theo montgomery author at My Family Travels
Article
New Jersey Has 10 Churches You Should Never Visit After Dark

Let me be upfront with you. I love a good historic church during daylight. Stained glass, wooden pews, that peaceful quiet. But...

Read More    9 min read

Article
12 New Jersey Swimming Spots With Crystal-Clear Water Perfect For Summer 2026

Planning your summer dunk list early is simply what responsible, warm weather enthusiasts do. New Jersey delivers a refreshing...

Read More    10 min read

Article
This New Jersey Spot Serves A Vinny Pie So Good You Will Never Look At Pizza The Same Way

You have a favorite pizza place right now. That is cute. After one night at this Jersey Shore spot, your current favorite will...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Family-Run New Jersey Bakery Has Been Making Authentic Italian Pastries And Panettone For Over 60 Years

Three generations. One New Jersey bakery. Over sixty years of rolling dough and keeping Italian traditions alive. This place...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Secluded New Jersey Estate Offers The Most Breathtaking Rose Garden Every Summer

Looking for a place to stop and smell the roses? This secluded New Jersey estate bursts into bloom every summer with a breathtaking...

Read More    6 min read

Article
The Most Expensive Restaurants In New Jersey That Locals Actually Recommend

Let's be real for a second. Dropping serious cash on dinner only works if the food actually delivers. You want waterfront views...

Read More    9 min read

Article
This New Jersey Steakhouse Used To Be A 1920s Bank And Now Ages Steak In The Original Vault

You know a steakhouse means business when they lock the meat inside an old bank vault. A massive steel door once guarded cash...

Read More    6 min read

Article
The New Jersey Amusement Park That Lets You Walk In For Free And Only Pay For The Rides You Actually Want

Let us be honest. Most amusement parks charge you an arm and a leg just to walk through the gates, even if you only want to people watch.

Read More    7 min read

Article
The Quirky New Jersey Town With A Six-Story Elephant, Ghost Stories, And Beachfront Charm

Imagine a town where a giant wooden elephant watches over the beach like a confused but friendly grandparent. That is the...

Read More    7 min read

Article
The New Jersey Salvage Yard Where Used Headlights Cost A Fraction Of What You Would Pay At A Dealership

Let me be honest with you for a second. Car repairs are rarely fun. You know the feeling when a warning light pops up or something...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This New Jersey Bakery Has Been Handcrafting Legendary Coconut And Almond Macaroons Since 1930

Some recipes are too good to stay in a grandmother's kitchen. This one escaped nearly a century ago and has been making people...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Tranquil New Jersey Escape Offers 1,600 Acres Of Wildflower Meadows In Full Bloom

Slip away to a quiet corner of New Jersey where wildflower meadows stretch as far as the eye can see. With 1,600 acres to...

Read More    6 min read

Article
10 Clearest And Bluest Lakes In New Jersey That Are Almost Too Beautiful To Be Real

New Jersey has a secret stash of swimming holes that look like they were imported from the Caribbean. You will find water...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Old-School New Jersey Deli Feels Like A Trip Straight To Sandwich Heaven

An old school New Jersey deli has been stacking pastrami since 1962. You walk in and the meat speaks first.

Read More    7 min read

Article
You Can Find Balkan Burek, Turkish Coffee, And A Charming Backyard Garden At This Cozy New Jersey Cafe

You do not need a plane ticket to the Balkans. New Jersey has the real thing, hiding behind a quiet storefront. The moment...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Old-School New Jersey Bakery Has Been Perfecting German Family Recipes Since 1890

The smell hits you first. Butter, sugar, and a century of German baking that has not changed since your great grandparents stood in line.

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Tiny New Jersey Dairy Farm Sells Cheese So Fresh You Can Taste The Quality

Most grocery store cheese tastes like it took a very long nap in plastic. This is the opposite. Rolling through the green hills...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Hidden New Jersey Italian Market Features Authentic Pastries, Imported Goods, And Deli-Style Entrees Worth Discovering

The best Italian market in New Jersey hides in plain sight. No flashy signs. No tourist crowds. Just Bagliani's Market doing...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This 625-Acre New Jersey Reservoir Is A Kayaker’s Paradise With Glassy Morning Waters And Herons Gliding By

I had no idea what I was getting into when a friend casually mentioned a reservoir set away in the New Jersey woods. My first...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Bakery In New Jersey Serves Up Freshly Baked Buns Locals Can’t Get Enough Of

This New Jersey bakery started as a pandemic whim and a single Facebook post asking if anyone wanted cinnamon buns. Five years...

Read More    7 min read

Article
The New Jersey Inn With Rooms Straight Out Of A Storybook

Ever wonder what it feels like to sleep in a storybook instead of just reading one? In New Jersey, there’s a place where...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This New Jersey Museum Was Once A Free Black Man’s Home Hiding Freedom Seekers

A hiding spot for freedom seekers. A free Black preacher's home. And it nearly became a parking lot. This quiet house in South...

Read More    6 min read

Article
New Jersey Is Home To The Historic Birthplace Where The Fight For Gender Justice Still Burns Bright

What does it feel like to stand where the fight for equality first sparked into flame? This historic site isn’t just about...

Read More    6 min read

Article
13 Dog-Friendly Beaches Every New Jersey Pet Parent Needs To Know

You know that sad look your dog gives you when you grab your beach bag and leave them behind? Well, New Jersey has good news for both of you.

Read More    10 min read

Article
This New Jersey Diner Serves Over 150 Menu Items With Portions So Generous You’ll Need A Box

You know that feeling when you open a menu and suddenly realize you are going to need two stomachs? That happens here. Locals...

Read More    7 min read

Article
11 Small Town Foodie Trips That Showcase New Jersey’s Culinary Charm

Let's be real: when people think "culinary destination," New Jersey isn't usually the first state that comes to mind, but that's exactly why this list exists.

Read More    8 min read

Article
People Cross The Entire State Of New Jersey For A Taste Of This Legendary Mac And Cheese

If you think mac and cheese is just noodles and dairy, think again. This isn’t your grandma’s casserole; it’s a bubbling,...

Read More    6 min read

Article
New Jersey’s Most Famous Crab Cakes Are Served At This Seaside Restaurant

Guess what? New Jersey’s seaside dining scene has a legend, and it comes in the form of crab cakes. These golden beauties...

Read More    6 min read

Article
The Classic New Jersey Diner Locals Say Serves The State’s Best Comfort Food

Ever wonder why Jersey diners feel more like family reunions than restaurants? The pancakes are so big they could double as...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This 100-Year-Old New Jersey Farm Is Hiding A Hotel For Chickens And The State’s Best Sweet Corn

Move over five-star resorts, because this 100-year-old farm in New Jersey has officially gone to the birds, literally! Have...

Read More    7 min read

Article
New Jersey’s Artistic Retreat Where Workshops And Galleries Spark Inspiration

From hands-on workshops to inspiring galleries, this New Jersey retreat turns creativity into play. Here, artists swap perfection...

Read More    7 min read

Article
The Majestic New Jersey Arboretum Perfect For A Serene Afternoon Away From The Crowds

I know, New Jersey has plenty of green escapes, but this arboretum feels like something special. Strolling the grounds, you’ll...

Read More    7 min read

Article
The Bold New Jersey Pizzeria That Proves You Don’t Have To Cross The Bridge For New York-Level Slices

New Jersey pizza lovers, rejoice! You don’t need to trek across the bridge for a slice that hits all the right notes. This...

Read More    6 min read

Article
The Tucked-Away New Jersey Mansion Garden Where Vibrant Blooms Take Over Every Spring

New Jersey hides a mansion garden that feels like a secret springtime wonderland. Every corner bursts with blooms so vibrant...

Read More    6 min read

Article
The Carne-Guisada At This New Jersey Restaurant Is So Delicious, People Travel Across The State For A Taste

Spicy, saucy, and downright dramatic... this carne guisada is the star of the stew world. Fork meets tender beef, and suddenly...

Read More    7 min read

Article
The 10 Best Cafes In New Jersey For Relaxed Bites And Peaceful Morning Starts

Some mornings, you just need a place that feels like a warm hug before the day gets complicated. I stumbled into my first...

Read More    8 min read

Article
This Legendary New Jersey Diner Is Home To The Most Generous Chicken Platter In The State

There are moments in life when a plate of food lands in front of you and you genuinely forget what you were worried about. That...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This New Jersey Warehouse Is Overflowing With Crystals And Mystical Treasures

Think New Jersey’s warehouses were just for storage? Think again! This one sparkles like a gemstone lover’s dream. I’ll...

Read More    7 min read

Article
The Authentic New Jersey Farmers Market That Has Locals Buzzing Week After Week

If you think farmers markets are just about kale and cash-only stalls, prepare to be deliciously wrong. This buzzing New Jersey...

Read More    6 min read

Article
The Stunning 365-Day New Jersey Garden Where Every Season Has A Story To Tell

Step into a slice of New Jersey where nature refuses to take a day off. Imagine a garden that reinvents itself 365 times a...

Read More    7 min read

Article
The Last True 1950s Confectionery In New Jersey Where Milkshakes Are Still Hand-Spun In Metal Tins

If you think time travel is impossible, you clearly haven’t stepped through the doors of this New Jersey legend where the decor hasn’t flinched since the Eisenhower administration....

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Mom-And-Pop New Jersey Spot Serves Award-Winning Pies That Locals Swear Are Straight From Heaven

Ever notice how diners in New Jersey seem to have pies that could double as therapy sessions? Walk in and you’ll see locals...

Read More    6 min read

Article
The Only New Jersey Farm Where You Can Shop The Nation’s Top-Rated Market Every Saturday

If you’ve ever wandered through New Jersey on a Saturday morning, you know the smell of fresh bread and sizzling breakfast sandwiches can practically pull you out of bed.

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Small Island Off The New Jersey Coast Holds The Stories Of Countless American Beginnings

Walking into this massive brick hall in the middle of the harbor is a profound experience, as it marks the exact location where the American journey began for over 12 million people....

Read More    6 min read

Article
This New Jersey Diner Delivers Hearty Meals, Sweet Treats, And A Welcoming Atmosphere Every Time

New Jersey diners are proof that elastic waistbands were invented for a reason. The plates are huge, the desserts are unapologetically sweet, and the coffee flows like it’s trying...

Read More    6 min read

Article
12 No-Frills Restaurants In New Jersey With Barbeque That’s Worth Every Bite

There are few things in life more satisfying than stumbling onto a place with sticky fingers, smoky air, and a tray of ribs that makes you forget everything else.

Read More    9 min read

Article
The Massive Cheeseburger At This New Jersey Restaurant Might Just Become Your Obsession

My stomach was growling loud enough to embarrass me on a crowded street, and all I had was a vague tip from a friend who simply said, "Go left."

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Picture-Perfect Covered Bridge In New Jersey Deserves A Road Trip

There are road trips you plan for months, and then there are the ones where you just point the car somewhere and hope for magic.

Read More    6 min read

Article
Why Seniors Are Flocking To This Affordable New Jersey Retirement Haven

So, what’s pulling seniors toward this slice of New Jersey? Imagine swapping traffic for tree-lined streets, and long commutes for leisurely strolls.

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Massive New Jersey Traveling Market Turns $25 Into A Treasure Hunt For Punk Rock Art, Vinyl, And Weird Curiosities

You know those places in New Jersey where shopping feels more like an adventure than a chore? This traveling market is exactly that.

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Serene New Jersey Escape Feels Like Wandering Through A Storybook Forest

Honestly, my expectations were somewhere between "a few trees and a bench" and "getting mildly lost near a parking lot." What...

Read More    7 min read

Article
The New Jersey Fish Market Where The Famous Hand-Picked Lobster Roll Is Served Straight From The Docks To Your Plate

I swear seafood tastes different when you can still smell the ocean on it. Walk into a New Jersey fish market and it feels like the docks came along for the ride.

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Roadside New Jersey BBQ Joint Serves Loaded Smokehouse Plates That Barely Fit On The Tray

There are places in New Jersey you drive past a hundred times before finally giving in, and the second you do, you’re annoyed you waited so long.

Read More    7 min read

Article
13 New Jersey Restaurants So Remote They Turn The Drive Into Part Of The Adventure

Last summer, I punched an address into my GPS and ended up on a dirt road flanked by pine trees so tall they blocked out the sun entirely. My first thought was that I had made...

Read More    9 min read

Article
This Tiny New Jersey Italian Deli Feels Like A Neighborhood Secret From 50 Years Ago

New Jersey’s got plenty of delis, but this one feels like stepping straight into your grandma’s kitchen circa 1975. The...

Read More    6 min read

Article
Take This Simple New Jersey Hike To Discover A Lost Railroad And Deserted Village

Ever stumble onto a trail and wonder, “Wait, how did this even get here?” That’s the fun of hiking in New Jersey; you...

Read More    7 min read

Article
The New Jersey Beach Where Birdwatchers Flock For Rare Sightings

I didn’t realize New Jersey could make birdwatching feel like a real adventure. One moment you’re just walking the beach,...

Read More    6 min read

Article
This Underrated Small Town In New Jersey Is Perfect For A Low-Cost Weekend Adventure

I love how New Jersey keeps surprising me with places that don’t drain your wallet but still pack in plenty of fun. This...

Read More    7 min read

Article
A Charming And Affordable New Jersey Town You Probably Haven’t Heard Of

If you’ve ever daydreamed about finding that perfect little spot where friendly faces greet you at the corner store, where the cost of living feels like a gentle surprise, and...

Read More    7 min read

Article
This Stunning Boardwalk Hike Is New Jersey’s Best Kept Secret For Outdoor Lovers

Some trails are all about the grind, but this one is pure relaxation. The boardwalk winds through marshes and forests like nature’s own lazy river.

Read More    8 min read