Salem County Road Trip Guide:
Bluegrass Festival Edition!
Attend the Bluegrass Festival Welcome Party on Thursday Night!
In celebration of the 53rd Annual Delaware Valley Bluegrass Festival coming back to Salem County this year, Salem County Preservation & Development and Farmers & Bankers Brewing invite you to a special kick-off event to welcome festival guests!
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Enjoy an evening of great beers and hard seltzer’s discounted for festival attendees, live music, and food from the nearby Woodstown Tavern and Hotel!
Additionally, we will be hosting a coloring contest for kids 12 and under! All supplies will be provided at the party, however you are welcome to pre-print the coloring page here!
All coloring contest submittals will need to be present at the Welcome Party for consideration of the prize of "most creative" poster. ​
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The highlight of the night is an acoustic open mic—so bring your instrument, warm up your voice, and share your talent . Let’s start the weekend with great tunes, good company, and plenty of bluegrass spirit!
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Event Details:
Location: Farmers & Bankers Brewing
Address: 8 N. Main Street, Woodstown, NJ
Date/Time: August 28, 2025, 7-9pm
Grab a Drink
Set between Farm Stands and grazing cattle, Salem County has a variety of wineries, breweries, and distilleries!
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Within a 10 minute drive of the Festival grounds, the following watering-holes are available:
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Farmers & Bankers Brewing: 8 North Main Street, Woodstown
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Dog & Ram Spirits: 19 Seabrook Road, Mannington
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Auburn Road Winery: 117 Sharptown Auburn Road, Pilesgrove
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For a full list of our Salem County libation-based businesses, check out our interactive map and explore our fermenters on your own!
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CHEERS!
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*Please note: check hours of operation before visiting as some locations may have events or summer operating hours. And as always, please drink responsibly.
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Stop by a Farm Stand
If you haven't noticed, Salem County has a LOT of farms. Many of our farm stands are parked in front yards and stocked with produce grown 10' away (now that's fresh!). Our home growers offer fruits, veggies, honey, fresh cut flowers, and even hand-made soaps.
A few farm stands near the Festival grounds include:
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​Wards Farm (fresh flowers): 120 Bassett Road, Mannington, NJ
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Johnsons Farm and Baked Goods (produce and baked goods): 264 Fenwick Road, Woodstown, NJ
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Willow Oak Farmstead (produce, eggs, berries): 574 South Main Street, Pilesgrove
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Oakes Jersey Farm Market (produce): 849 U.S. Hwy 40, Pilesgrove, NJ
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Triple-C Angus (steaks, hotdogs, local provisions): 110 Old Salem Road, Pilesgrove, NJ
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After the Festival, stop at our Farm Stands to take home some fresh sweetcorn and produce to enjoy from home!
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Eat at a Diner
Diners in NJ are as iconic as it gets - you can order breakfast any time of day and ponder the difference between Taylor Ham and Pork Roll (spoiler - it's the same thing but in southern NJ it's the later).
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Many of our diners have been around for decades and walking into one will pull you back in time. Order a coffee, soak your pancakes in syrup, and make friends with a local!
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Diner Options (by proximity to Festival grounds):
Woodstown Diner (3.4 miles); 16 East Ave, Woodstown, NJ 08098
Point 40 Diner (
Bluebird Diner (8.1 miles): 231 North Broadway, Pennsville, NJ 08070
Salem Oak Diner (9.6 miles): 113 W Broadway, Salem, NJ 08079
Attend a Rodeo (or at least get a picture with a giant cowboy statue)
Cowtown Rodeo is America's longest running weekly professional rodeos, and it's right down the road from the Festival! This family owned and operated event has been run for generations since 1955 and includes bull riding, barrel racing, and roping. With a petting zoo, food stalls, and a lively atmosphere, it’s a perfect Saturday evening outing!
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Cowtown rodeo operates on Saturday nights only - If you will be in the festival at this time be sure to at least stop by the Rodeo grounds and get a picture with the giant cowboy!
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Check out their website for events to plan your visit!​
Address: 780 Harding Hwy, Pilesgrove, NJ 08098
Explore Fort Mott State Park
Whether you're a history buff or just looking to explore in the outdoors, we have the place for you! This is a great park to visit in the evenings to watch the sun set over the Delaware River. Fort Mott was designed after the American Civil War as part of the costal defense system for the Delaware River. The Fort remains intact and you are free to take a walk and explore buildings and the structures onsite.
Check the Official Site for hours and events
​Address: 454 Fort Mott Road, Pennsville, NJ 08070
Take in the Architecture
Salem County was founded in 1675, however early architecture was influenced by England and Dutch settlers (including timber-frame construction, gabled roofs, and patterned brickwork). ​
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Example above is from the Hancock House in Hancock's Bridge. Not only is this an incredible example of the architecture of the times, but also a solemn historical reminder of Salem's role in the Revolutionary War.
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Read more about the Hancock House and it's history in NJ here.
Address: 454 Fort Mott Road, Pennsville, NJ 08070
Come on, Ride the Train!
Check out Woodstown Central Railroad for a nostalgic journey through Salem County’s beautiful countryside! Operating on a historic 1863 rail line, this family-friendly attraction offers scenic excursions themed rides like the Brew to Brew or Ice Cream Social. Ride an open-air gondola, a 1930's restored caboose or a classic tablecar. Rides departing from Woodstown, NJ, the railroad showcases farmland, forests, and charming towns, earning its title as the 2023 Best Recreation Destination in Salem County.
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Address: 650 Alloway-Woodstown Road, Woodstown
*Please check train excursion schedule for more information.