New Jersey Travel Guide: How To Experience The Best Of The Garden State
Looking to have a good mix of fun, adventurous, and relaxing experiences all in one destination? Consider going on a holiday in New Jersey. The Garden State may be best known for its beaches and its association with TV shows like ‘The Sopranos’ and ‘Jersey Shore,’ but there’s more to New Jersey than the locals’ distinctive accent and their colorful beach culture.
According to data from a recent New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism report, the state welcomed over 120 million visitors in 2023, and tourist arrivals are projected to increase by five percent year after year.
What’s more, the report reveals that some tourists may have bought residential properties in the area as spending on second homes grew by a significant amount. This proves that New Jersey is not only a haven for travelers, but it’s also an excellent place to put down some roots.
To have a memorable New Jersey holiday, you’ll need to plan your activities to enjoy all the best things that the state has to offer. If you’re up for some fun and excitement this year, here’s a guide to the best experiences and places of interest in the Garden State.
Go to a Food Truck Festival
Before heading to any of the tourist destinations in New Jersey, you’ll need to find accommodations that has access to public transportation so you can easily get to all the towns and cities in your itinerary.
Hotels in Jersey City are located in prime spots so you can take the bus, ferry, or train to go on a countryside escape or have a day at the beach. If you want to venture further, head to any of the areas where food truck events are held, which takes place nearly every month in the state.
New Jersey is quite famous for its food trucks, and you can find everything from American cuisine to Asian, Italian, and Mexican food, and everything in between. You can also feast on New Jersey favorites like lobster rolls and stuffed avocados.
On Thursdays, you can head to the Union Farmers Market, where you’ll find over a dozen food trucks with a variety of delicious food. If you’re up for a food truck festival experience, be at the Run the Vineyards 5 Miler & Food Truck Festival in Landisville on April 27, and the Saltwater Country Neptune Twp Food Truck Festival in Neptune City on May 18.
Spend the Day at an Amusement Park
New Jersey is the perfect place to treat your inner child as it’s home to some of the most fun amusement parks in America. There’s the iconic Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson Township where you can ride thrilling roller coasters and see wildlife at the Safari Park. They also have seasonal special events so you can participate in festivals like Oktoberfest or Star-Spangled Nights, which is the region’s premier 4th of July celebration.
Want to go to an underrated theme park instead? Visit the Land of Make Believe in Hope Township. Just like Six Flags, this place has lots of thrilling rides, but they also have an award-winning, pirate-themed water park. They also have several family-friendly attractions and activities, making it the best place to spend a whole day in if you’re traveling with kids.
Explore the Local Wineries
The Garden State is one of the up-and-coming wine regions of the East Coast, and it’s where you can find over 50 wineries that produce more than 40 varieties of wine. Some of the most popular wineries include the Willow Creek Winery in Cape May, which serves delicious food and hosts plenty of weddings and special events.
There’s also the White Horse Winery in Hammonton that puts on activities like trivia nights to keep people coming back, and the Alba Winery in Milford, where you’ll get to learn more about the wines straight from the sommeliers on the site.
This year, plan on going on a holiday to discover a new side of New Jersey. Consider these activities and places of interest for a Jersey adventure that you’ll never forget.
