How to spend the day in Millburn, New Jersey when you have a show at the Paper Mill Playhouse
When Disney's The Little Mermaid begins performances at the Tony Award-winning Paper Mill Playhouse on May 29, New York theaterphiles will start making their way west to catch the show. The venue in Millburn, New Jersey, has been a fundamental pre-Broadway step for new productions and a hub for world-class theatrical revivals. Most recently, it's been the site of the world premieres of The Wanderer (2022), Hercules (2023), The Great Gatsby (2023) and Take The Lead (2025). So it's become a regular trek for those of us who love quality live theater and want to get a sneak peek of what may be headed for Broadway.
As a theater journalist who sees a lot of Broadway shows, it's so refreshing when I can walk to the theater in my own backyard. So, here are my recommendations on how to make the most of your day when you're catching a show at the Paper Mill Playhouse.
Head to Penn Station and take NJ Transit's Morris and Essex Line to Millburn. It depends on the train, and if it's express during rush hour on a weekday, but the direct ride is about 40-45 minutes. As you step off the train, the Paper Mill Playhouse is a short, seven-minute scenic walk through a park and past the town's recreational fields.
With warmer weather on the way, have lunch or dinner outside at La Pergola. The Italian restaurant has one of the best outdoor dining gardens in the area with plenty of umbrellas and trees for shade. It's BYOB but don't worry, there's a liquor store a block away. The chicken parm, dressed in a sweet marinara sauce, comes on a cutting board-sided plate that's big enough to share.
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Other popular BYOB Italian restaurants that I often eat at before shows are Cara Mia and Basilico. They know how to get you in and out on time for the curtain. For Mediterranean food, there's Evoo and Lemon, which is also BYOB. I love the seafood couscous entree. Head to The Millburn Standard for a more casual gastropub with great cocktails and desserts. Its burgers and tempura chicken tenders are amazing. The good news is that all of these restaurants are all in proximity to each other, a five-minute walk to the theater and have outdoor seating. You'll likely be sitting next to a table also going to the show. Make sure to make a reservation at least two hours before curtain.
Heading to a matinee? Book a reservation well in advance for the newly opened Whisk & Willow. The breakfast, brunch and lunch spot has been an instant hit in the neighborhood. I usually order the So-Cal Breakfast bowl and my son loves the Mini Brioche French Toast bites.
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If you're spending most of the day in town, there are plenty of other activities, too. Take a stroll along the paved loop at Taylor Park and enjoy scenic views of the lake. There are also basketball and tennis courts as well as a playground for kids. Cycle Bar and Pure Barre offer fitness classes downtown.
There are so many stores to visit. It's a few minutes walk up Essex Street, and you'll find a quaint The Book House offering $2 coffee. Next door is the home goods shop, Paper, Ribbon & Wrap. Closer to the restaurants and downtown are numerous nail and hair salons plus other small business clothing stores like Bungalo Boutique, Jia and Shala's.
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For a quick bite, Liv Breads is one of the best bakeries in the state to stop in for a nosh. Only on Fridays, they bake flaky, moist challah—but they often sell out by the late afternoon. Its $25 babka is buttery, chocolate layers that melt in your mouth. It also sells what I think are the best chocolate chip cookies around and the croissants are to die-for. Pizza is relatively new on the menu, but it's worth ordering for the crust alone.
Across from the playground is Splurge Bakery, which often sells great Jewish Holiday-themed baked goods. Plus, they have cupcakes! If you're going to an evening show, it closes between 4:30 and 5pm.
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Van Leeuwen Ice Cream is opening soon in addition to the current Häagen-Dazs storefront. For lunch, the Millburn Deli is also a staple in town. At peak times, there are often long lines, but the salads and sandwiches with names like 'The Godfadda' are worth it … and it also has outdoor seating.
In the summer, the town closes one of its streets to traffic for pedestrians only. There's music, chairs, lawn games, food trucks and more activities for the whole family.
On weeknights, the last direct train back to Penn Station is 10:15pm. If you take the 10:24pm and 11:13pm train, you'll have to transfer. On weekends, they run every hour with the 11:50pm as the last one back for the night.
It's a day well-spent in the small town Millburn and it's only a 45-minute train ride away.
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