Sightseeing Guide
Things to Do in Mays Landing, NJ
History, lake life, parks and local favorites in and around town
AI-created adaptation based on Main Street photographs by Tim Kiser and Zeete, via Wikimedia Commons. Adapted image shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Welcome to Town
A Small Town With a Long Story
This guide rounds up the best things to do and see in Mays Landing, New Jersey, plus a few nearby spots worth the short drive. Most of these stops are right in the historic center of town or just minutes away by car, so a good day out here mixes old-town charm with the outdoors.
If you are thinking of making Mays Landing home, 4885 Bayberry Place sits right in the middle of all of it, in the Harding Run II community within Hamilton Township. The historic district, the lake, and the county parks are all close at hand.
The Mays Landing Historic District
Start in the heart of town. The Mays Landing Historic District is a walkable district listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and Mays Landing has been the county seat of Atlantic County since 1837. The district runs along the Great Egg Harbor River, so you can take in plenty of small-town history with the water never far away.
The Mays Landing Library: A Hotel With a Story
One of the town's best stories is right on Main Street. The Mays Landing branch of the Atlantic County Library is housed in the former American Hotel, which opened in 1840 at the corner of Main Street and Farragut Avenue. Back then it served the courthouse crowds, jurors, and merchants passing through town. Today it is a working library, a piece of living history you can walk right into.
A Town Treasure
John W. Underhill & Underhill Park
Mays Landing's first African American citizen, John W. Underhill, was a beloved figure in town, known for his candy shoppe at the corner of Farragut Avenue and Main Street.
When he left his estate to Hamilton Township in 1925, the town honored his memory in a lasting way: Underhill Park, also known as Veterans Park, and the John W. Underhill Fountain, erected in 1932. It is a quiet corner of town with a meaningful story behind it.
On the Water
Lake Lenape: Paddling, Fishing & Parkland
At the north end of Mays Landing, Lake Lenape is where the Great Egg Harbor River widens into a scenic lake. It is popular for kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, and fishing, with a launch area and parkland all around it.
Bring a paddle or a fishing rod, or simply enjoy a walk along the water. It is an easy, relaxed way to spend an afternoon close to town.
A Short Drive From Town
Estell Manor Park: Trails, Boardwalks & Glassworks Ruins
Just a short drive from Mays Landing, Estell Manor Park is Atlantic County's historic 1,700-acre park in Estell Manor. It offers roughly 27 miles of trails, including the 1.8-mile elevated Swamp Trail boardwalk, plus the ruins of the Estellville Glassworks.
There are also picnic pavilions, playgrounds, a nature center, fishing, and scenic river views. The park is open daily from 7:30 am to sunset, so there is plenty of time to explore.
Local Favorites
More Mays Landing Spots to Love
Three more pieces of the town's character, each with a story of its own.
County Seat Florist
A Main Street landmark, County Seat Florist is said to be one of the first buildings ever constructed in Mays Landing, and it is still in operation today. It is a lovely stop to see one of the town's oldest buildings in everyday use.
Young's Skating Rink
A longtime local roller-skating favorite in the Mays Landing area. Lace up your skates for a fun, old-fashioned evening out that locals have enjoyed for years.
The Original Firehouse & Police Department
Part of Mays Landing's charm is its small-town history. The original firehouse and original police department are early public-service buildings that stand as reminders of how the town looked after its residents in its earliest days.
Mays Landing Historical Society Museum
For history buffs, the Mays Landing Historical Society Museum is a must-see. It brings together the stories behind the town's buildings, people, and landmarks in one place, and it is the perfect capstone after exploring the streets and parks.
Easy Day Trips From 4885 Bayberry Place
The area around Lake Lenape and the Great Egg Harbor River offers easy day trips from 4885 Bayberry Place. The condo sits in the Harding Run II community in Mays Landing, within Hamilton Township, so the historic district, the lake, and the county parks are all close at hand. Whether you are visiting for the day or imagining life here, there is plenty to see.
Planning a Visit or a Move?
Derek Doernbach of Century 21 Action Plus Realty is happy to help you explore Mays Landing, whether you are touring the sights or considering a home here.