Looking for Things to Do in Sussex County? Visit Kittatinny Valley State Park and Scranberry Coop

I began the day walking the trails at Kittatinny Valley State Park near Lake Aeroflex. The lake was quiet and expansive, while sprawling fields of wild bergamot were in bloom nearby. After spending time outdoors, I headed to Scranberry Coop for its monthly flea market and browsed the antiques, vintage merchandise and collectibles offered by a wide range of vendors.

The combination made for an enjoyable Sussex County day trip: peaceful trails and open landscapes in the morning, followed by the unpredictable experience of searching through old, unusual and occasionally nostalgic items in the afternoon.

Kittatinny Valley State Park and Lake Aeroflex

Kittatinny Valley State Park is a scenic public recreation area characterized by glacial lakes, wooded trails, open fields and former railroad corridors. Its landscape is well suited to visitors who want a relatively approachable place for walking, hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, fishing or simply spending time outdoors.

Lake Aeroflex is one of the park’s defining features. According to the New Jersey State Park Service, it is the deepest natural lake in New Jersey. Fishing and boating are popular on the lake, although boats are limited to electric motors. The lake’s broad, undeveloped view gives this portion of the park a more secluded character than its location near Route 206 might suggest.

Walking Near Lake Aeroflex

My visit focused on the trails close to Lake Aeroflex rather than completing a long-distance hike. This area works well for a casual walk because the lake, fields and wooded sections provide visual variety without requiring an ambitious itinerary.

The wild bergamot was one of the most noticeable seasonal details during my August visit. Large concentrations of the lavender-colored flowers gave portions of the landscape a softer appearance and attracted activity around the field edges.

Browsing Antiques and Vintage Finds at Scranberry Coop

After leaving the park, I visited Scranberry Coop in Andover. The business occupies a recognizable yellow building along Route 206 and describes itself as a 10,000-square-foot antiques, vintage and collectibles marketplace with more than 170 dealers.

This is not the type of store where every booth carries the same merchandise. The appeal comes from moving through a large collection of individually arranged dealer spaces and seeing what turns up. Depending on the current inventory, shoppers may encounter furniture, artwork, glassware, jewelry, toys, household pieces, clothing, records, signs, decorative items and other remnants from earlier decades.

The Monthly Scranberry Coop Flea Market

My visit coincided with Scranberry Coop’s outdoor multi-vendor flea market. The published 2026 schedule places the market on the first Sunday of each month from April through November, weather and ground conditions permitting. That outdoor event adds another layer to the regular indoor shopping experience, with vendors offering an assortment that can change considerably from one month to the next.

Flea markets are inherently inconsistent, but that is part of their appeal. A visit may yield a specific antique, an inexpensive practical item, a piece of local memorabilia or nothing more than an interesting hour spent browsing objects that are no longer commonly found in conventional retail stores.

Why These Two Sussex County Stops Work Well Together

Kittatinny Valley State Park and Scranberry Coop are very different destinations, but they complement each other. The park provides an outdoor setting for movement, scenery and quiet observation. Scranberry Coop offers an indoor and, on flea-market days, outdoor browsing experience centered on material history, reuse and one-of-a-kind finds.

• Begin earlier in the day with a walk near Lake Aeroflex.
• Allow additional time for a longer trail route if conditions are favorable.
• Visit Scranberry Coop afterward to browse the indoor dealer booths.
• Coordinate the trip with the monthly flea market when the scheduled date and weather align.
• Confirm current park information, store hours and event details before traveling.

This is also a useful outing for someone becoming familiar with the Andover area or the broader character of Sussex County. Much of the county’s identity is tied to its lakes, preserved land, small commercial centers, historic buildings and less densely developed surroundings.

Visitor conditions, operating hours, event schedules and permitted park activities may change. Confirm current information directly with the New Jersey State Park Service and Scranberry Coop before traveling.