Historic Chester, New Jersey

posted by nicole

Chester, NJ

This weekend we took a trip to Historic Chester, New Jersey, to browse their Spring Chester Craft Show and stroll around the bustling Main Street. I’m a sucker for craft fairs. I don’t really know why, but whenever I see that they’ll be a local fair, I mark my calendar. I just love shopping the open air aisles browsing each vendor’s handmade trinkets. I never really buy anything, maybe a tchotchke here or there, but I love to look.

Chester, NJ

Of course, with a toddler shopping isn’t my main focus these days, and that’s okay. I’m just happy getting out into the beautiful spring weather and spending a day with my family. Of course, craft fairs are certainly not my husband’s “thing”, but I can usually persuade him to come, promising him they’ll be several huts of free food samples!

Chester, NJ

We arrived to Chester around 10 am, which we later realized was a great time to go. By the time we were heading home around 2:00 pm, the traffic on the way into town was lined up for a least a mile. We easily found a parking spot on the street and walked down to Municipal Field where the craft show was held. We browsed each little booth and our daughter, who we call G, entertained everyone waving and smiling, charming the vendors. She seemed particularly interested in the handmade dog collars-she was thinking of buying one for her favorite canine cousin, Charlie. I actually ended up buying a hand painted lilac colored canvas for G’s room; it had a little castle on it and said, “Do Not Disturb. Dreams in Progress.” I thought it would be cute to hang over her crib.

Chester, NJ

By lunch time we headed into town. Main Street in Chester is filled with little specialty shops, antique stores, cafes, and restaurants, but if you blink, you will probably miss it.  It’s small, quaint, and good for an hour or two of strolling-we are taking advantage while our daughter is still content riding in her stroller.  It was such a beautiful sunny day, we mostly just window shopped and browsed the sidewalk sales. Plus, most of the stores are small and are jam-packed with delicate, unique items. I could just imagine the path of destruction Tornado G would leave behind.

Chester, NJ

Before we left to head home, we treated ourselves to delicious homemade ice cream at Taylor’s Ice Cream Parlor.  G looked like a little fish opening and closing her mouth, begging for her dad to share some of his cookies and cream with her.  We couldn’t help laughing and thinking we never saw her beg for a vegetable like that! It’s amazing how quickly kids learn the difference.

Chester, NJ

As we walked to the car, I noticed a sign for a Strawberry Harvest Festival coming up at the nearby Alstede Farms.  We visited Alstede for pumpkin picking in the fall and it’s extremely kid-friendly, so I think a June visit for fresh picked strawberries is a great idea.

Posted in Family, Family Day Trips, Mom Stuff, Shopping, Travel. Tagged , , , , , , , , , .

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