20 Most Exciting Things to Do in New Jersey

New Jersey offers an incredible variety of attractions and activities for visitors and residents alike. From beautiful beaches and historic sites to thrilling amusement parks and cultural experiences, the Garden State has something for everyone.

Here’s our guide to the 20 most exciting things to do in New Jersey!

1. Atlantic City Boardwalk

The iconic Atlantic City Boardwalk offers entertainment, shopping, dining, and gaming all in one historic location.

Fun Facts:

• Built in 1870, it was America’s first boardwalk
• Stretches for 4 miles along the shoreline
• The original boardwalk was designed to keep sand out of hotel lobbies
• Monopoly’s street names (Baltic Avenue, Park Place, etc.) were inspired by Atlantic City streets
• Home to the world’s first Saltwater Taffy, created in the 1880s

2. Six Flags Great Adventure

Thrill-seekers will love this premier amusement park featuring some of the world’s most extreme roller coasters.

Fun Facts:

• Home to Kingda Ka, the tallest roller coaster in the world at 456 feet
• Features El Toro, consistently ranked among the world’s top wooden roller coasters
• The park spans 510 acres, making it the second-largest theme park in the world
• The adjacent Safari adventure houses more than 1,200 animals from six continents
• The park opened in 1974 and now features over 50 rides

3. Cape May Beaches

Experience pristine beaches alongside Victorian charm in America’s oldest seaside resort town.

Fun Facts:

• Cape May is a National Historic Landmark due to its collection of Victorian buildings
• The Cape May Lighthouse, built in 1859, is still operational today
• Cape May is one of the world’s top birding spots, with over 400 bird species recorded
• The town hosts America’s oldest continuously operating hotel, Congress Hall (since 1816)
• Cape May diamonds (clear quartz pebbles) can be found along Sunset Beach

4. Liberty State Park

This urban oasis offers breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island.

Fun Facts:

• Covers 1,212 acres, making it one of NJ’s largest state parks
• The historic Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal is located within the park
• Features the “Empty Sky” 9/11 Memorial with twin walls the length of the WTC towers
• More than 9 million immigrants passed through its railroad terminal
• The park was built on former landfill and abandoned rail yards

5. Princeton University Campus

Wander through one of America’s most beautiful college campuses, rich with history and stunning architecture.

Fun Facts:

• Founded in 1746, Princeton is the fourth-oldest university in the United States
• Albert Einstein spent his final years working at Princeton’s Institute for Advanced Study
• The Princeton University Chapel is one of the largest university chapels in the world
• Nassau Hall survived bombardment during the Revolutionary War
• The campus features over 160 buildings with diverse architectural styles

6. Asbury Park Boardwalk

Discover the revitalized music scene where Bruce Springsteen got his start, with great restaurants, shops, and beach access.

Fun Facts:

• The Stone Pony venue launched the careers of Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi
• The boardwalk’s Convention Hall and Paramount Theatre were built in 1930
• Features the iconic Tillie face mural, a symbol of Asbury Park since the 1950s
• The pinball museum houses more than 200 vintage pinball machines that visitors can play
• After decades of decline, Asbury Park has undergone a remarkable revitalization since 2000

7. American Dream Mall

Shop, play, and dine at one of North America’s largest malls, featuring an indoor theme park, water park, ski slope, and more!

Fun Facts:

• Houses North America’s largest indoor water park
• Features Big SNOW, the first indoor real-snow ski and snowboard center in North America
• Spans approximately 3 million square feet
• The mall took 16 years to complete from conception to opening
• Contains over 450 stores and restaurants

8. Delaware Water Gap

Hike, canoe, or kayak through this natural wonder spanning 70,000 acres of breathtaking mountains and river valleys.

Fun Facts:

• The Gap was formed over 400 million years ago by geological forces and water erosion
• Covers 70,000 acres across New Jersey and Pennsylvania
• Features over 100 miles of hiking trails, including 27 miles of the Appalachian Trail
• Home to more than 1,000 plant and animal species
• The area contains 100+ archaeological sites dating back 10,000 years

9. Grounds For Sculpture

Explore this 42-acre sculpture park featuring over 300 contemporary sculptures in a beautifully landscaped setting.

Fun Facts:

• Founded in 1992 by artist Seward Johnson
• Built on the former New Jersey State Fairgrounds
• Features life-sized 3D recreations of famous paintings
• The park has six indoor galleries in addition to outdoor exhibits
• Many sculptures are interactive, encouraging visitors to touch and engage with the art

10. Hoboken Waterfront

Enjoy spectacular Manhattan views, great dining, and the birthplace of baseball and Frank Sinatra.

Fun Facts:

• The first recorded baseball game was played in Hoboken in 1846
• Frank Sinatra was born at 415 Monroe Street in Hoboken
• Carlo’s Bakery, featured on TLC’s “Cake Boss,” is located in Hoboken
• Hoboken Terminal is a historic transportation hub built in 1907
• The city is only one square mile in size but packs in tremendous history and culture

11. Island Beach State Park

Experience one of the few remaining undeveloped barrier beaches on the North Atlantic coast with over 10 miles of natural shoreline.

Fun Facts:

• Spans nearly 3,000 acres of coastal dunes
• Home to New Jersey’s largest osprey colony
• One of the few public nesting areas for piping plovers, an endangered species
• Features rare maritime forests and plant communities
• Sedge islands in the bay provide critical habitat for diamondback terrapins

12. Adventure Aquarium

Get up close with hippos, sharks, and over 15,000 aquatic species at one of the most interactive aquariums in the country.

Fun Facts:

• Features the longest V-shaped shark tunnel in the world
• Home to Button and Genny, the only hippopotamus exhibit in the Northeast
• Houses the largest collection of sharks on the East Coast
• Visitors can touch stingrays, sharks, jellyfish, and more in interactive exhibits
• The 760,000-gallon Ocean Realm exhibit is one of the largest of its kind

13. Wildwoods Boardwalk

Experience this action-packed, 2.5-mile boardwalk featuring hundreds of rides, waterparks, shops, and classic boardwalk treats.

Fun Facts:

• Features more rides and amusements than Disneyland
• Known for its collection of 1950s and 60s “Doo-Wop” architecture
• Home to three of the best beaches in New Jersey
• The tram car has been operating since 1949
• Annual events include the National Marbles Tournament and International Kite Festival

14. New Jersey Wineries

Tour the Garden State’s growing wine country with over 50 wineries producing award-winning wines.

Fun Facts:

• The Garden State is among the top 10 wine-producing states in the U.S.
• New Jersey’s wine history dates back to 1767
• The state features four designated American Viticultural Areas (AVAs)
• New Jersey wines regularly win awards in international competitions
• The state’s unique microclimate is particularly suitable for growing Cabernet Franc and Chambourcin

15. Historic Smithville

Step back in time at this charming village featuring colonial-style buildings, unique shops, and seasonal festivals.

Fun Facts:

• Originally a stagecoach stop in the 1700s
• Features a floating Christmas tree display during the holidays
• The village has over 60 specialty shops in historic buildings
• Home to the historic Smithville Inn, established in 1787
• The antique carousel was built in 1932

16. Sterling Hill Mining Museum

Descend into a real former zinc mine and see spectacular fluorescent minerals that glow in vibrant colors.

Fun Facts:

• Last operating underground mine in New Jersey until closing in 1986
• Home to the world’s largest publicly displayed collection of fluorescent rocks
• The “Rainbow Tunnel” features over 100 different fluorescent mineral specimens
• The mine produced more than 11 million tons of zinc ore during its operation
• Miners once found a zinc crystal weighing 16 tons – the largest ever discovered

17. Battleship New Jersey

Tour America’s most decorated battleship and experience naval history firsthand on the Camden waterfront.

Fun Facts:

• Earned 19 battle stars for service in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and the Middle East
• Weighs 45,000 tons and spans the length of three football fields
• Features nine 16-inch guns that could fire 2,700-pound shells over 23 miles
• Capable of speeds over 35 knots (about 40 mph)
• Visitors can spend the night aboard through the Overnight Encampment program

18. Lambertville and New Hope

Explore these picturesque twin towns connected by a bridge over the Delaware River, known for antiques, art galleries, and restaurants.

Fun Facts:

• Connected by a bridge since 1814
• Lambertville was originally called “Coryell’s Ferry” during the Revolutionary War
• General George Washington crossed through the area during the Revolutionary War
• Once an important stop on the Delaware and Raritan Canal
• The area hosts one of the largest LGBTQ+ communities in the region

19. The Stone Pony

Rock out at this legendary Asbury Park music venue where music icons like Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi launched their careers.

Fun Facts:

• Opened on February 8, 1974
• Bruce Springsteen still makes surprise appearances on occasion
• Named one of the best live music venues in America by Rolling Stone
• Survived Asbury Park’s economic decline when many businesses closed
• The venue’s original bar is still in use today

20. Thomas Edison National Historical Park

Discover where America’s greatest inventor created the phonograph, improved the lightbulb, and filed over 1,000 patents.

Fun Facts:

• Edison’s laboratory complex spans 29 buildings
• He received 1,093 U.S. patents, the most by any individual in American history
• The world’s first movie studio, the “Black Maria,” was built here
• Edison’s personal library contains over 10,000 books
• The site includes Edison’s home, Glenmont, a 29-room Victorian mansion

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Plan Your Next New Jersey Adventure!

Whether you’re a thrill-seeker, history buff, nature lover, or culture enthusiast, New Jersey offers an incredible range of activities and attractions. From the beautiful beaches of the Jersey Shore to the stunning natural landscapes of the northwest, the Garden State has something for everyone to enjoy.

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