New Jersey gets a bad rap. Most people’s mental image of it is either a highway or a reality TV show, and that’s genuinely unfair to a state with mountains, beaches, a world-class food scene, and some of the best views of Manhattan you’ll ever see in your life.
Give it a shot. Here’s what’s actually worth your time.
1. Visit Liberty State Park and Take the Ferry to the Statue of Liberty
Most people take the Statue of Liberty ferry from Manhattan. The smarter move is to go from Liberty State Park in Jersey City – shorter lines, cheaper parking, same iconic view.
The park itself is worth a couple of hours too. The view of Lower Manhattan from the waterfront is genuinely one of the best skyline shots on the East Coast, and it costs you nothing.
2. Explore Cape May
Cape May is the oldest seaside resort in America, and it shows in the best possible way. The town is packed with Victorian architecture, bed and breakfasts, whale watching boats, and beaches that are genuinely beautiful.
It’s at the very southern tip of the state, which means it takes a while to get there from anywhere. Go anyway. The ferry from Delaware is a solid option if you’re coming from that direction.
3. Hit the Atlantic City Boardwalk
Atlantic City is a lot of things, not all of them refined. But the boardwalk is a genuinely fun American experience – the original Monopoly board was named after its streets, the ocean views are legitimately great, and if you’re into casinos, there’s obviously plenty of that.
Steel Pier has rides and games right over the ocean. The food on the boardwalk ranges from excellent to wildly overpriced – mostly the latter, fwiw.
4. Spend a Day at the Jersey Shore
Look, forget the show. The Jersey Shore – the actual coastline – is 130 miles of sand and some of the best summer beach towns on the East Coast.
Spring Lake is upscale and quiet. Belmar has better nightlife. Point Pleasant Beach has a carnival boardwalk that’s pure summer nostalgia. Pick your vibe and go.
5. Hike the Delaware Water Gap
The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is 70,000 acres of forests, waterfalls, rivers, and ridgeline trails straddling New Jersey and Pennsylvania. People drive from NYC and Philly for this.
Dingmans Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in the northeast and it’s a short, easy walk. The Appalachian Trail runs right through. Fall foliage season here is legitimately spectacular.
6. See Asbury Park
Asbury Park has one of the best music and arts scenes of any small city in America, which makes sense since it’s the city that launched Bruce Springsteen’s career.
The Stone Pony is still there and still has live music constantly. The boardwalk has been beautifully revitalized. The restaurant and bar scene punches way above the city’s size. It’s one of those places that makes you wonder why it’s not more famous.
7. Walk Around Princeton
Princeton’s campus is genuinely one of the most beautiful university settings in America. The Gothic architecture is stunning, the grounds are immaculate, and you can just walk in and explore it all for free.
Princeton the town is also lovely – great independent restaurants, good bookstores, and a low-key energy that makes it perfect for a half-day trip. Einstein used to walk these streets. Just putting that out there.
8. Stand on the Hoboken Waterfront at Sunset
Hoboken and Jersey City have some of the best Manhattan views on earth. The Hoboken Waterfront Walkway runs along the Hudson with the skyline right across the water.
Get there at sunset. The light on Midtown from across the river is one of those views that lives rent-free in your memory forever. And as a bonus, Hoboken’s food and bar scene is legitimately great – this is a very underrated dinner spot for NYC visitors who don’t want to pay Manhattan prices.
9. Wander Grounds for Sculpture
Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton is a 42-acre outdoor art park with over 300 sculptures spread across beautifully landscaped grounds. It sounds like something you’d politely attend and forget immediately.
It’s actually kind of incredible. The sculptures range from massive and surreal to quietly beautiful. There’s an on-site restaurant (Rat’s) that’s genuinely excellent. This place is one of New Jersey’s best-kept secrets and it doesn’t need to be a secret anymore.
10. Experience NJ’s Fall Foliage Season
New Jersey in October is dramatically underrated. The Highlands, the Kittatinny Mountains, the Delaware Water Gap – all of it turns into a riot of red and orange that rivals anything in Vermont or upstate New York.
High Point State Park sits at the highest elevation in the state and gives you views of three states. Stokes State Forest has some of the best hiking in the northeast when the leaves are turning. New Jersey contains multitudes.
▶ Watch This Before You Go
Still going to make the Sopranos joke? Fine. But after you’ve done all of this, you’ll at least have some competing memories. New Jersey is worth your time.
