10 for 2010: Places To Go and Things To Do During the Holiday Season

Whether you live in town or plan on returning to Long Valley during the holiday season, it's always a great time to see friends and spend some time together at the old stomping grounds.

If you're not sure were to go when all those friends are hanging around at the same time, check out this list of things to do and places to go.

1.)  Arguably one of, if not the most popular Long Valley watering hole frequented by locals and out-of-towners, is the . The German-themed restaurant makes its own beer, hence the name, and has a bar on each of the two floors of the building. The "Brew Pub" is open Monday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and the bar closes at midnight. On Friday and Saturday, the restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. with the bar closing at 1 a.m. The restaurant is open from 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, and the bar closes at 11 p.m.

2.)  Over on E. Mill Road you can find another restaurant and bar combo that's usually filled to capacity on weekends. is quaint, but offers up a wide variety of menu options and bar specials. The restaurant is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and noon to 9 p.m. on Sunday.

3.)  , located next to the Long Valley Pub and Brewery, specializes in–what else–seafood. The restaurant bar includes a sitting area and flat screen TVs. The restaurant is open from Wednesday to Saturday at 5 p.m. for dinner and 1 p.m. on Sundays.

4.)  Remember the Italian restaurant on E. Mill Rd. called Salerno's? Well, it closed up shop but the owners decided to start something new, called in the summer of 2010. The new restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 9 p.m. on Sunday.

5.)  As much as supporting local, Long Valley-based businesses is appreciated, it's not a sin to go outside of Washington Township and check out some other places. Just over the border is a great place to grab some wings, a drink and watch a game. Applebee's, located at 225 Mountain Avenue in Hackettstown, is open from 11 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

6.)  It's not all about food and beer in Long Valley, obviously. So many graduates of enjoy going back to their alma mater and seeing what's going on. The winter sports season is now underway, and there are plenty of games to check out, including the and boys basketball teams, a match or the and winter track teams. And of course, the epitome of winter sports, the ice hockey team which plays its home games at Chill Out Arena in Hackettstown. Go out and support your teams.

7.)  Don't forget there are plenty of parks to hang out in and maybe get some exercise, weather pending, of course. Rock Spring Park is located on E. Springtown Rd.; Schooley's Mountain Park is on Springtown Rd.; Harrington Park on Rock Rd.; and Palmer Park on Bartley Rd.

8.)  In the Arts & Entertainment scene, Long Valley is home to the on E. Mill Rd. Local and area bands perform at the Studio just about every weekend. For more information, check out tricma.org.

9.)  Long Valley also has some great farms, but there's one that stands out– on Bartley Road. There are plenty of animals out to see and speak with for kids of all ages.

10.)  Finally, it's Long Valley, home to Schooley's Mountain. This isn't exactly a flat area of New Jersey. So if you're in the area during the holidays and a nice snowfall makes it way through, you can find a great place to sledding just about everywhere you turn. Enjoy!