July 13, 2019

Things to Do in Sussex County

Whether you’re visiting North Shore House for a wedding or are enjoying a getaway with your loved ones, you’re probably wondering what sorts of things there are to do in Sussex County. If so, you’re in luck! We’ve compiled a list of the best things to do in Sussex County, and it’s chock-full of insider recommendations that come straight from the locals.

Hiking

Sussex County has some of the best hiking trails in New Jersey! Visit our very own local Buttermilk Falls, located under 40 minutes from North Shore House. The highest waterfall in New Jersey, this is a local favorite as well as a tourist attraction, and it can get quite busy, so you might consider going early in the morning or mid-week if you’re hoping for a peaceful trek through the forest. Also, the ride to the trailhead can be bumpy, so consider taking an SUV rather than a sedan. Buttermilk Falls is located in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (which has plenty of other trails, such as the one leading to Sunfish Pond, that are also fantastic). Other great hiking spots include Stairway to Heaven in Wawayanda State Park and of course, the trails right here in Swartswood Lake State Park, which you can reach from practically right outside our door!

Water Sports

Swartswood Lake State Park offers more than just hiking though. You can also access a swimming beach at Swartswood Lake, which features playgrounds, pavilions, and a concession stand. There are plenty of other ways to enjoy the lake, too. You can borrow one our kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, or canoes and head out onto the water to fish, float, or explore the lake’s distant shores.

Outdoor Activities and Amusements

If you’re looking for some more exciting things to do in Sussex County, you could head up to Mountain Creek Resort, which is just 40 minutes away and offers plenty of fun activities year-round. In the winter, you can enjoy skiing, snowboarding, and snowtubing, with 46 trails on four mountain peaks, three dedicated terrain parks, and a snowtubing park with 30 lanes. In the summer, you can visit the resort’s large, highly rated outdoor waterpark, which features more than 20 rides and slides. The Mountain Creek Bike Park, open from spring to fall, is perfect for thrill-seeking mountain bikers. It boasts over 40 miles of trails, 1,040 feet of vertical drop, and more than 60 freestyle features.

Also at Mountain Creek is the new TreEscape Aerial Adventure Park, which is open from spring to fall. There, ten unique ropes courses are linked together by wooden platforms built into the treetops and connected by rope walks, obstacles, climbing elements, and ziplines. And, if you love ziplining, you can also check out Mountain Creek Zip Tours, where you’ll travel along a series of ziplines suspended above a mountain-top lake. Cap off your day with a visit to the Mountain Coaster, which winds its way down the mountain at speeds controlled entirely by you. Many of the activities at Mountain Creek are suitable for school-age children, making it a great place to visit with the whole family.

Museum Tours

If your group includes children, they might also enjoy a visit to Sterling Hill Mining Museum, home to a world-famous zinc mine, in nearby Ogdensburg (less than 30 minutes from North Shore House). There, you can tour the mine, watch a drilling and blasting demo, walk through the florescent “Rainbow Tunnel,” and much more. Pop-culture fans may be interested to know that parts of the major motion picture Zoolander were filmed on-site at the mine!

Golf

Golfers looking for things to do in Sussex County can play a round or two at the Farmstead Golf and Country Club, which is less than 20 minutes from North Shore House and has won the New Jersey Herald Reader’s Choice Award for Best Golf Course for the last eight years in a row. Also nearby is the award-winning Ballyowen Golf Club, just under 30 minutes away in Hamburg, which is the only public course in the state that offers caddie service.

Indoor Amusements

If it’s raining outside, head on up to Laser One in Wantage, which is also less than 30 minutes from North Shore House. At this indoor-amusement complex, you and your family and friends can play laser tag in the facility’s 6,000 square-foot multi-level arena, play a round of mini-golf, go bowling, hit the arcade, or try your hand at the unique Laser Maze Challenge, where you have to navigate a complex web of laser beams to complete mission objectives.

Shopping

Shoppers looking for things to do in Sussex County will love the antique stores that abound in the area, especially in nearby Andover, where you’ll find gems like Made in the Shade and Scranberry Coop. Also worth a visit is The Shoppes at Lafayette, a beautiful, recently renovated outdoor shopping center. In addition to plenty of local boutiques and national brands, the Shoppes also play host to a farmers’ market every Sunday from June to November. Both Andover and Lafayette are less than 20 minutes from North Shore House.

Questions and More Information

If you’re still have questions about things to do in Sussex County or need more information about any of the above, please let us know! We would love to offer directions and advice, no matter where you’re headed. Of course, when you stay here at North Shore House, there’s always plenty to do right on-site, so do let us know if you’d like to borrow a canoe, play a board game, enjoy some bocce ball, explore the grounds, or enjoy any other of our outdoor and indoor activities. Ready to book your event or stay at North Shore House? Give us a call today! We look forward to having you!

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