Located on the east coast, New Jersey may not be as overwhelmingly iconic as its neighbor New York, but there’s still plenty to do in this state! Here are 10 off-the-beaten-path suggestions for your 2022 trip to Jersey.
1. Rent A Swan Boat At Wesley Lake
Head over to Asbury Park’s Wesley Lake to enjoy an afternoon on the water. The lake offers pedal boat rentals for $20 for a half-hour ride, and is set to open for this year’s season on April 16th – just in time for an upcoming trip to New Jersey.
2. Island Beach State Park
New Jersey may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of getting back to nature, but the state does offer several opportunities for this. One such opportunity is Island Beach State Park, a barrier island stretching 10 miles. This state park is a great spot for hiking, kayaking, and – during the warmer months – swimming.
3. Check Out A Local Amusement Park
Here’s a great option for families with kids! Diggerland is an amusement park in West Berlin, New Jersey with a memorable draw. Kids aren’t the only ones who will have fun at this amusement park – in addition to offering some of the more usual amusement park offerings, they also offers guests the opportunity to try their hand at driving life-size construction vehicles. If you visit during the summer months, Diggerland features a waterpark as well.
4. Explore Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
This expanse of wilderness straddles Pennsylvania and New Jersey and is a great option for those looking to enjoy some of the serenity of nature. Not only is the area home to several hiking trails, it’s also home to several waterfalls that are gorgeous to take in.
5. Check Out Yankee Doodle Tap Room
Head over to Princeton, New Jersey to enjoy a drink at this historic landmark. Yankee Doodle Tap Room has been a long-loved staple of the area and holds the title of Princeton’s oldest taproom.
6. Visit Lucy The Elephant
Lucy The Elephant is a classic roadside attraction located in Margate City. Even if you aren’t on a road trip, though, this is still a fun attraction to visit. Lucy is a six-story tall elephant statue. While you can usually go inside the statue, the interior is currently closed for construction. You can still view the looming elephant structure from the outside, though, or check out the gift shop.
7. Watch The Sunset
Sunset Beach may not live up to Jersey shore stereotypes of partying and drinks, but it does live up to its namesake of being an excellent spot to watch the setting sun. Located in Cape May, this is an especially great option for couples thanks to its dreamy atmosphere.
8. Enjoy A Drink At The 1933 Room
This speakeasy-themed bar will have you feeling like you’ve stepped into another era! The 1933 Room features a unique ambiance as well as great drinks – everything one looks for in a bar. Currently open Thurs-Saturday, the bar is located on the upper level of the Verve Restaurant.
9. Silverball Pinball Museum
Head over to Asbury Park, New Jersey to check out Silverball Pinball Museum. This retro spot is home to various classic pinball and arcade games. It also features a bar, as well as live entertainment on select nights.
10. Green Sergeant’s Covered Bridge
New Jersey was once home to countless covered bridges. Nowadays, Green Sargeant’s covered bridge is one of the last historic structures of its kind still standing. Located in Hunterdon County, the bridge was constructed in 1872. Now over a century old, it still stands tall over the Wickecheoke bridge.
