18 Things To Do In Bridgewater, New Jersey

1. Discover the rich history of the greater Somerset County at the Heritage Trail Association

Heritage Trail Association, known As Van Horne House, is there to serve as a vital piece of history for the greater Somerset County. The house served as an important landmark during the 18th century and it has since been taken over by the Heritage Trail Association, which is currently using it as its headquarters. The house used to connect New York to Philadelphia during the war, and it currently houses a variety of artifacts and reminders that are held dear in the nation’s history. There are a series of programs, lectures, and bus tours that will not only help you understand the significance of the house and all the items therein, but also will take you down memory lane to learn the history that was written over two hundred years ago.

Heritage Trail Association Known As Van Horne House

Address: 941 E Main St, Bridgewater Township, NJ 08807, United States

Website: Heritage Trail Association Known As Van Horne House

2. Go for outdoor recreation at Duke Island Park

At Duke Island Park, you will find a range of recreational activities that will suit both the young and the old. It is one of the best places to head to when you are looking for great locations for family outdoor adventures. Some of the activities you can expect to enjoy in this park include fishing in the Raritan River, cycling, hiking, enjoying a picnic, and ice skating during winter. It is a very popular spot for both visitors and residents alike in Bridgewater.

Duke Island Park

Address: 191 Old York Rd, Bridgewater Township, NJ 08807, United States

Website: Duke Island Park

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

3. Explore the rich history and culture of Somerset at Somerset Historical Society

It is always thrilling to learn about the history and culture of the places you travel to. This is how you get to appreciate the incredible diversity that resides in various cultures around the globe. When you are in Somerset, the best place to get this experience is at the Somerset Historical Society. This is where you will find the Van Veghten House – a rich piece of history that is both a state and a national historic site. The house has been gracing the Somerset landscape for over 300 years. It is one of the only five surviving homes that Washington and his generals used during the Middlebrook Encampment. The historical society also has a lot of library and archival collections, donation collections, historical family files, and even a gift shop, where you can buy extremely unique souvenirs to remind you of the trip.

Somerset County Historical Society

Address: 9 Van Veghten Dr, Bridgewater Township, NJ 08807, United States

Website: Somerset County Historical Society

Opening hours: Tue: 11am - 3pm; 2nd Saturday of each month: 12pm - 3pm (closed on Sun - Mon, Wed - Fri)

4. Satiate your shopping appetite at Bridgewater Commons

At Bridgewater Commons, you will find a major indoor shopping mall and a plethora of outdoor shopping malls. This is where you come to whenever you want to satiate your shopping appetite in Bridgewater. The three-story mall is the home to various local and upscale brands, including Bose, and Lord & Taylor. A trip to this mall will be a great way to buy items unique to Somerset and also to sample the town’s shopping experience.

Bridgewater Commons

Address: 400 Commons Way, Bridgewater Township, NJ 08807, United States

Website: Bridgewater Commons

Opening hours: 11am - 9pm (daily)

5. Watch some live sports at Bridgewater Sports Arena

Bridgewater Sports Arena is where you head to when you want to get some thrilling live sports entertainment. The beautiful thing about this arena is that you not only come to watch the games, but also you have a chance to take part in some during the freestyle sessions, especially if you are a fan of ice hockey. The facility has two NHL size ice rinks, an aerobic and a fitness center, a hockey pitch, an amusement game arcade, a food court, and a Laser Zone. With such, you will have more than enough to do and see during your trip.

Bridgewater Sports Arena

Address: 1425 Frontier Rd #1425, Bridgewater Township, NJ 08807, United States

Website: Bridgewater Sports Arena

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 4pm - 9pm; Sat - Sun: 10am - 11pm

6. Experience serenity at Sri Venkateswara Temple

Sri Venkateswara Temple is a place you have to visit whether or not you are practicing Hinduism. The religious sanctuary features beautiful traditional Indian architecture, and it sits in one of the most tranquil places in the state of New Jersey. Apart from marveling at the architecture, you will also love the incredible lessons on Indian culture that you will learn at the temple.

Sri Venkateswara Temple

Address: 1 Balaji Temple Dr, Bridgewater Township, NJ 08807, United States

Website: Sri Venkateswara Temple

Opening hours: Fri: 6:30pm - 8:30pm; Sat - Sun: 11am - 6:30pm (closed on Mon - Thu)

7. Enjoy a kid’s day out at the Children’s Museum

Take out the little ones for a weekend of fun and learning at the Children’s Museum. The museum is a volunteer-run program that is open for kids on select weekends. It features a variety of educational exhibits and programs that have been meticulously designed to inspire the child’s creativity and curiosity, besides encouraging them to fall in love with learning new things. On display are exhibits based on different subjects, including natural environment, science, outdoors, community, and more.

Children's Museum

Address: 120 Finderne Ave # 113, Bridgewater Township, NJ 08807, United States

Website: Children’s Museum

8. Watch a live baseball match with the family at Somerset Patriots Baseball

Baseball is a favorite pastime activity for many Americans and it is always a pleasure to visit a destination with baseball stadiums where you can catch a match or two. When you are in Somerset, the place to head to for some live thrilling baseball action is the Somerset Patriots Baseball. During your visit, all you have to do is check the schedule, and adjust your program accordingly so that you create time to go and enjoy some of the games.

Somerset Patriots Baseball

Address: 1 Patriots Park, Bridgewater, NJ 08807

Website: Somerset Patriots Baseball

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 5pm; Sat & Sun: 10am - through the game

9. Treat yourself to real-life escape room adventure at the Escape Room Center

If you are traveling with a family or a small group, then the Escape Room Center experience is one that you must never miss. It is your chance to find out how united you are and how you can work together as a team and overcome obstacles. At this center, you will find yourself locked up in rooms with props, puzzles, and clues that you must use to complete your mission before you can escape the room. If you love puzzles or solving challenging problems, then this is a must-visit place for you.

Escape Room Center

Address: 340 US-22, Bridgewater Township, NJ 08807, United States

Website: Escape Room Center

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 5pm - 9:30pm; Sat - Sun: 12:30pm - 9:30pm

10. Sample wines at Grape Expectations

Grape Expectations is the company responsible for supplying Global F&B Brands as well as other tailor-made services, especially to resorts. So, why would this be of interest to a tourist or a traveler like you? Well, if you didn’t know, the company specializes in wines and beers, and they are very knowledgeable in their craft. A trip will not just present you with an excellent chance to sample some of the finest wines, but you’ll also get to learn about winemaking process and production. This tour is usually a great eye-opener, especially to those with very little knowledge about the hospitality industry.

Grape Expectations

Address: 25 Kearney St, Bridgewater Township, NJ 08807, United States

Website: Grape Expectations

11. Catch some fresh air at Darby Tract

Darby Tract is a preserve that currently is being used as one of the recreational centers in Somerset. Think of it as a park where you can go and relax while you enjoy the burst of fresh air from the woods and simply being in touch with nature. It is a relatively young park, and there are not so many activities that go on there. However, you will love the hiking or jogging sessions, or just strolling the woods as you listen to the soothing sounds of nature.

Darby Tract

Address: 488 Steeplechase Ln, Bridgewater Township, NJ 08807, United States

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 5pm (closed Sat & Sun)

12. Go hiking at the Washington Valley Park

Washington Valley Park is nestled in the middle of the first and the second Watchung Mountain ridges, just a few minutes from Bridgewater. If you love hiking or mountain biking, then this is a location you have to check out when visiting the township. It has at least eight trails that you can choose, depending on the kind of challenge you desire. The park also features a large reservoir, where you can enjoy some fishing sessions. Also, if you are an avid birdwatcher, then this is the place to spot birds such as falcons, osprey, bald eagles, and more.

Washington Valley Park

Address: Bridgewater Township, NJ 08807, United States

Website: Washington Valley Park

Opening hours: 7am - 7pm (daily)

13. Walk down the memory lane at Wallace House and Old Dutch Parsonage

The Wallace House and Old Dutch Parsonage Association are among the most important pieces of history for the state of New Jersey and the entire nation. The house was used by General George Washington to plan some of his successful military campaigns during the 18th century. Currently, the house is a museum with lots of stark reminders of the kind of life Washington had when he used the premises as his headquarters. If you are a history buff, or you love following American history, then you will not miss planning a trip to this historic site.

Wallace House and Old Dutch Parsonage

Address: 71 Somerset St, Somerville, NJ 08876, United States

Website: Wallace House and Old Dutch Parsonage

Opening hours: Wed - Thu: 10am - 12pm, 1pm - 4pm; Sun: 1pm - 4pm (closed on Mon & Tue)

14. Treat the little ones to incredible fun at Kidstreet Playground

If you will be tagging along with the young travelers during your trip, then they also deserve to create indelible memories during the trip. One of the ways to let them do so is to treat them to a day full of fun at Kidstreet Playground. The playground is a part of Slattery Park, and it contains amenities that will meet the fun needs of kids of all ages. Some of the notable amenities here include a large castle-themed area, giant climbing structures, pyramid net climbing, swings, gazebos with gliding chairs, and several picnic areas.

Kidstreet Playground

Address: 700 Garretson Rd, Bridgewater Township, NJ 08807, United States

Website: Kidstreet Playground

Opening hours: 8am - 8pm (daily)

15. Enjoy a picnic at North Branch Park

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

North Branch Park is an extremely popular picnic spot in Somerset. The park features two picnic areas, and families and corporate organizations can access them by reservation only. Notable park amenities include tables, grills, a playground for kids, and a huge playing field for the adults. There is also access to the Raritan River, where you will find prime fishing locations as well as picnic tables along the river for those who don’t want to fish but desire to soak in the sounds of nature along the river.

North Branch Park

Address: 355 Milltown Rd, Bridgewater Township, NJ 08807, United States

Website: North Branch Park

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

16. Indulge in tasty Italian cuisine at Maggiano’s Little Italy

Bridgewater maybe thousands of miles away from Italy, but still, you have a chance to indulge in some mouth-watering Italian fare, thanks to Maggiano’s Little Italy. Besides, sampling the culinary diversity of the places you visit should always be part and parcel of every travel experience. When you are in Bridgewater, this is the right place for you to check out the gastronomic diversity of the region. Though primarily Italian, you will find a horde of exquisite cuisines, hand-crafted classic cocktails, rich deserts, and an incredible wine list. Whether you need a spot for ordinary meals, or you want to experience a dinner date in Bridgewater, Maggiano’s Little Italy will not disappoint you.

Maggiano's Little Italy

Address: 600 Commons Mall 600 Commons Way, Bridgewater, NJ 08807

Website: Maggiano’s Little Italy

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11:30am - 10pm; Fri: 11:30am - 11pm; Sat: 11am - 11pm; Sun: 11am - 10pm

17. Sample good food and great music at Green Knoll Grille

If you are in the mood for some good food and great music, then all you have to do is head over to Green Knoll Grille. This is one of the best places to watch the night slip away while you nourish both your body and soul. The grille features comfortable seating, warm and inviting lighting, and over 40+ big screens for you to enjoy live games. It is also a great place for family outings, since it usually features a variety that is also suitable for younger guests.

Green Knoll Grille

Address: 645 US-202, Bridgewater Township, NJ 08807, United States

Website: Green Knoll Grille

Opening hours: 11am - 2am (daily)

18. Sharpen your putting skills at Green Knoll Pitch & Putt

Visit the Green Knoll Pitch & Putt for a chance to sharpen your putting skills. This is a miniature golf course that you can use to experience the thrill that comes with playing golf. Whether or not you play golf actively, you will still find it thrilling to try your putting skills on such a small scale. For those who feel that the miniature course will not suffice, the Green Knoll Golf Course is within the vicinity.

Green Knoll Pitch & Putt

Address: Green Knoll Golf Course, 587 Garretson Road, Bridgewater, NJ 08807

Website: Green Knoll Pitch & Putt

Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)

Have all the fun in Bridgewater

Bridgewater had incredible attractions and experiences waiting for you. Knowledge of the best ones will help you in coming up with a decent itinerary that will see you visit the main spots and indulge in the top experiences. Use our recommendations for the best things to do in Bridgewater, New Jersey, given above to help you streamline your selection.