• New Jerseythe school zone in a small town image by Gary from Fotolia.com
  
  Scotch Plains is in north central New Jersey, less than an hour from New York City. The town was a part of the Battle of Short Hills during the Revolutionary War, and home of the first African-American golf club. Today Scotch Plains has 22,000 residents, many of whom commute to New York City from the town's train station.
  
  

1910 House Bed and Breakfast

• This inn is located in the Scotch Plains town center within easy walking distance of restaurants and shops. Antiques furnish the Victorian home and all rooms have cable TV, air conditioners, wireless Internet, clock radios and hair dryers. Guests can enjoy big breakfasts in the morning, afternoon tea, evening cordials and turndown service. Rooms range from $65 to $120 per night (as of March 2010) and have a shared hall bath.
  
  The 1910 House Bed and Breakfast
  233 Union Avenue
  Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
  908-322-4514
  1910house.com
  
  

Charlie Brown's Steak House

• Charlie Brown's is a family-friendly steak house that has something for everyone. In addition to steaks and prime rib, diners can order soups, salads, salmon, shrimp, tilapia, chicken and ribs. There is also a children's menu and a gluten-free menu. Prices range from $3.99 for soup to $24.99 for prime rib (as of March 2010). Desserts are large and meant for sharing.
  
  Charlie Brown's Steakhouse
  2376 North Avenue
  Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
  908-232-3443
  charliebrowns.com
  
  

Stage House Restaurant and Wine Bar

• Open since 1737, the Stage House Restaurant and Wine Bar has plank floors, a roaring fireplace and tin lamps. The cozy feel extends to the friendly service. The sophisticated menu in the main dining room includes items like ricotta gnocchi, seared mahi-mahi and chipotle fettuccine. Prices range from $6 to $29 (as of March 2010). The tavern, a separate, more casual area, serves foods like tempura fried shrimp, Cobb salad and barbecue burgers ranging from $5 to $26 (as of March 2010).
  
  Stage House Restaurant
  366 Park Avenue
  Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
  908-322- 4224
  stagehouserestaurant.com
  
  

Best Western Westfield Inn

• Located in the neighboring town of Westfield, this hotel is a 10-minute drive from Scotch Plains and is within walking distance of downtown Westfield and its train station. The Westfield Inn has a boutique feel with a welcoming lobby. Rooms have flat panel TVs, cable, high-speed internet, hair dryers, clock radios, air conditioning and studio suites with kitchenettes. Rates range from $122 to $159 per night (as of March 2010). There is also a French restaurant on site.
  
  Best Western Westfield Inn
  435 North Avenue W
  Westfield, NJ 07090
  908-654-5600
  hotelwestfield.com