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Affectionately known as the Garden State, New Jersey combines urban excitement and purely natural splendour for every kind of traveller. With many things to do in New Jersey, it keeps its exceptional riches with an eclectic tapestry of attractions for every history buff, adventure seeker or nature lover. Take a leisurely ramble through the beguiling Victorian streets. Discover the joy and relaxation of its pork roll, blueberry pie and everything in between. It’s time to find the extraordinary in this compact yet endlessly surprising state.
10 Best Things To Do In New Jersey
Here are the best things to do in New Jersey, adding various experiences to your splendid trip for unforgettable memories:
1. Visit Liberty State Park
Photo: Xkqin069 / Wikimedia Commons
State Park in Jersey City is one of the richest sights and experiences. The park spans 1,200 acres and is a green haven with panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty, and the Ellis Islands. The iconic Liberty Walk promenade is a double-mile stretch running along the Hudson River to ride a bike, walk or enjoy the view. It also has the Liberty Science Center, an attraction showcasing its interactive exhibits, with the largest planetarium in the Western Hemisphere. For history lovers, there is a historic depot called Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal or a visit to the Empty Sky Memorial. For water sports enthusiasts, kayaking, paddleboarding and fishing are available in the Hudson River.
Top Experiences: Statue of Liberty views, science exhibits, outdoor recreation
Location: Jersey City, NJ
Timings: 6 AM – 10 PM
2. Stroll Along Atlantic City Boardwalk
Photo: Tim Emerich / Wikimedia Commons
One of the things to do in New Jersey is walk this four-mile-long Atlantic City Boardwalk, full of history, entertainment, and relaxation. Invented in 1870, it is the world’s first boardwalk, which holds cultural importance and is boisterous. Visiting activities include trying luck at the casino Bally’s or Caesars while shopping for unique souvenirs and tasting saltwater taffy. The Steel Pier Amusement Park brings exciting thrills for adventure enthusiasts. The stunning Ferris wheel allows you to enjoy an ocean view panorama. This boardwalk is peppered with quaint stores and dining places ranging from casual restaurants to upper-scale bars. Street performers and live music make the atmosphere pulsate.
Top Experiences: Casino gaming, beachside dining, amusement park rides
Location: Atlantic City, NJ
Timings: 24*7
3. Relax At The Cape May Beach
Photo: Famartin / Wikimedia Commons
Cape May Beach is the perfect place to enjoy relaxation and adventure that can be relished together. Unwind in the sun, play beach games, swim, do beach yoga, or simply bask in the soothing waves of the ocean. Visitors can scale the 199 steps of the Cape May Lighthouse, a historic site with the most marvellous view of the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay. Nearby is the Historic District, prettily preserved in Victorian homes, boutique hotels and bed-and-breakfasts. Something more adventurous is dolphin and whale-watching tours, which offer an experience of seeing marine life up close.
Top Experiences: Beach relaxation, lighthouse climbing, dolphin tours
Location: Cape May, NJ
Timings: 6 AM – 8 PM (beach hours)
4. Visit The Adventure Aquarium
Photo: Jim.henderson / Wikimedia Commons
Adventure Aquarium, on the Camden Waterfront, is one of the must-visiting things to do in New Jersey for anyone who loves marine life. With over 15,000 aquatic animals, it houses the largest collection of sharks in the Northeast. It gives visitors an immersive underwater experience and much more. You can see sea creatures like the Little Blue Penguins, Nile hippos, or tropical fish while enjoying interactive and educational exhibits. Most impressive is the Shark Bridge, the world’s longest V-shaped suspension bridge, where you walk over a holding tank containing sand tigers and nurse sharks. Other attractions for close-up views are the Shark Tunnel which are the touch tanks. There are some fun hands-on play with the tame creatures of bamboo sharks and snorkelling beside stingrays.
Top Experience: Shark Bridge, interactive exhibits, hippo viewing
Location: Camden, NJ
Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM
5. Hike The Delaware Water Gap
Photo: Famartin / Wikimedia Commons
Among the most popular havens for any outdoor enthusiast are more than 70,000 acres of pristine wilderness within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. This recreation area is the epitome of hiking, fishing and kayaking. It also has some of the richest biodiversity, scenic landscapes and cultural history. Among the best hiking trails stand the Mount Tammany Trail and the Appalachian Trail, which runs through the park in its 28 miles. Those looking for a peaceful haven should visit Dunnfield Creek and Buttermilk Falls. Besides hiking, the park has historical landmarks like the Millbrook Village. This features a 19th-century rural village with its original buildings and reconstructed buildings.
Top Experiences: Hiking, waterfall exploration, kayaking
Location: Sussex and Warren Counties, NJ
Timings: 24*7
6. Locate Princeton University
Photo: Indies1 / Wikimedia Commons
Princeton University symbolises academic excellence and a rich history. Established in 1746, it forms one of the most beautiful campuses of the Ivy League. Its Collegiate Gothic architecture can be explored through guided tours, including landmarks like Nassau Hall. This was used as barracks during the American Revolution. It houses administrative offices and a significant Memorial Atrium that honours former students who have served in wars. The Princeton University Art Museum continues to attract visitors via its satellite space, such as the Art Bainbridge.
Top Experiences: Guided campus tour, art museum visit, exploring Princeton town
Location: Princeton, NJ
Timings: 9 AM – 5 PM
7. Spend A Day In Six Flags Great Adventure
Photo: Jim, the Photographer / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Six Flags Great Adventure is one of the thrilling paradises for things to do in New Jersey. It houses North America’s tallest and fastest roller coaster, Kingda Ka. It accelerates riders to a whopping 128 mph in just 3.5 seconds, climbing to an absolute height of 456 feet. Other favourites include El Toro, a smooth ride with a good wooden track and abundant airtime. Nitro is a 215-foot coaster whose steel constrains a monstrous journey full of heart-pounding excitement. Beyond those roller coasters, Six Flags has attractions that fit families with the Safari Off-Road Adventure. It allows you to see more than 1,200 animals in this new drive-thru experience.
Top Experiences: Roller coasters, safari adventure, live shows
Location: Jackson, NJ
Timings: Varies by season (typically 10:30 AM – 8 PM)
8. View The Cherry Blossoms At Branch Brook Park
Photo: Hypnotica Studios Infinite / Wikimedia Commons
Located in Newark, New Jersey, this is the oldest cherry blossom location in the country. It features more than 5,000 trees of all varieties. The area features the largest collection of cherry blossom trees in the United States, surpassing Washington, D.C.’s National Cherry Blossom Festival. Every spring, thousands attend the annual Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival in April to witness the magnificent blooming of the park with delicate pink and white flowers. These trees were donated to the park in the late 1920s by the Bamberger family and have grown into one of the area’s most beloved features.
Top Experiences: Cherry blossom viewing, photography, peaceful walks
Location: Newark, NJ
Timings: 24*7
9. Relax At Thomas Edison National Historical Park
Photo: Binksternet / Wikimedia Commons
One of the most extensive explorations and works of one of the greatest inventors in history is included in the Thomas Edison National Historical Park in West Orange, New Jersey. It houses the Glenmont mansion where Edison lived and his laboratory complex. Over 300,000 artefacts are available for visitors, including original inventions of the phonograph, early motion picture equipment, and different electrical lighting devices. The park is not only a museum but a chance to walk through the environments in which Edison revolutionised technology. Guided tours take you through the world of Edison, including his home, decorated in the style of the period, and his inventive laboratory.
Top Experiences: Invention exhibits, historical tours, interactive displays
Location: West Orange, NJ
Timings: 10 AM – 4 PM
10. Visit Grounds For Sculpture
Photo: P. Hughes / Wikimedia Commons
Grounds for Sculpture is on 42 acres in Hamilton Township, New Jersey. Here, you can find over 240 sculptures, perhaps the largest exhibition of life-sized bronze figures from founder Seward Johnson. Beautiful gardens and interactive art installations invite visitors to ramble around, discover, and feel the beauty of art in a natural and serene setting. The park has a collection of sculptures on some of the most iconic paintings by the Impressionists. The park provides a cultivated atmosphere with multi-food varieties like Rats, a cosy French country-style restaurant over a serene lake.
Top Experiences: Sculpture garden, art workshops, photography
Location: Hamilton, NJ
Timings: 10 AM – 6 PM
New Jersey is a treasure trove of experiences, from hectic metropolises to serenely peaceful natural environments and a profoundly historical culture. There are many things to do in New Jersey for history buffs and nature lovers. This includes world-class dining, live performances, and shopping havens that rival the best of neighbouring metropolises. Each adventure lets you discover something richly unique, so leave for New Jersey and let TripXL be your guide.
Cover Photo: Jakub Hałun / Wikimedia Commons
