New York is one of the USA’s most popular holiday destinations, but neighbouring New Jersey – also known as the Garden State – is a relatively unearthed gem where there’s more to do than you could possibly imagine.
Rich In History
New Jersey has played a pivotal role in the history of modern America, having been the site of over 100 Revolutionary War battles and home to Thomas Edison’s Invention Factories where, amongst other things, the alkaline storage battery, recorded music and motion pictures were turned into marketable products.
There’s also an abundance of museums that cover history, arts, culture and heritage.
The Great Outdoors
America’s east coast is home to some beautiful beaches, and New Jersey has 127 miles of white sandy beaches.
Elsewhere in New Jersey, there is some 1.1million acres of beautiful countryside in Pinelands, the USA’s first ever National Reserve and is the largest body of open space on the Mid-Atlantic seaboard (and is also where much of the famous Pine Barrens episode of The Sopranos was filmed – for anyone who likes that kind of thing!)
New Jersey is also home to some 150 public and private golf courses and over 4,000 freshwater lakes, rivers, ponds and streams – it’s probably been best described by National Geographic which coined the phrase ‘America in miniature’.
If you want to relax and do some fishing then the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is an unspoilt wilderness that’s just 70 miles from New York City and offers a great place to hike, camp and kick back.
Where To Stay
New Jersey is home to some of the USA’s most sophisticated hotels, such as the Chelsea in Atlantic City, Jersey City’s Westin Inn, the W in Hoboken and the Wildwood Crest Hotel which has ocean view rooms and a beach side pool and is one of the best places to stay if you want to experience New Jersey’s stunning coastline.
If you’re travelling with the family then the kids (and adults for that matter) will love both Sahara Sam’s Oasis and the Coco Key Water Resort.
Atlantic City
When in New Jersey, you have to take a trip to the famous Boardwalk in Atlantic City, which was built in 1870 and was the first in the world. It stretches for eight miles and is still the hub for all of the city’s activity, offering places to sunbathe, swim, picnic, shop and, of course, gamble in its casinos.Get Away To The Garden State
Photo Credit: Bob Jagendorf cc
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