Exploring New Jersey's Highlights: 10 Must-Do Activities
What is New Jersey Famous For?
The must-do activities in New Jersey introduce to you some of the most alluring sights, history, and nature of Garden State. Enjoy a big night out in ritzy Atlantic City, settle into the Victorian charm of Cape May, or wander the endless sands of Ocean City. Outdoor lovers can take advantage of New Jersey’s long coastline to go sailing, whale-watching or kayaking, or head inland to explore its nature parks.
Hundreds of classic diners and thousands of farms serve the very best of New Jersey. Some farms even let you drop by for a taste of artisanal cheeses or ripe peaches plucked from the tree. Here are some of the best places and activities to check out in New Jersey.
What are the best things to do in New Jersey?
1. Atlantic City Boardwalk
A seaside haven
Good for: Budget, History, Photo
Most Atlantic City arrivals will head to its iconic Boardwalk to enjoy some fresh sea air and a bit of shopping. The boardwalk is home to Steel Pier fun park, where you can catch a ride on the huge Ferris wheel, load up on hot dogs and pizza or play the arcades. This resort city was built with a freewheeling zest that’s taken it to glitzy Las Vegas-style heights and gritty economic lows through its 150-year history.
With the slot machines enticing many to stay inside, Atlantic City’s wide beaches are often not as busy as you’d expect. If you’re into water-sport action, enjoy the waves and go surfing, kayaking, or windsurfing.
Atlantic City Boardwalk
2. Cape May
Heritage houses and wineries
Good for: History, Photo, Shoppers
Cape May is a resort town on the New Jersey shore where the Atlantic seaside meets Victorian splendor. Find your way through Cape May’s streets on foot or by trolley to discover grand heritage houses, museums, and boutique shops. As a romantic getaway, Cape May is hard to beat with its elegant restaurants, horse-drawn carriages, spas, and wine tasting tours.
Avid birdwatchers flock here in spring and autumn in search of migrating birds, while nature lovers have pristine beaches and coastal parks to explore. For more spectacular views, climb to the top of the Cape May Lighthouse or hop aboard a whale-watching boat.
Cape May
3. High Point State Park
Stunning hikes and views on the Appalachian Trail
Good for: Photo, Adventure
High Point State Park has more than 50 miles (80 km) of trails to hike including a section of the famous Appalachian Trail. During the winter months, many trails remain open for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
New Jersey is one of the most densely populated states in America, but there’s also a surprising expanse of wilderness to escape the crowds. Sawmill and Steenykill lakes offer scenic spots to fish or explore by canoe or kayak. Or if you prefer the dry land, climb to the top of High Point Monument for spectacular views of the Kittatinny Mountains, lush farmland, and forests.
Location: 1480 NJ-23, Sussex, NJ 07461, USA
Phone: +1 973-875-4800
High Point State Park
4. Trenton
Stately centuries-old architecture and museums
Good for: History, Budget
Trenton is New Jersey’s capital city and a haven for history lovers. Free guided tours are offered at the historic New Jersey State House, home to the state government since 1792. Just across the road is New Jersey State Museum with a planetarium, eye-catching archeology and natural history exhibits and fine art collection of more than 12,000 works to explore.
Trenton War Memorial, built to honor fallen soldiers from World War I, hosts several concerts, ballet performances, and orchestras in its 1,800-seat Patriots Theater throughout the year. Visit Old Barracks Museum, a battle site during the American Revolutionary War, before moving on to the New Jersey World War II Memorial.
Trenton
5. Six Flags Great Adventure
Open late March to early January
Good for: Adventure, Families, Photo
Six Flags Great Adventure amusement park in Jackson is a fun escape with more than 60 rides, a water park and entertainment for families of all ages. Thrill-seekers find plenty of action on rides like Wonder Woman Lasso of Truth, with its pendulum that swings 17 stories high.
Gamers will line up for the Justice League 4D interactive experience, while the Runaway Mine Train offers an exciting steel roller coaster ride down hills and through twisty helixes and curves. If you’re visiting with your family, mingle with Bugs Bunny and other friendly Looney Tunes characters for a more grounded bit of fun.
Location: 1 Six Flags Boulevard, Jackson Township, New Jersey 08527, USA
Phone: +1 732-928-2000
Six Flags Great Adventure
6. Ocean City beaches
Seaside family escape with endless beaches
Good for: Couples, Families, Budget
In stark contrast to the Vegas-style flash and hustle of Atlantic City, Ocean City beaches offer a more peaceful retreat on the Jersey Shore. While you won’t find alcohol in this “dry” resort town, Ocean City’s miles-long boardwalk, golf courses, amusement parks like Gillian’s Wonderland Pier and downtown boutique shops offer plenty of fun booze-free diversions.
With some 7.5 miles (12 km) of beaches to explore, visitors can enjoy long walks along the sand and many sea sports including windsurfing, kitesurfing, sailing, fishing, and kayaking. Pack a picnic or head for lunch or snacks at the beachside restaurants and cafes.
Ocean City beaches
7. Ellis Island
Gateway to the Land of the Free
Good for: History, Photo
From 1892 to 1924, Ellis Island was the site of hope and heartbreak for 12 million migrants from Europe seeking a new start in America. This former immigration station in New York harbor is now open as a museum, and usually visited as part of a trip to see the Statue of Liberty.
To get to Ellis Island from New Jersey, catch the ferry from Liberty State Park. Give yourself some time to linger in the park to see the Empty Sky 9/11 Memorial, enjoy views of the Manhattan skyline and take walks along the seaside promenade or park trails.
Ellis Island
8. Thomas Edison National Historical Park
Where many of Edison’s 1,000 inventions were born
Good for: Families, History, Photo
Get some insight into the inventive mind of Thomas Edison at his former home and working space, which has been preserved as a historical park. After his breakthrough phonograph and electric power system inventions, Edison built this larger laboratory in 1887 and toiled for the next 40 years to create things that transformed societies including the motion picture camera and storage batteries.
An audio tour of the laboratory is available for an extra fee. If time allows, head over to Edison’s Glenmont estate for a park ranger-led tour of his 29-room mansion and surrounding 13 acres of land.
Location: 211 Main St, West Orange, NJ 07052, USA
Open: Thursday–Sunday from 11 am to 3.30 pm (closed Monday–Wednesday)
Phone: +1 973-736-0550
Thomas Edison National Historical Park
9. New Jersey farms and wineries
Wine and fresh fruits
Good for: Food, Photo, Shoppers
With thousands of farms and wineries around New Jersey, there’s a good reason why it’s called the Garden State. Happily for foodie visitors, many busy farmers and winemakers open their properties for tours and tastings.
Visit Abma’s Farm in Wyckoff in the spring for a walking tour or take a hayride in autumn. Enjoy some nibbles while learning about the art of cheesemaking at Valley Shepherd Creamery in Long Valley or Bobolink Dairy and Bakeyard in Milford. See how farming was done in the olden days at Howell Living History Farm in Hopewell Township, or go pick your own blueberries, apples, and peaches at several farms during the summer months.
New Jersey farms and wineries
10. New Jersey diners
A must-do in the “diner capital of the world”
Good for: Families, Food, History
Roadside diners are icons of the uniquely American way of eating on the go, and New Jersey has a ton of them, more than 600 in all. Diners weren’t invented in New Jersey, but they’ve thrived here since the early 1900s, serving famished drivers burgers, milkshakes and other greasy-spoon delights along the busy road network linking New York and Philadelphia.
Some great New Jersey diners to try include Summit Diner, one of the oldest diners in New Jersey, White Mana for a cheeseburger and milkshake, and Americana Diner, which sneaks in some modern, healthy cuisine in its retro 1950s style setting. For a quirky experience, head over to Mustache Bill’s, which serves pancakes shaped as, you guessed it, a moustache.
New Jersey diners
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