Taking kids to the Historic Smithville Village in NJ is a bit like stumbling on a time capsule—a covered bridge leads to a quaint lakeside setting filled with history and plenty to do with the fam. From shopping and sweet treats to riding the train and going round and round on the carousel, there’s something for everyone at this historic spot on Lake Meone. The best part? The calendar is full of events all year long, especially during the holidays when Smithville turns into a real-life Hallmark movie and one of the most charming Christmas village spots to visit in NJ. Read on for what to know about Smithville at any time of year. (featured photo credit: @historicsmithvillenj)
Historic Smithville: A Quaint Town With Big Family Fun
A village straight out of a movie
As soon as you walk into the village, you will be transported back to a simpler time, filled with family fun. There are over 50 unique shops for you to make your way through, including House of Jerky, La Petite Boutique, The Christmas Shoppe, Toy Market, and Out of Ireland. Walking along the cobblestone walkways and over footbridges, kids and adults will be in awe of the quintessential, small-town charm (a.k.a life before technology). Kids will want to go directly to the carousel, where they can hop on a painted pony and listen to the sounds of the organ music coming from the speakers above as they go around. Another family favorite? The bright blue and red train, reminiscent of a turn-of-the-century locomotive, takes you on a ride from the adorable station through the town. Also, make sure to carve out time at the Antique Arcade, where you can play skee ball and hop on ride-on race cars and fire trucks.
A special holiday season
Historic Smithville shines during the holiday season with twinkling lights, decor, and festive music throughout the village. The festive season kicks off with Dickens Fest, where carolers and outdoor performers stroll the streets, and you can watch an original musical adaptation of “A Christmas Carol.” Every weekend until Christmas, it really feels like you’ve landed on the set of a holiday movie—there are s’mores and a bonfire, a Magical Talking Tree that awakens when kids ask questions, decorated train rides, Santa breakfasts, and a beautiful nightly light show. Shop for gifts at the Toy Market, buy candy at Sweet Things, stop by for a cup of steaming cocoa at the Inn, and gather around the bonfire in the evenings for a s’more. But don’t leave just yet—The Light Show On the Lake is a daily magical show featuring floating trees and lights that sync up to the music playing over the loudspeaker, accompanied by songs like “Jingle Bells” and “Jingle Bell Rock.” This show runs consistently between 5:30 and 8:30 PM, and you can see it from different spots in the village until the first weekend in January.
Events throughout the year
No matter what season you visit Historic Smithville, you’ll find fun family events that celebrate the spirit of the village and the season. From an Easter Bunny parade and an art walk to Mayfest and the Irish Festival, each month throughout the year brings something new to do. During summer, there is a local farmers’ market with veggies, produce, seafood, and many other locally grown items, and in the fall, Oktoberfest is a rousing good time for kids and adults. The 2025 schedule of events is available on their website, so mark your calendars now.
What to know before you go
When you arrive at the Historic Smithville Village in New Jersey, there is ample parking across the street in a large lot or down the road in a smaller one. At events like Oktoberfest, shuttles run to and from the village for visitors. The Historic Smithville Inn is an award-winning restaurant with gourmet fare. If you are looking for something more casual, you’ll find a lot of options, including Italian cuisine, pub specialties, and delish comfort food at the newest Lakeside Grill that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Want to stay the night? The Colonial Inn Bed and Breakfast has over 32 colonial-inspired rooms with updated amenities, including steam sauna showers and soaking tubs. The train and carousel both cost $3 per person, and the train can’t run if the temperatures dip below 40 degrees or there’s inclement weather (winter train rides vary depending on the weather). Historic Smithville is about 20 minutes from Atlantic City and 30 minutes from Ocean City, NJ.
Learn more about Historic Smithville on their website, Facebook, or Instagram.
Historic Smithville
Route 9 and Moss Mill Road
Smithville, NJ 08205
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