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    • New Jersey

    New Jersey travel guide

    View United States of America travel guide

    Overview

    New York City often overshadows the tiny state of New Jersey. Travelling south on the New Jersey Turnpike toll road from New York, visitors will be stuck with the picture of popular imagination that has been the brunt of jokes with many an onstage comedian.

    The ugly highway, traversing an industrial landscape of grey, smoking chimneys and factories, and passing bleak cities like Newark and the state capital of Trenton, does little to encourage visitors, while even the songs of Bruce Springsteen describe his birthplace in disparaging terms.

    One of the state's most treasured prizes is its 127 miles (204km) of sandy beaches along the Atlantic coast, lined with many holiday resorts, bustling boardwalks and quaint seaside towns that draw thousands of tourists to enjoy the sun, surf, and excitement of the famous Jersey Shore.

    The world's first boardwalk has its home in Atlantic City, famous for its 24-hour gambling entertainment and casino hotels reminiscent of Las Vegas, while the old-world charm of Cape May takes one back to the Victorian age

    Its beautifully restored 19th-century buildings are home to some of the best bed and breakfasts in New Jersey. Along with the surf and the sand, there are miles of fun and entertainment, from water parks, zoos, and Ferris wheels, to roller coasters, shopping, and nightlife.

    Even in the grey north of the state, cities like Hoboken and Princeton offer their own attractions, as well as bustling nightlife with a busy selection of bars and clubs. Princeton is home to the famous university, as well as some interesting historical sites.

    Nature lovers can enjoy wilderness-hiking trails in the scenic hills of the Skylands that also offers perfect conditions for skiing in winter. Historically, this region is known as the Military Capital of the Revolution and visitors can trace the movements of General George Washington and his troops during the winter of 1779 at the Morristown National Historical Park.

    The state's rich history also includes some of America's greatest inventors and physicists such as Thomas Edison and Albert Einstein, and the Liberty State Park overlooking the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island that was one of the country's main immigration stations from 1892 to 1954.

    There's a range of tourist attractions in New Jersey, catering to many different tastes. It's quite possibly what makes the state so versatile, with an evening of gambling and parties easily followed by a day of rest and relaxation on the beach.

    An eclectic state that is home to an array of people and languages including Spanish, Chinese, Italian, and Portuguese, a visit to New Jersey is a diverse one. Known as the Garden State, New Jersey is home to beautiful cherry blossoms, stunning gardens, and gorgeous lakes.

    Along the shore, there are also many vibrant cities that draw in thousands of visitors each year. Situated on the coastline, Cape May is the nation's oldest seaside resort and known for its tranquil beaches, historic sites, and nearby geographic attractions. It is a haven for those looking to take in the sea air.

    In contrast, Atlantic City is a night owl's paradise, providing casinos, extravagant nightclubs, and restaurants and bars. Cities like Princeton and New Brunswick offer history and culture for those in search of historical substance. Although one of the smallest states in the country, it is certainly home to many first-rate tourist attractions.

    With great public transport, an array of accommodation options, and lots of thrilling nighttime activity, New Jersey makes for an exciting visit.

    Atlantic City

    Atlantic City had its heyday during the 1920s, as city dwellers flocked in their thousands to enjoy its lovely seaside. Originally the playground of the rich and famous, the holiday spot is one of oldest in the country and boasts the world's first boardwalk, built in 1870 and running along an eight-mile (13km) stretch of beach. Amusement parks and nightclubs line the boardwalk, meaning visitors are always entertained, day or night. New Jersey instituted legal casino gambling in the 1970s, which has resulted in a collection of grand gambling halls and extravagant casino-hotels reminiscent of Las Vegas. Designs range from the Showboat to the onion domes and gigantic elephants of the Trump Taj Mahal. Today Atlantic City is famous as a gambler's paradise with a vibrant nightlife. It also offers amusement rides, souvenir shops, and children's entertainment in a bid to market itself as a family holiday destination and live up to its nickname as the 'The World's Playground'.

    Atlantic City Atlantic City Ron Miguel
    Cape May

    Situated at the southernmost tip of the New Jersey Cape, the holiday favourite of Cape May is the jewel of the Atlantic Shore and the nation's oldest seaside resort, known for its calm beaches, historic sites and many nearby natural attractions that contrast with the flashier Atlantic City.

    With a fairytale collection of authentically restored and beautifully preserved Victorian homes, the entire town of Cape May was designated a National Historic Landmark. It is internationally recognised as one of the best bed and breakfast inn resorts in the country.

    The ambience of gingerbread-trim inns, old gas lamps, and colourful stained-glass windows offers visitors a peaceful change of pace from most other holiday resorts along the shore. Huge flocks of birds draw birdwatchers to the Cape May Point State Park during the spring and autumn migrations.

    Cape May offers modern as well as historic accommodations, fine dining and shopping, and lots of nature walks, and its easy-going and laidback atmosphere is apparent even at the height of the summer holiday season.

    Cape May Cape May Smallbones
    Six Flags Great Adventure Theme Park

    Six Flags Great Adventure is the largest theme park in New Jersey, and one of the most popular on the east coast of the US. It has eleven themed areas, with various rides and attractions for all ages, and thirteen rollercoasters. Much of the park is themed with DC superheroes like Superman, Batman, and the Green Lantern. The park has a number of restaurants, cafes, and souvenir shops. The attached Six Flags Wild Safari is a drive-through game park with lions, elephants, giraffes, kangaroos, and bears. Next door is Hurricane Harbour, a waterpark with a wave pool, an adventure river, and more than a dozen speed slides.

    Website: www.sixflags.com/greatAdventure
    Six Flags Great Adventure Theme Park Six Flags Great Adventure Theme Park Jeremy Thompson

    Phrase Book

    English Pronounciation

    The climate in New Jersey tends to be moderate, particularly along the coast in the south and southeast, with relatively mild winters and pleasant summers. August tends to be the hottest month, with temperatures reaching 80ºF (27ºC), and January is the coldest month with temperatures reaching, on average, about 30ºF (-1°C).

    In winter, snowfall occurs statewide, with heavier falls at the higher altitudes of the Piedmont Plateau and the northwest mountains. The Piedmont Plateau area also receives a higher annual precipitation than the rest of the state.

    Atlantic City International Airport
    Location: The airport is situated 13 miles (21km) from Atlantic City.
    Time: GMT -5 (GMT -4 from March to November).
    Getting to the city: A regular Jitney Shuttle connects the airport to various Atlantic City destinations. Taxis are also available.
    Car Rental: Car rental companies include Avis, Budget, Enterprise, and Hertz, all located in the baggage claim area.
    Facilities: The airport has limited facilities. There is a few restaurants and bars. On the lower level, there is an ATM, as well as a gift shop, information desk, and wifi on the second floor.
    Parking A multilevel parking garage and surface parking lot are located next to the terminal. Short-term parking is charged at $2 per hour and $20 per day. Garage parking is $13 per day and there is an economy lot at $10 per day, connected to the terminal by a free shuttle service.
    Website: www.acairport.com
    Newark Liberty International Airport
    Location: The airport is located two miles (3km) south of Newark, 15 miles (24km) southwest of New York.
    Time: GMT -5 (GMT -4 from March to November).
    Transfer Between Terminals The AirTrain provides a free connection between the three terminals, which are also within easy walking distance.
    Getting to the city: Newark Liberty International Airport offers travellers a wide range of ground transportation services. There are taxis, buses, shuttles, and limousines available in front of and beside all three terminals. Information counters, located on the lower baggage claim level of all three terminals, provide information and reservations for buses, shared-ride vans, and limousines. The AirTrain connects to NJ Transit or Amtrak trains, which service New Jersey and New York destinations. New Jersey Transit buses follow a number of routes to destinations in New Jersey and to Penn Station in Newark. Bus 107 provides a daily service to New York City. The Olympic Airport Shuttle leaves regularly for Ocean and Monmouth counties in New Jersey. SuperShuttle Manhattan is a shared minibus service, which goes to all areas of Manhattan, Queens, and Bronx, including hotels. The Newark Liberty Airport Express services New York City.
    Car Rental: There are several car companies at the airport, including Advantage, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, FlightCar, Hertz, National, Payless, and Thrifty.
    Facilities: All terminals have ATMs and bureaux de change, a wide selection of bars, shops, and restaurants. Business facilities including fax, photocopying, and courier services. Disabled facilities are good and those with special needs should ideally contact their airline or travel agent in advance.
    Parking There is short-term parking next to the terminals. Daily parking is a few minutes away on the free AirTrain and economy parking is 20 minutes from the terminals via a free shuttle bus. There are also a number of privately operated parking lots located near the airport. Valet parking is also available. Signs to the parking facilities are colour-coded to indicate their proximity to the terminals. Short-term parking at Newark liberty International Airport starts at $4 per half hour and up to $39 per day. Long-term parking is $18 per day.
    Website: www.newarkairport.com
    New Jersey