New Jersey oftentimes gets overlooked, sitting in the shadow of its flashier neighbor New York. But the US state contains plenty of its own attractions and things to do, including some 130 miles (209 kilometers) of Atlantic coastline. From Liberty State Park in Jersey City, travelers can head to nearby Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, and the towns dotted along the Jersey Shore like Asbury Park and Cape May continue to capture the feeling of Americana summers and draw throngs of people when the weather warms up.
Since the northeast winters can be cold and snowy, the best time to visit New Jersey is from late spring to late summer (May to September). This is when you’ll be able to take part in outdoor activities and visit the state’s many beach towns, which draw the biggest crowds in June, July, and August. And thanks to the ocean breeze, the shore offers relief from the summer humidity most inland states are stuck with. You won’t find many things to do in New Jersey during the winter months, although Mountain Creek Resort in Sussex County offers skiing.
Since it’s located between Philadelphia and New York, New Jersey is traversed via several public transport options including ferries, Amtrak service, and NJ Transit, which manages the light rail systems, commuter rail lines, and buses. But most people prefer to navigate Jersey by car, traveling up and down the state along major arteries like the Garden State Parkway and the New Jersey Turnpike. Expect traffic jams especially if you’re headed to the shore in the summer months. Also, keep in mind that you’re not allowed to fill up your own tank of gas in NJ; all stations offer full service instead.
Although New Jersey didn’t invent the diner concept, it definitely popularized it, partly because of the need to feed travelers going between New York and Philadelphia. While residents are usually partial to their local spot, some diners are worth the drive. At the Summit Diner, the oldest still-operating diner in the state, order mini Taylor ham (also known as pork roll), egg, and cheese sandwiches. And at the Tick Tock Diner in Clifton, you can get disco fries (Jersey’s version of poutine with gravy and cheese) 24/7, 365 days a year.
