Historic Smithville




Historical Smithville



If you’re looking for an affordable day of fun and frolic, look no further.  Historical Smithville is a quaint village with over 50 Shoppes and 10 Eateries.  Located on Route 9 and E. Moss Mill Rd., Smithville, NJ 08205.  Smithville is one of my favorite local places to visit when I haven’t made any plans. It is the perfect place to explore when you need some me time by yourself or with family and friends.


When you enter the village you can smell the aromas coming from Fred and Ethel’s Lanterns kitchen, as it makes you hunger for a day of fun. It’s always fun to eat lunch there. You can choose to eat in or on its outside patio. It can get crowded, so make a reservation.


Adjacent to Fred and Ethel’s is Cook's Corner. Cook's Corner

 is the first shop I like to explore. They have a variety of kitchen items, jams, sauces, teas, and coffees. As soon as you walk through it’s doors you’re hit with  the aroma of coffee. They grind the coffee on site and you can purchase samples to take home and taste test. Some of my other favorites are The Christmas Shoppe/ Yankee Candle, and the Antique Shoppe, before you cross over its bridge to find some of its

 unique boutiques.


As you walk over the wooden bridge it gives a sense of going back in time. To the left is an old waterwheel, and to the right is a beautiful view of the lake as you gaze out at the swans, ducks, and paddle boaters basking in the sun. Straight ahead is a old carousel, and  train that the children love to ride. It gives such joy when you reach the other side; you can feel the excitement in the air.


Some of my favorite Shoppes across the bridge  are Sweet Eats, Smithville Peanut Butter Company, and Olive-n- Grape. It’s fun to try the samples that these Shoppes have to offer. The chocolate, peanut butter, and olive oil are extrodinary. I guarantee that you’ll be tempted to purchase a sample after you taste test, especially the olive oil!



It’s never a disappointment at Smithville the experience always leaves you joyful and relaxed.

There are several Bed-n- Breakfasts if you’d like to spend the night. The Colonial Inn is right inside the village among the Shoppes. The village has events year round, so you may want to check out their Website if you want something extra. www.HistoricSmithville.com



Smithville (pdf)Download

Batso Lake White Trail

Batso Lake White Trial 

 

If you’re a true Southjersian, nature lover, or out-of-towner you might want to visit one of my favorite places- the Batso Lake White trail. The trail is a four mile jaunt from Washington Township, Burlington county to the backend of one of the most familiar historical sites in the area, Batso Village. 

Its name jumps out at you from the moment you shut your car door and start hiking. White mounds of sand that feel like down feather’s beneath your feet pull you into its serene setting, as if your sinking into a little piece of heaven. The smell of pine emulates through your senses, as well as the scent of Teaberry flowers that are one of nature’s  delights common to its banks and uplands alongside the Batso River that hugs its trail. 

 If you set up camp for a day you may want to choose one of the many white sand beaches along the trail next to its river bank. If you’re one of those people who prefer a landmark to set up at a later date, such as myself, you might want to set up next to one of my finds- the tree swing or the heart that has initials carved inside with pine sap running down its bark, as if to say passion and fun live here.  

You will be pleased to see others enjoying their day as well. I find joy in watching pet owner’s take their dogs for a swim or watching Jeep enthusiast’s sling their canoes and kayaks up on their Riggs to run them upriver  to Quaker bridge for a day of fun and frolic on the pine barrens river. 

It’s always an adventure on the Batso Lake White trail. Depending on the season you can pick blueberries or cranberries on its river bank. I like to pick the blueberries for a late day snack. Or you can simply take in all of nature’s splendor-Purple Lance Violet’s, Irises, Lady Slipper’s, Pickeral weed or the Lilly pads that float so gracefully on the lake. The Pink Lady Slipper’s, also known as the moccasin flower are always my favorite rare find while hiking.  I also love to watch the turtle families sun themselves on log’s just above the water. And if you stay until dusk you can catch the sunset. I enjoy glaring into its purple, pink, and yellow twilight hue’s at the end day. 

 Before you leave you may also want to visit the Batso Village. I like to take in its many historical buildings, and walk the road that leads to the bridge that harbors its dam. I love to stand on the bridge and stare out at the lake to watch the cloud’s reflect on its back as if big white pillow’s float on it. And if you stare long enough, it might even send you back to a time when life was much simpler before you open your door to head back home. 


Batso White Trail (pdf)Download