New Jersey is one of the East Coast's top tourist destination areas, home to expansive waterfront stretches along the Atlantic Ocean coastline and vibrant resort towns. Quirky and photogenic attractions abound and the state's top visitor areas are easy to get to via car or public transit from New York City or Philadelphia, making NJ a great choice for a day trip or quick vacation.

Plan ahead for these New Jersey events:
- Cape May Food & Wine Festival in early October
- Cape May Music Festival
- Sea.Hear.Now Festival
- North To Shore Festival
- New Jersey State Fair in August

See the preserved Allaire Village in Allaire State Park

See the preserved Allaire Village in Allaire State Park

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See the preserved Allaire Village in Allaire State Park, a 19th-century ironworks site that was named in honor of James P. Allaire, the founder of the Howell Works iron company.

Find it at this Address: 4265 Atlantic Ave, Wall Township, NJ 07727, Phone: 732-938-2371

Stroll along the Atlantic City boardwalk

Stroll along the Atlantic City boardwalk

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Enjoy Four miles of tourist attractions that line the Atlantic Cityboardwalk, including iconic destinations like the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, the Golden Nugget Atlantic City, and the Tropicana Atlantic City. Each year, the city hosts the annual Miss America pageant.

Check out the Barnegat Lighthouse State Park

Check out the Barnegat Lighthouse State Park

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Check out the Barnegat Lighthouse State Park interpretive center also showcases live images of panoramas atop the lighthouse for visitors who cannot climb its stairs. Outdoor recreational opportunities abound throughout the park, including chances for fishing and birdwatching.

Find it at this Address: 208 Broadway, Barnegat Light, New Jersey 08006, Phone: 609-494-2016

Relax on the beach in Cape May

Relax on the beach in Cape May

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A plethora of shopping and dining destinations line the Cape May's Washington Street Mall area and public boardwalk, which also offers amazing opportunities for dolphin and whale watching throughout the year.

Hike or Snowshoe in Cheesequake State Park

Hike or Snowshoe in Cheesequake State Park

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In the winter, snowshoeing, sledding, and cross-country skiing are popular activities in Cheesequake State Park. Five hiking and biking trails traverse the park's marshland and forest areas, providing beautiful scenic ride opportunities.

Find it at this Address: 300 Gordon Rd, Matawan, NJ 07747, Phone: 732-566-2161

Enjoy picturesque scenery in Clinton, NJ

Enjoy picturesque scenery in Clinton, NJ

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Clinton is lovely Hunterdon County village located along the southern edge of the beautiful Raritan River. Despite its picturesque scenery, the town is actually best known for its reported haunted historic attractions, including the 10-acre 1810 Red Mill Museum Village, which was featured on the television series Ghost Hunters.

Go kayaking in Columbia, NJ

Go kayaking in Columbia, NJ

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Columbia visitors can enjoy excellent opportunities for year-round recreation, including fishing, hiking, kayaking, and canoeing on the Delaware and Columbia Lakes.

Learn about the American Revolutionary War in Edgewater

Learn about the American Revolutionary War in Edgewater

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Edgewater is one of New Jersey's most historic towns, known throughout the East Coast for its role in the American Revolutionary War and America's colonial history.

Stroll through the Grounds for Sculpture

Stroll through the Grounds for Sculpture

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Grounds for Sculpture is one of the most unique outdoor park sites in New Jersey, transforming the former New Jersey State Fairgrounds complex into a gorgeous 42-acre public sculpture park in Hamilton.

Find it at this Address: 80 Sculptors Way, Hamilton Township, NJ 08619, Phone: 609-586-0616

Go shopping in Haddonfield

Go shopping in Haddonfield

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Haddonfield is one of the best shopping and dining destinations, known for its delightful culinary scene and upscale and unique stores.

Explore New Jersey's maritime pasts in Highlands

Explore New Jersey's maritime pasts in Highlands

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Highlands is one of Monmouth County's most beautiful coastal communities, overlooking the beautiful Sandy Hook Bay on New Jersey's pristine Atlantic Ocean coastline.

Visit Island Beach State Park

Visit Island Beach State Park

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Island Beach State Park is home to one of the largest undeveloped barrier island stretches in the United States, spanning more than 1,900 acres along the Barnegat Peninsula in Berkeley Township.

Go for a walk in Liberty State Park

Go for a walk in Liberty State Park

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Liberty State Park visitors can enjoy a plethora of year-round recreational opportunities, including chances for hiking, biking, fishing, boating, and canoeing.

Find it at this Address: 200 Morris Pesin Dr, Jersey City, NJ 07305, Phone: 201-915-3403

Visit Margate

Visit Margate

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The charming Jersey Shore tourist destination of Margate serves as a less-crowded alternative to Atlantic City's high-rise hotels and casinos, known for its stunning natural beaches that make for popular swimming spots throughout the summer months.

Go hiking in Morristown National Historical Park

Go hiking in Morristown National Historical Park

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Go hiking in Morristown National Historical Park which offers 24 miles of hiking trails throughout the year.

Find it at this Address: 30 Washington Pl, Morristown, NJ 07960, Phone: 973-543-1949

See historical items at The Paterson Museum


Unique artifacts on display at The Paterson Museum include the Fenian Ram submarine, designed by engineer John Phillip Holland, and a major collection of rare Colt firearms that were produced by the city throughout the 19th century.

Find it at this Address: 2 Market St, Paterson, NJ 07501, Phone: 973-321-1260

Go on a day trip to Point Pleasant Beach

Go on a day trip to Point Pleasant Beach

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The lovely family-friendly Point Pleasant Beach is located within Ocean County and is home to a scenic mile-long boardwalk that stretches along expansive pristine Atlantic Ocean beachfront areas.

Go shopping in Princeton

Go shopping in Princeton

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Enjoy excellent shopping and dining destinations on lively Nassau Street in Princeton.

Take a guided tour of Rockingham State Historic Site

Take a guided tour of Rockingham State Historic Site

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Rockingham State Historic Site guided tours detail the historical events that took place in the home, including the writing of the famed Farewell Orders to the Armies of the United States.

Find it at this Address: 84 Laurel Ave, Kingston, NJ 08528, Phone: 609-683-7132

Have fun on the paddle boat lake in Smithville

Have fun on the paddle boat lake in Smithville

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Explore more than 70 unique family-friendly attractions and shops in Smithville, including a miniature train, carousel, and paddle boat lake. The city's lovely town center is lined with charming cobblestone pathways, arcade games, and a boardwalk.

Relax on the beach in Toms River

Relax on the beach in Toms River

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Family-friendly Toms River is known for its gorgeous coastal beachfront stretches, including charming Ortley Beach, which is staffed with lifeguards throughout the summer months for safe swimming experiences for visitors of all ages.

See an exhibit at Tuckerton Seaport

See an exhibit at Tuckerton Seaport

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Tuckerton is one of Ocean County's most quaint tourist destinations, known for its lovely Tuckerton Seaport maritime village and museum complex.

Enjoy the outdoors in Wharton State Forest

Enjoy the outdoors in Wharton State Forest

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Enjoy the outdoors in Wharton State Forest, the largest state forest in the state of New Jersey, stretching for more than 122,000 acres throughout the beautiful Pinelands area in Hammonton.