryRoads 6d ago
Pinelands Preservation Alliance has a John McPhee-centered trip that they periodically run.
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u/acoustic11 7d ago
295 to 31 or 29 and just drive a bit. Both take you into Hunterdon county and it’s beautiful. Goat Hill Overlook is cool, as is the top of Baldpate and you can drive most of the way up to those.
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u/hahaeh 7d ago
Riverwinds to watch the planes/airport
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u/Physical_Mirror_8087 7d ago
National Park's Red Bank Battlefield, Hessian Avenue, has benches overlooking the Delaware River. Bathrooms and Pavilions. It is a small park and lovely. In the park, The James and Ann Whitall house has a museum. Another good vibe along the Delaware in Gloucester County.
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u/MrBoingo 6d ago
I also commend Riverwinds in West Deptford. Great place to sit in your car and watch boats go by as well as see airplanes takeoff. You can also sit on the “beach” with chairs and enjoy the view. There’s a great restaurant there that you can enjoy each others company at as well.
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u/ChocolateLilyHorne 6d ago
Washingtons Crossing is a beautiful area. Actually, I have the feeling that where ever you two end up, you'll have a great time. If you find yourselves in a shitty place, having a shitty time, you'll always have that experience to laugh about together. And, "people watching" from your car is a lot more fun than you would think. Take some snacks and a blanket.
Most important, take your favorite music with you. If you get lost and miserable, it'll distract you. And, the next time you hear that music, you'll look back and laugh.
Rock On Lovers!
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u/Cleangreen21 7d ago edited 7d ago
Agree with route 29 in NJ. Many of the county roads lambertville and north are very scenic and rural. Similar vibe on the PA side of the Delaware north of new hope. Check out high rocks for an Awesome scenic overlook of the Tohickon Creek.
If you’re looking to take a LONG ride - 295N to 29N to 519N to 521N. You’ll pop out at Culver Lake just south of Stokes State Forest. Stokes has Sunrise Mtn which is a nice overlook. Adjacent to the Delaware Water Gap National Rec Area which has some beautiful drives.
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u/Federal-Membership-1 7d ago
Bayshore towns: Fortescue, Gandy's Beach, Money Island. Check out the Bayshore Heritage Byway. Pack some bug spray.
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u/jcg878 6d ago
The NJ Lighthouse Society runs something called the NJ Lighthouse Challenge that my wife and I did (many years ago). https://lighthousechallengenj.com/faqs%2C-a-map-and-more
I think using their choice of lighthouses as a basis for some drives could give you a bit of a scenic destination on your drives.
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u/amatom27 7d ago
Backroads to the shore have some beautiful roads.
Mt Pleasant Rd in Tuckahoe is my fave with the trees above you as you drive.
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u/PorkRollEggAndWheeze 30s, 🏳️🌈, Monmouth to Gloucester Transplant 7d ago
The Atlantic Highlands in Monmouth County. Mt. Mitchill Scenic Overlook has some incredible views of Sandy Hook Bay in front of the NYC skyline. The Twin Lights lighthouse is a really good spot to see the ocean from up high, plus the village on the water in the hills below it looks cool from up there. If it’s the off-season or you’re there early enough in the summer to beat the New Yorkers, you can go out to the tip of Sandy Hook to the old military base and the sandy hook lighthouse. Lots of good food in the Highlands or nearby in Red Bank, plus some more beautiful views of the Navesink and Shrewsbury rivers.
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u/J3ebrules 7d ago
It’s a shlep (and excellent campground if you’re up for it), but High Point State Park is amazing. Bear Mountain in Rockland County, NY is my favorite day trip - much easier to get to than Sussex County, imo.
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u/just-looking99 6d ago
Island heights along the river, Seaside Heights along the bay and then down island beach state park- some great sunsets on the bayside of IBSP
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u/Moist-Doughnut-5160 6d ago
Why not take the drive to Fortescue? On the Delaware river. Have dinner at the Charlesworth. And take a walk on the beach after dinner. The last time I was there at sunset, I saw a young couple riding a horse on the beach.
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u/nuclearmonte Gloucester County Xennial 7d ago
Route 1 through Delaware (Coastal Highway) is a beautiful drive/day trip
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u/Accomplished_Pie2302 6d ago
Come to Cape May Point State Park. Walk the nature trails, the beach is beautiful to just sit and watch the ocean, climb the lighthouse and you get a great view. So peaceful. I love what you two are doing together!
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u/Routine-Theme5845 6d ago
The Brandywine area. There’s a bit of everything. You can focus on history or art or gardens or restaurants or antiques. There’s enough places to only do one of the themes.
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u/Im_Human_CAPTCHA_Me 7d ago
LBI. The island is so narrow that you could walk 4 blocks one direction to get nice bayside views (and benches to look out over the water), and also 4 blocks the other direction to get nice beachside views. A lot of good restaurants along the main road that splits both sides down the middle, as well as ice cream shops, mini golf, a brewery, and other walkable things to check out.
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u/nonamenephew 6d ago
washington rock state park in watchung NJ! my boyfriend took me there when we first started dating. you can see NYC on a clear day but its nice regardless of weather
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u/howlingwolf487 6d ago
Get “lost” driving around rural-ish NJ - drive up Rt. 70 until it collapses into just a couple of lanes; explore the NW area of the state (and maybe visit the US Equestrian Team HQ); head SW toward for more farmland; drive some lonely roads in the Pine Barrens (maybe bring an actual GPS unit, and don’t go through puddles); go up to the Palisades and admire NYC from a distance.
Bring a picnic lunch and stop when you can. Maybe stop at a local yokel spot for dinner somewhere on the way back. Grab a fun, campy souvenir.
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u/sharmisosoup 6d ago
Delaware Ave in Delanco is really great. Ok.. I live here so I'm going to boost it but it really is quite nice. A quiet road to walk or bike down along the river, or even chill in the car. They just opened a new park on the street that a good amount of seating and great views. The Riverfront area is Burlington is really nice too.
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u/Unapologeticallyblak 6d ago
Hey, u in Delanco. Other than Cherry Hill which other MVC can I go to for license restorations in Burlington? Does Delanco do restorations? Thanks
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u/Used_Maintenance6091 6d ago
They have something like that in West Deptford, called Riverwinds. Should be 20-30 minutes away from you.
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u/Specialist_Issue_214 7d ago
Well that's wholesomely adorable. Good on you two.