Jersey may not be as famous or highly regarded as its neighbor, New York, but as a state, it has so many activities to offer visitors.
As well as having some of the best coastline views along the Eastern Seaboard, it is also dripping in history.
There is also lively nightlife to be found in Jersey City and Atlantic City.
Many people do not know that the Statue of Liberty is actually in New Jersey. Liberty Island and Ellis Island are within New York state’s territorial jurisdiction, but the monument is in New Jersey waters.
While it is not a competition between these two states, it is worth remembering that plenty of fun activities are happening in the Garden State.
Atlantic City
Atlantic City is sometimes called the Vegas of the east coast. It is not on the same scale as Vegas and does not have the variety of entertainment that can be found in Sin City.
However, it does have an excellent range of casinos and, unlike Vegas, has fantastic sea views.
The boardwalk and nightlife are great fun. The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino offers much more than just gaming tables and slot machines.
They also have a fun program of events, including a Jazz Festival, Sushi Rolling, and Club nights.
The city is the epicenter for East Coast Gambling – both casino events and sports betting. You can place a bet wherever you are staying in New Jersey, as online gambling is permitted throughout the state.
A site like time2play.com will keep you updated with what is what in New Jersey’s online casinos.
Jersey City
The city is named after the state and sits on the banks of the Hudson River. You can get the best views of Manhattan from the Jersey waterfront.
The city boasts an amazing array of bars, restaurants, and grassy parks. Great places to explore on foot include the Old Town and the pedestrianized part of Newark Avenue.
This part of the city is stuffed full of the best eateries and evening entertainment in New Jersey.
Liberty State Park
Okay, everyone associates the Statue of Liberty with New York, but Liberty State Park is in Jersey City. If you visit on July 4th or Juneteenth, the area is full of temporary stages set up for music acts.
In addition, there are superb waterfront views.
You can visit Liberty Island and Ellis Island Museum from here, wander along the old riverside, and visit the ferry and train terminal, which date back to 1889.
Tuckerton Seaport Museum
If ferries and all things nautical float your boat, then a day at Tuckerton Seaport Museum has got to be top of a list of activities to do in New Jersey.
This living museum brings the world of the baymen and women to life. Find out about the boat-makers and clam collectors.
The museum is there to interpret the rich maritime history, artistry, and heritage of the New Jersey shore.
However, it is not a time capsule. There are all sorts of activities going on here, too – including yoga on the dock or a climb up the lighthouse. In addition, there are numerous ferry trips around the bay to choose from.
The Liberty Science Center
The Liberty Science Center opened in 1993. It is absolutely enormous and includes permanent exhibitions, including Skyscraper! Achievement and Impact.
This is said to be the world’s most comprehensive exhibition on the subject of skyscrapers.
The center is also home to the fourth largest planetarium in the world. Other experiences to enjoy include an enormous model train set covering an incredible 1,700 square feet and featuring over 5,000 model trees!
There is a packed calendar of one-off exhibitions and events too.
Pineland Adventures
Pineland Adventures offers excellent hiking and paddling opportunities if you want to get outdoors and do some adventuring.
There are guided and self-guided canoe tours letting you visit places of interest on both land and water.
There are ghost towns and meandering rivers; this is a place of pirate and privateer stories. Pineland Adventures also tells the stories of New Jersey’s industrialists.
Home to some of the country’s most productive pine bogs, visitors get a chance to appreciate the forest’s deep history. A day with nature awaits you here.
Surf & Sip Brew Trail
If that all sounds too boggy for you, maybe you prefer the saltwater. There are plenty of opportunities to try surfing and paddleboarding on the New Jersey shore.
The Surf and Sip Brew Trail brings one more element to the activities – craft beer. Long Beach Island is home to a rising number of brewers, surfers, and artisans.
With its feet on the shore and firmly facing into the future, this trail is paired with an app for your mobile phone.
It links bars and taprooms with a trail of unique experiences, including shore-inspired art and a surf museum.
Thomas Edison Home and Laboratory
Thomas Edison is the man credited with bringing us the modern lightbulb. It was actually a joint effort by the American and a British man called Swan.
Visitors to New Jersey get to visit Edison’s home and laboratory. He is said to have kept his bed in his office and was known as the “Wizard of Menlo Park.”