Upper Freehold, in the western panhandle of Monmouth County (pop. 642,030 in 2007) feels like a timewarp as farms connect to other farms, families set up road side produce stands in the summer, and a quaint turn-of-the-century downtown anchors it all in place. About 80 percent of the township is farmland, county or state parks; its over-7,500 preserved farmland acres are the most of any town in New Jersey.
Start in Allentown, which, at .6 square miles, is as much connected to its 47-square-mile neighbor as if they were one (which it was, until 1889). After a slice of pizza at La Piazza Ristorante (11 Church St., 609-208-0640), a cup of fine tea and fresh-baked scone at The Garden Tea Room (4 South Main St., 609-208-1880), or a mini-tour of the borough's deep history (visit allentownnj.com for a self-guided tour), get in your car or bike out of town. By bike is best, where you can truly appreciate just how much land is out there.
Go three miles northeast on Main Street, later Old York Road, and visit the 6,300-acre Assunpink Wildlife Management Area (386 Clarksburg-Robbinsville Road, Robbinsville), which surrounds a massive lake; ride two more miles, make a quick left onto Windsor-Perrineville Road and enjoy some vino at Silver Decoy Winery (609-371-6000) in nearby East Windsor. Go west on Main Street instead, make a quick left onto Route 539 and in minutes arrive at Cream Ridge Winery (609-259-9797), specializing in fruit wines alongside the more traditional reds and whites. Turn right just past the winery to visit Historic Walnford (62 Walnford Road, 609-259-6275), a restored 18th-century village within the 1,400-acre Crosswicks Creek Greenway. Come for a free historical demonstration or a quiet walk along the creek. Or split the difference and take Route 526 for four miles and enjoy a hike at 422-acre Clayton Park (161 Emleys Hill Road, 609-259-5794). Along the way, take in some of the most breathtaking farmland views in New Jersey – and don't forget to take your camera.
Directions:
From Philadelphia – I-95 North to US-1 North, NJ-29 to I-195 East, exit at 8 or 7. (travel time approx: 1 hour)
From New York – New Jersey Transit Northeast Cooridor Line to nearby Hamilton Train Station. From Hamilton, I-295 South to exit 60 B-A to merge onto I-195 East, exit at 8 or 7. (travel time approx: 1 hour 40 minutes)
From Atlantic City – Atlantic City Expressway West to exit 28 for 12th St./NJ-54 toward Trenton/Hammonton; Route 206 North to New Jersey Turnpike, exit 7A to I-195 East, exit at 8 or 7. (travel time approx: 1 hour, 30 minutes).
More information: uftnj.com; allentownnj.com; newjerseywines.com; monmouthcountyparks.com.
- John Dunphy
No comments:
Post a Comment