Somerset County is home to a number of craft breweries, experiential activities, and other fun destinations. Now, anyone can plan a day trip thanks to the Somerset County Tourism’s Sip & See program. This initiative encourages visitors to stop by select craft breweries and their surrounding experiential activities for an enjoyable day out.
Sip & See Somerset was made possible through a grant funded by the Somerset County Board of County Commissioners and the New Jersey Department of State, Division of Travel & Tourism. To start, participants simply visit any of the designated craft breweries to pick up a passport. Upon visiting each brewery, participants will have their passport stamped.
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About the Program
Anyone who collects 6 stamps (one from each participating brewery) receives a free Sip & See Somerset t-shirt. To be clear, stamps are only given at craft beverage destinations and not parks, gardens, retail locations, or event facilities. The experiential activities are simply recommendations for ways to further enjoy Somerset County.
“We wanted to do something to not only help our craft beverage locations, but we also wanted to create a better way for visitors (and residents) to plan a stay with us – whether that be for a day or a weekend – by connecting craft beverage locations to nearby destinations,” says Melissa DeFreest, Vice President, Tourism, Somerset County Tourism.
“Somerset County is the perfect blend of suburban to rural,” Melissa says. “From the rolling Somerset Hills and lush gardens to our farms and even historic sites. Many people don’t realize how important a role Somerset County had during the American Revolution.”
Each Sip & See trip is self-paced, and works as a standalone day trip. To learn more about the available destinations, see the breakdown below:
Sip & See Trip #1 – Hillsborough
Sip: Bellemara Distillery or Flounder Brewing Co
Hillsborough is home to two participating craft breweries, Bellemara Distillery and Flounder Brewing Co. Both are open from Wednesday through Sunday. Bellemara has the distinction of being New Jersey’s first single malt distillery. Meanwhile, Flounder Brewing Co is situated inside 250-year-old barns on Carriage Farm. Enjoy the Single Malt Spirit, Gin, or Tropical Gin from Bellemara, or the dozen beers on tap at Flounder.
See: Experiential Activities Around Hillsborough
– Duke Farms: Guests can stroll through a park, rent a bike, explore the orchid range, and visit the Arboretum. Duke Farms is also home to a Japanese-style meditation garden, and a Farmers Market open every Sunday.
– Iron Peak Sports & Events: Offers climbing walls, a ninja course, aerial ropes, basketball courts, an arcade, and more.
– Sourland Mountains: Offers hiking, birding, bouldering, and horseback riding.
– Norz-Hill Farm & Market: Offers local Jersey fresh produce at their roadside stand and pick-your-own pumpkins. They also have a farm where guests can see goats, llamas, zonkeys, peacocks, cows, steer, and more.
– Hidden Spring Lavender Farm: Peak bloom months are June and July at this year-round facility. Guests can also see alpacas, or visit the boutique to find handcrafted products including creams, essential oils, and aromatherapy items.
– What a View Farm: Offers goat yoga and scenic views of the Sourland Mountains.
– Rockingham Historic Site: The site of General Washington’s headquarters while attending the Continental Congress in Princeton. He wrote his famous “Farewell Orders to the Armies of the United States” from this house.
Eat: Restaurants Near Hillsborough
– AMA: Offers Neapolitan Pizza and homemade pastas.
– The Landing: American restaurant serving favorites like burgers, paninis, and tacos with a pub and spacious patio.
Sip & See Trip #2 – Bedminster
Sip: Burnt Cider Mills
This brewery specializes in premium Hard Cider. The name Burnt Mills comes from a local landmark with historic ties to the Revolutionary War. Their tasting room always has a dozen rotating ciders on tap. Some of their year-round staples are Pineapple, Hibiscus Rose, and Ginger. Other Highlights include Jersey Maple Bourbon, Sour Cherry, and Fall Spice, which they describe as “Apple pie in a glass.”
See: Experiential Activities Around Bedminster
– Fairview Farms Wildlife Preserve: Enjoy trails through fields and woods, a scenic pond with a dock, plus a bird and butterfly garden. Perfect for birders, hikers, and artists.
– Leonard J Buck Garden: This is one of the east coast’s premier rock gardens. The best time to visit is spring for peak bloom, but there are plenty of other sights.
– Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary: This sanctuary is open to the public and nurtures over 200 species of wildlife.
– Natirar: This culturally rich historic site is home to farm buildings, rivers, and woodlands.
– Bluebird Farm Alpacas: This 11-acre farm has alpacas on a property along the rolling Somerset Hills. It’s a great place for a date, but reservations must be made in advance.
– Cross Estate Gardens: Like something out of a fairy tale, Cross Estate Gardens features formal and native gardens. Check out the wisteria covered pergola and mountain laurel allee.
– United States Golf Association Museum: The USGA Library collects over 100,000 items across more than 25 languages. It is the world’s largest collection in relation to golf history. The museum curates collections documenting golf course architecture, equipment, biographies, travel guides, club histories, literature, and more.
Eat: Restaurants Near Bedminster
– Cafe Azzuro: Offers fresh fish and seafood, meat and poultry entrees, pasta, and more. Their menu is seasonal, and includes daily specials.
– Ninety Acres: Offers fresh, local ingredients, farm-to-table favorites, and a wine list with over 1,200 options.
– Nicoletta Pizzeria: Serves the same menu as the original Nicoletta pizzeria in Manhattan’s East Village. Favorties include Meatballs, house made pasta, and Lasagna. Some signature pies are the Calabrese, and the Tartufata. They also serve Fior di Latte gelato, and artisanal cocktails.
– The Station: Modeled after a 1920s first class train station lounge, the restaurant provides casual family dining.
– Gladstone Tavern: This meticulously restored colonial farmhouse serves both original and traditional American fare. The serve dinner daily, and lunch from Monday through Saturday.
Sip & See Trip #3 – Somerset
Sip: Jersey Cyclone Brewing
Craft ales and lagers are the focus at Jersey Cyclone Brewing. They offer a variety of drinks both on tap and in cans ready to go. The tap list changes regularly, but typically features favorites such as Open Wave and One Starry Night. Open Wave is a pale ale with notes of ripe cantaloupe and honeydew with a slight hop bitterness. Meanwhile, One Starry Night offers heavy notes of toasted bread and chocolate, followed by a subtle note of vanilla.
See: Experiential Activities Around Somerset
– Colonial Park: Offers fishing, a dog park, duck paddleboats, golf putting course, and a splash park. They also have a rose garden and a perennial garden to walk through.
– Six Mile Run: Offers hiking and mountain biking trails, including scenic routes along the Delaware & Raitan Canal.
– Snyder’s Farm: Offers year-round events and harvests, plus seasonal you-pick opportunities for tulips, blueberries, strawberries, aronia, and more. In addition, their roadside stand offers fresh produce.
– TD Bank Ballpark: Home of the Somerset Patriots (New York Yankees Double-A Affiliate team). The schedule frequently features themed nights such as fireworks, Bingo, Marvel nights, and more.
– Abraham Staats House: Headquarters for General Baron von Steuben in the spring of 1779 during the Continental Army’s Middlebrook Cantonment. It is also said that General Washington the house on two occasions.
Eat: Restaurants Near Somerset
– Stateside Tap + Tavern: Offers a variety of handhelds, burgers, salads, small plates, and more. Stateside is close enough to bring food over while enjoying a drink at Jersey Cyclone Brewing.
– Stage House Tavern: Serves American classics and can be enjoyed while sitting at Jersey Cyclone Brewing.
– Twenty/20 Taphouse: Yet another American tavern just minutes from Jersey Cyclone Brewing.
Sip & See Trip #4 – Somerville
Sip: Village Brewing Company
Village Brewing boasts a “cool, urban vibe” that matches their surroundings in the heart of downtown Somerville. Unlike many other breweries, this spot has a food menu with plenty of farm-to-table favorites. Burgers, entrees, small plates (try the soft pretzel bites), sides, and desserts are all on the menu. They also have a series of spiked milkshakes, with options like Cookies & Cream and Half Baked Apple Pie.
See: Experiential Activities Around Somerville
– Downtown Somerville: There’s always something to do in Somerville. For instance, the town has historic and classic cars lining Main street every Friday from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Meanwhile, they offer live entertainment on Division Street as part of their Saturday Summer Stage Nights.
– Spotted Leaf Plant Company: This spot is more than just a market for plants and plant products. They also host pot painting and terrarium building classes.
– YESTERcades: This arcade is perfect for all ages, with a mix of classic cabinets, pinball, skee ball, and more. It’s a nostalgic trip down Golden Age Gaming lane.
– Bridgewater Commons: A premier shopping destination with more than 170 retailers. It’s the place to go for clothing, recreational gear, home decor, and much more.
– Wallace House Revolutionary War Headquarters: This historic site is actually two properties adjacent to one other. The Wallace House is a museum that previously served as George Washington’s headquarters. Likewise, the Old Dutch Parsonage originally built for John Frelinghuysen is currently owned by the state.
– Duke Island Park: This park offers bike trails, softball fields, and ice skating in the winter. Recreational activities include biking, softball, walking/jogging trails, fishing, hiking, ice skating, cross-country skiing, and birdwatching.
Eat: Restaurants Near Somerville
– Village Brewing Company serves a full menu of food, so there’s no need to go anywhere else!
Sip & See Trip #5: Manville
Sip: Brooks Brewery at the Northside Lounge
Brooks Brewery is a low-key environment with specially brewed craft beer and plenty of live entertainment during the week. Guest can bring a growler or take home a 32oz can of any of their dozen craft beer options. Their seasonal list of rotating beers on tap all feature creative names. For instance, there’s the Right Handed Monkey Wrench, the Cloudy Day Pilsner, and even one called Rob the Exterminator.
See: Experiential Activities Around Manville
– Reading Cinema’s Manville with TITAN LUXE: This multiplex shows all the latest blockbusters. They also curate a selection of arthouse standouts. Amenities include TITAN LUXE (Dolby’s most powerful and immersive sound technology), VIP luxury recliners with reserved seating, and free parking. They also offer snacks from the concession stand, seating at their cafe, and specialty cocktails at the bar.
– Van Veghten House: This location was the headquarters for General Nathaniel Greene during the Middlebrook Cantonment of 1778-1779.
– Rudolf van der Goot Rose Garden: This one-acre garden contains more than 3,000 roses of 325 varieties. This is an accredited All-America Rose Selections (AARS) display garden. As a result, the garden can display AARS award-winning roses one year before their release to the public. The garden is named in honor of Rudolf van der Goot, the Somerset County Park Commission’s first horticulturist.
Eat: Restaurants Near Manville
- Brooks Brewery serves its own menu of entrees, desserts and all-day/late night snacks.
For more ideas from Somerset County Tourism:
Visit their Website | Follow them on Instagram | Follow them on Facebook
Top Photo: © Somerset County Tourism
Other Photos (in Order):
Bellemara Distillery / Facebook
Burnt Cider Mills / Facebook
Jersey Cyclone Brewing / Facebook
Village Brewing Company / Facebook
Northside Lounge / Facebook