If you find yourself craving quiet suburban life with sprawling lawns and leisurely shopping on a quaint Main Street, Montclair is a utopia awaiting mere miles from New York City.

Aptly nicknamed "New Jersey's Florence," this town has everything from minor league baseball to art museums without losing its small-town suburban feel. It's easy to believe you're a billion and one miles away from the hassles and headaches of the city—not just 12.

For 100 years Montclair remained a small agricultural village. Construction of the Newark and Pompton Turnpike morphed the town into a commercial center with several mills and other industrial ventures. The Newark and Bloomfield Railroad in 1856 made the town even larger. Today, Montclair does double-time as a commuter suburb and a college town.

For those wondering why New Jersey license plates brag about their gardens, Montclair in May is the place to find out. Montclair celebrates the greening of its trees in its month-long "May in Montclair" celebration. The museums, shops, and restaurants all participate by doing something extra-special, such as a unique exhibit, a seasonal sale, or a two-for-one dinner special.