Hackettstown Hidden Gems: A Tour of H-Town

Hackettstown is home to not only Centenary University, but many stores, restaurants, and attractions. Some CU students—including both residents and commuters—are unaware of the many locations Hackettstown has to offer.

Samantha Swayze, sophomore managing editor who was born and raised in Hackettstown, set out to show the hidden gems scattered throughout town to her CU friends: Elizabeth May, sophomore managing editor; Carlee Nigro, junior managing editor; Nick Storms, junior social media manager; and Tanner Sullivan, senior executive managing editor.

Restaurants and Stores: “For Science”

The first task on the Hackettstown tour to-do list included trying various restaurants. 

Hot Bagels Abroad

To start off the day with a hearty breakfast, the group ventured to Hot Bagels Abroad located at 150 Mountain Avenue, which is across the street from one of the two entrances to Union Cemetery. 

Whether you are there early when they open at 5 a.m. or are grabbing lunch at noon, Hot Bagels is a popular spot Hackettstown residents frequent. 

Swayze purchased her usual French toast bagel toasted with butter and taylor ham (yes, taylor ham). The crew gave their opinions of their first time trying Hot Bagels. 

“Nothing says New Jersey like starting the day with a fresh bagel,” said Sullivan. “And I have to say, Hot Bagels was the perfect spot to begin this tour at, especially with their fast service and great food.” 

“Hot bagels reminded me a lot of a bagel place you’d find in Philadelphia, and their bagels tasted like the bagels I would get when I lived in Philly,” said May.

“Hot Bagels was the perfect way to start our morning,” said Storms. “Good food, great energy, and moments like that reminded us how the smallest spots can bring people closer together.”

Sonny’s II

As previously reviewed by Swayze, Sonny’s II is located at 915 Country Road 517. After reading the review of their famous garlic knots, the writers insisted on giving them a try. 

“Sonny’s gave us that classic comfort food experience,” said Storms. “Great meals always hit differently when you’re surrounded by people who feel like family.”

“All the praise I heard about Sonny’s was not for nothing! I loved the ambiance of this place, especially with how communicative and friendly the staff were,” said Sullivan. “Not to mention, the food was delicious; those garlic knots are addictive!” 

“The garlic knots were out of this world,” said Nigro. “And the chicken in my caesar salad was tender and flavored perfectly!”

The crew was also given the opportunity to try homemade desserts by Sonny’s staff member Amy, who is also a Centenary alumni. 

“We tried a piece of cheesecake and chocolate pie. Both of them tasted great, but my personal favorite was the cheesecake because it had a perfect texture and wasn’t overly sweet,” said Sullivan. 

Sweet Bite Delights

Sweet Bite Delights is a bakery and coffee shop with various sweet treats to try. They are located at 199 Main Street and have a completely pink interior. 

“Sweet Bite Delights had phenomenal coffee and very interesting options. I loved that they had a Nutella latte because that’s my kryptonite,” said May. 

“Sweet Bite Delights was by far my favorite spot on our trip. The Biscoff latte was amazing and the tres leches was even better,” said Nigro.

“This was my first time going to Sweet Bite Delights, and I was very impressed,” said Swayze. “I tried their viral peach dessert, which had a hard outer shell and ice cream inside. It was delicious, and I plan on going back soon!”

Kilhaney’s Pickles

Kilhaney’s Pickles is a pickle shop located at 173 Main Street. They also hold three other retail locations in Clinton, Cape May, and Ocean City. 

They offer different flavors of pickles, such as Garlic Dillicious, Apple Pie Pickle, Sweet Heat, and Dutch Dill. 

“Kilhaney’s Pickles won me over with its different pickle-themed products and flavors,” said Sullivan. “It almost reminded me of a farmer’s marker in how many options there were to choose from.” 

“Kilhaney’s Pickles was one of the most unique stops we made,” said Storms. “It showed us that sometimes the most unexpected places create the best memories.”

“It’s my go-to pickle place,” said May. “They have some of the best pickles in the area. I’m a big fan of their spicy pickles.”

Fromage and Lulu’s Book Nook

Located at 161 Main Street, Fromage—which is French for cheese—offers various types of cheese, charcuterie boxes, meats, jams, and more. Inside Fromage at 159 Main Street is Lulu’s Book Nook, which is a local book store. They often hold local authors, as well as collaborating with other local businesses such as Greene’s Beans. 

“I discovered Fromage a few months ago and now I go nearly once a month,” said May. “Not only do I love all the stuff they have to offer, but I love getting to see the little Yorkie resident that wanders the store.”

“Fromage and Lulu’s Book Nook was something really unique. I had never been in there before, but it balanced out its charcuterie goods with numerous novels greatly,” said Sullivan. 

“I have never been inside Fromage or Lulu’s Book Nook, but I will definitely return,” said Swayze. “It was fun looking around. They have two of my favorite things: cheese and books!”

Tracey’s Candy Shoppe

Located at 210 Main Street, Tracey’s Candy Shoppe is a vintage-style candy shop holding countless types of sweets such as candy, chocolate, fudge, and salt water taffy straight from Ocean City, NJ. 

“Going into Tracey’s Candy Shoppe felt nostalgic for me,” said Swayze. “I used to go there almost every day after school when I was younger, and I’m happy to see it’s still open. I love their salt water taffy and fudge.” 

“It was my first time in Tracey’s Candy Shoppe and honestly I didn’t even know Hackettstown had a candy store,” said May. “The owner was super friendly and all the selections looked so yummy.”

“There was something really nostalgic about Tracey’s Candy Shoppe, especially with how long it’s been around for,” said Sullivan. “I love candy shops that combine classic and modern sweet treats, so I felt this sense of childlike joy as I perused through the store.” 

“Tracey’s Candy Shoppe brought out the kid in all of us,” said Storms. “It reminded me that no matter how old we get, joy can still be found in the simplest moments.”

“We Have Three QuickCheks?”

Hackettstown has three QuickCheks: two with gas stations and one storefront-only location. 

80-10 Main Street

The storefront QuickChek is located at 80-10 Main Street, connected in a strip of stores such as Frank’s and a laundromat. They are open 24 hours, and it’s the closest location to Centenary’s campus. 

918-920 County Road 517

There is a gas station QuickChek located at 918-920 County Road 517, across the street at the light by Sonny’s II. It sits on the corner of Bilby Road and 517, also open 24 hours. 

134 Mountain Avenue

The newest Hackettstown QuickChek is located at 134 Mountain Avenue and opened in 2021 after previously being located on the other side of Bells Lane—which is now The Coach Room for Mama’s Cafe Baci. They are also open 24 hours.

“QuickChek became one of those clutch stops that every trip needs,” said Storms. “Sometimes the quick moments and snack runs end up being the funniest memories.”

“All the QuickCheks in Hackettstown are life savers for college students,” said May. “I frequent them and constantly walk out with a caffeine boost (Red Bull or coffee) to get me through my classes. When I go to QuickChek, I lean towards Main Street because it’s easiest for me to get to.”

“It isn’t Hackettstown if there’s not at least one trip to QuickChek,” said Sullivan. “Is it astounding that there’s three of them in this town? Yes. But are they all convenient to visit if you need to grab something quick? Also yes!”

“My favorite QuickChek of the lot would have to be the one on Main Street,” continued Sullivan. “Since that location isn’t a gas station, it allows them to prioritize their food. They also have a great snack selection, and the coffee is always consistent.”

Hackettstown Runs on Dunkin’

Not only does Hackettstown boast three Quickcheks, but it also features two Dunkin’ locations.

170 Mountain Avenue

One Dunkin’ is located at 170 Mountain Avenue next to Hackettstown Family Dental. They are open from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. everyday.

93 Main Street

A newer Dunkin’ recently opened and is located at 93 Main Street next to CVS. They are open from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. everyday. 

“Dunkin’ has always been a staple chain for me, as my family loves their coffee. I didn’t realize until recently that there are two locations in this town,” said Sullivan. “I guess that just goes to show that Hackettstown runs on Dunkin’.”

“Of the two Dunkin’s, my favorite by default is the one on Mountain Avenue,” continued Sullivan. “Largely because that’s the one I’ve been to the most. But they still have solid coffee and great food; I could eat their hash browns for days!”

“I don’t go to Dunkin’ often but when I do, their sweet treats and coffees never disappoint,” said May. “I go to the one on Main Street, as it is easiest for me to get to.”

Local History: Tillie Smith’s Grave in Union Cemetery

As previously mentioned in The Cyclone Chronicle by Swayze, Matilda “Tillie” Smith was a kitchen maid at Centenary College—now Centenary University—from 1885 to 1886. 

On April 8, 1886, she was raped and murdered. She originally was buried in a pauper’s grave until the Hackettstown community saved up enough money to get her a grave at the highest point in Union Cemetery. The CU students visited Tillie in honor of 140 years since her passing. 

“Tillie Smith’s grave is arguably the most important spot we visited all day,” said Sullivan. “After years of hearing her story and its impact on campus, it felt so surreal seeing the grave in person for the first time. It was simultaneously beautiful to look at and tragic to remember her backstory.”

“I had never been to Tillie Smith’s grave before. It was interesting to see it after hearing her history at Centenary,” said May. 

“Tillie Smith’s grave gave us a chance to reflect and learn about local history,” said Storms. “It added depth to the trip and reminded us that every place has a story.”

“I have visited Tillie’s grave more times than I can count,” said Swayze. “I have felt connected to Tillie ever since I first learned about her in middle school. I strive to continue to tell her story and inform others on the tragedy of her case.” 

Shades of Death: Is the Road Actually Haunted?

Off of US-46 and after turning onto Hope Road, you will eventually come across Shades of Death Road. There are different stories related to the road, but the overall consensus is the road is haunted. Whether it is due to Native Americans thousands of years ago or a woman in a white wedding dress asking for a ride, Shades of Death will leave travelers feeling uneasy. 

“When we first entered Shades of Death, I felt this weird feeling in my head unlike anything I’ve ever felt on the road before,” said Sullivan. “The journey through the street was engaging and fun, though I was still a little concerned that something could be following us. Not to mention, I found out after the trip that my old house was just four miles away from this haunted road. I guess that feeling in my head was just the spirits welcoming me back.” 

“Shades of Death was one of the most unforgettable experiences of the trip,” said Storms. “It brought excitement, laughs, and a reminder that stepping outside of your comfort zone creates the best stories.” 

“I’ve grown up hearing stories about Shades of Death. It’s been this looming presence in the area and I had avoided it until this past year,” said May. “My first time on it was Halloween night because my usual road to Hackettstown was down. It was a creepy and heavy ride to say the least. The second time on the road for this trip was just as heavy and spooky.”

Parks and Picnics

Hackettstown holds multiple free parks and outdoor activities to partake in. 

Riverfront Park or “Doctor’s Park”

Riverfront Park is located at 213 Seber Road off of Willow Grove Street. Hackettstown residents often call this park “Doctor’s Park,” as it is behind multiple doctor offices. 

The park has walking trails throughout the woods and main areas, as well as a playground, two baseball fields, and basketball courts. 

Alumni Field

A trail through the woods of Riverfront Park leads to Alumni Field, which is located at 103 Mine Hill Road off of Willow Grove Street. It is also known as Douglas A. Blake Memorial Field, as it honors Hackettstown sports legend Douglas Blake. 

There are pavilions for picnics, playgrounds, walking trails, and a football field often used for youth sports in town. 

Hackettstown High School Pickleball and Tennis Courts

Hackettstown High School, located at 599 Warren Street, recently renovated their tennis court into a publicly available tennis and pickleball court. Sharing a parking lot with the high school is the Hackettstown Pool located at 499 Warren Street. The pool will open for the season on June 20, 2026.

Little Lending Library

Near Trinity United Methodist Church, which is located at 213 Main Street, is a little lending library. It was created by Emma Trinneer—a Hackettstown High School alumnus—in 2018.

People can take books that interest them, then leave books in the little library for other people to take. This is a great option for people who want to read but may not have money to buy books.

Final Thoughts

The crew shared their overall thoughts of the 10-hour adventure they took around Hackettstown. 

“This trip was bigger than just the places we visited; it was about the bonds we strengthened, the laughs we shared, and the memories we curated together,” said Storms. “Experiences like this remind me that even when life throws obstacles your way, you can still find ways to decompress with genuine friends by your side. So, appreciating moments with good people means everything.” 

“The tour was a blast! It was a lot of fun trying new things,” said Nigro. “Overall, this was such a great experience. I got to form a stronger bond with everyone who I love so much.”

"The Hackettstown trip was a fun adventure to go on and especially at the end of the semester; I feel we all needed the break to just mess around and have fun,” said May. “It was great to get to see all of what Hackettstown has to offer, and as someone who's grown up 30 minutes away, it was really interesting to see what I had missed for these past 20 years."

“I had the absolute time of my life on the Hackettstown tour. Not only did I get to learn so much more about the town and its numerous establishments, but I got to further strengthen my bonds with my close friends,” said Sullivan. “The best way I could describe this tour is a combination of high energy and fascinating lessons. It resulted in one of the best days I’ve had in all my years of going to Centenary, and the formation of an unforgettable core memory.” 

“I have lived in Hackettstown my whole life, and getting to show my friends around my hometown brought me so much joy,” said Swayze. “We had a lot of fun, and I am so lucky to have met such amazing people at Centenary. Although they may not live here, they helped Hackettstown feel even more like home.”