Asbury Park, a beach vacation town similar to Atlantic City in the 1920s, received additional fame in 1973 with the release of young singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen's debut album, "Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J." Since then, Asbury has recovered its friendliness and cemented its claim to be "Where Music Lives." Even though many nightclubs have been destroyed or changed, The Stone Pony is still a significant music venue that draws headlining bands to its yearly Summer Stage events. The Silverball Museum is a nearby retro arcade where you can play vintage pinball machines all day for $20 and be entertained. In addition to Mogo's Korean Fusion Tacos and Coney Waffle's sugar coma-inducing ice cream and milkshakes, there is mini-golf and a traditional beachfront lemonade stand. Don't forget to take photos of the Wooden Walls murals that are found throughout the town and at either end of the promenade.

Beyond the boardwalk, Asbury is home to an expanding British and Creole restaurant and bar culture. The Avenue's shops, antique stores, and art galleries are well worth exploring for the afternoon. Book a ghost tour with Paranormal Books and Curiosities for something unique.

Location: on the Jersey Shore and part of the New York City Metropolitan Area.

Website: https://www.cityofasburypark.com/

TripAdvisor rating: 4.0/5.0

Cape May is a Victorian-style coastal jewel with a lot more to offer than it first appears. Locals also refer to it as Exit 0 because it is the exit number at the end of the Garden State Parkway. Wineries and the Nauti Spirits Distillery complement a hoppin' brewery environment (no pun intended). It would be insane to pass up breakfast at the magnificent Carroll Villa Hotel's Mad Batter Restaurant & Bar and to skip the sunset over the ocean with the Cape May Lighthouse in the distance. Visit the South Cape May Meadows nature sanctuary, home to migratory and local birds with accessible paths, to see how pristine the region's array of Victorian hotels, cottages, and mansions are in comparison to their wild surroundings. The Harriet Tubman Museum of New Jersey, which opened in 2020, provides an emotional introduction to Tubman—a former resident of Cape May—and the city's larger black community. Consider booking a stay, or at the very least a drink, at the famed Congress Hall, which initially opened its doors in 1816 and is considered America's first coastal resort.

The beaches come alive in the summer with children playing in the shallow waves and colorful parasols. The cool Atlantic breezes and comfortable temperatures in the spring and fall encourage strolls along the beachside promenade. Biking, boating, fishing, birdwatching, gourmet eating, and antique shopping are other activities. Cape May, a popular seaside resort during the summer, has countless chances for sightseeing and outdoor recreation.

Location: at the southern tip of Cape May Peninsula in Cape May County, New Jersey

TripAdvisor rating: 4.0/5.0

The Doo Wop Capital of the World, the Wildwoods is more than just a Jersey Shore vacation destination thanks to its Doo Wop-style architecture, which is distinguished by its vivid colors, strong angular designs, Space Age design, and significant rock 'n' roll influence from the 1950s and 1960s. Admire the neon signs, candy-colored houses, and retro atmosphere of the cafes and confectionery stores. A family vacation to South Jersey is a no-brainer thanks to the more than 100 rides and other attractions that offer Wildwood a welcoming boardwalk atmosphere and the free beaches. The National Marbles Hall of Fame is one of its free museums and cultural destinations; Wildwood has hosted the National Marbles Tournament for 100 years.

Everyone has something to sing about when it comes to a vacation in the Wildwoods. This 5-mile-long island has everything you could possibly want from a vacation experience. From lounging on our broad, cost-free white-sand beaches to discovering our 38-block, internationally renowned boardwalk. The best of the Jersey Shore and much more can be found at the Wildwoods, from fine dining to decadent pleasures you dream about all year.

Location: Cape May County, New Jersey
Website: https://wildwoodsnj.com/
TripAdvisor rating: 4.5/5.0

The Statue of Liberty is located on an island in the Hudson River directly between Jersey City and Manhattan, although many people mistakenly believe that it is in Liberty State Park in New York City. Additionally, Ellis Island is legitimately included in both New York and New Jersey's lists of national monuments. It is one of the best things to do in New Jersey. As a result, they are promoting this event as a must-do in New Jersey. The park not only offers breathtaking views of the Hudson River across from it, but it is also still impacted by the 12 million immigrants who passed through Ellis Island.

The Ellis Island Museum and its grounds are free to see, but getting to Liberty Island by ferry costs money. Statue City Cruises is the National Park Service's authorized ferry partner. It is advised that you make reservations before coming. While ranger-led tours and audio tours are both free, visiting the Statue of Liberty pedestal costs extra, and the crown is currently beyond limits.

By purchasing a ferry pass that also includes a trip to the Statue of Liberty, visitors can reach the island. Feel the spirit of the optimistic immigrants waiting to start their new lives as you stroll into the Great Hall of the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration, which is housed in the complex's main structure. View pictures of ships at the American Family Immigration History Center, where you can also look up passenger names in ship manifests. Alternately, visit the Peopling of America Center to learn more about American immigration history both before and after the Ellis Island era.

Address: 1 Audrey Zapp Drive, Jersey City, NJ 07305

Website: https://www.statueofliberty.org/visit/

Google rating: 4.6/5.0

The Adventure Aquarium, originally known as the New Jersey State Aquarium, is a for-profit educational entertainment facility run by Herschend Family Entertainment in Camden, New Jersey on the Delaware River Camden Waterfront. It was first inaugurated in 1992 and reopened on May 25, 2005 in its current configuration, showcasing around 8,000 creatures in a variety of semi-aquatic, freshwater, and marine settings.

There are 15,000 aquatic species just next to the Liberty Bell, across the Delaware River. No, they're in the Adventure Aquarium along the Camden Waterfront, not in the river. In addition to fish, this aquarium is home to penguins, turtles, and the only display of hippos in any aquarium anywhere in the world. Cross the Shark Bridge, an 81-foot-long suspended bridge that hangs precariously over a 550,000-gallon shark tank that is home to nurse sharks, sand tigers, and other shark species, if you dare.

Despite how exciting it all may sound, a lot of critics have noted that the Adventure Aquarium is largely designed with young children in mind. Recent visitors claim that the aquarium has convenient parking and a welcoming staff. It is one of the best things to do in New Jersey. Furthermore, it doesn't feel crowded due to the reservation system. The hippos were the main attraction for many visitors, and reviews strongly suggested going to the aquarium around feeding time.

The Kingda Ka roller coaster is still the highest in the world and the fastest in North America. It measures 456 feet high and rises at a 90-degree angle. It can be found in Jackson, New Jersey, at the Six Flags Great Adventure amusement park. Riders are propelled from 0 to 128 mph in less than 4 seconds to get them to the summit. This record-breaking rollercoaster is not for the faint of heart, but with the park's selection of family-and kid-friendly rides, anyone looking for something more sedate will have plenty of options. It is one of the best things to do in New Jersey.

Consider spending some time at the nearby Hurricane Harbor water park, which offers coasters, slides, lazy rivers, and more, if you're traveling during the stifling summer heat. Without Hurricane Harbor entry, a one-day ticket to Six Flags Great Adventure starts at $40 per person.

Address: 1 Six Flags Blvd., Jackson, NJ 08527

Website: https://www.sixflags.com/greatadventure

Google rating: 4.4/5.0

In comparison to Washington, D.C., Newark, New Jersey, boasts more cherry blossom trees. The Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival, which includes a 10K run and bike ride, kicks off each April when more than 5,000 Japanese cherry blossom trees bloom around Branch Brook Park in Belleville and Newark. Live music, food and craft sellers, kid-friendly activities, and demonstrations of Japanese culture are all part of a week's worth of events. Check the Branch Brook Park website for specifics because the dates change every year depending on when the trees blossom.

The last three days have been cold and quite rainy, which contrasts with the usual springtime experience of cherry blossom trees in full bloom on a warm and sunny spring day. But the beauty of nature is not constrained. Last Thursday, while walking around Branch Brook Park in Newark in the pouring rain, I saw some underappreciated angles on some of the park's 5,200 blossoming cherry blossom trees, which come in more than 14 different species. The blossoms are physically bathed and showered in the water they require to flourish rather than soaking in the stark contrast of bright sunlight and gloomy shadows. All year long, the park also provides free, self-guided Historic Cell Phone Tours. Explore any or all of the 72 tour destinations over the course of a day.

Location: the most populous city in the U.S. state of New Jersey.

Website: https://essexcountyparks.org/parks/branch-brook-park

South Jersey's Batsto is a surprisingly well-preserved medieval village that dates to 1766. 30 maintained structures, including a magnificent mansion, a post office, and a basic shop, are available for viewing by visitors to this exceptional location in Hammonton. The Batsto Iron Works produced supplies for the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, and the village's inhabitants remained there up until 1989.

Batsto, which is a part of Wharton State Forest, also has lovely hiking paths through the Pinelands. The calm, beauty, and history of the place have been noted by visitors who were thrilled to discover this monument in the heart of the forest, particularly in mid-May when the tulips are in full bloom. On the hour, Wednesday through Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., tours are offered for $3 per person ($1 for children ages 6 to 11; tours are free for children under 5). Tours have a 10-person maximum and fill up quickly. It is one of the best things to do in New Jersey.

Address: 31 Batsto Road, Hammonton, NJ 08037

Website: https://batstovillage.org/

Google rating: 4.8/5.0

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that New Jersey has the highest density of engineers and scientists per square mile in the whole country. When you consider the state's legacy of influential thinkers and inventors, including Thomas Edison, this statistic becomes even less surprising. The former residence and laboratory of Thomas Alva Edison are now a recognized national historic park in West Orange and are accessible to visitors for tours. In addition to the lamp, Edison also built a recording studio in this location and a few talking dolls. Recent visitors claim that, given their age, the studios and workshops within the facility are in surprisingly good shape.

If that's not remarkable enough, the grounds still house a copy of "Black Maria," the first motion picture studio built in the world in 1893. Glenmont, Edison and his wife Mina's Victorian mansion just down the road, had all the modern conveniences decades before their time, including hot and cold running water, central heating, and refrigerators.

Address: 211 Main St., West Orange, NJ 07052
Website: https://www.nps.gov/edis/index.htm
Google rating: 4.7/5.0

The Sandy Hook Lighthouse, which predates the Declaration of Independence, is located at the extremity of the Gateway National Recreation Area peninsula in the Highlands. Since 1764, this octagonal lighthouse has provided a view of Sandy Hook Bay and Manhattan. Although the lighthouse is currently closed to visitors, year-round weekends may still feature ranger-led tours, so check the website. The lighthouse, which is located on the grounds of the former Fort Hancock, is not the only thing to see in the Sandy Hook neighborhood. There are also 300 species of birds, a variety of fauna, bicycling and hiking paths, old barracks, and incomparable views of the skyline of New York City. The entrance to the national park is free; however, parking is $20 per vehicle from Memorial Day through Labor Day. This also includes the cost of enjoying a lovely, peaceful beach day or acting boldly at Gunnison, New Jersey's only permitted nudist beach.

The U.S. Coast Guard looks after the light while the National Park Service owns the tower. From May 1 through October 31, the lighthouse is open on the weekends from 1 to 4:30 p.m. and from 1 to 3:30 p.m., November 1 to April 30. The tours are led by park rangers. All tours must be planned in person at the Visitor's Center and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. One of Sandy Hook's top tourist attractions, the lighthouse is located on the grounds of Fort Hancock. The peninsula also has more than 300 species of birds, a magnificent holly forest, great surf fishing, hiking, beaches, trails, salt marshes, and other historical places.

Address: 128 South Hartshorne Drive, Highlands, NJ 07732

Google rating: 4.7/5.0

Being a guest at Princeton rather than a student may be more enjoyable because there is so much to do there besides study. Apart from the upscale stores and delectable crepes, Princeton University, the fourth-oldest college in the nation, continues to be at the center of this neighborhood. The university grounds are accessible to the general public, and we heartily recommend both a stroll and a self-guided tour. Nassau Hall, which played a significant role in the American Revolution, is easy to miss because it is situated just behind the imposing iron gates on Nassau Street. F. Scott Fitzgerald used to lounge around in the dining halls.

Although Albert Einstein was never interested in having a museum of any kind, 112 Mercer Street is still visible from the road. Renowned writers like Saul Bellow, Philip Roth, and Joyce Carol Oates have served as faculty members. Two former presidents attended there as students (James Madison and Woodrow Wilson). But even without all of that, the university is stunning, especially in the fall when the changing hues of the leaves only serve to highlight its majestic grandeur. Any time of year, visit Bent Spoon, a well-known organic ice cream business on campus, and sample some unusual ice cream varieties. To learn more about the city's architecture, famous Princetonians, and other topics, take the Princeton Holiday Trolley Tour if you happen to be in the area in December. Both tourists and locals enjoy the one-hour trolley trip. A variety of discounts at Princeton restaurants and stores are also included with the $25 ticket.

Address: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544
Google rating: 4.7/5.0

At the $5 billion American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, it's conceivable to surf, ski, and get a SpongeBob SquarePants autograph all in one day. The three million square-foot mall in New Jersey, which is second only to the Mall of America in Minneapolis, has enough attractions to keep visitors occupied for the duration of a holiday, including Nickelodeon Universe, the biggest indoor theme park in the Western Hemisphere.

If your child can imagine anything, they can find it here: a wave pool, ski slope, ice rink, Legoland Discovery Center, mini golf with Angry Birds, or the biggest indoor water park in North America with DreamWorks character themes. Of course, there are countless stores to shop at. You can also discover artisan cotton candy, an Oreo café, and fast food favorites when you need to refuel. Please take note that a separate ticket is needed for each attraction within the mall. However, there are seasonal deals and ticket packages.

Address: 1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, NJ 07073

Website: https://www.americandream.com/

Google rating: 4.4/5.0