Lafayette Township New JerseyATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Lafayette Township, New Jersey.
1. Lafayette Mill Antiques Center
VINTAGE TREASURE TROVE
Lafayette Mill Antiques Center offers an upscale selection of vintage and antique items that has made it a top attraction in Lafayette Township. Visitors can explore multiple floors filled with unique finds from various vendors, creating what many describe as 'a feast for the eyes.' The friendly owners are happy to share information about their collections, making it an educational experience for antique enthusiasts.
2. Skylands Museum of Art
LOCAL ART SHOWCASE
Skylands Museum of Art showcases a diverse collection of artwork with a focus on local and regional talents. The museum provides a cultural experience in the heart of Lafayette Township with rotating exhibitions throughout the year. Visitors can appreciate various artistic styles and media while learning about the creative heritage of the area.
3. The Shoppes At Lafayette
BOUTIQUE SHOPPING DESTINATION
The Shoppes At Lafayette features a collection of boutique stores offering everything from handcrafted gifts to repurposed goods. This shopping destination has become a must-visit for those seeking unique items and local craftsmanship. Visitors can spend hours browsing through the various shops housed in charming buildings that add to the overall shopping experience.
4. Sweet P.E.A.'s Antiques & Decoratives
CURATED VINTAGE FINDS
Sweet P.E.A.'s Antiques & Decoratives specializes in carefully selected vintage items and decorative pieces with character and charm. The shop offers a more curated experience compared to larger antique centers, with each item thoughtfully displayed. Visitors appreciate the quality of merchandise and the opportunity to find unique decorative elements for their homes.
5. Farmstead Golf & Country Club
PREMIER GOLFING EXPERIENCE
Farmstead Golf & Country Club is recognized as one of the finest golf clubs in New Jersey, offering beautiful courses set against the scenic backdrop of the Sussex Skylands. The club features well-maintained fairways and greens that challenge golfers of various skill levels throughout the year. Beyond golf, the country club offers dining facilities where visitors can relax after a round on the course.
6. Lafayette Cemetery
HISTORIC RESTING PLACE
Lafayette Cemetery, established in 1828, provides visitors with a glimpse into the township's rich history through its historic gravestones and monuments. The cemetery becomes a focal point during the popular Lafayette Haunted Cemetery Tours, where local ghost stories and historical accounts are shared with visitors. Its peaceful grounds serve both as a place of remembrance and as a living museum of local heritage.
7. Painted Silo Mural
ROADSIDE ART LANDMARK
The Painted Silo Mural stands proudly along Route 15 as a colorful welcome to visitors entering Lafayette Township. Completed in July 2017 at a cost of $13,000, this public art project was initiated by the Lafayette Preservation Foundation and supported by the Township Committee. The vibrant artwork has quickly become a beloved local landmark that adds character to the community and serves as a point of pride for residents.
8. Paulinskill Valley Rail Trail
HISTORIC RAILWAY PATH
The Paulinskill Valley Rail Trail runs for 27 miles partially through Lafayette Township along the former New York-Susquehanna and Western Railroad route. This multi-use trail is home to more than 100 species of birds, making it a paradise for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers throughout the seasons. Visitors can enjoy biking, horseback riding, hiking, and cross-country skiing along this historic corridor that once connected the region to Jersey City.
9. Ludlam-Mabee House
HISTORIC DISTRICT STARTING POINT
The Ludlam-Mabee House serves as the starting point for tours of Lafayette's historic district, which received official state recognition in 2013. This well-preserved historic building at 115 Route 15 anchors a district that encompasses 60 buildings, six sites, 13 structures, and two objects spread along Route 15. Visitors can experience guided tours from this location that reveal the rich architectural and cultural heritage of Lafayette Township.
10. High Point State Park
PANORAMIC MOUNTAIN VIEWS
High Point State Park, located near Lafayette Township, features the highest elevation in New Jersey with spectacular panoramic views extending into multiple states. The park is crowned by the High Point Monument, a 220-foot obelisk commemorating war veterans that visitors can climb for even more breathtaking vistas. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy the park's extensive trail system for hiking, as well as opportunities for swimming, fishing, and camping during appropriate seasons.
11. Bear Swamp Wildlife Management Area
PRISTINE NATURE PRESERVE
Bear Swamp Wildlife Management Area provides a pristine natural environment for wildlife observation and outdoor recreation near Lafayette Township. This protected area features diverse habitats including wetlands, forests, and fields that support a wide variety of plant and animal species. Visitors can enjoy hunting (in season with proper permits), fishing, hiking, and wildlife photography in this less-developed natural setting.
12. Stokes State Forest
EXPANSIVE WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE
Stokes State Forest encompasses over 16,000 acres of pristine wilderness in the nearby Kittatinny Mountains, offering visitors from Lafayette Township access to extensive outdoor recreation opportunities. The forest features dramatic landscapes including the famous Tillman Ravine and Buttermilk Falls, some of New Jersey's most picturesque natural features. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy camping, swimming, hiking along the Appalachian Trail, fishing, hunting, and winter activities like cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
13. Swartswood Lake
HISTORIC RECREATIONAL LAKE
Swartswood Lake, New Jersey's first state park established in 1915, offers a serene water recreation destination near Lafayette Township. The 500-acre lake provides opportunities for swimming at a lifeguarded beach, boating, fishing, and picnicking along its scenic shoreline. Visitors appreciate the lake's relatively undeveloped surroundings and the variety of fish species including largemouth bass, pickerel, catfish, and various panfish that make it popular with anglers.
14. Delaware Water Gap
MAJESTIC RIVER VALLEY
The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area features a dramatic natural water gap where the Delaware River cuts through the Kittatinny Mountain Ridge, creating spectacular views accessible from the Lafayette Township area. This 70,000-acre park preserves both natural and cultural features along 40 miles of the middle Delaware River. Visitors can enjoy hiking, swimming, boating, fishing, camping, and exploring historic villages that reveal the area's rich cultural history.
15. Crooked Swamp Caves
MYSTERIOUS NATURAL FORMATION
The Crooked Swamp Caves offer adventurous visitors to Lafayette Township a chance to explore unusual natural formations with local geological significance. These mysterious caves have generated local folklore and attract those interested in both natural science and local legends. Explorers should come prepared with proper equipment and preferably local guidance when visiting these less-developed natural attractions.