Visitors to the Garden State are often surprised at
the number and variety of things to do in New Jersey.
Many plan vacations to New Jersey in order to flee the
hectic pace of Philadelphia,
New York City,
or another of the nearby major cities, but the amount
of New Jersey attractions available for guests can make
planning a trip a stressful endeavor in itself. In order
to simplify the process of sorting out attractions
in New Jersey, take a look at the options below to
see what attracts your family most. While these categories
only represent some things to do in New Jersey,
a look at these options will undoubtedly include some
New Jersey attractions for every member of the family.
Browse these and more below, as you explore the wonderful
things to do in New Jersey.
‘Jersey Shore’ is a term that encompasses the entire Atlantic coast of New Jersey. This coastline is known for pristine beaches, fun-filled boardwalks, quaint towns, and cities that are some of the most popular attractions in New Jersey. Atlantic City has undergone a recent renaissance, bringing it back to glory as the premier gaming getaway of the Eastern United States. Ocean City, on the other hand, makes for a great family vacation for travelers with young children. One reason is that Ocean City has never allowed the sale of alcoholic beverages, and has consistently been rated highly as a great vacation spot for young families. Whether you’re looking for a great New Jersey spa hotel/casino in Atlantic City, a quiet tour of historic New Jersey lighthouses, or an excellent Ocean City getaway with the kids, the New Jersey attractions found along the Jersey Shore are sure to satisfy you and yours.
New Jersey Camping
When it comes to the outdoors, New Jersey camping has plenty to offer visitors who like to stay active. Attractions in New Jersey to enjoy during your camping trip include rafting and fishing on the Delaware River, horseback riding, and hiking. Take a canoe ride through the Wharton State Forest in the New Jersey Pinelands, or enjoy one of the numerous trails for hiking and biking in the New Jersey Pine Barrens, a vast 1.1 million acre forested area in central and southern New Jersey. For the very fit, try your stride in the New Jersey Shore Marathon, held annually in April. Or perhaps a quiet father & daughter New Jersey fishing trip is what your family needs: both freshwater and saltwater fishing are popular things to do in New Jersey.
Events, Museums, and Festivals
For those who love to browse historic items and places, New Jersey museums and festivals are extremely popular. The Thomas Edison Museum in Menlo Park is one of the best New Jersey attractions for lovers of American ingenuity and history. Don’t miss the Atlantique City Holiday Megafair, billed as the largest indoor antique show in the world, held in Atlantic City in October. For a stunning collection of well-maintained Victorian homes, visit Cape May at the southern tip of the Jersey Shore. In the fall, attractions in New Jersey come alive inland with countless harvest festivals in rural New Jersey.
New Jersey Bed and Breakfast
While you are enjoying the countless things to do in New Jersey, a stay at a historic bed and breakfast in Jersey is a real treat. For families and couples alike, a bed and breakfast provides a quaint place to stay during a vacation, rather than the same old hotel room you could rent anywhere. New Jersey is home to a plethora of nice B&B’s, especially in Cape May, known for its impeccably restored Victorian Era mansions.
Shopping
New Jersey will bring out the spender in you, boasting some of the largest malls, nice little shops in the coastal downtown areas, souvenirs on the boardwalk, or bargain shopping at the outlet malls. Bring those credit cards, because Garden State merchants certainly know how to use them.
Having just undergone a reinvention (renovation is not a strong enough word), a good science center has become great in Jersey City. If you are interested in science, nature, or just knowledge in general, you can’t go wrong here. Liberty Science Center is breaking the mold and redefining what it means to engage the general public with science, and you are invited to take part.
If a carnival of rides, games, waterslides, and attractions
in New Jersey is what you are looking for during your
stay in the Garden State, you will not possibly be disappointed.
Six Flags New Jersey
is the largest Six Flags in the world, boasting record-breaking
roller coasters that will leave you screaming for more.
Ocean City, Seaside Heights,
Wildwood, and many other Jersey
Shore cities have excellent boardwalks up to three miles
long, all filled with fun and rides for the whole family
to enjoy. Moreys Piers in Wildwood has tons of great rides
as well, making it an amusement destination worth visiting
for fun-lovers and thrill-seekers alike.
