Adventures in South Jersey

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Adventures in South Jersey

Fun things to do and great places to eat! As a Realtor, South Jersey is my office and my playground!

Adventures in South Jersey will show you fun things to do and great places to eat! As a Realtor and resident, South Jersey is my office and my playground! When I show homes for sale in the area, I am often asked “Where should we eat?” Or “What can we do for fun?” We live in such a special region filled with amazing restaurants and tons of activities. It is my mission to visit them all and serve as a local guide to anyone who wants to have their own Adventures in South Jersey!

03/13/2025

Update CANCELED: NJ State Park Service has CANCELED the Open Tower Day on March 15

The middle of March is the perfect time of year for an adventure to climb the Apple Pie Hill Fire Tower! The NJ State Park Service is hosting an Open Tower Day from 6am to 4pm on Saturday March 15. https://batstovillage.org/march-happenings-at-wharton-state-forest/ This tower is closed to the public unless a fire ranger is on duty. It used to be open but people had wild parties there over the years. The first time my wife and I drove out there, we lucked out and a ranger let us climb up. That’s when I realized I was afraid of heights. So a few years later we went back for an Open Tower Day. I highly recommend if you can go without a crowd because we had to wait in line for about an hour or so. Since the tower is on a hill, it’s one of the highest points in the pines and on a clear day you can see AC, Philly, and NYC. The highlight of our adventure was facing my fear of heights and being able to enjoy the view! It was scarier when we did it alone, with a crowd I felt more comfortable. There’s a small parking lot so you can drive but people also like to hike in on the Batona Trail from Rt 532 or from Carranza Memorial. If you drive in, I suggest taking Ringler Ave. After our climb we like to have a celebratory drink at Mayos Halfway House. If you’re looking for a thrilling adventure with breathtaking views, climb the Apple Pie Hill Fire Tower! 🍎🥧🔥🗼

02/28/2025

My wife and I like to have our Valentine’s Day dinner a few days early to avoid the crowds, so a few weeks ago, we had an adventure at The Monterey Grill! This is a fairly new establishment, the event space in the Aloft hotel has been converted into an elegant setting. I made an early reservation so we had the place to ourselves for a little while. To drink I had Spellbound IPAs, my wife had a bottle of Fleur De Mer rosé, and we shared a smoked old-fashioned. Our appetizer was the angry cashew shrimp. We decided to share an entrée, the 16 ounce dry aged, New York strip steak. We then added a buttered lobster tail, seared scallops, and a side of lump crab fried rice. The steak was decent, and everything else was delicious. The highlight of our adventure was trying to figure out why the other patrons were there. It was snowing heavily and it was the middle of the week so we were probably the only locals enjoying an early romantic dinner. There were some hotel guests dining solo and several groups in varying sizes. Our waiter told us that the large group in the private room were all doctors attending the same conference. That piqued our interest so we started paying attention the guests coming in. So whether you’re looking for a romantic date night, a fancy celebration for your employees, or a good meal when you’re staying at the Aloft hotel, go to the Monterey Grill! 🥩🦞❤️🏨

09/08/2024

Brightest rainbow I’ve ever seen!

04/03/2024

My wife and I had an adventure at Briglia's Tavern in Berlin when we came in for Chef’s Tasting Thursday! This quaint little gem is on Route 73 near the expressway and it’s the perfect stop if you’re headed home from AC. We only live about 15 minutes away so we like to make Briglias our fine dining destination in the middle of a dive bar tour. The food there is always delicious! Chef Matt AKA Matty B knows how to cook and he’s constantly offering a variety of specials in addition to a full menu. Our first time there we sat at the bar, watched them make some tasty drinks, ordered a Ribeye, and had a great time chatting with everyone. When we went back for the Chef’s Tasting we sat in the cozy dining room. They also have outdoor seating and a large enclosed tent. We had Fried Tomato Scallop Caprese and Shrimp/Scallops wrapped in bacon for the appetizers along with a Garden Salad and French Onion Soup. For the entrees we chose Chilean Seabass Portofino and Parma Lamb Chops wrapped in prosciutto. We ended the meal with Chef Matt’s famous Tiramisu, which is my wife’s favorite and the highlight of our adventure! I also heard about their roast beef sandwiches so I got one for lunch when I was around there for work the other day. Don’t be fooled by its humble exterior, next time you’re looking for fine dining and a welcoming atmosphere, give Briglia’s Tavern a try! 🥩🍝🍹🍰

11/22/2023

At the end of October we had an adventure at our “favorite gourmet dive bar” when we went to The village pub Tabernacle NJ for tomahawk steak night! When you take your first look, you may hesitate to go inside, but we’ve been going to this south jersey treasure for years. When I saw they were having tomahawk steak night, I made a reservation right away. I’m glad I did because they sold out weeks before the 2 night event. A 42 ounce steak with crab meat and vodka sauce and sides for $100! Their combination of amazing food and incredible prices can’t be beat. We always start off the bacon wrapped scallops. Chef Andre has weekend specials so the food is always different and delicious! We loved the shrimp, clams, mussels and crabmeat served over pasta in marinara sauce, the cast iron lamb chops, and the pan seared ahi tuna and shrimp with teriyaki marinade! Some of our friends that live in Tabernacle order food here several times a week. We live 15 minutes away so after a day in LBI or an afternoon of bar hopping, we usually stop here for dinner. The food is great, the prices are great, but the highlight of our adventure is always the great people! From the staff to the patrons, everyone is so friendly and we really enjoy the atmosphere of simple country living. So take a trip through the farms and pinelands to The Village Pub and experience your favorite gourmet dive bar! 🚜🌲🪓🥩

10/23/2023

At the end of the summer I took my parents and my nieces on an adventure to meet Big Rusty! This sculpture was made by Dutch artist Thomas Dambo from recycled materials gathered at the site of an old pottery factory in Hainesport. To reach Big Rusty we drove down a short dirt road off Rt 38 just past the Diamond Diner. The creator, who says Rusty is female, posted a sign that warns not to feed her. The underlying message is that this monster will only get bigger and bigger by eating the garbage that we all leave behind. Thomas Dambo has constructed over 100 trolls around the world in hope to inspire everybody to have fun and think of trash as a valuable resource. To see more of these trash trolls visit his website and follow him on social media. We were able to park close by so this is an easy adventure for anyone, even my dad who needs help walking. I believe there’s a path to come by boat on the Rancocas Creek if you’re looking for more of a challenge. It was cool to walk through the abandoned factory and see all the graffiti. The highlight of our adventure was seeing the look on my dads face when he first laid eyes on Big Rusty! I didn’t tell my family where we were going, just come with Uncle Scotty, it’s a surprise. Even my nieces thought it was a cool little trip, we also stopped for lunch nearby. If you’re in the Hainesport area and have 30 minutes to spare you should stop by and check her out. Just remember, DON’T FEED BIG RUSTY! 👹🗑️♻️🎨

10/06/2023

Whenever my wife and I are out and about in Atco, we have a craft beer adventure at Brotherton Brewing Company! We’ve been enjoying their beers since 2016 when they only had a production facility in Shamong. Their name is cleverly derived from the historically significant land they started on. Brotherton was the name of America’s first Indian reservation which was established in 1758 to promote peace between the Native Americans and the colonists. As the beers gained popularity they expanded to a new facility with a tap room in 2020. This is another historical location, built in 1924 and serving as the first firehouse in Atco. They did a great job with the renovations, it’s an impressive building! We like the Brotherton IPA, Pine Barrens Pilsner, and Swarthy Invader Stout. Our favorite beer is the 8.4% Jersey Devil IPA! There’s a bar inside with plenty of TVs and a spacious outdoor patio. They often have live music and food trucks. When we went in the summer the highlight of our adventure was the peach and strawberry hard seltzer slushies! If you’re looking for great beers with a touch of history, check out Brotherton Brewing Company!
🍺☸️🚒👹

10/05/2023

Every year to celebrate our anniversary, my wife and I have a fine dining adventure at The ChopHouse! We got married nearby at Lakeside Manor but the venue closed in 2019. We love that there’s an amazing restaurant with a breathtaking view just across the lake. First we ordered the pork belly with peaches and brown sugar, it was the best we’ve ever had! To drink I had the Bonesaw Swoosh IPA and my wife had the Old Fashioned which was smoked table side. In previous years we really enjoyed the colossal king crab legs which should be returning to the menu soon. For the main course we had the New York Strip with a lobster tail and they made it so easy to share. Every steak is aged for at least 28 days in a temperature controlled locker giving it more flavor. This time we tried Kona crusted and, as always, it was delicious! We also tried their baked cauliflower, a seasonal side with a creamy cheese sauce and bacon. When you’re at the ChopHouse, you can tell by the ambiance that many of the guests as there for something important, not just an ordinary meal. It’s nice to see people celebrating birthdays or anniversaries but our favorite is watching the couples that are trying to navigate their first date. We always enjoy the food but the highlight of our adventure is dining with such an incredible view! We like to end the night with a walk around Lakeside Manor. The site is slowly being cleaned up but the iconic smokestacks from the Paint Works of the 1800s still remain. If you are you looking for an incredible steak and an awesome view, make a reservation at the ChopHouse! 🥩🦞🥃🌅

10/04/2023

On Saturday morning we had ourselves an adventure at Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge when we attended their annual Trails, Tails, and Ales event! Growing up in Medford I have fond memories of this place. As a kid in the 80s and 90s I was a regular visitor, taking school field trips, working as a volunteer in scouting, and taking injured wild animals to their hospital with my parents whenever we found one that needed help. Today I still live in Medford and my recent trip there made me realize that I take this wonderful place, that’s practically in my backyard, for granted. If you want to immerse yourself in nature, purchase a daily pass and walk over 3 miles of hiking trails where you can spot all sorts of creatures in the wild. You will also see animals in the enclosures that are being rehabilitated along with some that are not able to be released like their resident bald eagle. There is a nature center that has several exhibits, a reptile room, and a gift shop. They offer many programs for schools, scouts, and other groups including private events and birthday parties. The best part about Cedar Run is their Wildlife Hospital! For decades people have been bringing injured or abandoned wildlife that is native to New Jersey. This all started in 1951 when Jim and Betty Woodford purchased the land and in 1957 founded Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge. Every year they treat over 6,300 wild animals! They don’t receive any government funding so donations are greatly appreciated. Visit their website for more information including programs and events. We were there over the weekend for the Trails, Tails, and Ales 5k Fun Run and Beer Garden. The highlight of my adventure was running my first race ever and the highlight of my wife’s adventure was being the first one in the beer garden! Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge is great for nature lovers of all ages and is truly a local treasure of the pines! 🦅🐢🏥🌲

09/27/2023

My wife and I were out to dinner near Glassboro so we had an adventure at one of our favorite South Jersey breweries, Axe and Arrow Brewing! Located in Glassboro’s Town Square, surrounded by options for great food, they have been brewing delicious beers since 2019. We absolutely love their IPAS, like Splatter Brain, Funk Face, and The Axe. Around 4 times a year they brew my favorite IPA ever, Smooth Sailing, a hazy triple coming in at 9.8% with a silky smooth taste! There’s a bar and private tables in the tasting room along with a patio to sip outside while you take in the scenery. Whenever we go to to Axe and Arrow we make new friends that give great recommendations. They also make hard teas along with hard seltzers called Fizzy Wooder, which is a joke about how we say Water here in South Jersey. They are always coming up with new flavors and variations of their beverages so you’re trying something new but you already know you’re gonna like it. The highlight of our adventure was the colorful cards that artfully showcase each drink when you order a flight! We have been collecting them for years. If you want to go to a brewery that has more than just beer and is constantly improving their delicious beverages, you need to give Axe and Arrow Brewing a try. It’s sure to hit bullseye!🪓🏹🍺🎯

09/26/2023

It was a rainy Saturday afternoon and I just finished showing homes nearby, so I had an adventure getting hoagies at Verchio's Produce & Deli - Brooklawn. The bad weather seemed to deter the crowd because the last time I drove by the parking lot was packed. I walked through the produce aisles and back to the deli. I ordered Italian, Chicken Salad, and American. The hoagies were made fresh and worth the wait. The highlight of my adventure was getting my 3 giant hoagies for only ten bucks each! I could barely carry them up to the register. All I wanted to do was take a bite but I waited until I got home and they all were delicious! We ate as much as we could that night but there was still plenty leftover. We brought them to our neighbors house for football and everyone enjoyed them. If you’re in the Brooklawn area, go get hoagies from Verichios, you won’t be disappointed! 🥖🥪

08/04/2023

On a cold and rainy night in March, my wife and I had an adventure at the historic Chesterfield Inn. Built in 1710 its the oldest continuously running tavern in New Jersey! The village of Recklesstown was developed around the intersection of 3 colonial roads and was named for one of its founders, Joseph Reckless, not because of anyone’s unruly behavior. The Recklesstown Tavern was also a stagecoach stop and a brothel. It was and still is the center of the village but in 1888 Congressman Anthony Bullock changed the town’s name to Chesterfield to avoid criticism. Their slogans say it best, for “300 Years and Counting” the Chesterfield Inn has been providing their patrons with “Fine Foods and Spirits Since 1710.” As soon as we walked in we could tell that this is a popular gathering place for the locals and we loved the inviting atmosphere! If you’re going during peak hours on the weekend, I recommend making a reservation like we did. We started off with the Desperado IPA from Screamin Hill, a local brewery in Cream Ridge. Then we tried the corn beef and cabbage egg rolls. They were a St Pattys Day special, sorry I’m a little behind on cataloging our adventures. For the main course we had the Tavern’s Own Ribeye Sandwich, which was served on garlic bread and it was delicious. The highlights of our adventure were the hometown atmosphere and being immersed in over 300 years of history! If you’re looking for great food, a fun crowd, and some interesting history, head on over to the Chesterfield Inn! 🍺🥩📜🚜

Address

409 Marlton Pike East (Route 70)
Cherry Hill, NJ
08034

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http://adventuresinsouthjersey.com/

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