- 1 Pinelands National Reserve Blueberries...cranberries...crisp pine forests...mysterious groves of dwarf trees...tree frogs and the Jersey Devil all love the Pinelands—or the Pine Barrens as many people call it. This is the first National Reserve in the United States, encompassing approximately 1.1 million acres (22% of New Jersey's land area). It is the largest body of open space on the Mid-Atlantic seaboard between Richmond and Boston. In 1983 the area was designated a U.S. Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO and in 1988 it was recognized as a International Biosphere Reserve. Scores of tea-colored man-made lakes dot this unique landscape, which is blessed with orchids, carnivorous plants and pygmy pines. 39 species of mammals, 299 Bird, 59 reptile and amphibian species and 91 fish species have been identified as living within the Pinelands including 43 animal species listed as threatened or endangered by the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife. Multiple counties in South Jersey.
- 2 Cape May More Victorian than Queen Victoria, Cape May is the oldest seashore resort in the United States. Cape May is host to 20 million visitors annually, and according to the National Historic Landmarks program, "With over 600 summer homes, hotels and commercial structures, this venerable seashore resort has one of the largest collections of 19th century frame buildings remaining in the United States." The Cape May Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts operates the Emlen Physick Estate, a Victorian house museum. Visitors can take a walking or trolley tour of the Victorian homes or spend the night in one of the beautiful bed & breakfasts. Don't be surprised to see dolphins jumping out of the water where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean. Congress Hall is another centerpiece that deserves a visit. The Washington Street Mall offers shoppers an outdoor pedestrian shopping experience. Cape May is a year-round resort, becoming a charming Christmas village in the winter. Other gems of Cape May architecture include: The Albert Stevens Inn; Angel of the Sea Hotel; Ashley Rose Victorian Inn; Beesley House; Belvedere Condos; Celtic Inn; The Chalfonte Hotel; Congress Place; Delsea Hotel; Dormer House; Dr. Henry L. Hunt House; Fairthorne Bed & Breakfast; Franklin Hughes House; The Goodman House; The Henry Sawyer Inn; The Inn on the Ocean; The Inn of Cape May; John Wesley Inn; The Joseph Hall House; Judson Bennett House; King's Cottage; Leith Hall; The Linda Lee Bed & Breakfast; Mainstay Inn; The Mason Cottage Bed & Breakfast; Mooring Guest House; Morning Star Villa; Poor Richard's Inn; Prickly Pear Cottage; The Stockton Cottages; Sugar Plum Cottage; Summer Cottage Inn; The Queen Victoria Bed & Breakfast.
- 3 Atlantic City Boardwalk The longest boardwalk in the world. Built in 1870, it is also the world's first boardwalk. According to Forbes, the Atlantic City Boardwalk is the 25th most visited tourist destination in America. The Steel Pier is the home of an amusement park. The Garden Pier is now home to the Atlantic City Historical Society and an Arts Center. The New Jersey Korean War Memorial is located along the boardwalk. Also, most of the casinos in the city are located along the Boardwalk. Atlantic City.
- 4 Princeton University One of only eight colleges in the Ivy League and the number 1 ranked university in the United States according to U.S. News and World Report. Notable landmarks include the Firestone Library, Nassau Hall, Lake Carnegie, Princeton Stadium, Prospect Gardens, and the newest wonder is Frank Gehry's Lewis Science Library. From July to October 1783, Princeton University was the capital of the United States and Nassau Hall was home to the entire American government. Perhaps the best way to enjoy the University is to just take a simple stroll through the campus and enjoy the ivy-clad gothic buildings, sculpture and gardens. Princeton Boro and Princeton Township.
- 5 Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area Part of the National Park Service, and shared with Pennsylvania, this vast park preserves almost 70,000 acres of land along the Delaware River. It is the 16th most visited tourist destination in America, according to Forbes. On the New Jersey side you can visit the following: Peter's Valley Craft Education Center. Walpack Valley Environmental Education Center. River Bend Group Campground. Millbrook Village. Watergate Recreation Site. Depew Recreation Site. Mohican Outdoor Center. Upper Yards Creek Reservoir. There are several beautiful waterfalls, including Factory Falls and Buttermilk Falls. Mount Tammany is considered by many to to have the most beautiful view in New Jersey from its summit 1,527 feet high.
- 6 Island Beach State Park The largest reserve of undeveloped barrier island in New Jersey and one of the largest in the United States. The park contains close to ten miles of sandy beach, an extensive shoreline along Barnegat Bay, dense maritime forests, rolling sand dunes, and tidal marshes. Island Beach is also home to semi-friendly foxes (Don't be fooled, they just covet your McNuggets. They are foxes after all), ospreys and more than 400 species of plants. Berkeley.
- 7 Six Flags Great Adventure and Wild Safari/Hurricane Harbor Great Adventure has some of the highest rated roller coasters: Kingda Ka, the world's highest roller coaster (also, until recently, it was the world's fastest); El Toro; Nitro; Superman: Ultimate Flight; The Dark Knight; Bizarro—the first floorless roller coaster in the world (originally named Medusa). Fright Fest is a Halloween-themed festival held in October. Hurricane Harbor is a 45 acre tropical themed water park, which includes: Hurricane Mountain water slide. Bada Bing, Bada Bang, Bada Boom! water slide. Boreas, Eurus, Zephyrus and Nortus water slide. Blue Lagoon Wave Pool. Cannonball, Wahini and Jurahnimo Falls water slides. Discovery Bay for little children. Jackson.
- 8 Liberty State Park You can access the ferry to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Liberty Walk is a riverside promenade that stretches 1.3 miles, almost the entire length of the park. Liberation Monument by noted sculptor Nathan Rappaport. Liberty Landing Marina. New York Waterway ferries connect passengers to the North Cove Yacht Harbor in New York City and Sandy Hook in Monmouth County. Interpretive Center (designed by celebrity architect Michael Graves) and the Salt Marsh Natural Area. The historic CRRNJ Terminal was built in 1889. More than 8 million immigrants first stepped foot into the mainland of the United States through this beautiful building on their way to an American future. The Columbus Monument was a gift from Italy to the United States as part of the Columbus Quincentennial Celebration. Jersey City.
- 9 Sandy Hook A barrier peninsula approximately 7 miles in length, Sandy Hook is a part of the Gateway National Recreation Area. The prime attractions are the beaches, but history buffs can tour old Nike missile sites, visit Battery Potter and Battery Gunnison, learn at the History House on the restored Officer's Row and climb Sandy Hook Lighthouse. Surf fishing is a popular with anglers, and night fishing passes are available for purchase. There is a 5 mile long multi-use pathway for walkers, bikers and rollerbladers. Birding opportunities include Plum Island, the Spermaceti Cove boardwalk, Horseshoe Cove salt marsh, North Pond and the New Jersey Audubon Society Sandy Hook Bird Observatory. Middletown.
- 10 Delsea A large region of various protected lands and small, isolated communities with a maritime history. Delsea straddles the northeast shore of Delaware Bay. Salem, Cumberland and Cape May counties.
- 31 Wharton State Forest From the New Jersey DEP web site: "Throughout Wharton are rivers and streams for canoeing, hiking trails (including a major section of the Batona Trail), miles of unpaved roads for mountain biking and horseback riding and numerous lakes, ponds and fields ideal for wildlife observation. Bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, marsh hawks, ospreys, great blue herons, swans, screech owls, great-horned owls, bluebirds, hummingbirds, purple martins, goldfinch, turkeys, beavers, river otters, fox and deer are only some of the wildlife the alert visitor can see." At 122,463 acres, this is the largest tract of preserved land in New Jersey. Parts of Atlantic, Burlington and Camden counties.
- 32 New Jersey Performing Arts Center Prudential Hall (2,750-seats and the largest of the three NJPAC venues) has been named "one of the world's greatest concert halls" and "the nation's most glamorous theater." Victoria Theater (514-seats) and the intimate Chase Room also offer cultural entertainment opportunities. Newark.
- 33 Edison National Historic Site West Orange.
- 34 The Blueberry New Jersey is the birthplace of the cultivated blueberry. The town of Hammonton is known as "The Blueberry Capital of the World." Elizabeth C. White gets the credit for "inventing" the blueberry. And finally, the anti-oxidant rich blueberry is the official fruit of New Jersey. So the next time you are cramming your purple-stained maw with blueberry pie, think fondly of New Jersey as your dessert slides down your gullet...for it is New Jersey that made such a feast possible.
- 35 Long Branch Oceanfront Pier Village and a long walkway along the Atlantic Ocean. Long Branch.
- 36 Caesar's Atlantic City The show-stealer of this hotel/casino is The Pier Shops at Caesars with three levels of upscale shopping, restaurants, nightlife and a water and light show at the tip of the structure, jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean from the Atlantic City Boardwalk. If you get exhausted eating and buying things, you can waddle over to the Qua Baths & Spa, with its Roman bath, treatment rooms and an outdoor rooftop pool. Atlantic City.
- 37 Harrahs Resort and Casino 113,000 square foot casino, more than 3,700 slot machines and Poker Room, host to the World Series of Poker. The Pool is a tropical themed indoor pool which becomes a night club after dark. Red Door Spa was chosen as Best Casino Hotel Spa by SpaFinder magazine in 2008. The Waterfront Tower expansion was completed in 2008. This addition to the resort is breathtaking at night due to its enormous brightly lit animations on the sides of the tower. Atlantic City.
- 38 Ellis Island Ah, you know Ellis Island! A small part of the island is an enclave that belongs to New York. Jersey City.
- 39 Mountain Creek Skiing. Snowboarding. Snow Tubing. Cobblestone Village. Diablo Free-Ride Park. Mountain Creek Waterpark. Open Air Gondola Rides. You might choose to stay at the luxurious Appalachian Hotel or Black Creek Sanctuary. Vernon.
- 40 Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge More than 43,000 acres of coastal habitats preserved for migratory birds. An excellent site for birdwatching and nature photography.
- 101 Popcorn Park Zoo Refuge for animals that were abused, ill, injured, handicapped, elderly or exploited. You are allowed to feed a lot of the animals popcorn which you buy at the zoo, hence the name.
- 102 New Jersey State Museum Visit the Civil War Flag Collection of New Jersey. The Archeology and Ethnology department contains over 2 million prehistoric and historic specimens and over 2,000 ethnographic objects. Fine Art Gallery. Natural History. Cultural History Collection. Planetarium. Trenton.
- 103 Cowtown Rodeo Oldest rodeo on the East Coast; competition May-Sept. Large flea market year-round. Yee-Haw!
Cocoabiscuit
- 104 Downtown Princeton Includes the Lower Pyne Building, Bainbridge House, Old Princeton Bank & Trust Building. Princeton Boro.
- 105 Twin Lights An iconic former lighthouse and current museum overlooking Raritan Bay, Sandy Hook and the Atlantic Ocean. The castle-like Twin Lights are about 200 feet above sea level. Visitors can climb the North Tower for some spectacular views. Highlands.
Navesink Twin Lights from mike bernardo
- 106 Sunset Beach Known for its beautiful, unobstructed sunsets over water—a rarity on the east coast. The evening flag ceremony—every sunset from Memorial Day to Labor Day—is a popular tradition. The "Concrete Ship," SS Atlantus is an interesting oddity. Cape May "Diamonds" (Quartz Crystals) can be found on the beach. Get something to eat at the Sunset Beach Grill.
This sweet photo by NYCArthur via Flickr.
- 107 Monopoly Board game based on Atlantic City streets and properties.
- 108 Downtown Cranford Some people call this town "The Venice of New Jersey," even though it is the mid-reaches of the Rahway River and not a canal that winds its way through the municipality. Cranford.
- 109 "The Diner Capital of the World" New Jersey is that. Some of the well known diners include the Roadside Diner in Wall, the Americana Diner in Shrewsbury, and the Reo Diner in Woodbridge, Throughout New Jersey.
- 110 Trump Taj Mahal One of the largest poker rooms in Atlantic City. Comedy Shows and Concerts. Spa At The Taj and Salon At The Taj. Atlantic City.
- 221 Lower Free Bridge This iconic bridge is famous for the hilariously outdated "Trenton Makes, The World Takes" sign on the side of the span crossing the Delaware River. These days, Trenton is much more likely to be the taker since it is infested with the parasite class that helps make New Jersey so overtaxed. Trenton.
- 222 Batona Trail A 49.5 mile trail through the Pine Barrens.
- 223 Bayonne Bridge This bridge could use a fresh coat of paint, but it is still an impressive sight, especially at night. Bayonne.
Photo by NJScott***ON THE ROAD*** via Flickr
- 224 Red Bull Arena Home to a cheesy New York minor-league sports team named after an "energy drink." Harrison.
- 225 Albert Music Hall 350 seat concert hall featuring country, bluegrass and pinelands music. Usually seven 30-minute sets each Saturday night.
- 226 The Jackson Whites
- 227 Absecon Lighthouse New Jersey's tallest lighthouse and the third tallest masonry lighthouse in the United States is over 150 years old. Climb the 228 steps to the top if want a view of Atlantic City, the wetlands and the Pine Barrens. You can also see the original first-order Fresnel Lens. Atlantic City.
- 228 Franklin Mineral Museum This is known as the fluorescent mineral capital of the world. Franklin.
- 229 Ocean City Historic District
- 230 Mullica Hill Settled in the late 1600s and built mostly during the Civil War era. The entire town is on the National Register of Historic Places. About three dozen antiques shops, most near or on Main Street. The Old Mill Antique Center has three floors in a pre-Revolutionary War mill. Festivals include the Antiques Street Fair in April, and the Festival of Antiques in June, a Ghost Walk in October and Christmas House Tours.
By EJS Photos
