New Jersey is a state situated on the East Coast of the United States. It is pretty much a peninsula that has Mid-Atlantic to its east, New York to its north, and Pennsylvania and Delaware to its west. Being neighbored directly with Manhattan, the major cities of New Jersey are also considered as the most preferred places to live in by New Yorkers. However, it’s more significant than being merely a suburb for big cities like New York and Philadelphia. New Jersey has witnessed a number of key events that have shaped the country and features many historic landmark sites, museums, as well as natural parks. Down this paragraph, you will see an index of the best places to visit in New Jersey, USA, that comprises approximately every attraction that is worth seeing. Please stay on this page if you’re interested.
1. Newark
The list starts with perhaps the most obvious—Newark, the most populous city of the state of New Jersey and a major international airport. Contrary to the popular negativity that mass media has spread to the outside world, Newark is neither a ghetto nor a disturbed municipality. In reality, it is a worth-visiting location that holds great features. There are parklands such as Branch Brook and South Mountain Reservation, galleries like Thomas Edison National Historical and Newark Museum, and significant buildings like Prudential Center and Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart.
2. Jersey City
Jersey City is the second-most populous city of the state and a notable business center. Being situated on the other side of Hudson River, New York is the neighboring city of Jersey. When there is such a splendid city across the bridge, there is no point in discussing further attractions. However, if they still need to be addressed, Van Vorst and Hamilton Park are the notable green corridors in Jersey City. And then there are popular landmarks like Statue of Liberty National Monument, Colgate Clock, Loew’s Jersey Theater, and a few more names. The skyline of Lower Manhattan also looks best from this end.
3. Boonton
Boonton is a small city in Morris County that’s situated in the west of Newark and New York. It was populated in the 17th century for just the purpose of metallurgical industrial growth, primarily ironwork, which flourished here ‘til the next century. Presently it is the home to manufacturing, pharmaceutical, and machinery industries; however, that doesn’t mean Boonton is a boring place. Along with historical landmarks, this city is garnished with natural beauty. Grace Lord Park, Tourney Park, and Boonton Reservoir are just a few places that you should check out if you’re visiting this little town.
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4. Atlantic City
When you’re on the East Coast of the United States and you’re missing the fun of Las Vegas, then there is no better option for you to think about other than Atlantic City. The extended beaches, boardwalks, and so many casinos are the prime signature of this city. Furthermore, you would be seeing landmarks like Steel Pier amusement park, Ripley’s Believe It or Not original museum, and so many war memorials. Atlantic City offers plenty of fun opportunities for everyone in every age-group; thus, visiting this city should be your priority while you’re in New Jersey.
5. Wildwood
The town of Wildwood along with its neighboring communities like North Wildwood and Wildwood Crest collectively forms a popular summer vacation destination. The most spectacular thing about this resort township is its 1950s feel that’s visible with the architecture of motels and houses, along with vintage neon signage. The long boardwalk is another flaunting thing, which features amusement parks, shops, and fishing piers. It’s a renowned surfing site, and because of the low population, the ocean is also cleaner than most of the northern resort towns. Do consider visiting this awesome community, especially if you’re coming in spring or summer.
6. Clinton
Clinton is located nearly 40 miles (65 kilometers) west of Newark, and it’s a very small town. Sometimes the little villages and nameless places are more rewarding than the famous places, and we are suggesting this visit in that context. Clinton is surrounded by remarkable wilderness, like Spruce Run Reservoir and Recreational Area, Round Valley, Voorhees Park, and so on. Moreover, the little town also features historical landmarks from the 18th century. The most notable of them all are the two iconic mills on the South Branch of River Raritan—Red Mill and Stone Mill. Both are functional but transformed into exhibitions.
7. Elizabeth
Elizabeth is the largest city in the state of New Jersey, which is bordered by Newark in the north. It has remained a highly industrialized region since the settlement—automobiles, sewing machines, and seaport were the prime commercial sectors during those days. However, it is among the top 50 greenest cities in the country at present. Low population density could be the reason for that. But we are sure of one thing—that is, the significant number of parks here. Warinanco, Maplecrest Carteret, and Memorial Park are some notable ones, while Elmora Hill, Quality Hills, and West End are the lovelier districts out of all the neighborhoods.
8. Ocean City
Atlantic City might be an impressive resort city, but when it comes to looking for a family holiday, not a lot of people would prefer it. The “Vegas-like” trait is the major reason overcautious families avoid it. Ocean City is a perfect location for such people. It is located a couple of miles south of Atlantic City, and the geographies of both cities look almost identical. Although there are indeed many features in Ocean City, the greatest advantage of choosing this location is that it’s been running alcohol-free since the year 1879. The boardwalk is also child-centric, which presents 2.5 miles (4 km) of pure joy and amusement.
9. Cape May
Farther south of the beach and resort towns discussed above, this destination is settled at the south end of the peninsula. This settlement was established in the early decades of the 17th century, and it is so good to see a town still preserved like its initial days even after centuries. At present, there should be nearly 600 Victorian buildings, which are landmarks on their own. Moreover, the beach where Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic is another hallmark. This is the only location on Jersey Shore where you can spot whales.
10. Trenton
Up next is the capital city of the state of New Jersey, which is also very much worth visiting. Trenton City has many sides, and for sure every type of tourist can find something useful here. Populated in the 17th century, the city is historical itself, but it also has a major connection with the American Revolutionary War. There is a cultural side, there are parks, and then there is immense love for baseball among the residents. If you’re thinking of visiting Trenton, make sure to go to New Jersey State Museum, the library, Trenton War Memorial, Old Barracks, and Battle Monument. Although there are more landmarks, these are the notable places.
11. Hoboken
There’s a little city in the New York metropolitan region that is unofficially dubbed as Mile Square City. However, in all fairness, Hoboken is slightly larger than one square mile. It is within Hudson County, and it’s situated just across the river next to Midtown Manhattan. If you are also going to New York on your trip, this is an opportunity to cover one more city. Hoboken is primarily known for two facts—it’s the birthplace of the great singer and artist Frank Sinatra, and it is where the first official baseball game had been played and recorded. A few landmark places are Hoboken Historic Museum, Hamilton Park, and Sinatra Park.
12. Asbury Park
There was a time when Asbury Park was an unfamiliar place, but the trend has recently shifted, and the little city has been transformed into a popular summer vacation destination. It is within Monmouth County and situated nearly equal distance from New York City and Philadelphia. The golden sandy beach along with the boardwalk is its characteristic feature. There is no need to go any farther as the promenade offers multiple antique shops, cafés, restaurants, theaters, and cinema halls. The beaches are extra clean, so you can play volleyball or Frisbee with your loved ones.
13. Ventnor City
Beach-loving people shouldn’t skip this heading, as Ventnor City is another resort town that is situated just minutes away to the south of the Atlantic City beaches. People should consider this city in two situations—when they’re really interested in its geography or when they need to explore Atlantic City but the hotel rates are stopping them. Ventnor City presents a cozy ambiance, pristine beaches, and golden sand dunes. Boardwalk, Birch Grove Park, and Linwood Historical Society are just some notable landmarks here.
14. Princeton
Princeton is a less populated city in the state of New Jersey, yet it is world-renowned for having an Ivy League university. Visiting Princeton can give you an idea about the academic life of Ivy Leaguers, especially when you’re aiming to get admitted into any of those prestigious institutions. But even if it’s not the case, the city of Princeton can show you many interesting sides. Princeton University in itself is a wonderful place to see. There is the house of Albert Einstein and many other 18th-century buildings. Naturalists can visit Institute Woods, which is nearly 600 acres (240 hectares) of forested land that features trails, creeks, and a bird sanctuary.
15. New Brunswick
The city of New Brunswick is located farther north of Princeton and falls within the borders of the New York metropolitan region. Due to its geographical positioning, it’s referred to as the heart of the state of New Jersey—Hub City and Healthcare City are some of its other nicknames for other reasons. New Brunswick tells us its history from the 1600s, and Rutgers University and its Geology Museum are the perfect places to know the interesting side of it. Some notable attractions are Kirkpatrick Chapel and East Jersey Old Town Village, along with natural areas like Ireland Brook Conservation Area, Six Mile Run, and many riverfront recreational spots.
16. Camden
Philadelphia is the second-largest city on the East Coast after New York. Perhaps it’s safe to assume that anyone who has got the chance to be exploring the state of New Jersey would be coming here as well. In such a case, tourists have the opportunity to see a new city—Camden. It is situated next to South Philadelphia, across Delaware River. It’s considered a safe city and shows very low rates of violent crimes in recent years. Popular attractions here are the USS New Jersey Iowa-class battleship exhibition, the aquariums at Wiggins Waterfront Park, and the 300-acre (122-hectare) Tacony Creek Park.
17. Ridgewood
This one is a village instead of a city or town. However, it’s a populated zone as well as quite a wealthy township for a village. Ridgewood is located about 20 miles (32 kilometers) northwest of Midtown Manhattan, and it’s considered one of the best suburbs of New York for residing purposes. The village has many historical buildings, and the district is associated with so many notable people. Anyway, if you have plans to come to Ridgewood, be sure to visit Saddle River County Park, Garret Mountain Reservation, Campgaw Mountain Ski Area, and The Hermitage. These are just a few landmarks from a long list.
18. Paterson
Paterson comes at second rank in the United States with regard to population density—for any city having a population of over 100,000. So if you like a bustling township, then exploring Paterson should be an ideal plan for you. The city has a rich industrial history since it used to produce textiles, firearms, locomotives, aircraft engines, and many more. In fact, silk production has given this city an identity; thus, it has been nicknamed Silk City. You can take a peek at its industrial-age heritage at Paterson Museum, while Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park and Lambert Castle Museum are other notable landmarks worth visiting.
19. Tenafly
Tenafly is on the outskirts of New York City, located across Hudson River a few miles to the north. It was settled in by Dutch immigrants in the late 17th century, who have named it after its “Ten Swamps.” Exploring Tenafly is a good call if you like to discover greener zones. Besides, it is one of the wealthiest townships of the state of New Jersey and considered one of the best places to live. If you’re planning for a visit, watch the birds at Tenafly Nature Center and Greenbrook Nature Sanctuary, and do check out the extended riverfront trail at Palisades Interstate Park.
20. Cherry Hill
Camden has been discussed in a previous heading. Remember that it’s located next to South Philadelphia across Delaware River. Coming back to the topic, there is a much greener and populous township slightly to the east of Camden—Cherry Hill. This can be an excellent location for those who love picnicking as there are 51 public parks in this borough. Other than that, the outdoor-indoor waterpark of Sahara Sam’s Oasis, the construction-themed adventure park of Diggerland, and Garden State Discovery Museum are a few prominent attractions.
21. Westfield
Westfield is a small town located just a couple of miles westward of Elizabeth. Although being one of the wealthiest communities in the state of New Jersey, this is the kind of place where people are free from worries as the crime rate is really down. Then there is a lingering suburban feel here because of the simple architecture of downtown retail establishments, along with the many festivals and events held throughout the year. The remarkable landmarks of Westfield are The Deserted Village, Great Swamp Wetlands, Watchung Reservation, and so many parks.
22. Haddonfield
Recall Cherry Hill, a populous borough of Camden County in the state of New Jersey. Haddonfield is, too, a community in this county. However, it’s much more sparsely populated than the former township. It’s a family-oriented place that features public parks and fine schooling, which is why it’s a preferred location to reside in among people who plan to raise a family. There aren’t many remarkable features to discuss other than the four water bodies within its boundary, but the happening Jersey Shore is also not more than an hour’s drive from here.
23. Edison
Edison is considered one of the best suburbs of New York to start a family too. It is located nearly half an hour from Manhattan and about an hour from Philadelphia. Due to lower crime rates and better education institutes, it is seen as a safe and progressive city. Also, people could be looking for a place in New Jersey for their future plans. In this regard, exploring Edison can give them an idea about their options. For those who do not have any such plan, they can visit the numerous parks while they are in the city.
24. Red Bank
Another great outlying district in the New York City metropolitan area is Red Bank, which was developed as a town in the early 20th century. Being located in Monmouth County on the East Coast, this city has the vibe of a happy suburban area. It comprises many waterfront locations as well as an exhilarating marina, which shows many cafés, restaurants, and bars. Boating and fishing are the prevalent activities, and ice-boat sailing and sculling are popular outdoor activities in the freeze-thaw cycle.
25. Hackensack
Hackensack is situated just minutes away from New York City, and it’s another suburb you should be visiting. This city is known for diversity and energetic nightlife. Here you will see people of various ethnicities as well as their exotic specialty restaurants and bars. Also, the place has several parks, museums, and other landmarks. The most notable name is New Jersey Naval Museum, which features World War history memorabilia. USS Ling, a Balao-class submarine, is also docked at the exhibition—getting inside the vessel, however, is forbidden to the public.
26. Chatham
Chatham is not a single place but a shared name for two adjacent municipalities—Chatham Township and Chatham Borough. Being located westward of Newark in Morris County, Chatham is very safe and clean. It’s sparsely populated, and the township area is much greener than the borough. There is not much to see here other than the parklands and nature conservation area, so you can explore the place if you happen to be a nature-lover. Note that the downtown closes pretty early in Chatham.
27. North Arlington
This is the neighboring suburb of New York City, which is positioned amid two townships—Lyndhurst and Kearny. North Arlington does have attractions similar to other outskirts; however, the burial ground is the most remarkable thing in this borough. The gorgeous catholic cemetery covers a substantial amount of area—in fact, there are more people beneath the ground than the total population of Newark. Although the place also has parklands and coves, Holy Cross Cemetery & Mausoleum is the most notable—and peaceful—attraction in North Arlington.
28. Bayonne
Bayonne City is situated on the tip of the Hudson County peninsula—Jersey City is on its north and Elizabeth is on the west. As you may have already guessed the nearness of this city from New York, it is highly recommended that you explore Bayonne when there’s a plan to cover the Big Apple. Newark Bay and Upper Bay are two vibrant locations downtown. You can find many café-bars, restaurants, and public parks here, and Manhattan can be reached in 30 minutes or less by public transportation.
29. Glen Rock
Glen Rock is considered one of the wealthiest communities in New Jersey, and fortunately, the borough is very safe and sheltered as well. It has been nominated many times to be the best place to live and raise a family in the state, and the reasons are pretty obvious. Violent crime occurrences are rare, education is fine, and New York City is nearby. Check out this amazing suburb, and when you do, be sure to visit High Mountain Reserve Park and Groffle Brook Park.
30. Oradell
Oradell is a densely populated small suburb in the New York metropolitan area, which is located only a couple of miles east of Glen Rock. It is also a preferred place to live in the state of New Jersey. Nightlife entertainment is totally missing here, but a nature-lover would definitely like Oradell, as this community is settled next to Oradell Reservoir and other recreational areas. In addition, Van Saun County Park and Bergen County Zoo are two places worth touring.
New Jersey is a complete package
You will get populous cities like Newark and Trenton in the northern region and secluded beaches to the south in Cape May—and historical places are scattered all over the state. New Jersey indeed offers plenty of opportunities for tourists—it’s a complete package.
History
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