Sussex County, New Jersey - A Visitors Guide
Sussex County is the northern most county in New Jersey tucked along the border with New York state on the north, and the Delaware River on the west.
The county is part of New Jersey's Skylands Region and is one of NJ's most rural, mountainous, and forested counties.
The county is very popular as a tourist destination for a vacation, a weekend getaway, or day trip during any one of the four seasons. The scenic landscape with mountains, lakes, rivers, and rural farms, offers visitors a wide variety of things to see and do.
Things To See and Do in Sussex County, NJ
Sussex, NJ
(973) 875-4800
Website
High Point State Park, located in the Kittatinny Mountains, has the highest elevation in the state at 1,803 feet, It includes the state's first Natural Area, the Dryden Kuser Natural Area, the highest elevation cedar swamp, a popular X-country ski area, and the 220-foot obelisk War veterans monument with four small windows where observers have a view of the ridges of the Pocono Mountains toward the west, the Catskill Mountains to the north and the Wallkill River Valley in the southeast.
The park offers a variety of interpretive and educational programs on a year-round basis. Nature hikes, stream walks and talks are conducted by the park naturalist. Other activities include: Camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, and swimming in the spring-fed waters of the 20-acre Lake Marcia.
30 Plant Street
Ogdensburg, NJ
973-209-7212
Website
The mining museum features a 1,300-ft underground walking tour through the mine where visitors can discover the equipment used while the mine was in operation and exhibits on the mining process including the 5,000 sq./ft. Zobel Exhibit Hall with over 20,000 mining related items, the miners lamp room, the shaft station, mine galleries dating to the 1830's. Also, for children the Rock & Fossil Discovery Center with fluorescent mineral displays, fossils, gemstones, carvings, and everyday objects, and more. They also offer educational group tours for school classes, scout groups, summer camps, vacation tour groups, snack bar and gift shop, etc.
Route 94
Vernon, NJ 07462
201-827-2000
Website
This year round resort is home to New Jersey's largest and most popular ski resort for skiers, snow borders, and snow tubers. During the summer months, the mountain is opens it's water park. There is also more than 10 miles of single track, double track and fire road trails that wind through the woods around their mountaintop lakes. Overnight lodging is is available year round at The Appalachian & Black Creek Sanctuary (see below) at the base of Vernon Peak.
234 Spring St
Newton, NJ
(973) 383-3700
Website
Located in the county seat of Sussex County, this 605 seat performing arts theatre is dedicated to providing programs that educate, entertain and inspire all audiences regardless of ethnicity, age or income level
The Delaware River is the most popular river in New Jersey for recreational use. A great weekend getaway for active, adventuresome travelers. The clean, clear waters of the River and it's cold tributary streams support a landscape rich in fish and wildlife and the scenic vistas of the Delaware Water Gap. Popular recreational activities include: kayaking, canoeing, rafting, fishing, camping, and hiking:
Take a Delaware river trip on a canoe, kayak or raft
Kittatinny Canoes
Dingmans Base
2130 State Route 739
Dingmans Ferry, PA 18328
800-356-2852
Website
Hike Mt. Tammany - Delaware Water Gap
Worthington State Forest
Kittatinny Point Visitor center
908-496-4458
Website
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult. One of the most popular trails in New Jersey. It traverses the Appalachian Trail and offers great panoramic views of the Delaware Water Gap and Mt. Minsi across the Delaware River in Pennsylvania. The Red Dot Trail is the more steeper at 1.2 miles to the summit. The Blue Dot Trail is more gradual and a little longer at 1.4 miles. At the top of the summit you will reach Indian head be rewarded with an awesome, much photographed panoramic view of the Gap.
Parking/Trail head: Begin your journey by first stopping at the Kittatinny Point Visitor center. In early fall it's open only 3 days a week. Take Route 80 west to Exit 1 and bear left 1/4 mile. On the right there is a sign for Dunnfield Creek Natural Area. There is a parking lot on the right, then a large main lot in the center.
The Old Mine Road is a scenic route recorded in the National Register of Historic Places and is considered to be one of the oldest roads in the United States, running 104 miles from the southern most point at Kittatinny Point Visitor Center in Hardwick Township, NJ to Kingston, NY. The most pristine and historic segment of this route is in New Jersey covering a length 40 miles through The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area in Northwest New Jersey.
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50 Neilson Road & 4-H Trail
Wantage, NJ
Website
The Farm is representative of a past era of New Jersey's rural heritage. It is worth a visit to enjoy awesome scenic vistas, intriguing geology, fields and pastures, ponds, woodland and barnyards. The site contains 23 buildings including the Turner Mansion (a.k.a. Manorhouse), the Manager's Dwelling, the spectacular Outlook Lodge and the dairy barn and farm structures. Throughout the year, Lusscroft Farm offers visitors a wide variety of seasonal events and tours.
Sussex County Exhibits, Festivals, and Events
Throughout the year, Sussex County is home to many popular festivals Including:
New Jersey State Fair/Sussex County Farm and Horse Show
Held August of each year
Website
The Sussex County Arts & Heritage Council
133 Spring Street,
Newton , NJ 07860
973-383-0027
Website
The host a variety of exhibits and events throughout the year dedicated to fostering and promoting the artistic and cultural vitality of Sussex County.
Places To Stay When Visiting Sussex County, NJ
Vernon, NJ
A luxury hotel and vacation condo rental for visitors to Mountain Creek and the surrounding area. Offers slope side accommodations right at the base of Vernon Peak. The Appalachian offers spacious studio, one and two bedroom units complete with kitchens, working fireplaces and mountainside views. The Vernon Valley area offers good dining options, 12 golf courses, antiquing, wineries, horseback riding, apple orchards, quaint shops, stunning state parks, the Space Farms zoo, hiking and of course, world-class snowboarding, skiing and snow tubing in the winter at Mountain Creek. Ideal for a family getaway or romantic weekend.
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Vernon, NJ
The covered porch offers a seasonal view of Vernon Valley and the Pochuck Mountains. Reserve one of the romantic suites with a stone gas fireplace and a two person Jacuzzi tub.
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Belvidere, NJ
The scenic town of Belvidere is a charming Victorian town located on the banks of the Delaware and Pequest Rivers. This 34 room restored hotel from the early 1800's comes with old world charm.
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Hamburg, NJ
A luxury hotel in located in the Crystal Springs Resort with amenities that include indoor & outdoor heated pools, mineral spa, and a fitness center. The interior features elegant wooden beams, natural stonework, and forest-green colors that blend in with the surrounding mountains and forested surroundings. During the colder months, reserve one of the rooms with a gas fireplace.
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Columbia, NJ
Located on 17 acres , this B&B offers lodging near the Delaware River National Recreation Area, the Appalachian Trail, the Lakota Wolf Preserve, and the Paulinskill Valley Trail.
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Newton, NJ
Located on 10 acres in the rolling hills of rural Sussex County, this charming mini-estate is an ideal place for a quiet romantic getaway. Reserve one of the four deluxe rooms with a two-person soaking tub, a fireplace, and a private balcony.
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Stanhope, NJ
Built in 1905, this romantic B&B Victorian home is ideal for relaxing on the porch rockers or for taking a nap in the side-porch hammock. Suites have fireplaces and whirlpool tubs for two. Massage services are also available
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