New Jersey may not get the same sort of fanfare as neighbouring New York and Pennsylvania, but it certainly packs a punch and a growing number of tourists are crossing the border to make the most of the Garden State.
It’s a state that, like New York, really does have everything, whether you’re looking for a relaxing weekend by the coast, a big city night out, or an adventure into the wilderness.
For those considering the state for their next trip, then you’ve already begun to make the right decision, but where should you be visiting on your travels? We run down the top four things to do in New Jersey…
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The Casinos at Atlantic City
Perhaps New Jersey’s most famous city is Atlantic City. It offers what you can’t get in New York – casinos. The AC has long been a hotspot for travellers thanks to the legalisation of gambling in the state and is nicknamed the Las Vegas of the East Coast.
In recent years, online casino sites have also been legalized in the state, completely revolutionising the city once again and seeing more money and revenue pumped into the city.
Aside from enjoying the hundreds of slot games on offer, in the city you’ll also find shows galore, amusements and one of the most iconic fairgrounds in the USA, all along the most beautiful boardwalk lining the Atlantic Ocean.
The Music Scene of Asbury Park
New Jersey has long been a hotbed for artistry and when it comes to music it’s had more big hits than most. Geographically, they are from all over the state, but it’s Asbury Park where many flocked to cut their teeth before finding fame.
Also considered the unofficial gay capital of New Jersey, it has a vibrant cultural scene and at the heart of that is venues such as the Convention Hall and The Stone Pony, where the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, The Gaslight Anthem and even Patti Smith all have strong connections to.
To this day, many musicians both local and national will stop by The Stone Pony on their tour, while sampling the other delights you’ll find on the New Jersey coastal resort.
The View of New York from Liberty State Park
Of course, the fact New York is a stone’s throw from New York City along some of its eastern border shouldn’t be ignored and you can get some of the best views of it from Liberty State Park in Jersey City.
The park has plenty to see and do in itself, including a monument to 9/11 in the Empty Sky Memorial as well as dedications to the Holocaust and Christopher Columbus.
The park regularly hosts concerts, sports events and is a regular on the silver screen too, but it’s those views of New York, the Statue of Liberty, and a walkway to Ellis Island that are the true stars of the show.
Explore the Beauty of Paterson Great Falls
Moving inland to the city of Paterson you have the Paterson Great Falls, a US national park with a stunning waterfall along the Passaic River.
It’s been a National Historic Landmark since the 1970s, largely thanks to the role it played in the early industrial development of the state and helped Paterson become the country’s first industrial city.
It’s the touch paper for the Industrial Revolution in the USA, and as well as having such an important role in the country’s history, it’s also a beautiful sight to behold.
Formed at the end of the last ice age, it’s one of the biggest waterfalls in the USA and has great viewing points from both Haines Overlook Park and Mary Ellen Kramer Park.
