Central Jersey winter weekend getaways seniors will love

Monmouth County edition

Author

Better With Age NJ team
January 15, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 14 minutes

It’s Wednesday, New Jersey!

☀️ Weather: Mostly sunny, with a high near 33. Northwest wind 13 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.❄️

What’s on tap today:

  • Central Jersey winter weekend getaways

  • Get married on Valentine’s Day

  • Aging News roundup

Up first …

From cozy historic towns to enchanting winter gardens, Central Jersey offers seniors a array of seasonal escapes to make the colder months memorable, whether you’re a history buff, culture craver, antique seeker or art aficionado. Check out some of our faves.

Revved Up Stay at Princeton’s Historic Nassau Inn
10 Palmer Square, Princeton
The beloved Nassau Inn dates back to 1756 and is one of Princeton’s most historic (and charming!) accommodations. Former U.S. presidents and diplomats have stayed here, and we think you’re due for an overnight too. Dine at the legendary Yankee Doodle Tap Room and admire the 13-foot original Normal Rockwell mural. Relax in timeless, well-appointed guest rooms and suites including the Albert Einstein Suite and the George Washington Suite. Be immersed in elegant amenities like stone fireplaces, antique décor and nods to history everywhere you turn, all within reach of the amazing shops and tasty eateries of Palmer Square. Explore Princeton’s Ivy League downtown, take in a live show at the renowned McCarter Theatre.

Artsy Ivy League Escape 
Various locations in Hamilton Township & Princeton
For a weekend getaway that combines sculpture with scholarly flair, this Mercer County escape does the trick. Be amazed at Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton Township, showcasing 270+ outdoor sculptures on forty-two acres and several indoor galleries. Enjoy fine dining by the fireplace (and feel like you’re in the French countryside) amid the ambiance of Rat’s Restaurant, named Philadelphia Magazine’s Most Romantic Restaurant. Reservations are recommended. And for the ultimate Ivy League experience, the new Graduate by Hilton Princeton makes the grade – boasting historic decor, Tiger traditions and collegiate nostalgia at every turn. Plus, it’s just steps away from the hallowed halls of famous Princeton University. It’s a great time to admire the campus’ architecture and take in a college sporting event too. 

Treasure Seeking Weekend in Lambertville 
Various locations in Lambertville
If browsing eclectic galleries and unique antiques while strolling quaint downtown streets and kicking back in cool cafes and coffee shops along the way sounds heavenly, Lambertville is calling your name. Named one of the 50 Most Charming Small Towns in America by HGTV and known as the Antiques Capital of New Jersey, this riverside town is the laid-back Jersey gem for you. Visit the Antiques Center at the People’s Store, Golden Nugget Antique Flea Market, Midiri Antiques and A Touch of the Past Antiques. Rest easy at The Inn at Lambertville Station and savor award-winning cuisine in a restored 19th-century train station on the banks of the Delaware River at Lambertville Station Restaurant. Or book a stay at Lambertville House and dine at the beloved Lambertville House Restaurant. For more small NJ towns big on personality, visit Metuchen, a Great American Main Street winner in 2023 and named Destination of the Year by Jersey’s Best for 2024. Frenchtown is another standout to add to your winter bucket list. 

Central Jersey Culture Trip 
Various locations in Robbinsville Township & Hamilton Township
If you haven’t experienced the breathtaking BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville Township yet, it’s high time you did. Carved in stone according to ancient Hindu scriptures, this Mahamandir (Hindu house of worship) is the largest in the world and one of the most unique Hindu stone mandirs built in the last six hundred years. It’s also an immersive, cultural-rich getaway. Be sure to check the website for important visitor info. Enjoy mindfully made vegetarian Indian and Western cuisine at Shayona Café or amazing authentic Indian flavors of nearby Rani in Hamilton Township. Choose from a variety of close-by hotels including Hilton Garden Inn Hamilton and Courtyard by Marriot Hamilton. For more global-inspired tastes in the Garden State, click here. 

On-the-Road American Revolution Itinerary
Various locations throughout New Jersey
Did you know that over six hundred Revolutionary War battles and skirmishes were fought on Jersey soil? It’s true! George Washington spent a lot of time in New Jersey, especially the Central Jersey Region, and we think you should too. Our easy-to-follow American Revolution itineraries make sure you don’t miss a thing from Washington Crossing State Park, where Washington and his troops landed after crossing the icy Delaware River on December 25, 1776, to the Old Barracks Museum in Trenton and Washington’s final wartime headquarters, Rockingham Historic Site in Kingston. Itineraries include things to do throughout the Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area, and places to eat along the way. So, grab the keys and get revved up for an awesome history buff getaway.  

News & Notes

Election update

This year’s Primary Election has been moved to Tuesday, June 10, 2025. Originally scheduled the previous week, state lawmakers moved the date to accommodate a religious observance, as June 3 coincided with a Jewish holiday. Monmouth County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon reminds voters there will be early voting both in-person and by mail for the Primary Election. View the state’s newly-released 2025 Primary Election timeline

Interested in getting married on Valentine’s Day?

Attention engaged couples, young and old! Clerk Hanlon will officiate a group wedding on February 14, 2025 at the Clubhouse at Hominy Hill Golf Course in Colts Neck. Each couple may bring up to four guests, and the ceremony will be livestreamed. Advanced registration is required, and space is limited. Apply now to participate.

New requirement for travelers to the United Kingdom 

Planning a trip to England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland? As of January 8th, a new requirement for travelers from the United States to the United Kingdom took effect. Travelers of all ages visiting the UK for less than six months must now obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (“ETA”) online directly from the UK government. A valid passport is required to apply. Find out more about the ETA process.

Grandkid corner

Celebrate the Year of the Snake with your grandkids at the New Jersey Symphony’s Lunar New Year Celebration on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. at NJPAC in Newark. Enjoy Eastern and Western music, including “Spring Festival Overture” and Puccini arias, with special guests like pianist Min Kwon and the Edison Chinese School Lion Dance Team. Arrive early for a Cultural Exchange Festival at 6 p.m., featuring artisans and performers from Beijing. Proceeds support New Jersey Symphony programs. Visit their website for tickets and details here.

Other events happening around the state

Aging News Roundup

The Brutal Effects of Medical Debt: Over 100 million Americans are saddled with medical debt, but a few initiatives are addressing — even eliminating — it.

Need More Money for Retirement? A Lost 401(k) May Rescue You: Over 29 million lost 401(k) accounts worth almost $1.65 trillion have been forgotten by their owners. Here are eight ways you can locate your account.

When to Take Social Security Payments: Your Age Matters: Knowing when to take Social Security is tricky. Before you start taking benefits, learn the rules and your full retirement age.

How Medigap Insurance Is Affected by Preexisting Conditions: Delaying enrollment in a medigap policy can lead to higher premiums and denial of coverage in most states.

TV Time

Sometimes scrolling through TV channels is like digging through a fridge full of food and still declaring there’s nothing to eat—except now you’re just left with 300 channels of disappointment. Here at Better With Age, we make a list of all the nominees for the Screen Actors Guild Awards and use it as our go-to guide throughout the year whenever we can’t find something to watch. Are all the movies exactly our taste? Not always, but if they were nominated, they’ve got to be at least somewhat good—right? “Wicked” is the leading nominee this year, with the Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown” following closely behind. Notable television nominees include “Shōgun,” “Abbott Elementary,” “The Bear” and “Hacks.” Here’s our guide (aka the complete list of nominees).

MOVIES
Ensemble
“A Complete Unknown”; “Anora”; “Conclave”; “Emilia Pérez”; “Wicked.”

Male actor in a leading role
Adrien Brody, “The Brutalist”; Timothée Chalamet, “A Complete Unknown”; Daniel Craig, “Queer”; Colman Domingo, “Sing Sing”; Ralph Fiennes, “Conclave.”

Female actor in a leading role
Pamela Anderson, “The Last Showgirl”; Cynthia Erivo, “Wicked”; Karla Sofía Gascón, “Emilia Pérez”; Mikey Madison, “Anora”; Demi Moore, “The Substance.”

Male actor in a supporting role
Jonathan Bailey, “Wicked”; Yura Borisov, “Anora”; Kieran Culkin, “A Real Pain”; Edward Norton, “A Complete Unknown”; Jeremy Strong, “The Apprentice.”

Female actor in a supporting role
Monica Barbaro, “A Complete Unknown”; Jamie Lee Curtis, “The Last Showgirl”; Danielle Deadwyler, “The Piano Lesson”; Ariana Grande, “Wicked”; Zoe Saldaña, “Emilia Pérez.”

Stunt ensemble
“Deadpool & Wolverine”; “Dune: Part Two”; “The Fall Guy”; “Gladiator II”; “Wicked.”

TELEVISION

Drama ensemble
“Bridgerton”; “The Day of the Jackal”; “The Diplomat”; “Shōgun”; “Slow Horses.”

Comedy ensemble
“Abbott Elementary”; “The Bear”; “Hacks”; “Only Murders in the Building”; “Shrinking.”

Male actor in a drama series
Tadanobu Asano, “Shōgun”; Jeff Bridges, “The Old Man”; Gary Oldman, “Slow Horses”; Eddie Redmayne, “The Day of the Jackal”; Hiroyuki Sanada, “Shōgun.”

Female actor in a drama series
Kathy Bates, “Matlock”; Nicola Coughlin, “Bridgerton”; Allison Janney, “The Diplomat”; Keri Russell, “The Diplomat”; Anna Sawai, “Shōgun.”

Male actor in a comedy series
Adam Brody, “Nobody Wants This”; Ted Danson, “A Man on the Inside”; Harrison Ford, “Shrinking”; Martin Short, “Only Murders in the Building”; Jeremy Allen White, “The Bear.”

Female actor in a comedy series
Kristen Bell, “Nobody Wants This”; Quinta Brunson, “Abbott Elementary”; Liza Colón-Zayas, “The Bear”; Ayo Edebiri, “The Bear”; Jean Smart, “Hacks.”

Male actor in a limited series or TV movie
Javier Bardem, “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”; Colin Farrell, “The Penguin”; Richard Gadd, “Baby Reindeer”; Kevin Kline, “Disclaimer”; Andrew Scott, “Ripley.”

Female actor in a limited series or TV movie
Kathy Bates, “The Great Lillian Hall”; Cate Blanchett, “Disclaimer”; Jodie Foster, “True Detective: Night Country”; Lily Gladstone, “Under the Bridge”; Jessica Gunning, “Baby Reindeer”; Cristin Milioti, “The Penguin.”

Stunt ensemble
“The Boys”; “Fallout”; “House of the Dragon”; “The Penguin”; “Shōgun.”

The SAG Awards, hosted by Kristen Bell, will be streamed live on Netflix on Feb. 23. Bell is a nominee for the Netflix comedy series “Nobody Wants This,” as is her co-star Adam Brody.

Quick Question

If you could travel anywhere this winter, where would you go? 🌍✈️

Send us your answer to: [email protected].

And here are the responses to last week’s poll question: What activities do New Jersey seniors engage in to stay busy during the winter months?

  1. Join Social Clubs or Hobby Groups – Many seniors say they participate in craft groups, book clubs, or local community center activities to stay connected and creative. 🧶📚

  2. Take Fitness or Wellness Classes – Indoor yoga, tai chi, or water aerobics classes are another way seniors say they are staying active and healthy during the colder months. 🧘‍♀️💪

  3. Volunteer – Whether at a local charity, library, or food bank, giving back is a fulfilling way to spend time. 🛍️🤝

  4. Explore Creative Outlets – Painting, baking, or even starting a new puzzle or board game become popular indoor pastimes. 🎨🍪

  5. Visit Indoor Attractions – Museums, theaters, or cozy cafes provide perfect spots for outings without braving the chill too long. 🏛️☕

On this date in NJ history: 

  • 1857: The Absecon Lighthouse in Atlantic City was first lit. Its kerosene flame was visible nearly 20 miles at sea. The lighthouse was built after lobbying by Dr. Jonathan Pitney, known as the “father of Atlantic City,” with the aid of a $35,000 appropriation from Congress.

  • 1952: Construction of the New Jersey Turnpike was completed. The original 118 miles were built in a record 23 months for $255 million, or about $2.16 million per mile.

Today’s birthdays

🎉🎂 Happy Birthday, Nora Perroco of Ocean! 🌊🎈 Wishing you a day as beautiful as the ocean waves 🌟 and as bright as the sunshine ☀️. May your year ahead be filled with joy, love ❤️. A few other famous people sharing a birthday today with Nora include actor and humanitarian Martin Lawrence (born 1965), model and actress Dove Cameron (born 1996), and musician Pitbull, also known as Mr. Worldwide (born 1981).

Thought for Today

“Happiness is not something you find, it's something you create.”

Actor Martin Lawrence

Thanks for reading! 💘 A heartfelt shoutout to the Monmouth County Clerk’s Office for spreading the love this Valentine’s Day with free wedding ceremonies, making it a day to remember for couples of all ages! 💍❤️

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Do you have news to share? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected]

🙌🤗🔜See you next week!