The Real Garden State
People often think of New Jersey as sandwiched between—and a bit overshadowed by—two metropolises, New York City and Philadelphia, in adjoining states, yet my trip there was very different. Rural New Jersey bears no resemblance to the reputation the state has garnered from popular television shows and movies. It is humble, scenic, progressive and very down-to-earth. It didn’t take long after landing at Newark, as the streetlamps became fewer and far between while the trees became taller and denser, for me to realize I was headed to a Garden State I hadn’t experienced before.
Where to Meet & Stay
I was hosted at The Ridge in Basking Ridge, a “New” Jersey (pun intended) adventure, and a hidden gem for meeting professionals. The hotel is in an unincorporated area far from any city lights and was taken around town to experience the local venues and family-owned businesses. The Ridge has 15 meeting rooms with 16,695 sq. ft. of space, and I was there to be a part of IACC Americas Knowledge Exchange, an event full of excitement and inspiration.
The theme was power—power of the self, power of presentation and power of innovation. I was privileged to be invited to be a team member of the judge’s panel for several presenters who had creative ideas that could be beneficial for sustainability, increased tourism, cultural experiences and beyond.
Where to Eat & Experience
Ninety Acres is the fine-dining experience of Natirar, in the rolling hills of Somerset County about 30 minutes from The Ridge. A location steeped in American history, the resort is expanding to be able to host larger events and more guests; its new Grand Ballroom can handle gatherings of 225 attendees, and the Mansion, once a private home, is being renovated.
Natirar is a truly farm-to-table experience, with guests able to literally see the farm grounds from the restaurant. With knowledgeable and passionate farmers and chefs behind the scenes running the culinary program, small groups can not only dine at the venue but take a culinary class in the rustic Ninety Acres restaurant. Groups can also tour the farmer’s garden, the chef’s garden and the greenhouse with the experts who highlight the farm-to-table experience.
What to Do
Tucked away in the small towns surrounding idyllic Princeton University are family-owned shops that give true charm to the less traveled parts of New Jersey. Our group stopped in at Ambree Coffee, which has won the local community’s love for its quality beans and sustainable practices.
After our caffeine pick-me-up, we headed over to Bellemare Distillery and Flounders Brewing, two local businesses sharing the same sprawling property. We enjoyed the blonde pale ale and a tour of Flounders’ brewing process—each of the gleaming tanks is named after a wife or a child of the owners. We then walked across a small courtyard to Bellemare Distillery. With an upstairs lounge that reminded me of the TV show “Mad Men” and beautifully bottled spirits, it was a luxurious, educational and quintessential rural New Jersey day.
This article appears in the July 2024 issue. You can subscribe to the magazine here.
