Who said Jersey is one big sprawl? We have a ton of walkable towns – places where you can get to work, grab a beer, or hit some stores without getting in a car. Some of these towns are playgrounds for lovers of boutique shopping. Others are pretty gritty, and could use some love. But they are all authentic places, with real history, and a strong sense of place. Last year, we set the original Walkable Holiday Quiz (click here to play the 2015 quiz again). And now we’re doing it again! Your clue is that all these towns are in and around Central NJ. See how many you can get right!
#1. See photo above. What walkable place is this?
Clue: Possibly the only town in New Jersey to have regular rail service using a steam locomotive!
#2. What walkable place is this?
Clue: Formerly known (in colonial times) as ‘Smithfield’ and ‘Queenstown’. Until recently, it was the only ‘dry’ town in Mercer County.
#3. What walkable place is this?
Clue: The first free public school in New Jersey was set up in 1852 in this town, by Clara Barton, who also founded the American Red Cross.
#4. What walkable place is this?
Clue: Current location of the famous ‘De Lorenzo’s Tomato Pies’, apparently much-loved by US Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, who grew up nearby.
#5. What walkable place is this?
Clue: Dedicated a new pedestrianized street in its downtown in 2013…
#6. What walkable place is this?
Clue: Since 2008, it has been the site of the annual ‘New Jersey Zombie Walk’, which attracts thousands of participants.
#7. What walkable place is this?
Clue: This town features a number of high Victorian-style homes on Stockton Street. Tours are offered by the local historical society every year.
#8. What walkable place is this?
Clue: Has a park designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, who also designed Central Park in New York City, and is considered ‘the father of landscape architecture’.
How did you do? What is your favorite walkable place in Jersey?