From the banks of Hudson County to the shores at Cape May and points in between, New Jersey offers an array of experiences engaging all of the senses.
And what better place to start than with the palate. Commencing January 29th, some twenty-nine restaurants are participating in Hudson Restaurant Week, Hoboken and Jersey City. For information call 732-599-3522. Visit http://www.hudsonrestaurantweek.com/. Porto Leggero, famed sister to Scalini Fedeli in Chatham, is among the venues.
Perhaps an evening of contemporary dance in Essex County after a scrumptious meal in neighboring Hudson County. The international acclaimed Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, graces the stage at The New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark, February 3 & 4. For information call 888-466-5722. Visit http://www.njpac.org/.
How about a romantic getaway at anyone of the beautiful Bed & Breakfasts Inns throughout the state. You'll be able to create a custom package to include spa treatment, gourmet dining, golf and wine tastings. For more information, http://www.njinns.com/.
On February 23, come experience the eclectic mix of musical genres with Three Mo' Tenors, Morristown Community Theatre. For information call 973-539-8008. Visit http://www.communitytheatrenj.org/.
Jazz favorites will help usher in spring during the Cape May Jazz Festival, April 20 - 22, 609-884-7277, http://www.capemayjazz.com/.
Nestled in the countryside of Readington, you'll see a kaleidoscope of over 100 hot air balloons of all shapes, sizes, colors and characters at the New Jersey Festival of Ballooning, July 27 -29. For more information call 1-800-HOT-AIR-9, http://www.balloonfestival.com/.
For a memorable afternoon or evening, take a 3-hour tour on a Hudson River cruise, past the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island on Spirit Cruises, 866-399-8439, http://www.spiritofnewyork.com/ or Horizon Cruises, 201-866-7423, http://www.yachtcharternetwork.com/.
For some of the best wine tastings, this side of Napa Valley, come explore the wonders of wine making at Cream Ridge Winery, 609-259-9797, http://www.creamridgewinery.com/.
For a truly remarkable experience, come and make your own wheel of cheese during an artisanal cheese making class at the Valley Shepherd Creamery in Long Valley. Age your wheel of sheep's milk cheese in the creamery's hillside aging cave, then enjoy with friends and family. 908-876-3200, http://www.valleyshepherd.com/.
Come spend a day in a unique setting at Grounds For Sculpture, a 35-acre sculpture park and museum, where more than 230 contemporary sculptures, from monumental to tabletop, can be found on the beautifully landscaped grounds. May plans to enjoy the gourmet Sunday brunch with musical accompaniment. Hamilton, 609-586-0616, http://www.groundsforsculpture.org/.
Tour the Gardens at Duke Farms and see Doris Duke's horticultural vision - 11 gardens featuring designs inspired by diverse cultures and regions of the world. Italian, Colonial, Edwardian, French, English, Chinese, Japanese and Indo-Persian a melange of horticultural designs in one contiguous setting. Hillsborough, 908-722-3700, http://www.dukefarms.org/.
The rich diversity of offerings here represent but a small sampling of what New Jersey has to offer, make it a point to get out and enjoy the bounty.
Make it a great day.
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