10 Best Things to Do in New Jersey

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. 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.

With the slot machines enticing many to stay inside, Atlantic City’s wide beaches are often not as busy as you’d expect, and there’s plenty of water-sport action to try including surfing, kayaking and windsurfing.

This resort town on the New Jersey shore is where the Atlantic seaside meets Victorian splendour. Find your way through Cape May’s streets by foot or 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.

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. High Point State Park has more than 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.

Climb to the top of High Point Monument for spectacular views of the Kittatinny Mountains, lush farmland and forests. Sawmill and Steenykill lakes offer scenic spots to fish or explore by canoe or kayak.

New Jersey's capital city is 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 archaeology and natural history exhibits and fine art collection of more than 12,000 works to explore.

War buffs could visit Old Barracks Museum, a battle site during the American Revolutionary War, before moving on to the New Jersey World War II Memorial. Trenton War Memorial, built to honour fallen soldiers from World War I, hosts several concerts, ballet performances and orchestras in its 1,800-seat Patriots Theater throughout the year.

Six Flags 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 storeys 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.

Mingle with Bugs Bunny and other friendly Looney Tunes characters, or look out for some real-life animals including lions and giraffes on a sight-seeing safari through the animal preserve.

In stark contrast to the Vegas-style flash and hustle of Atlantic City, Ocean City is 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 12 kilometres of beaches to explore, visitors can enjoy long walks along the sand and many sea sports including windsurfing, kitesurfing, sailing, fishing and kayaking.      

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 harbour 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.  

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 $5 on the $15 entry 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.  

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.