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.