Thrill seekers enjoy hydrobiking and paddleboarding on Lake Hopatcong thanks to Lake Hopatcong Adventure Co.
Need a break from it all to relax and rejuvenate? Look no further than the scenic Sussex Skylands for a great day trip or weekend excursion.
If you ever want to escape the hustle and bustle of modern-day life without having to travel too far, Sussex County’s Skylands Region in New Jersey represents the ultimate destination.
“Sussex County offers everything from fun festivals and thrilling sports and water activities to appealing agritourism attractions, delicious culinary experiences and peaceful walks in the woods,” said Tammie Horsfield, president of the Sussex County Chamber of Commerce and Sussex Skylands Destination Marketing Organization in Newton. “Come to Sussex County and enjoy a day or weekend getaway with family, friends and the great outdoors.”
Following are just some of the great activities that will make for a memorable day trip or weekend excursion to Sussex County:
Hike The Appalachian Trail
“Just over 72 miles of the 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail, which spans from Georgia to Maine, runs through Warren, Sussex and Passaic counties,” Horsfield said. “This nationally renowned destination for hiking and nature appreciation includes significant paths through numerous towns in Sussex County, including the 1.5-mile Pochuck Boardwalk and its 110-foot-long wooden suspension bridge in Vernon Township.” On this raised boardwalk, visitors will be lifted above the marshy bog below and will enjoy walking the bridges along the beautiful, wild Appalachian Trail.
Horsfield noted that the idea for the Appalachian Trail — which was completed in 1937 and runs through 14 states — was first conceived at a meeting in the Sussex County town of Andover in the 1920s by local regional planner Benton MacKaye, who suggested the construction of trails along the Appalachian Mountains to help residents enjoy nature and escape the grind of city life. “There’s a marker at the famed meeting site on Sparta-Stanhope Road to note this historical landmark,” Horsfield said.
The new rooftop bar at Krogh’s Restaurant & Brew Pub in Sparta offers outstanding views of scenic Lake Mohawk.
Dine in Style
“Visitors will enjoy Industry Restaurant & Bar in Sparta, a brand new and very unique eatery that offers signature dishes with a twist,” Horsfield said. The restaurant’s innovative menu features shareable appetizers, sides and entrées as well as craft cocktails and a large selection of beers on tap. And don’t miss the appealing décor — in a nod to the area’s industrial and farming-related founders, Industry Bar & Restaurant proudly displays many historical pieces of now-retired industrial equipment, including a vintage industrial scale, pieces of process equipment used by manufacturers in Sparta and surrounding towns, and old advertisements and branded signs on the walls.
Also in Sparta, tap into Krogh’s Restaurant & Brew Pub, a longtime favorite destination that now features its new “Krogh’s Nest” rooftop bar. “Offering live music and great views of glistening Lake Mohawk, the elevated bar is the perfect warm-weather perch,” Horsfield said.
Enjoy the opportunity to take to the skies through Sussex Skydive at the Sussex Airport in Wantage.
Ante Up for Adventure
Located at the Sussex Airport in Wantage, Skydive Sussex is a full-service skydiving school and facility specializing in first-time tandem skydiving, skydiving training and instruction, and professional skydiving for all skill levels. “Located near the High Point Monument, this adrenaline-sizzling activity offers the highest elevation point for skydiving in the tri-state area, with jumps from 14,500 feet,” Horsfield said. “Enjoy the thrill of flight and the beauty of the area’s rural scenery as you glide back to earth.”
Let Lake Hopatcong Adventure Co. help you enjoy the beauty on and around Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey’s largest freshwater lake, through such fun activities as hydrobiking, biking, hiking, paddleboarding or kayaking. “Take your biking excursion really, really off-road via a ride on the water with LHAC’s hydrobikes,” said Horsfield, who recommends following up that activity with a tasty meal lakeside at Lake Hopatcong’s Windlass Restaurant, a local landmark offering spectacular views.
.Have Fun at a Festival
Sussex County welcomes visitors to enjoy a range of great gatherings this spring and summer.
“This June 23-25, don’t miss the Rocks, Ribs & Ridges Festival, which will appeal to lovers of all things Southern — rock ’n’ roll and great ribs amid the beautiful mountain ridges of Sussex County,” Horsfield said. “Enjoy 12 bands, including popular 1970s-1980s band 38 Special and many others, including artists who will definitely lend a blues twist.” Barbeque fans can let their voices be heard by sampling all of the festival’s great BBQ fare and then casting their vote for the “People’s Choice Award” for Best Overall Ribber.
“And coming up in August, visitors will find plenty of fun activities to indulge in at the NJ State Fair/Sussex County Farm & Horseshow in Augusta,” Horsfield said.
For More Information
The Sussex County Chamber of Commerce and Sussex Skylands Destination Marketing Organization are located at 120 Hampton House Road in Newton and can be reached by calling 973-579-1811 or visiting sussexskylands.com for travel information. To request a Sussex Skylands Visitor Guide or Trail Guide, visit sussexskylands.com/about-sussex-county/travel-guide.
