New Jersey has heard the jokes.
Turnpike.
Traffic.
Exit numbers.
Something about diners.
Very funny.
Now get off the highway.
Because the best day trips in New Jersey reveal a completely different Garden State.
You’ll find Appalachian Mountain trails, waterfalls, Revolutionary War battlefields, Victorian beach towns, lighthouses, sprawling gardens, old mining communities, Pine Barrens ghost stories, waterfront cities and more than enough boardwalk food to destroy whatever healthy-eating plan you started Monday.
And here’s the best part:
New Jersey is compact.
You can hike a mountain one weekend, explore Princeton the next and spend the following Saturday eating your way down the Shore.
For easier planning, we’re dividing this guide into New Jersey’s seven travel regions.
Jump to a New Jersey Region
Skylands Region
Mountains, waterfalls, Appalachian Trail country and outdoor adventures.
Gateway Region
Jersey City, Newark, Paterson, historic sites and New York skyline views.
Central Jersey Region
Princeton, Revolutionary War history, gardens, farms and Delaware River towns.
Delaware River Region
Camden, Pinelands, historic villages and Delaware River attractions.
Shore Region
Asbury Park, Sandy Hook, Long Beach Island, lighthouses and beach towns.
Greater Atlantic City Region
Atlantic City, Smithville, wildlife refuges and Pine Barrens adventures.
Southern Shore Region
Cape May, Ocean City, Wildwood, beaches, Victorian history and wildlife.
Or jump directly to:
Beaches | Small Towns | Hidden Gems | Family Trips | Scenic Drives | Budget Trips
Skylands Region Day Trips
Northwestern New Jersey has a funny way of ruining the stereotype that the entire state looks like the Turnpike.
Mountains rise above forest.
The Appalachian Trail crosses the region.
Waterfalls tumble through rocky ravines.
And suddenly New Jersey looks suspiciously like somebody hid a piece of New England down here.
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Location: Northwestern New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
Official Site: National Park Service
The Delaware River cuts between forested mountains along the New Jersey-Pennsylvania border.
Hiking, paddling, waterfalls and scenic overlooks make this one of New Jersey’s great outdoor escapes.
Best for: Hiking, kayaking, waterfalls and fall foliage.
City Unknown Tip: This recreation area is enormous.
Choose your trail, waterfall or river access point before leaving instead of simply entering “Delaware Water Gap” into the GPS and hoping for the best.
High Point State Park
Location: Sussex, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
New Jersey’s highest natural elevation rises to 1,803 feet.
The High Point Monument overlooks rolling countryside extending into New York and Pennsylvania.
Best for: Scenic views, hiking and fall foliage.
Buttermilk Falls
Location: Layton, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
A beautiful waterfall tumbles down a rocky slope near the Delaware Water Gap.
Wooden stairs and nearby trails make it a popular stop.
Best for: Waterfalls and photography.
Road and trail access can vary seasonally, so check conditions before going.
Sterling Hill Mining Museum
Location: Ogdensburg, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
Travel underground into New Jersey’s mining history.
The area’s fluorescent minerals are particularly famous.
Under ultraviolet light, ordinary-looking rocks suddenly glow brilliant shades of green, orange and red.
Best for: Families, geology and unusual attractions.
Franklin Mineral Museum
Location: Franklin, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
Franklin became internationally famous for its unusual mineral deposits.
The museum displays minerals, fossils and fluorescent specimens from the region.
Lakota Wolf Preserve
Location: Columbia, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
Guided educational experiences provide opportunities to observe wolves and other animals.
Best for: Wildlife enthusiasts and families.
Check current tour schedules and reservation requirements before making the drive.
Hacklebarney State Park
Location: Chester, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
Wooded trails follow rocky streams through one of northern New Jersey’s prettiest little parks.
Fall color makes it especially attractive.
Morristown National Historical Park
Location: Morristown, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
Official Site: National Park Service
George Washington and the Continental Army spent two difficult winters in the Morristown area during the American Revolution.
The park includes Washington’s Headquarters at Ford Mansion and Jockey Hollow.
Best for: American history, hiking and families.
Jockey Hollow
Location: Morristown, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
Walking trails wind through the landscape where thousands of Continental Army soldiers spent the brutal winter of 1779–1780.
Reconstructed soldier huts help tell the story.
Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area
Location: Montville, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
Woodland trails lead toward overlooks and the enormous glacial boulder known as Tripod Rock.
Best for: Hiking and geology.
Gateway Region Day Trips
Welcome to urban New Jersey.
This is where waterfront parks stare across at Manhattan, enormous waterfalls thunder through former industrial cities and some of America’s most important innovation history comes to life.
Jersey City
Location: Jersey City, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
Jersey City combines restaurants, neighborhoods, museums and some spectacular Manhattan skyline views.
Best for: Food, city exploring and couples.
Liberty State Park
Location: Jersey City, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
Few New Jersey picnic spots come with a backdrop like this.
The park provides views toward Manhattan, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.
Walking and biking paths make it an easy urban escape.
Empty Sky 9/11 Memorial
Location: Liberty State Park
Map: Open in Google Maps
New Jersey’s official September 11 memorial honors state residents who died in the attacks.
Visit quietly and respectfully.
Liberty Science Center
Location: Jersey City, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
Hands-on science exhibits and planetarium experiences make this one of New Jersey’s strongest family attractions.
Best for: Families and rainy days.
Hoboken
Location: Hoboken, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
Walk the waterfront, explore Washington Street and enjoy Manhattan views without actually being in Manhattan.
Which also means you can say you went to New York without paying New York prices.
Well…
Sometimes.
Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park
Location: Paterson, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
Official Site: National Park Service
The Passaic River plunges dramatically through the heart of Paterson.
Alexander Hamilton saw the river’s power as key to developing American industry, helping establish Paterson as one of the country’s earliest industrial centers.
Best for: Waterfalls, history and photography.
Thomas Edison National Historical Park
Location: West Orange, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
Official Site: National Park Service
Explore Thomas Edison’s laboratory complex and estate.
Thousands of experiments and inventions passed through these buildings.
Best for: Science, history and families.
Branch Brook Park
Location: Newark, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
Spring transforms this historic park with an enormous display of cherry blossoms.
Best for: Spring trips, photography and picnics.
Montclair
Location: Montclair, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
Restaurants, shops, arts and attractive neighborhoods make Montclair an easy day trip when you want culture without a major-city itinerary.
New Jersey Botanical Garden
Location: Ringwood, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
Formal gardens surround historic Skylands Manor.
Combine the gardens with trails around Ringwood State Park.
Best for: Couples, flowers and photography.
Central Jersey Region Day Trips
Yes.
Central Jersey exists.
We’re settling that argument right now.
This region packs Princeton, Revolutionary War sites, gardens, river towns and some excellent farm-country drives into a surprisingly compact area.
Princeton
Location: Princeton, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
Historic architecture, independent shops, restaurants and the Princeton University campus make this one of New Jersey’s easiest walking day trips.
Best for: Couples, history, architecture and food.
Princeton University Art Museum
Location: Princeton, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
The completely rebuilt Princeton University Art Museum reopened in 2025 with dramatically expanded gallery and public spaces.
Its collections span thousands of years and cultures around the world.
Best for: Art, architecture and rainy days.
Grounds For Sculpture
Location: Hamilton, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
Contemporary sculptures hide among landscaped gardens, ponds and pathways.
Some pieces are enormous.
Others appear unexpectedly around corners.
That’s half the fun.
Best for: Couples, art and photography.
Duke Farms
Location: Hillsborough, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
Trails wind through hundreds of acres of gardens, woodlands and restored landscapes.
Best for: Biking, nature and families.
Check current access and reservation policies before visiting.
New Brunswick
Location: New Brunswick, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
Rutgers University gives New Brunswick plenty of restaurants, culture and college-town energy.
Rutgers Gardens
Location: New Brunswick, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
Gardens, woodland paths and plant collections provide an easy nature escape near New Brunswick.
Best for: Flowers, photography and walking.
Washington Crossing State Park
Location: Titusville, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
The park preserves the New Jersey side of the landscape associated with George Washington’s famous Delaware River crossing and the events surrounding the Battle of Trenton.
Best for: Revolutionary War history.
Lambertville
Location: Lambertville, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
Historic buildings, antique shops, galleries and restaurants line the Delaware River.
Walk across the bridge into New Hope, Pennsylvania, and suddenly your New Jersey day trip becomes a two-state adventure.
Best for: Couples, antiques and food.
Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park
Location: Central New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
Miles of towpath create excellent opportunities for walking and biking beside the historic canal.
Best for: Cycling and easy outdoor trips.
Delaware River Region Day Trips
Western South Jersey mixes Revolutionary War history, family attractions and the strange, beautiful world of the Pine Barrens.
Camden Waterfront
Location: Camden, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
The Camden waterfront provides views across the Delaware River toward Philadelphia and several major attractions.
Adventure Aquarium
Location: Camden, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
Sharks, penguins, hippos and other aquatic species make this one of South Jersey’s best family destinations.
Best for: Families and rainy days.
Battleship New Jersey
Location: Camden, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
Explore one of America’s most decorated battleships.
Tours take visitors through portions of the enormous ship while exhibits explore its long naval history.
Best for: Military history and families.
Haddonfield
Location: Haddonfield, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
Walkable streets, shops and historic architecture make Haddonfield an easy small-town escape near Philadelphia.
But there’s another reason to visit.
Dinosaurs.
The first nearly complete dinosaur skeleton discovered in North America was unearthed nearby.
Look for the Hadrosaurus statue downtown.
Red Bank Battlefield Park
Location: National Park, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
This Delaware River park preserves the site of the Revolutionary War Battle of Red Bank.
Best for: History, river views and picnics.
Batsto Village
Location: Wharton State Forest
Map: Open in Google Maps
Batsto preserves buildings from a historic ironmaking and industrial community deep in the Pine Barrens.
Explore the village before heading onto surrounding forest roads and trails.
Best for: History and Pine Barrens exploring.
Wharton State Forest
Location: New Jersey Pinelands
Map: Open in Google Maps
Welcome to the Pine Barrens.
Dense pine forest, cedar swamps, sandy roads and tea-colored rivers create a landscape completely different from northern New Jersey.
Best for: Hiking, paddling and hidden-gem road trips.
Whitesbog Historic Village
Location: Browns Mills, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
Historic cranberry and blueberry agriculture shaped this Pine Barrens community.
Trails lead past bogs, reservoirs and old buildings.
Best for: History, photography and quiet exploring.
Shore Region Day Trips
Now we’re going “down the Shore.”
Yes, that’s how you say it.
No, we’re not taking questions.
Asbury Park
Location: Asbury Park, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
Music history, restaurants, murals and a lively boardwalk give Asbury Park a personality entirely its own.
Best for: Couples, music, food and beach trips.
Sandy Hook
Location: Highlands, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
Official Site: Gateway National Recreation Area
Beaches, maritime forests and historic military structures occupy this narrow peninsula.
Views across New York Harbor add another dimension.
Best for: Beaches, biking, history and birding.
Fort Hancock
Location: Sandy Hook
Map: Open in Google Maps
Historic military buildings and batteries remain from Sandy Hook’s coastal-defense history.
Combine them with a beach day for a very New Jersey mix of history and ocean.
Red Bank
Location: Red Bank, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
Restaurants, boutiques, theaters and waterfront scenery make Red Bank an excellent year-round trip.
Long Beach Island
Location: Long Beach Island, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
LBI stretches along a narrow barrier island lined with beach communities.
Summer means beaches and seafood.
Shoulder seasons mean quieter roads and long shoreline walks.
Best for: Beach trips and couples.
Barnegat Lighthouse State Park
Location: Barnegat Light, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
“Old Barney” stands at the northern end of Long Beach Island.
Trails, fishing areas and coastal scenery surround the lighthouse.
Best for: Lighthouses and photography.
Island Beach State Park
Location: Seaside Park, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
One of New Jersey’s great remaining barrier-island landscapes stretches for miles between ocean and bay.
Dunes, beaches and maritime habitats provide a more natural Shore experience.
Best for: Beaches, wildlife and fishing.
Point Pleasant Beach
Location: Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
Boardwalk attractions and a classic Jersey Shore atmosphere make Point Pleasant a family favorite.
Greater Atlantic City Region Day Trips
There’s more here than casinos.
Although yes.
There are definitely casinos.
Atlantic City
Location: Atlantic City, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
Walk the famous Boardwalk, explore the beach, shop, eat and discover the city’s long resort history.
Best for: Couples, nightlife and entertainment.
Absecon Lighthouse
Location: Atlantic City, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
Climb the historic lighthouse for sweeping views across Atlantic City.
Your legs may question the decision halfway up.
The view usually settles the argument.
Historic Smithville
Location: Galloway, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
Shops, restaurants and seasonal events surround a picturesque village setting.
Best for: Couples, families and holiday trips.
Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge
Location: Oceanville/Galloway area
Map: Open in Google Maps
Coastal marshes provide important habitat for migrating birds.
Wildlife drives and trails make this one of New Jersey’s best birding destinations.
Best for: Wildlife and photography.
Hammonton
Location: Hammonton, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
Known for its blueberry-growing heritage, Hammonton provides a small-town base for exploring the surrounding Pinelands.
Best for: Food, festivals and Pine Barrens trips.
Southern Shore Region Day Trips
Southern New Jersey is where Victorian architecture meets beaches, lighthouses, bird migration and classic boardwalk towns.
Cape May
Location: Cape May, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
Cape May is one of New Jersey’s great day-trip destinations.
Victorian architecture fills streets lined with inns, restaurants and shops.
Add beaches, birding and nearby wineries and you can easily turn one day into a weekend.
Best for: Couples, architecture, beaches and food.
Cape May Lighthouse
Location: Cape May Point, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
The historic lighthouse overlooks the southern tip of New Jersey.
Nearby trails and wetlands make this especially good for birding.
Sunset Beach
Location: Cape May Point, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
As the name strongly suggests, sunset is the time to come.
The beach also provides views toward the remains of the concrete ship SS Atlantus offshore.
Cape May County Park & Zoo
Location: Cape May Court House, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
This popular county zoo makes an excellent family stop away from the beach.
Best for: Families and budget trips.
Ocean City
Location: Ocean City, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
Beaches, amusement rides, mini golf and a classic boardwalk make Ocean City one of New Jersey’s most family-focused Shore destinations.
The Wildwoods
Location: Wildwood, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
A huge beach, boardwalk attractions and colorful mid-century architecture give Wildwood a completely different personality from Victorian Cape May.
Best for: Families, retro architecture and beach trips.
Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum
Location: Cape May Airport
Map: Open in Google Maps
Historic aircraft fill a World War II-era hangar.
Best for: Aviation and families.
WheatonArts
Location: Millville, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
Glassmaking demonstrations, galleries and artist studios celebrate South Jersey’s glassmaking traditions.
Best for: Art, crafts and families.
Best New Jersey Beach Day Trips
You can’t build a New Jersey guide without talking beaches.
Try:
Cape May for Victorian charm.
Ocean City for families.
Wildwood for boardwalk energy.
Long Beach Island for classic Shore towns.
Island Beach State Park for a more natural coastline.
Sandy Hook for beaches mixed with history.
Asbury Park for music, food and boardwalk culture.
Point Pleasant Beach for family fun.
City Unknown Tip: Beach access, parking and beach-badge rules vary dramatically from town to town.
Check the specific beach before leaving.
“Going down the Shore” requires slightly more planning than the phrase implies.
Best Small-Town Day Trips in New Jersey
New Jersey has some excellent walkable towns hiding between the highways.
Try:
Lambertville
Cape May
Haddonfield
Red Bank
Princeton
Smithville
Clinton
Collingswood
Frenchtown
Spring Lake
Build a day around walking, shopping and eating rather than trying to cram six attractions into eight hours.
Sometimes wandering is the attraction.
Hidden Gems Worth the New Jersey Detour
Now we’re getting into City Unknown territory.
Van Slyke Castle Ruins
Location: Ramapo Mountain State Forest
Map: Open in Google Maps
Forest trails lead to the stone remains of a former mansion.
Best for: Hiking, ruins and photography.
Tripod Rock
Location: Pyramid Mountain
Map: Open in Google Maps
An enormous glacial boulder appears balanced on three smaller stones.
Nature has a sense of humor.
Whitesbog Village
Historic cranberry country deep in the Pinelands.
Batsto Village
A remarkably preserved reminder of the Pine Barrens’ industrial past.
Deep Cut Gardens
Location: Middletown, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
Landscaped gardens and a greenhouse create a peaceful escape in Monmouth County.
Leonard J. Buck Garden
Location: Far Hills, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
A naturalistic rock garden winds through wooded terrain with streams and seasonal flowers.
Historic Longstreet Farm
Location: Holmdel, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
A living-history farm preserves aspects of rural New Jersey life.
Maurice River Bluffs
Location: Millville, New Jersey
Map: Open in Google Maps
Wooded trails overlook the Maurice River.
Keep an eye out for bald eagles.
The Pine Barrens
The ultimate New Jersey hidden gem isn’t one attraction.
It’s an entire landscape.
Drive the back roads.
Visit Batsto.
Walk through cedar swamps.
Paddle a tea-colored river.
And perhaps don’t go looking for the Jersey Devil after dark.
Some local traditions are better appreciated from the safety of the car.
Best New Jersey Day Trips for Families
Try:
Adventure Aquarium
Liberty Science Center
Cape May County Zoo
Grounds For Sculpture
Sterling Hill Mining Museum
Six Flags Great Adventure
Ocean City
Point Pleasant Beach
Wildwood
Thomas Edison National Historical Park
City Unknown Tip: Amusement parks, boardwalk rides and many Shore attractions operate seasonal calendars.
Always check hours before announcing the trip to the kids.
That’s parenting advice and travel advice.
Romantic New Jersey Day Trips
For couples, try:
Cape May for Victorian streets and dinner.
Lambertville for galleries and riverfront wandering.
Princeton for architecture and restaurants.
Asbury Park for music and food.
Spring Lake for a quieter Shore experience.
Grounds For Sculpture for art and gardens.
Red Bank for restaurants and entertainment.
Best Scenic Drives in New Jersey
Yes.
New Jersey has scenic drives.
Stop laughing.
Delaware River Scenic Route
Follow river towns through western New Jersey.
Palisades Scenic Byway
Cliffs rise above the Hudson River with views toward New York.
Pine Barrens
Explore quiet roads through the Pinelands.
Route 519
Rural scenery winds through northwestern New Jersey.
Shore Road Trip
Follow beach communities, lighthouses and barrier islands along the coast.
Highlands & Skylands
Build your own loop around High Point, Sussex County and Delaware Water Gap country.
Budget-Friendly New Jersey Day Trips
New Jersey can still deliver a good day without your wallet filing a complaint.
Try:
Liberty State Park
Branch Brook Park
Historic downtowns
D&R Canal trails
Whitesbog
Batsto Village
Cape May County Zoo
Wildlife refuges
Covered historic sites
Public gardens
Hiking trails
Scenic drives
Beach walks during appropriate seasons
Avoid old articles that promise every park costs “$5” or every attraction is free.
Fees, parking rules and reservation systems change.
Check current information before leaving.
New Jersey Revolutionary War Day Trips
New Jersey played a major role in the American Revolution.
Build history trips around:
Morristown National Historical Park
Jockey Hollow
Washington Crossing State Park
Princeton
Trenton
Monmouth Battlefield
Red Bank Battlefield
The state saw extensive military activity during the war, making these sites especially useful when visited together rather than as isolated attractions.
Best New Jersey Fall Day Trips
Fall is when North Jersey really shows off.
Try:
Delaware Water Gap
High Point State Park
Hacklebarney State Park
Palisades Interstate Park
Morristown
Ringwood
Lambertville
D&R Canal
The northwest generally provides the strongest mountain foliage scenery.
Best New Jersey Spring Day Trips
Spring means gardens.
Try:
Branch Brook Park for cherry blossoms.
New Jersey Botanical Garden for formal gardens.
Rutgers Gardens
Grounds For Sculpture
Deep Cut Gardens
Leonard J. Buck Garden
Presby Memorial Iris Gardens
Bloom dates change every year.
Check current conditions rather than planning around last year’s Instagram post.
Best New Jersey Summer Day Trips
Summer belongs to the Shore.
But don’t forget inland adventures.
Try:
Cape May
Ocean City
Long Beach Island
Island Beach State Park
Sandy Hook
Delaware Water Gap
High Point
Pine Barrens paddling
Best New Jersey Winter Day Trips
New Jersey doesn’t stop when beach season ends.
Winter trips can include:
Princeton
Cape May
Morristown
Liberty Science Center
Adventure Aquarium
Thomas Edison National Historical Park
Sterling Hill Mining Museum
Asbury Park
And the Shore becomes dramatically quieter.
Sometimes that’s exactly the point.
New Jersey Travel Planning
New Jersey’s small size makes regional combinations especially easy.
Good combinations include:
High Point → Delaware Water Gap
Morristown → Jockey Hollow
Jersey City → Liberty State Park
West Orange → Montclair
Princeton → Grounds For Sculpture
Lambertville → Washington Crossing
Camden → Adventure Aquarium → Battleship New Jersey
Batsto → Wharton State Forest
Asbury Park → Red Bank
Long Beach Island → Barnegat Lighthouse
Atlantic City → Forsythe Wildlife Refuge
Cape May → Cape May Point
Cape May → Wildwood
You can cover serious ground here without spending six hours driving across a western state.
Just remember one thing.
Traffic.
New Jersey will always find a way to remind you traffic exists.
One New Jersey Road-Trip Rule Worth Remembering
Don’t underestimate summer Shore traffic.
A destination that’s 45 miles away can suddenly become an archaeological expedition.
Start early.
Check traffic.
Know where you’re parking.
Understand beach-access rules.
Then relax.
You’re going down the Shore.
Act accordingly.
Find Your Next New Jersey Adventure
See Cape May.
Walk the Atlantic City Boardwalk.
Explore Princeton.
Hike Delaware Water Gap.
Those belong on the list.
Then find the New Jersey most people miss.
Go underground in an old zinc mine.
Find castle ruins in the forest.
Walk beside cranberry bogs.
Explore a forgotten iron village in the Pine Barrens.
Watch Manhattan light up from the Jersey side.
Climb a lighthouse.
Follow a back road through Sussex County.
And if somebody tells you New Jersey is nothing but highways?
Smile.
They’re leaving all the good stuff for us.
More New Jersey Adventures from City Unknown
Continue exploring the Garden State:
New Jersey Hidden Gems — Discover ruins, gardens, strange landmarks and overlooked natural areas.
New Jersey Local Eats — Find diners, pizza, boardwalk food, seafood and neighborhood favorites.
New Jersey Shore Road Trip — Explore beach towns from Sandy Hook to Cape May.
New Jersey Small Towns — Discover Lambertville, Haddonfield, Red Bank and more.
New Jersey Pine Barrens Road Trip — Explore Batsto, Whitesbog, cedar swamps and mysterious back roads.
New Jersey Revolutionary War Road Trip — Follow Washington, the Continental Army and New Jersey’s battlefields.
New Jersey Scenic Drives — Find mountain roads, river routes and coastal drives.
New Jersey Weird & Unusual Places — Mines, ruins, legends and roadside oddities.
City Unknown Tip
New Jersey’s biggest mistake is letting the highways make the first impression.
Get off them.
Follow the Delaware River.
Drive into the Pine Barrens.
Walk through the old town.
Climb the lighthouse.
Take the trail toward the waterfall.
Order something from a diner at an hour when normal people probably shouldn’t be eating pancakes.
That’s New Jersey.
And it’s considerably more interesting than the Turnpike would have you believe.