Liberty State Park (Jersey City) – Stunning views of the NYC skyline, the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island.
Cape May Beaches – While some beaches charge fees, Sunset Beach and Higbee Beach are free. Known for Lobster Roll
Delaware Water Gap – Great for hiking, waterfalls, and scenic views. Known for Apple Cider Donuts – Stop by Mackey’s Orchard for fresh-baked treats after a long hike.
Great Falls (Paterson) – One of the largest waterfalls in the U.S. Known for Peruvian Chicken – Paterson has an amazing Peruvian food scene. Some have suggested El Gordo or Los Hermanos for juicy rotisserie chicken.
Barnegat Lighthouse State Park (LBI) – Scenic coastal park with walking trails and a historic lighthouse (small fee to climb). Known for Clam Chowder – The famous white New England-style chowder.
Island Beach State Park – Free during off-season, great for bird-watching and beach walks.
South Mountain Reservation (West Orange) – Includes hiking trails, waterfalls, and Turtle Back Rock. Known For Portuguese BBQ – The nearby Ironbound district in Newark has fantastic BBQ
Princeton University – Beautiful historic campus, museums, and gardens.
Twin Lights Historic Site (Highlands) – Offers amazing views of Sandy Hook Bay.Known for Fresh Oysters
Red Bank’s Riverside Gardens Park – Overlooks the Navesink River, perfect for relaxing.
Grounds For Sculpture (Hamilton) – Free on select days (check online for updates).
Battleship New Jersey (Camden) – While tours cost money, you can view this massive battleship from the waterfront for free.
Atlantic City Boardwalk – Iconic boardwalk with ocean views and entertainment. Atlantic City is famous for its original taffy,
Ocean City Boardwalk – Family-friendly with free music and events in the summer. Boardwalk pizza known for its thin, crispy crust
Seaside Heights Boardwalk – Great place to stroll and people-watch. Deep-Fried Oreos – A boardwalk staple, available at various stands
New Jersey State Museum (Trenton) – Free admission, featuring fossils, Native American artifacts, and more. Tomato Pie – A Trenton specialty, similar to pizza but with the sauce on top.
Howell Living History Farm (Hopewell) – A working farm where you can learn about early farming techniques. Fresh-Baked Bread & Butter – The farm makes its own old-fashioned bread and butter for visitors to sample.
Thomas Edison National Historical Park (West Orange) – Free on select days, showcasing Edison’s inventions.
Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum (Cape May) – Free for kids under a certain age and special days.
The best place to see cherry blossoms in New Jersey is Branch Brook Park in Newark! 🌸
Branch Brook Park, peak bloom typically happens between April 10–20
It has over 5,200 cherry blossom trees, more than Washington, D.C.!
The park hosts an annual Cherry Blossom Festival in April.
Different varieties bloom at different times, so the blossoms last for several weeks.
Rahway River Park (Cranford) – A peaceful park with beautiful cherry trees lining the river.
Verona Park (Verona) – A picturesque lake with cherry blossoms surrounding it.
Warinanco Park (Elizabeth/Roselle) – Similar to Branch Brook but less crowded, with a great walking trail.
Riverside Park (North Arlington) – A small but lovely park for cherry blossom viewing.
David C. Shaw Arboretum (Holmdel Park) – Features different flowering trees, including cherry blossoms.
Daytime: Known for its charming Victorian architecture and family-friendly vibe. Ideal for beachcombing, swimming, and sunbathing.
Nightlife: Relaxed, with a few bars and restaurants. Head to Congress Hall for evening entertainment.
Events: Sunset Beach Concerts and Cape May Music Festival.
Kid-Friendly: Cape May has a carousel, mini-golf, and easy access to parks.
Food Pricing: Costly – Cape May is a historic, upscale area, so expect higher prices at restaurants and eateries. Seafood, in particular, can be pricey.
Drink Specials: Rare – Most places have regular prices, but some bars may offer happy hours or small discounts on cocktails in the off-season.
Daytime: Long stretches of sand, perfect for swimming, jet skiing, and sunbathing. The Wildwood Boardwalk offers games, rides, and food.
Nightlife: Wildwood’s boardwalk comes alive at night with arcades, mini-golf, and carnival rides. Great for late-night strolls and amusement park fun.
Events: Wildwood International Kite Festival, Wildwood Beach Bash.
Kid-Friendly: Tons of kid activities, including rides at Morey's Piers and a water park.
Food Pricing: Affordable to Moderate – Wildwood offers a range of food from cheaper boardwalk snacks to moderately priced restaurants.
Drink Specials: Common – Many beach bars and boardwalk spots, like The Shamrock or D’Jais, often have drink specials, especially during happy hour.
Daytime: The beach offers a mix of relaxation and activity. Great for beach volleyball, surfing, and sunbathing.
Nightlife: Asbury Park is famous for its vibrant nightlife scene with live music at The Stone Pony, beach bars, and trendy restaurants.
Events: Asbury Park Music and Film Festival, Asbury Park Zombie Walk.
Kid-Friendly: Asbury Splash Park and the boardwalk area are great for families.
Food Pricing: Moderate to Costly – Asbury Park has a mix of trendy spots and casual beach food, with prices on the higher end for its beachside cafes and restaurants.
Drink Specials: Common – Happy hours are popular at spots like The Asbury Festhalle or The Anchor’s Bend.
Daytime: Quiet and scenic beaches. Popular for swimming, surfing, and kayaking.
Nightlife: Bay Village in Beach Haven has bars and restaurants, with a relaxed vibe.
Events: LBI Surf Fishing Tournament, LBI Foundation’s Annual Summer Festival.
Kid-Friendly: Fantasy Island Amusement Park, an old-school amusement park.
Food Pricing: Moderate to Costly – The beach town offers a mix of moderately priced eateries and higher-end seafood restaurants, especially in Beach Haven.
Drink Specials: Occasional – Some of the local bars offer drink specials, especially during the summer months, but it's not as frequent as other shore towns.
Daytime: Great for families with a boardwalk, beach games, and amusement parks.
Nightlife: Lots of bars and clubs along the boardwalk like Jenkinson's Club for dancing and live entertainment.
Events: Point Pleasant Beach Festival, Shark River Beach Clean-Up.
Kid-Friendly: Jenkinson's Aquarium, mini-golf, and rides at Jenkinson’s Boardwalk.
Food Pricing: Moderate – Affordable boardwalk food like pizza, fries, and funnel cakes are popular. Restaurants can be moderately priced.
Drink Specials: Common – Bars like The Stone Pony and Jenkinson’s Club often feature drink specials during the summer.
Daytime: The iconic boardwalk, wide beaches, and plenty of places for swimming and surfing.
Nightlife: Lively nightlife with bars like Spicy’s and Klee’s Bar & Grill for late-night fun.
Events: Seaside Heights Fireworks, Shore Points Volleyball Tournament.
Kid-Friendly: Casino Pier, Seaside Heights Boardwalk Arcade.
Food Pricing: Affordable – The boardwalk features a lot of budget-friendly food, including classic beach snacks like pizza and boardwalk fries.
Drink Specials: Common – Many bars on the boardwalk have drink specials, especially during summer nights.
Daytime: A quieter, scenic beach that’s perfect for relaxation, swimming, and nature walks. It’s part of the Gateway National Recreation Area.
Nightlife: None really on the island, but you can head to nearby Highlands for restaurants and bars.
Events: Sandy Hook 5k Run, Environmental Education Programs at the park.
Kid-Friendly: Sandy Hook Lighthouse, educational activities, and bike rentals.
Food Pricing: Affordable – Sandy Hook has fewer commercial food options, but prices are generally affordable at nearby food stands and casual eateries.
Drink Specials: Rare – Sandy Hook is more nature-focused, so nightlife and drink specials are limited in the area, though bars in Highlands may offer discounts.
Daytime: Known for its clean beaches, perfect for families, with great waves for surfing and a relaxed vibe.
Nightlife: Great nightlife at local bars like The White Sands Hotel and The Belmar Beach Bar.
Events: Belmar Kite Festival, Belmar Seafood Festival.
Kid-Friendly: Belmar Marina for boat rentals and Lake Como Beach for calmer waters.
Food Pricing: Moderate – Beachside restaurants range from affordable seafood to slightly more upscale options. Boardwalk food is also budget-friendly.
Drink Specials: Common – The White Sands and The Belmar Beach Bar often have drink specials and happy hour deals.
Daytime: Beautiful, family-friendly beaches. Known for its boardwalk with rides, food, and shopping.
Nightlife: While Ocean City is known for being a “dry town,” it has great family activities and evening events like Sunset Beach Movies.
Events: Doo Dah Parade, Ocean City Air Show.
Kid-Friendly: The Ocean City Boardwalk, Gillians Wonderland Pier, and Mini-Golf.
Food Pricing: Affordable – Ocean City is family-friendly, and food is reasonably priced, especially on the boardwalk. Pizza, fries, and ice cream are cheap options.
Drink Specials: Rare – As a dry town, Ocean City doesn’t offer alcoholic drink specials, but there are plenty of family-friendly activities and non-alcoholic refreshments.
Daytime: A peaceful beach, ideal for those looking to escape the crowds. Perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and beach sports.
Nightlife: Low-key nightlife with a few local bars and restaurants, mostly aimed at families.
Events: Avalon Free Public Library Summer Series, Avalon Arts and Crafts Show.
Kid-Friendly: Avalon’s Family Fun Center and lots of local parks.
Food Pricing: Costly – Avalon tends to attract a wealthier crowd, so expect pricier seafood and upscale dining options.
Drink Specials: Rare – Drink specials are less common here due to the upscale vibe of the area, but some bars may offer occasional discounts during happy hour.
Daytime: Beautiful for nature walks, bird-watching, and relaxing on the beach. A quieter spot compared to Cape May Beach.
Nightlife: Limited nightlife, best for a peaceful getaway.
Events: Cape May Point Bird Watching Walks.
Kid-Friendly: Cape May Lighthouse for some learning and climbing, plus the nearby Nature Center.
Food Pricing: Costly – Dining options are mostly in the upscale range, particularly seafood restaurants in Cape May.
Drink Specials: Rare – Most places are upscale, with little emphasis on drink specials. However, some local bars may have deals in the off-season.
Daytime: A quaint, less crowded beach with great swimming conditions.
Nightlife: A quieter spot, best for those seeking a peaceful evening by the shore.
Events: Lavallette Summer Concert Series and Independence Day Parade.
Kid-Friendly: Kid-friendly beaches with calm waters, perfect for families.
Food Pricing: Affordable to Moderate – Lavallette is quieter, with more affordable beach food and casual eateries.
Drink Specials: Occasional – Local spots may have happy hour deals or discounts on drinks, especially at family-friendly restaurants.
Daytime: The iconic Atlantic City Beach offers tons of space for sunbathing, plus the famous Atlantic City Boardwalk.
Nightlife: Atlantic City is well-known for its casinos and vibrant nightlife. Resorts Casino and Borgata Hotel Casino are excellent for adults.
Events: Atlantic City Airshow, Atlantic City Seafood Festival.
Kid-Friendly: Steel Pier Amusement Park, arcade games, and family shows.
Food Pricing: Costly – Known for its high-end dining at casinos, food prices tend to be on the expensive side, especially in the casinos and resorts.
Drink Specials: Common – Atlantic City bars, especially within casinos like Borgata and Tropicana, offer frequent drink specials, especially during happy hour. Some casinos offer free drinks if playing. Slots require minimum $5 before drinks are offered, while tables games are pricey.
Daytime: A quieter, clean beach popular for surf and sunbathing.
Nightlife: Squan Tavern and nearby bars offer a laid-back atmosphere for those who want a drink and a bite.
Events: Manasquan Seafood Festival, Arts & Crafts Show.
Kid-Friendly: Manasquan River for kayaking and paddleboarding.
Food Pricing: Affordable – Manasquan is less touristy, so food prices are generally affordable, especially for boardwalk treats and casual beachside dining.
Drink Specials: Occasional – Local spots may offer happy hours or weekend drink specials.
Daytime: A peaceful, family-friendly beach known for its clean shores and gentle waves.
Nightlife: Very laid-back with small-town charm. Quiet dinners by the beach.
Events: Stone Harbor Summer Concerts, Stone Harbor Arts & Crafts Show.
Kid-Friendly: Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary and calm waters for kids to enjoy.
Food Pricing: Costly – Stone Harbor is a quieter, upscale beach destination, so expect higher prices at restaurants and cafes.
Drink Specials: Rare – The area is more relaxed with fewer drink specials, though some restaurants may offer them during the off-season.
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