Sawyer Howarth, 4, and his sister Brynn, 6, love how we end a photo shoot

Feed your mind, body and spirit – and social media feed –with all that’s wonderful to see, do and eat around South Jersey. Get ready, because this is one sweet list.

  • Best Homemade Ice Cream

    Vincent’s Homemade Ice Cream
    Mount Holly
    vincentsicecreamshop.com

    Get a taste of the sweet life at Vincent’s, where every yummy flavor of ice cream and water ice is crafted by hand. Vincent carefully selects the best ingredients and uses his secret recipes to create out-of-this-world treats everyone will scream for.  

  • Best Reason to Take Your Nonna to Dinner

    Sal & Joe’s Spaghetti & Pizza House
    Moorestown
    salandjoespizza.com

    If your Nonna is from the old country, Sal & Joe’s is just the place to take her. This SJ restaurant has been serving traditional Italian dishes for more than three decades, so you know she’ll approve. 

  • Best Wardrobe to Wow

    Ernesto Custom Clothiers
    Cherry Hill
    ernestocustomclothiers.com 

    South Jersey just got a whole lot nicer- looking with the opening of one of Philadelphia’s esteemed businesses, Ernesto’s. Wear a first-class suit fitted to perfection from Ernesto’s and everywhere you go, someone will stop you, rub their fingers on your lapel and slowly say, “Hey, that’s a really nice suit.” They’ll be impressed. And you’ll be awesome. 

  • Best Way to Sip On a Custom Cup of Coffee

    Cup of Bliss Coffee Roasters
    Collingswood
    cupofblisscoffeeroasters.com

    Even the pickiest coffee drinker can’t resist the custom capabilities of this SJ coffee shop. Tell the Cup of Bliss barista exactly what you look for in a cup of joe, and within minutes you’ll be sipping on the perfect cup.

  • Best Scenic Seat in South Jersey

    Franklin Parker Preserve
    Chatsworth
    njconservation.org

     

    Sit back, relax and take in the beauty of what used to be cranberry and blueberry bogs while atop one of the giant Adirondack chairs located right in the middle of the Franklin Parker Preserve.

     

  • Best Effortless Entertaining Solution

    Wegmans
    Mount Laurel
    wegmans.com

    Wegmans’ online catering menu is the perfect stress-free solution to your next party. Whether you’re hosting five or 50 guests, the menus take the guesswork out of what you’ll need to be an amazing hostess. Just point and click to place your order, so you can enjoy more time with your friends and family. 

  • Best Way To Meet The Ghosts of SJ

    The Friends of White Hill Mansion Public Ghost Hunt
    Fieldsboro
    whitehillmansion.com 

    For those ages 16 and older, White Hill Mansion’s public ghost hunts are a scary fun way to get in touch with your paranormal side. Take the tour and learn about the eerie history of this spooky mansion. 

  • Best Farm Makeover

    Paws Discovery Farm
    Mount Laurel
    pawsdiscoveryfarm.com 

    After undergoing a facelift – and getting a slightly new name – this Mount Laurel farm is back and better than ever. The 12-acre site now has refreshed exhibits for kids to enjoy inside the 18th-century farmhouse and activity barn, and even more furry friends they’ll love learning about. 

  • Best Way to Shop for Your American Girl Doll

    The Cottage Resale Shoppe 
    Marlton
    thecottageresaleshoppe.com 

    South Jersey’s one-stop-shop for everything American Girl is a paradise for anyone who loves the childhood treasures. From accessories and pre-owned dolls to repairs, this spot has it all. 

  • Best Place to Catch Up with Your Cat-Loving Friend

    PuRRsonal Space
    Palmyra
    facebook.com/PURRsonalSpace

    SJ’s first-ever cat café is the perfect spot for cat lovers and their two-legged friends. Visitors can sit with cats from the Animal Welfare Association, enjoy a cup of coffee or try one of the café’s events, including yoga, art projects and book readings. 

  • Best Way to Spice Up Pizza Night

    Pizza Amore
    Delran
    pizzaamoredelran.com 

    Pizza Amore has the gourmet pizzas you never knew you wanted. The menu is full of unexpectedly delicious options, like the hoagie style, eggplant and cheesesteak pies. 

  • Best Sweet Competition for Kids

    Indulgence Cupcakery
    Haddonfield
    indulgencecupcakery.com 

    Kids get a taste of competition as they choose unique cupcake flavors and designs to wow the Indulgence Cupcakery judges (who appeared on the Food Network) in Kids Cupcake Wars. The best part: Everyone gets to go home with their own creations. 

  • Best Gaming for Grown-Ups

    Liberty Virtual Reality
    Glassboro
    libertyvirtualrealityru.com 

    This is next-level gaming. Once you don the super high-tech headset at this brand-new virtual reality arcade, you’ll have an intense experience fighting for survival during a zombie apocalypse, walking a plank 80 stories high or wandering the streets of Disney World. 

  • Best Signature Sauces To Go

    Carollo’s Little Italy
    Moorestown
    carolloslittleitaly.com 

    You can now keep the delicious house-made sauces from Carollo’s Little Italy stocked in your own fridge. Stop by to get containers of the fresh vodka, grandma, marinara, tomato and pizza sauces, along with the eatery’s yummy eggplant dip.

  • Best Way to Shop and Cook with a Chef

    Nunzio Ristorante Rustico
    Collingswood
    nunzios.net 

    Chef Nunzio Patruno first takes students on a tour of the Collingswood Farmers Market to select fresh, local ingredients before heading back to the restaurant for class instruction. Afterward, you’ll sit down together and enjoy the fruits of your labor. 

  • Best Artwork You Can Eat

    DiBartolo Bakery
    Collingswood
    dibartolobakery.com

    If you can dream it, chances are that the amazingly talented team at DiBartolo can turn it into a cake. And not only will it look incredible, it will also taste heavenly. 

  • Best Cool New Hobby

    Jersey Pinelands Curling Club
    Jerseycurling.org  

    Try your hand at the Winter Olympic’s most popular yet obscure sport: curling. Jersey Pinelands Curling Club hosts intro-to-curling sessions, where beginners can learn the basics – from stones to bonspiels – in just two hours. 

  • Best Handmade Home Decor

    The Scarecrow Factory & Olde Pear Primitives
    Pitman
    facebook.com/scarecrowfactory
    facebook.com/oldepearprimitivesllc

    The owners of these two shops have filled one location with a huge assortment of rustic, country furniture, gifts and home décor. Since most of the items have been handmade by local artists, you’ll find adorable, one-of-a-kind pieces that will add character to your home. 

  • Best Seafood Towers

    Caffe Aldo Lamberti
    Cherry Hill
    caffelamberti.com

    The fresh seafood towers at this South Jersey hot-spot are a sight to be seen. Choose from one of Aldo’s carefully curated selection or build your own from tantalizing stone crabs, succulent oysters, steamed Maine lobster and more.

  • Best Place to Play with Your Pup

    Freedom Barks Dog Park
    Medford
    freedombarks.com

    Your pup won’t want to leave this 20-acre doggy playground that features see-saws, ladders and jump bars. Your four-legged friend can also splash and paddle in one of the park’s creeks. 

  • Best Shopping Night with Your BFFs

    Callie Boutique 
    Collingswood
    callieboutique.com

    Grab seven of your girlfriends and head to Callie Boutique for a night of shopping like no other. The boutique’s parties feature special deals, and you’ll have the entire store to yourselves for private shopping. 

  • Best Fun on Four Wheels

    Speed Raceway
    Cinnaminson
    speedraceway.com 

    Hop in and grab the wheel at this indoor go-kart racing facility. This extreme activity is perfect for birthday parties, team-building activities, date nights or a fun-filled family day of racing. 

  • Best Way to Load up a Bagel

    Short Hills Restaurant & Deli
    Cherry Hill
    shorthillsdeli.com

    Short Hills knows how to take bagels from ordinary to extraordinary thanks to the deli’s assortment of fresh toppings. Try the fresh lox, smoked sable, kippered salmon or smoked whitefish and be prepared to be wowed. 

  • Best Way to Get Around Camden

    Camden Bike Share 
    Camdenbikeshare.com

    Moving around Camden has never been easier, thanks to the city’s new bike-sharing program.  For just $1 an hour, you gain access to one of the bright-yellow bikes – and all 10 square miles of the vibrant city.

  • Best Dinner for Busy Nights

    Allora
    Marlton
    allorafood.com

    Allora makes it easy to put a hearty meal on the table, even on your family’s most hectic nights. The Family for Four To Go menu is full of delicious Italian dishes, and each order includes bread, dipping oil and paper products. Call or text your order, and consider dinner done. 

  • Best Stuffed French Toast

    Kitchen87
    Mount Holly
    kitchen87.com 

    Kitchen87 kicks French toast up a notch by stuffing it with scrumptious fillings. The exact fillings change throughout the week – strawberries and cream, cannoli, and orange creamsicle are just a few we’ve tried – so there’s always an excuse to go back. 

  • Best Wood-Fired Fare

    Hearthside
    Collingswood
    hearthsidebyob.com 

    Call now and maybe, just maybe, you can get a Saturday-night reservation for the fall. This new hotspot has been killin’ it with complex, incredible flavors you won’t find anywhere else in SJ. 

  • Best Family Fun

    Edelman Planetarium
    Glassboro
    rowan.edu/planetarium 

    This is the place that no one can believe is only a short drive from home. Check out the planetarium’s online calendar for public shows – all are on weekends and run one hour – and take a drive to see the coolest shows exploring space. 

  • Best Bacon Burgers

    Five Guys Burgers and Fries
    Cherry Hill
    fiveguys.com

    Bacon makes everything better, and the burgers at Five Guys are no exception. The slices of crispy, sweet, applewood-smoked bacon are the topping you’ll never regret. 

  • Best Canoeing Class

    Pinelands Adventures
    Shamong
    pinelandsadventures.com

    Pinelands Adventures will never leave you up a creek without a paddle. During the three-hour class, instructor John Volpe will cover everything from canoeing terminology and proper paddling techniques to safety skills (including what to do in case your canoe flips).

  • Best Wine Wednesdays

    Carlucci’s Waterfront
    Mount Laurel
    carluccisitaliangrill.com

    Wine lovers, Carlucci’s is the place to be on Wednesday evenings. Each week, enjoy half-priced bottles of wine, so grab your girlfriends and share a bottle on the beautiful waterfront patio. 

  • Best Way to Feel Like a Million Bucks

    (Thriv.) Salon & Spa
    Cherry Hill
    thrivesalon.com 

    The team at (thriv.) studies and trains all over the world, so you know they’re at the top of their game. From the moment you sit down in the stylist chair till the moment you walk out the door, the stylists will provide you with top-notch service – and a beautiful look.

  • Best French Fries

    Chickie’s & Pete’s
    Marlton
    chickiesandpetes.com

    Secret spices and a side of melted cheese for dipping make Chickie’s & Pete’s crab fries the best complement to any meal.

  • Best Avocado Toast

    Silver Diner
    Cherry Hill
    silverdiner.com

    Avocado toast is having a moment, and the version at Silver Diner is out of this world. Each thick slice of sourdough is slathered with fresh, perfectly ripened avocado, hemp hearts, olive oil and micro greens.

  • Best Dinner Buffet

    Palace of Asia Indian Grill
    Maple Shade
    palace-of-asia.com 

    Every Wednesday evening, Palace of Asia puts on an enormous spread for the Royal Indian Feast Dinner Buffet. The giant buffet includes traditional north Indian dishes, a salad bar, dessert station and more. 

  • Best Spicy Surprise

    Houshmand’s Hazardous Hot Sauce
    Rowan.edu/hotsauce 

    You might be surprised that the best hot sauce in SJ isn’t made by a seasoned chef – it’s actually the homemade creation of Rowan University President Ali Houshmand. With three flavors, this sauce has an extra kick: Every dollar made by hot sauce sales goes to the Rowan University Student Scholarship Fund. 

  • Best Monkey Bread

    Two Sweet Boutique
    Deptford
    twosweetboutique.com

    Just try to resist the soft, sweet, sticky goodness of this delectable monkey bread – we dare you. This irresistible treat often sells fast, so we recommend calling ahead and asking them to hold some for you. 

  • Best Colorful Addition to Your Style

    Rizzieri Salon & Spa
    Moorestown
    rizzieri.com 

    The expert colorists at Rizzieri know that life’s too short for boring hair. Whether you want subtle, natural-looking highlights or decide to make the leap to vibrant purple, they’ll create the colorful look you’re after.

  • Best Holiday Tradition to Start with Your Family

    Johnson’s Corner Farm
    Medford
    johnsonsfarm.com 

    Every year from late November through late December, you can get festive with the whole family during the Christmas light show hayride at Johnson’s Corner Farm. The twinkly, brightly colored lights are the perfect way to celebrate the magic of the season. 

  • Best Gift for Music Lovers

    Symphony in C
    Symphonyinc.org 

    When you give a season pass to South Jersey’s Symphony in C, you’ll be offering the music lover in your life much more than seats to five concerts each year. Season pass holders are invited to an intimate talk with Music Director Stilian Kirov before each concert. 

  • Best Reason to Go Out on Thursday Night

    Dooney’s Pub & Restaurant
    Delran
    dooneyspub.com

    Irish Thursdays at Dooney’s will have you raising a toast to the Emerald Isle. From 5 pm to close each week, enjoy discounts on hearty Irish entrees along with drink specials on Irish favorites like Guinness and Jameson. Slainte!  

  • Best Spot for Your Next Instagram Post

    Fries Mill Ruins 
    Millville

    You’ll have to hike along a set of railroad tracks and past the river to get to this abandoned industrial site, but the unbelievable photo opps are worth it. 

  • Best Place to Linger over Lunch

    Tre Famiglia
    Haddonfield
    trefamiglia.com 

    Last year we hosted our company holiday luncheon at Tre Famiglia, and it was a delicious way to spend the afternoon. The lunchtime service is stellar, the food is amazing and the welcoming atmosphere will leave you feeling full – and happy. 

  • Best Buffalo Chicken Eggrolls

    Pic-A-Lilli Inn
    Shamong
    picalilli.com

    The new hand-rolled buffalo chicken egg rolls at Pic’s have all the amazing wings flavor you love, but without the mess. Plus, the handy rolls are perfect for dunking in the restaurant’s homemade bleu cheese. 

  • Best Soup Trio

    Blue Claw Crab Seafood & Eatery
    Burlington Township
    crabeatery.com

    Sure the crabs are great here, but the soup trio is heaven in three cups. Each order comes with fresh, steaming-hot seafood bisque, Maryland crab soup and New England clam chowder. 

  • Best Short Rib Smashed Burger

    Bobby Chez Crabcakes
    Cherry Hill
    bobbychezcrabcakes.com

    Bobby Chez might be known for his crab cakes, but he can also make a mean burger. These gourmet burgers are made from 100 percent short rib and sirloin, and they’re conveniently available in the freezer section at local Ravitz ShopRite stores.

  • Best Post-Shopping Spot

    Seasons 52
    Cherry Hill
    seasons52.com seasons52.com

    After shopping till you drop at Cherry Hill Mall, stop by Seasons 52 to refuel with a fresh, flavorful meal and craft cocktail (and be sure to treat yourself with dessert, too). 

  • Best Place to Travel Back In Time

    Batsto Village General Store
    Hammonton
    batstovillage.org

    Step into the 1800s, when this general store was open six days a week and villagers could find goods like fresh vegetables, guns and farm equipment. Today, the store is a sight to be seen among the antiquated historic town. 

  • Best Wedding Cake Guests Will Love

    Classic Cake
    Cherry Hill
    classiccake.com 

    With the ability to design a cake that fits every bride and groom’s style (and sweet tooth) these beautifully crafted cakes will have guests running off the dance floor for another slice.

  • Best Pop-Up Lunch Hub

    The LunchBox
    Roosevelt Plaza Park, Camden 

    The repurposed shipping containers sitting at the foot of Camden’s City Hall are the newest brainchild of Respond Bakery, Cathedral Kitchen’s CK Café and Cooper’s Ferry Partnership. When you grab a bite at this pop-up eatery, you’ll get a great lunch and support services that benefit Camden. 

  • Best Reason to Brunch on a Saturday

    Grand Luxe Cafe
    Cherry Hill
    grandluxcafe.com

    It’s easy to have a sensational Saturday when you can sink your teeth into a stack of peanut butter and banana pancakes at Grand Luxe Cafe – or maybe the crab and asparagus omelette is more your style. Whatever your choice, it’s a great way to start the weekend. 

  • Best Cheese Spreads

    Cheese Etc. &  Gourmet Gifts
    Haddon Township
    cheeseetc.com

    We’ve been raving about this SJ business’ cheese spreads for years, and for good reason. Owners Ken and Gina keep upping their game with new flavors, like lavender honey goat cheese, that have us coming back again and again. 

  • Best Courtyard Vibes

    The Madison
    Riverside
    cafemadison.com 

    On a nice evening, there’s nothing better than dinner, drinks and dancing under the twinkling lights of The Madison’s beautiful courtyard. There’s also live entertainment every weekend, so grab your friends for a fun night out. 

  • Best Boozy Shakes

    Brickwall Tavern
    Burlington
    brickwalltavern.com

    They’re thick and ice-cold, with just the right amount of booze – so basically, the grown-up shakes of your dreams. If shakes aren’t your thing, ask the bartender to whip you up a Guinness float or Stewart’s Root Beer Float with Jack Daniels.

  • Best Party Trays

    Maurizio’s Bistro
    Moorestown
    mauriziosbistro.com

    When Eagles Coach Doug Pederson needs a caterer for post-game celebrations, guess who he calls? Maurizio serves up trays of delicious Italian favorites like fried calamari, eggplant parmigiana and, of course, meatballs (they’re amazing). Each tray feeds 8 to 10 people, so order what you need – and enjoy the party! 

  • Best Plantains

    Tortilla Press
    Collingswood
    thetortillapress.com 

    The fried plantains at Tortilla Press are the hot, sweet, crispy treat you didn’t know you wanted. Served with queso fresco and Mexican crème, you won’t be able to stop eating them. 

  • Best Spot to Share

    Sanook Thai Cuisine
    Haddonfield
    sanookthaicuisine.com 

    This tiny, cozy restaurant offers small plates that are perfect for sharing on your next girls’ night or romantic evening out. The spring rolls and wings are must-orders. 

  • Best Breakfast Break

    Dad’s Deli & Catering
    Marlton
    dadsdeliandcatering.com 

    Make a good morning great when you grab breakfast from Dad’s. The pork roll, egg and cheese sandwich on a fresh hoagie roll is a must. 

  • Best Generous Pour

    The Capital Grille
    Cherry Hill
    thecapitalgrille.com

    Every summer, The Capital Grille celebrates by making seven luxurious and highly acclaimed wines available during the Generous Pour event. For just  $28 per person with dinner, you can experience as many of these stellar wines as you’d like (hurry, the event ends in early September!). 

  • Best New Spin on Small Plates

    Braise 116
    Haddonfield
    braise116.com 

    This Haddonfield BYOB opened just a few months ago, but it’s already earned a reputation for turning out small plates filled with big flavors. With nearly 30 choices on the dinner menu, you’ll want to try one of everything. 

  • Best Day-Off Activity

    Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge
    Medford
    cedarrun.org 

    When school’s out, let the kids spend the day getting wild. Cedar Run  provides a full day of hiking, games, visits with live animals and so much more for children in kindergarten through sixth grades.  

  • Best Dessert To Share With Friends

    The Melting Pot
    Maple Shade
    meltingpot.com

    Grab a friend (or three), because you haven’t really had dessert until you’ve tried one of The Melting Pot’s deliciously gooey chocolate fondues. Classic chocolate is always a win, but if you’re looking for a twist, try the Cookie Butter Crunch or S’mores fondue concoctions. 

  • Best Sunday Happy Hour

    Catelli Duo
    Voorhees
    catelliduo.com 

    The 4 to 7 pm Sunday happy hour at Catelli Duo is an awesome way to wrap up the weekend. The menu is full of yummy dishes like cheese-filled pretzel bites and chocolate-covered bacon, which are even better when washed down with one of the $7 mega bloody marys. 

  • Best Specialty Camps

    JCC Camps at Medford
    jcccampsatmedford.org

    JCC Camps at Medford took their already awesome camp experience and made it even more incredible with an entire week just for special interests. There’s unique sessions entirely devoted to things like creative arts, robotics, fashion design and even circus skills. 

  • Best Meatless Monday

    Harvest Seasonal Grill & Wine Bar
    Moorestown
    harvestseasonalgrill.com 

    Starting your week off with #MeatlessMonday is good for your health and the planet, and Harvest will reward you with a huge selection of flavorful vegetarian flatbreads, salads, appetizers and entrees.

  • Best Off-the-Beaten-Path History Lesson

    Griffith Morgan House
    Pennsauken
    facebook.com/GriffithMorganHouse 

    Learn the little-known history of Pennsauken with historical re-enactments, craft demonstrations and more at this 300-year-old farmhouse. And don’t miss the house’s annual celebration of Welsh Heritage each March, featuring special live music and plenty of Welsh history.  

July 2018
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