This New Jersey Scenic Byway Is The Road Trip Of A Lifetime
There’s no better way to get to know a state than taking a road trip through its backways and byways, seeing its landscapes unfold before you, and learning the stories of its small towns. The Bayshore Heritage Byway in New Jersey showcases the best of the Garden State, passing through 11 historic districts, waterfront communities, iconic landmarks, and picturesque recreation areas. The route has no shortage of dazzling views either, from rugged sand dunes to coastal marshes bursting with wildlife and from dense forests to pastoral farmlands.
Driving the byway straight through takes just a few hours, but there’s so much to see, explore, and enjoy that we’ve created a two-day itinerary to help visitors make the most of the trip. With suggestions on where to stop, places to eat, and accommodation, our guide will help you plan the road trip of a lifetime.
Know Before You Go
The Bayshore Heritage Byway sneaks along the southernmost border of the state, running east by the shoreline of Delaware Bay before turning south to the Cape May peninsula. The road is open year-round; however, some attractions listed may have seasonal hours, so it’s best to check before you set off.
The byway is part of the Coastal Heritage Trail and is 122 miles if you stick to the signposted route, but increases to 142 miles if detouring to parks, lighthouses, and other sites off the main drag. The trail is well-marked, just look for the eye-catching Bayshore Heritage Byway signs, which feature a colorful image of a seagull with a fish.
Day One: Pennsville to Fortescue
Start your journey west of Pennsville at the scenic and historic Fort Mott State Park. Built in the 1890s, the fort guarded the Delaware River until it was decommissioned at the end of World War II. Today, you can tour the grounds to see its towering gun batteries, visit the park museum, or just take a wander on one of the beautiful waterfront hiking trails.
It’s a short drive from Fort Mott to Salem, the oldest permanent English-speaking settlement on the Delaware River and home to the country’s second-oldest courthouse in continuous use. Built in 1735, the Old Salem County Courthouse is a short walk from the Salem County Historical Society Museum, founded in 1884 and home to over 10,000 objects collected throughout the centuries.
Salem is also a good spot to grab a snack before continuing the next section of the journey. Enjoy classic diner fare in retro surroundings at the Salem Oak Diner, an old-school eatery located in a classic 1950s airstream.
After fueling up, get back on the road to see another legendary landmark, the Hancock House. This grand Quaker home was built in 1734 and has a sad history. In the early hours of a March morning in 1778 ,British-led soldiers stormed the house, believing it to be the headquarters of the militia, and massacred the family inside. Toda,y the house is a museum that tells the story of the Hancocks, the Revolutionary era in Salem, and the Quaker movement.
Get your camera ready for the next leg of the journey. The Bayside Tract Preservation Site covers over 4,000 acres, making it one of the country’s largest privately funded wetlands preservation sites. Aside from offering gorgeous sweeping views of Delaware Bay, the park is also a birder’s paradise — keep your eyes on the sky and you might just see a bald eagle soaring above the treetops.
It’s a short hop east to the next large town, Bridgeton. It’s worth spending a few hours in this lively city to see the sights. Visit Potter’s Tavern, a National Historic Landmark, to see a restored 1700s drinking house where pre-Revolutionary dissidents once gathered. If you’ve kids or animal-lovers with you, take a trip to the Cohanzick Zoo. New Jersey’s oldest zoo, the facility began in 1934 with a small herd of deer. Today, it’s home to animals from around the globe, including Sassy, the Vietnamese Pot-Bellied Pig, and Rishi, the Bengal Tiger.
From Bridgeton, head 15 miles south to Fortescue, your final stop for the night. Here you’ll find historic accommodation right on the water. The Charlesworth Hotel and Restaurant is a century-old property with panoramic views of Delaware Bay from its spacious deck. Comprising a boutique inn and award-winning restaurant, the Charlesworth is a tucked-away retreat perfect for roadtrippers.
Day Two: Fortescue to Cape May
The latter half of the byway is all about the outdoors. Moving towards the cape, the towns thin out and the stunning coastal landscape unfolds in every direction. Make a quick pitstop at the Turkey Point Viewing Area and walk the footbridge to an observation platform for views over the vast salt marsh, cedar trees, and bayberry bushes.
Next stop is the Bayshore Center at Bivalve, a two-in-one attraction that houses both the Delaware Bay Museum and New Jersey’s official tall ship, the A. J. Meerwald, a 1920s oyster schooner. Take a sail on the schooner, pick up a souvenir at the gift shop, and taste the bay’s legendary oysters at the Oyster Cracker Cafe.
The byway continues on to its last leg at Cape May, where you’ll find Historic Cold Spring Village, the largest open-air living history museum in the state. The painstakingly reconstructed 1800s village occupies a 30-acre site filled with over 20 buildings, including a woodworking shop, jail, school, blacksmiths, country store, and more. Tours and live demonstrations are available, and there are plenty of places to grab refreshments, including the 1804 barn-turned-brewery, village bakery, and ice cream parlour.
Your journey ends at Cape May State Point Park, a 244-acre paradise of beaches, meadows, sand dunes, and forests. Highlights of the park include the 157ft lighthouse, which was built in 1859. You can climb the steps inside to enjoy incredible views over the cape. The park also features a World War II Gun Battery, hiking paths, and picnic areas. If you visit in the late summer or fall, you may be lucky enough to catch the annual monarch migration as these beautiful butterflies gather at Cape May before making their way south to Mexico.
History, Heritage, and Habitats in New Jersey
Settled by European pioneers, shaped by the Revolutionary War, and home to some of the most diverse coastal habitats in the country, New Jersey is the perfect place to go adventuring, and its Bayshore Heritage Trail provides the ideal route. Tour an 1800s fort, visit the state’s first zoo, set sail on a 1920s schooner, eat fresh oysters, and climb a historic lighthouse. Unforgettable memories are made at every stop on this fascinating and scenic road trip. With so much to do, see, and learn, this is a trip for everyone. Take the family, plan a couple’s weekend, or hit the road with friends; the ultimate New Jersey road trip offers something for every traveller.
