Blake Walsh

15 Best Things to Do in Millville, NJ

  • Published 2023/03/17

Millville features plenty of attractions woven into its splendid location in Cumberland County, New Jersey.

The city boasts a rich history of American glass-making, which you can discover by visiting its vibrant Glasstown Arts District.

This innovative district alone is filled with art, shops, restaurants, entertainment, and more.

Millville also features the “wild and scenic” Maurice River and the beautiful Union Lake, offering many outdoor opportunities.

You’ll have a delightful vacation in Millville as it offers fun activities like picnicking, hiking, biking, fishing, swimming, kayaking, cruising, wildlife viewing, and many more.

There’s plenty to see and do in the city that it’s impossible to list here.

Why not discover them yourself?

Here are the best things to do in Millville, New Jersey:

Catch a Concert at the Levoy Theatre

Exterior of the Levoy Theatre

Smallbones, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Levoy Theatre was built in 1908 in the Classical Revival style, featuring vaudeville and motion pictures.

It’s in the city’s Glasstown Arts District, serving Southern New Jersey and neighboring areas.

The Levoy Theatre Preservation Society purchased the theater in 1998.

The non-profit organization is dedicated to preserving, restoring, and operating the theater as a performing arts and education center.

The Levoy Theatre hosts hundreds of concerts, movies, comedy tours, children’s shows, Broadway musicals, and plays.

You’ll enjoy watching a show or two with your family, friends, and even your date.

If you’re looking for world-class acts by local talents at an affordable cost, you’ve found the right place.

Travel Back to the Past at the Millville Army Air Field Museum

If you’re interested in history, aviation, and the military, the Millville Army Air Field Museum would be the best place for you.

The museum preserves the history of the Millville Army Air Field, dedicated as “America’s First Defense Airport” in 1941 by the U.S. War Department.

The museum has vast collections of World War II aviation artifacts, military memorabilia, and photography exhibits.

Check out the fantastic murals depicting life during WWII and fun events like movie nights, air shows, and vintage and military aircraft displays.

The museum’s historic complex contains the original WWII Link Trainer Building.

It also includes the Henry E. Wyble Historic Research Library and Education Center, found in a restored WWII warehouse.

Don’t miss the chance to take advantage of the Millville Army Air Field Museum tours, programs, and free admission.

Get Your Adrenaline Pumping at New Jersey Motorsports Park

Do you want to try exhilarating outdoor adventures like go-karting, driving, axe throwing, and paintball?

Head to New Jersey Motorsports Park, a premier motorsports entertainment complex on over 500 acres adjoining the Millville Airport.

The park houses two world-class road courses: Thunderbolt and Lightning.

It also features the Tempest Raceway, one of the top outdoor karting complexes in the U.S.

Moreover, it offers country club membership programs, the Drivers and Riders Club, and hosts fun events like races, concerts, and festivals.

The park also has open seating for spectators, camping areas, on-site hotel and condominium accommodations, a full-service bar and restaurant, a store, and more.

With its diverse and dynamic attractions on and off-track, New Jersey Motorsports Park may be the adventure that you’re seeking.

Check Out the Art at the Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts

Another excellent attraction for artists, aspiring artists, and art lovers is the Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts.

This art gallery and education center is located in Millville’s Glasstown Arts District and is a hub for the visual, movement, and musical arts.

It has four gallery spaces: Main Gallery, Witt Gallery, Atrium Gallery, and Associate Artist Alcove.

There’s much to check out at the Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts, such as the changing exhibitions, art shows, classes, and events.

To support local artists, you can purchase artist-made pieces in various mediums, like books, prints, wall art, jewelry, and ceramics.

Explore the Outdoors at the Maurice River Bluffs Preserve

This preserve is named for its striking rounded cliffs overlooking the Maurice River and has hills and valleys.

The Maurice River Bluffs Preserve is more than 500 acres with numerous amenities perfect for outdoor enthusiasts and the whole family.

It includes five trails with varying difficulty levels, a six-mile mountain biking trail, an artesian well, bridges, a floating dock, a bird blind, and steps for steep areas.

There are multiple picnic tables and benches throughout the preserve where you can eat snacks while taking a break from hiking, biking, or exploring.

Likewise, you’ll also find historical remnants within the preserve, including a 1700s stone farmhouse.

The Maurice River Bluffs Preserve is home to crucial habitats for migrating songbirds, bald eagles, osprey, and other most endangered species in New Jersey.

Try several nature-based activities, from wildlife viewing to spending quality time with your family and friends.

Sample Craft Beers at Glasstown Brewing Company

Chug an ice-cold craft beer at Glasstown Brewing Company on Peterson Street in Millville Airport.

What started as a hobby and a dream became a business for the owner Paul Simmons.

He founded Glasstown Brewing Company in 2013, inspired by Millville’s rich history of glass-making.

Chill out with friends at this local brewery and taste the best beers in the city.

Try its Glasstown Czech Style Pilsner, Nightcap Belgian Blonde, 856 DIPA, and 609 IPA, its most popular beer.

Kayak at Union Lake

Don’t overlook the city’s magnificent Union Lake, especially if you crave water activities.

The 898-acre Union Lake goes back to the 1790s when the damming of the Maurice River formed a small reservoir used to power a local mill.

A company purchased the lake in 1868, and a new dam built downstream expanded the lake to four miles long and one mile wide.

In 1982, the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife bought the lake and the 5,000 acres surrounding it.

The government organization rebuilt the aging dam and turned the lake and its surrounding land into a wildlife management area that nature lovers can enjoy.

This massive freshwater lake is a popular spot for bass fishing and tournaments, boating, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, birdwatching, and more.

It also has trails for hiking and biking and a swimming beach perfect in the summer, with amenities such as a playground, sports field, court, and concession stands.

Immerse Yourself in Art at Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center

Glassblowing in Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center

DDauri Daniel D’Auria, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The best place for those interested in the arts and culture is Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center, or simply WheatonArts.

Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center is an internationally acclaimed arts community on a 45-acre wooded setting on Glasstown Road.

See the most comprehensive collection of glass produced in the U.S. at the renowned Museum of American Glass situated at the heart of the center.

Watch enthralling artist demonstrations, from glassblowing to ceramic wheel throwing at the Glass, Flamework, and Pottery Studios.

Check out special exhibitions, performances, workshops, programs, and festivals, including its award-winning Festival of Fine Craft.

The center also includes the Down Jersey Folklife Center, five museum stores, a café, a nature trail, a charming pond-side picnic grove, and more.

Taste Fine Wine at Cedar Rose Vineyards

Delight in exquisite wine at Cedar Rose Vineyards, a 22-acre vineyard and a winery nestled in the Outer Coastal Plain’s heart.

It specializes in crafting the finest wines and estate-grown grapes in New Jersey.

Enjoy a stellar wine-tasting experience in your tasting room and tickle your taste buds with a selection of wines in unique flavors.

Besides wine flights, it has a full seasonal menu and à la carte charcuterie boards, where you can create your platter by choosing your ingredients and serving size.

In addition, you may check out its calendar for many fun events, including live music, and soak up the friendly and relaxing environment.

Tour the Maurice River with Maurice River Cruises

Your visit to Millville would be more exciting if you’ve experienced the beauty of the “wild and scenic” Maurice River.

One of the best things you can do is take an adventurous tour with Maurice River Cruises, where you can see unmissable sights while exploring.

Climb aboard a comfortable, canopied riverboat and cruise along the river for two hours.

During the cruise, you’ll see historical sites, beautiful meadows, wildlife like otters, ospreys, eagles, and exciting sights.

Make a reservation by calling Maurice River Cruises, which offers you the option to cruise any month from May through October.

Don’t forget to take some pictures for lasting memories of your fantastic sailing and the sunset that make for stunning photos.

Explore the Glasstown Arts District

A trip to Millville won’t be complete without visiting the Glasstown Arts District, which preserves the city’s glass industry heritage.

This vibrant arts district has a dozen galleries and studios, upscale and casual restaurants, retail shops, entertainment options, and more.

There’s never a dull moment here because it hosts many live music performances and other fun events.

Some attractions in the district include the Levoy Theatre, the Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts, and the monthly Third Friday Art Walk.

The Glasstown Arts District has so much to offer; it is a perfect place for art lovers and everyone of all ages.

Look for art exhibits and family-friendly events, walk the streets, and check out the city’s unique features.

Shop, dine, explore, and enjoy the best things in the Glasstown Arts District with your family, friends, partner, or alone!

Test Your Shooting Skills at Cumberland Riflemen

Head to Cumberland Riflemen for an action-packed adventure or something new.

It’s an ideal place for people who’re into firearms and those who want to learn the sport of shooting.

Cumberland Riflemen has six outdoor shooting ranges: two rifles, three pistols, and a dual-use range.

Its shooting distances vary from 25 to 600 yards, and its 600-yard rifle range is one of the longest outdoor ranges in New Jersey.

While its ranges are generally accessible to club members only, you can check out its hosted regular events, most of which are open to the general public.

Read a Book at the Millville Public Library

Spend a quiet afternoon at the Millville Public Library on Buck Street near the Levoy Theatre.

The library has a great selection of books, e-books, audiobooks, periodicals, DVDs, CDs, and more that cater to kids, teens, and adults.

It features quiet nooks for reading, researching, and studying, plus other amenities like wireless printing and free Wi-Fi.

The Millville Public Library hosts numerous family-friendly events, including storytimes, basic computer classes, workshops, arts and crafts, and book clubs.

Spot Wildlife at Harold N. Peek Preserve

The Harold N. Peek Preserve is located on over 250 acres of property along the freshwater, tidal Maurice River.

Established in 1992 and expanded in the following years, the preserve is home to some of Southern New Jersey’s healthiest wild rice marshes.

You can also spot many birds in this wetland habitat, including migrating raptors and waterfowl.

The preserve has a 160-foot-long boardwalk that extends over the wetlands and viewing platforms that offer opportunities to spot bald eagles and other species.

Besides hiking the trails that lead you through various habitats, you can also enjoy kayaking or canoeing at the Harold N. Peek Preserve.

Unwind at Captain Joseph Buck Waterfront Park

Entrance arch of Captain Joseph Buck Waterfront Park

Rosemarie Mosteller / Shutterstock.com

This nine-acre park was named after Captain Joseph Buck, a veteran Revolutionary War officer and Cumberland County Militia commander.

He also founded Millville.

You’ll find a monument that pays tribute to him and a plaque by the Maurice River telling his story.

Apart from its rich history, Captain Joseph Buck Waterfront Park has many features that offer relaxation and enjoyment for the community and visitors.

Boardwalk at Captain Joseph Buck Waterfront Park

Rosemarie Mosteller / Shutterstock.com

Walk along the boardwalk, eat snacks in one of the picnic areas, and enjoy breathtaking waterfront views.

Then, admire the park’s beautiful landscaping, or go fishing.

The charming Captain Joseph Buck Waterfront Park also has a gazebo, parking, and a playground where you can take your kids.

Final Thoughts

Millville is a splendid city with alluring natural sites, a vibrant arts scene, fun activities, and a rich historical legacy.

Whether you’re a nature lover, a history geek, an art enthusiast, or a leisure traveler, the city has lots to offer.

Plan your delightful vacation with this list of the best things to do in Millville, New Jersey.

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