In Gloucester County, the Mullica Hill Merchants Association plans and sponsors year-round events featuring everything from an arts festival to a Civil War re-enactment to holiday caroling, all providing the town’s rows of retailers with a steady customer base. Based in one of many landmark buildings along Mullica Hill’s Main Street, the nonprofit association also puts out an annual brochure that details the shopping district’s many attractions, events and store offerings, says its secretary, Judy Salvino, who owns The Front Porch Antiques there.

In a world seemingly obsessed with HDTV, fast cars, and always being “connected,” sometimes it’s nice to find a place to enjoy fresh air, a casual stroll and a good meal. South Jersey residents don’t need to pack their suitcase for such an escape, though — they just need to visit the village of Mullica Hill in Harrison Township.

Mullica Hill is a well-restored historic town in the heart of South Jersey farmland. Here’s where you can get the best of then and now, with a few surprises along the way.

Walk into the Old Mill Antique Mall in Mullica Hill, N.J., and most likely you will come to a complete stop, take a deep breath and utter, “whoa.” Mountains of old objects stacked from floor to ceiling cram the space ahead as far as the eye can see. Items such as sports memorabilia, glassware, vintage clothing and oak furniture can be viewed via narrow labyrinths on three floors.