If you’ve never been, Smithville in Atlantic County looks like something out of a postcard. It’s part shopping center, part history lesson, and part old-fashioned day trip. There are more than 50 little shops, a handful of restaurants, and even an inn if you want to stretch your visit into a weekend. It’s touristy, sure, but in the best way—you come for the vibe as much as for the food and shopping.
How Smithville Got Its Start
The place didn’t start as a tourist stop at all. Back in 1952, Fred and Ethel Noyes bought an old stagecoach stop and seven acres of land for just $3,500. They first ran it as an antique store, but soon switched it into the Smithville Inn—a restaurant that’s still going strong. As people kept coming, they added more buildings through the 1960s, many of them restored historic homes.
Fred grew up in Philly and trained as an artist before serving in World War II. After the war, he came home, met Ethel, and the two built their life around both art and this little property in South Jersey. Ethel, who grew up on a farm, had just as much creative drive. She was later honored as one of New Jersey’s top businesswomen and eventually landed in the Atlantic County Women’s Hall of Fame. Not bad for someone who started with an abandoned stagecoach stop.
By the 1970s, Smithville had blown up into something much bigger. ABC even bought it in 1974 for $7 million, when the property had grown to more than 2,000 acres with shops, inns, and hotels.
What to Do in Smithville
The main draw is wandering through the shops. Some highlights:
- A Tour of Italy: Jewelry, decor, and imported Italian goodies.
- Castle in the Air: Antiques, stained glass, and quirky collectibles.
- La Petite Boutique: Baby clothes and gifts (great for new parents).
- Country Folk: Rustic furniture and knick-knacks with farmhouse charm.
- Smithville Peanut Butter Co.: Homemade peanut butters in flavors like chocolate or butterscotch, plus jams and jellies.
When you get hungry, you’ve got options. The Colonial Inn Café and Fred and Ethel’s Lantern Light Tavern are two favorites—the tavern is especially popular for hearty plates and its Jersey Devil Burger. And for dessert? Head to Scoop’s Place, where the ice cream sundaes are as over the top as they sound.
There’s also Lake Meone, where you can rent paddle boats ($12 weekdays, $15 weekends). It’s kitschy, but that’s part of Smithville’s charm.
Fall Events in Smithville
Smithville doesn’t just rest on its historic look—it runs events almost every season. Fall is especially busy with car shows, an Oktoberfest, the Irish Festival, and the always-fun pet costume parade. Around Halloween, the Monster Bash takes over, and in December, the whole place transforms into a Victorian-style holiday village.
The Dickens Fest in November stages a version of A Christmas Carol, while December brings cheap holiday train rides ($3 a person) that are a hit with families. It’s the kind of small-town event schedule that keeps Smithville on people’s calendars year after year.
For a detailed list of dates and events, visit Smithville’s Events Calendar.
Why People Still Visit
Part of the appeal is that Smithville straddles the line between tourist attraction and genuine history. You can shop for quirky gifts, eat a burger, wander into a peanut butter store, and then walk past a building that’s been here for centuries. It’s only 20 minutes from Atlantic City, but it feels worlds away.
Whether you come for a quick day trip or decide to book a night at the Colonial Inn, Smithville is one of those Jersey destinations that keeps reinventing itself without losing its old-school appeal. Want to visit Smithville? Check out this map of the village and its shops.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.