Bed & bath: 5 bedrooms, 2.5 baths
Top amenities: The two large solariums with water views 
Best for: Fishing and crabbing fans

This five-bedroom is more than just a house—it’s a destination. Sitting right on Cedar Creek in Ocean County’s Berkeley Township, the spacious home can easily sleep 14 guests and is made for those who have sea legs. With a 175-foot bulkhead and deep water lagoon right on the lot, you can go fishing and crabbing right from the property. There are 10 kayaks, two paddleboards, and a paddleboat available for use, as well as plenty of room for you to bring your own boats, Jet Skis, or canoes. The wheelchair-accessible home also has a Viking stove, 60-inch 4K Ultra-HD Smart TV, 10-seat dining room, two-car garage, foosball table, dart boards, and two solariums with views of swans, ducks, and geese floating along the waterway.

Bed & bath: 1 bedroom, 1 bath
Top amenities: Fifteen-foot high ceilings and skylight
Best for: Shore lovers from the city

Take one glance inside this one-bedroom apartment with its bold furnishings, and you might guess you’re in a SoHo loft, as the owner describes. But open the door and you’re just blocks from the soft sands of the Jersey coastline, and a short distance away from the area’s most famed eateries and nightlife. The airy space has 15-foot ceilings and a skylight to keep the light flooding in by day. And for nights in, there’s a 110-inch 4K projector, as well as a Nintendo Switch with four controllers. Guests have their own private staircase entrance in the back off the street, as well as access to a tennis court.

Bed & bath: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths
Top amenities: Porch with rocking chairs, firepit, sun deck
Best for: Family and friends weekend

Here in this north bayside neighborhood, it’s all the charm of Cape May without the crowds. Spend your days relaxing on the front porch rocking chairs, lazing in the backyard around the firepit, or napping in the loungers. When you’re in the mood to take a dip, a private beach is just a short walk away—there’s also a local pool. Inside, the three-bedroom property can sleep up to six in two queen beds and two singles. It also boasts a stone-lined fireplace, an open kitchen, and welcoming beach decor throughout.

Bed & bath: 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths
Top amenities: The private 60-jet hot tub, sauna, and steam room
Best for: Relaxing friends reunions

On the outside, this 1887 home looks like an idyllic country carriage house, but inside, it’s filled with an eclectic style, from multi-color drapes to ornate dressers, not to mention a wealth of amenities: a pool table (that converts into Ping-Pong table), firepit, trampoline, basketball court, a sauna, steam room, and a 60-jet hot tub with seating for six. Renovated in 2000, the owner has long used it as a retreat for her grown kids, family, and friends, and is now sharing it with others as a vacation rental.

Bed & bath: Two bedrooms, two baths
Top amenities: Movie projector, soaking tub
Best for: A rejuvenating escape, animal sightings

This guest cottage on the three-acre property of its Superhosts was once an artists’ studio and before that, a stable house dating back to the 1800s. That history survived the space, seen in its exposed beams and cathedral ceilings. The renovated bathroom is complete with a soaking tub, while the living room has a movie projector and Roku surround system. The open floor plan is accented by large windows, casting in views of its pastoral setting. Pear, apple, maple, and cherry trees grow, and families of ducks, foxes, geese, and deer populate the area. As an added bonus, an electric guitar is available to those craving a jam session. Despite its secluded setting, it’s just 15 minutes to Frenchtown and five minutes to Flemington.

Bed & bath: 4 bedrooms, 3 baths
Top amenities: Seasonal pool with spa, wrap-around patio, firepit, outdoor hot tub
Best for: Lakeside retreat in the woods

Located in the colonial South Jersey town of Greenwich, this four-bedroom home sitting on a private lakefront acre is a contrast of experiences. Inside, white interiors, decor, and furnishings brighten and soothe. But step outside and it’s pure bucolic energy, from a pool with its own little hut and a sprawling firepit to the floating dock with Adirondack chairs. But its most coveted feature is the seven-person hot tub perfect for relaxing after a long day of spending time with family or friends.

Bed & bath: 5 bedrooms, 2.5 baths
Top amenities: Riverfront views, firepit, kayaks
Best for: Rest, relaxation, and recharging

Hackettstown already oozes small-town charm, complete with a Victorian-style downtown. Add in a stay in this 19th-century stone mill designed by architect Charles Buckley, and it feels like stepping into an Americana painting. Located on the banks of the Musconetcong River, granite and limestone walls and exposed brick set the mood, and elements of the mill’s original machinery have been integrated into the living room furnishings. The five bedrooms combine modern amenities with rustic touches—each room feeling like a cabin of its own—with three king rooms, one queen room, and one room with two doubles.

Bed & bath: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths
Top amenities: Fully equipped kitchen, central AC, in-unit laundry, shared rooftop access
Best for: Business travelers, commuters

It’s all the conveniences of the Big Apple without any of the hassle. Located in the one-square-mile city of Hoboken, just across the Hudson River from Manhattan (it’s only a 15-minute bus ride to Port Authority Bus Terminal on 42nd Street from this building), this surprisingly roomy two-bedroom (one with one bed, another with two singles) has the energy of the city but is infused with thoughtful feng shui design. With a fully equipped kitchen, in-unit washer and dryer, and TVs in the living room and master bedroom, it’s the mindset of fast-paced city life but with a neighborhood feel. Guests get shared access to the seventh floor rooftop, and can take hot yoga classes at the studio right downstairs.

Bed & bath: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath
Top amenities: Bluestone back patio, bikes to borrow
Best for: A cozy family getaway

There’s a certain brand of storybook charm in Lambertville that can only be understood by experiencing it. The border town is a match made in heaven with the equally appealing New Hope, Pennsylvania, located just across a walkable bridge above the Delaware River. This house—which seems to combine traits of both the area’s Victorian homes and federal townhouses—radiates the neighborhood’s energy. It has cozy pumpkin pine floors and a bluestone rear patio. The impeccably furnished two-bedroom, comfortable for up to four guests, is decorated with soothing colors. But its biggest appeal is its prime location, just footsteps from the area’s most famous restaurants, coffee shops, and boutiques. While everything is walkable, a pair of parking spots and bikes are also available, so you can zip around town any way you like.

Bed & bath: 1 bedroom, 1 bath
Top amenities: Private beach path to kayak launch, year-round hot tub, spa-style bathroom
Best for: Romantic seaside getaway

Cute and quaint meets nautical whimsy at this beachfront home—complete with a white picket fence—dubbed Octopus Cottage in Cape May County’s Lower Township. The original Millman-style building has been updated by a renowned horticulturist bringing garden charm to the space, which can sleep up to four people on one queen bed and one pull-out sofa. Inside, the soothing spa-like bathroom, vintage-inspired kitchen, and cozy 84-inch couch are only one-upped by the outdoor hot tub, firepit, and yard games. And if that’s not enough for an idyllic beach weekend, there are also three kayaks for use with a private beach path leading to a launch site.

Bed & bath: 1 bedroom, 1.5 baths
Top amenities: Proximity to Prudential Center, kitchen with reverse osmosis filtered drinking water
Best for: Hockey and music fans

The puck stops here! After the high of catching a New Jersey Devils’ game (or a buzzy concert or comedy show) at Newark’s Prudential Center, skip the crowds and commute. In just a five-minute walk you’ll be in this cozy basement studio (fit for up to three guests) stocked with post-game entertainment—be it playing board games, streaming a movie, or whipping up late-night eats in the full kitchen. Plus it’s only a seven-minute drive from Newark Liberty International Airport. Enjoy a comfortable night’s sleep on the plush double bed or the additional sofa bed.

Bed & bath: 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths
Top amenities: Beach access, lake and river views, pet-friendly, in-unit laundry
Best for: Quick city escapes

Take a deep breath on the lakeside backyard of this three-bedroom, and it’s hard to believe you’re less than an hour from Manhattan. The still waters of Crystal Lake are paired with lush suburban comforts, and whether you enjoy a glass of wine on the dock or warm up by the firepit, there’s an easygoingness that encourages you to slow down. But if you do choose to wander out, the Oakland location is convenient for restaurants and shopping centers, as well as trails, wineries, and ski sites. One thing you won’t want to miss: the sunrise and sunset views.

Bed & bath: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath
Top amenities: Lake and beach access, covered balcony, massive refrigerator 
Best for: Jersey shore escapes

The dream beach cottage does exist! With a made-for-Instagram turquoise exterior and upgraded modern interiors—including new appliances and a quartzite kitchen island and counters—this Jersey Shore two-bedroom’s greatest trait is its trio of outdoor spaces: a front porch, a backyard patio, and most impressively, a second-floor covered balcony. Plus it’s just a 10-minute stroll to Ocean Grove’s beach, boardwalk, and shops, or a five-minute walk to downtown Asbury Park. It has location, convenience, and charm all rolled into one.

Bed & bath: 4 bedrooms, 3 baths
Top amenities: Spacious living room and backyard, walkable to shopping center
Best for: Multigenerational trips in a collegiate setting

The Ivy League atmosphere of Princeton University, just one-and-a-half miles away, seeps into this 3,500-square-foot brick home with a double-height living room that mixes cabin vibes with comfortable refinement (especially around the fireplace). Each room has its own brand of homey touches, with lace curtains and wooden detailing as the throughline. Four bedrooms sleep up to 12 on a combination of two king beds, three queens, and a sofa bed. With a wide backyard for outdoor play and Princeton Shopping Center a five-minute walk away, it’s the ideal epicenter for kids, parents, and grandparents to bond while etching out new memories.

Bed & bath: Studio, 1 bath
Top amenities: Enclosed hot tub, outdoor shower, proximity to the beach
Best for: Solo travelers or couples retreat

This laid-back Spring Lake guesthouse doubles as a self-care retreat. The highlight: a private hot tub, seating nook, and TV inside of an enclosed 15-foot-tall plastic dome. A sauna blanket, a yoga mat, and self-care tools can also be requested. Despite the space only being 400 square feet, it contains a full kitchen and bathroom, plus a king bed in the living space and another twin bed in the loft. It’s just eight blocks from the beach and within close proximity to restaurants and shops.

Bed & bath: 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths
Top amenities: The west-facing deck for dreamy sunset views
Best for: Water sports lovers

This three-bedroom located right on the canal in Toms River is certainly one of the best in Jersey. Suitable for up to seven guests (in addition to one bed in each bedroom, there’s a sofa bed in the living room), the relaxed vibe is achieved with a spacious deck, outdoor grill, firepit, and wicker lounge chairs. Kayaks and paddleboards are available for use—or just jump right off the deck into the water for a swim. Then take in the stunning sunsets while playing upscale versions of Jenga, Connect Four, and horseshoes. Plus, you’re within a half-hour drive to enjoy the Jersey Shore beaches, explore the Pine Barrens, or catch a concert in Asbury Park—and about an hour from the thrills of Atlantic City.

Bed & bath: 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths
Top amenities: The Instagram-friendly facade 
Best for: Hygge vibes

Pulling into this property, just about 20 miles from Manhattan, seems like a step back in time. First, you’ll drive up the gravel road past the main house that was built in about 1752 before getting to the circular driveway in front of this carriage house. With antique floors and a courtyard space behind the home, there’s no doubt this three-bedroom is as suitable for a work-from-home change of scenery as it is a weekend escape from the city. It comes as no surprise that it boasts everyone from NFL players to CEOs as former guests.