There’s always something to do in New Jersey! As a New Jersey local myself, I am always searching for new places to check out, and love revisiting classics! If you are seeking fun, then you are in the right state! From beautiful downtowns to coastal scenery or mountainous adventures, here are 15 day trip ideas in New Jersey!
1. Check Out Cape May
One of the BEST beach towns in New Jersey is Cape May! Located all the way at the bottom tip of the state lies a quaint, coastal town with lots of local shopping, restaurants, and roughly two miles of boardwalk! Enjoy a stroll through the Washington Street Mall and be sure to check out Congress Hall, which always looks perfectly manicured and decorated. Depending on where you are coming from in New Jersey, Cape May can be quite a drive. If you have the flexibility in your schedule, or are also looking for a great weekend trip, then Cape May is a perfect option! For food recommendations, check out my post on 10 Casual Restaurants & Eateries in Cape May, NJ Worth Checking Out!
2. Explore Downtown Princeton
One of New Jersey’s best downtowns to walk around is Princeton! Visiting downtown Princeton can easily be an all-day event. Take a self-guided walking tour of the historic and charming Princeton University, browse the local shops, and dine at one (or more) of Princeton’s eateries. My favorite fast-casual spot in Princeton is Tacoria; they have great burrito boxes! I also recommend hiking to the swinging bridge in Princeton!
3. Experience Thrill at Six Flags Great Adventure (Jackson)
Home to the tallest roller coaster in the world, Six Flags Great Adventure is for sure a fun and thrilling day trip to take within New Jersey! Six Flags typically reopens for the season during early April.
4. Stroll Along The Hoboken Waterfront
Want a taste of the city without leaving New Jersey? The Hoboken Waterfront is a pet-friendly, public walkway along the Hudson River that offers scenic views of the NYC skyline. Enjoy the views of Pier A park and relax on the green. Pier 13 is also a popular spot along the Hudson to visit as it is an open-air beer garden with food trucks and beautiful skyline vistas! Pier 13 typically opens for the season in early May. Take a look at Pier 13’s website for more information. Make sure to also check out Washington Street, which features many restaurants and shops. Olivia’s on Garden Street is a divine spot for eclectic bites and cocktails in Hoboken.
5. Visit The Barnegat Lighthouse State Park
Located on the northern tip of Long Beach Island (LBI), Barnegat Lighthouse State Park is a maritime site on the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail. The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and offers brief walking trails, picnicking, fishing, bird and wildlife viewing, education and interpretation, and visits up the lighthouse. The lighthouse is open daily, weather permitting, between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. from Memorial Day to labor Day. Admission to go up the lighthouse is $3 per person ages 12+. Children ages 5-11 cost $1 to enter, and children under 5 are free.
6. Choose A NJ Hiking Spot!
Explore the Garden State from a new perspective at one of New Jersey’s hiking spots! Check out my article on 11 hikes to try in North Jersey and my article 12 Spots In Central or South Jersey To Take A Hike or Walk.
7. Explore The Grounds For Sculpture (Hamilton)
The Grounds for Sculpture, located in Hamilton of Mercer County, is a great Central Jersey day trip for art-lovers! Walk through the grounds of this unique sculpture museum and take in the beautiful art displays. The Grounds For Sculpture is also home to beautiful gardens and dining options including the famous Rat’s Restaurant (French cuisine), and two on-site cafés.
8. Visit One Of New Jersey’s Aquariums
New Jersey is home to many aquariums from the famous Adventure Aquarium in Camden to the Jenkinson’s Aquarium in Point Pleasant Beach etc… Visiting an aquarium is a fun rainy day activity to enjoy in New Jersey. Check out this resourceful article from NJ MOM sharing 10 aquariums in NJ where you can spend a day under the sea.
9. Walk Around Liberty State Park (Jersey City)
Liberty State Park is a local favorite for long walks with skyline views! Stroll through the urban green space, have a picnic, and get outdoors at Liberty State Park. The Liberty House is a casual elegant restaurant serving a plethora of American cuisine while offering breath-taking views of the NYC skyline. While in this area, visitors also tend to go to the Liberty Science Center, which is an interactive museum and learning center. A full day can easily be spent in the Liberty State Park area of Jersey City as there is so much to see!
10. Go Back In Time At Allaire State Park (Wall Township)
Allaire State Park is a 19th century village located in Wall Township of Monmouth County. Stroll through the historic iron-making town, Allaire Village, and check out the Pine Creek Railroad. The Manasquan River winds through Allaire State Park and offers visitors an opportunity for fresh-water fishing. Visitors can also enjoy peaceful trail-ways and walking paths throughout the park. Extend your day in this area by taking a short drive to one of Monmouth County’s beaches such as Belmar or Avon-by-the-Sea. Enjoy a delicious brunch at Maeberrie Market in Avon and grab some ice cream at Hoffman’s in Spring Lake!
11. Spend A Day At The Beach
New Jersey’s is most famous for it’s roughly 130 miles of shoreline! Plan a visit to one of New Jersey’s famous beaches/shore towns and enjoy the Jersey Shore experience. Check out my article, Best Beach Towns in New Jersey to Visit This Summer 2022, for my top spots! While a lot of the South-Jersey beach towns close for the non-summer season, most of the Northern beach towns operate year-round. Asbury Park, Pier Village in Long Branch, Ocean Grove and more towns have plenty of restaurants and shops open year-round. I recommend a day trip to Asbury Park and walking along the boardwalk and on Cookman Ave. Visitors and locals can enjoy an incredible dinner at Talula’s Pizza and ice cream at the Cookman Creamery.
12. Stroll Through Historic Smithville
Historic Smithville in Atlantic County is a quaint town featuring many local shops, eateries and more! Smithville is roughly a 25 minute drive from Atlantic City and worth a day trip!
13. Explore Atlantic City
Atlantic City is definitely a spot for those looking for a fun night out, but it has more to offer than it’s famous casinos and nightclubs! Take a stroll on the boardwalk and enjoy one of New Jersey’s few free beaches. Visitors can also shop in the Tanger Outlets and throughout the resorts. There are also many spots to dine in Atlantic City ranging from high-end to casual. Plan your trip to Atlantic City here.
14. Visit Downtown Morristown & The Willowwood Arboretum
Morristown is another one of my favorite downtowns in New Jersey to walk around! With a nice selection of eateries and shops, Morristown makes for a nice spot to spend a day! Enjoy mouth-watering burgers, grilled cheeses, mac & cheese, and more contemporary eats at The Committed Pig! Morristown also has a Tacoria, which is my favorite local fast-casual chain for burrito bowls! Make a day out of your trip to Morristown by making a roughly 25-30 minute drive to The Willowwood Arboretum in Far Hills. I recommend visiting the Arboretum during the spring/summer months as this is when the flowers are in full bloom and look their prettiest! I also want to add in that my favorite restaurant in all of New Jersey, The Pasta Shop in Denville, is just a roughly 20-minute drive from downtown Morristown.
15. Enjoy Outdoor Adventure At Mountain Creek
Mountain Creek is New Jersey and NYC’s closest four season resort featuring activities such as skiing/snowboarding, snow tubing, ziplining, a waterpark, mountain biking and more! Mountain Creek is located in Vernon Township of Sussex County and is under 50 miles from NYC. Learn more about Mountain Creek on their website.
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