Spring is right around the corner, and with the warmer February days we’ve been having, it feels like it is already here! New Jersey is a beautiful spot to be during the spring season. As the months get warmer and flowers start to bloom, this is a great time to take on those weekend trips or outdoor excursions you’ve been thinking about all winter. Get excited about the upcoming season, and check out these spots on my New Jersey ultimate spring bucket list for 2023! Looking for more spring fun in New Jersey? Check out my blog post sharing 10 things to do in May in the Garden State!
1. Visit One Of NJ’s Beautiful Flower Fields
Starting around April, many local farms host their annual flower festivals. Frolick through New Jersey’s most beautiful flower fields this spring such as the country’s largest tulip festival at Holland Ridge Farms in Cream Ridge. Their U-pick tulips typically reopens mid-April, but keep an eye on their website for the official announcement. For more New Jersey flower field recommendations, check out my blog post all about 15 Beautiful Flower Fields in New Jersey to Visit.
2. Enjoy The Outdoors With A Hike
New Jersey is home to numerous hiking spots that offer stunning vistas! Check out my list of the 11 Best Hiking Spots in North Jersey, as well as my post sharing 12 Spots In Central or South Jersey To Take A Hike or Walk.
3. Take A Stroll On The Boardwalks Of NJ’s Famous Beaches
Early spring may still be a little chilly for swimming, but it sure is lovely for a boardwalk stroll! Visit some of New Jersey’s best beach towns, and enjoy a less crowded day at the shore. NJ’s northern beaches, such as those in Monmouth County, tend to be fully operating year-round regarding shops and restaurants.
4. Explore Sandy Hook
Speaking of Monmouth County beaches, Sandy Hook is a historic gem worth a visit even in the Spring! Visitors and locals can drive, walk, run, and bike through this scenic coastal peninsula, making it great for an outdoorsy day.
5. Spend A Few Days In Cape May
Cape May is the BEST beach town in New Jersey! Be transported into a Victorian era as you wander through the town. The Washington Street Mall and Congress Hall are just two of the many exciting things to see in Cape May. For food recommendations, read my post sharing 10 Casual Restaurants & Eateries in Cape May, NJ Worth Checking Out.
6. Visit The Liberty Science Center
With spring comes a few rainy days, so it’s always good to heave a few indoor activities in mind. The Liberty Science Center in Jersey City is one of NJ’s many museums worth visiting!
7. Seek Thrill At Six Flags Great Adventure
Six Flags Great Adventure reopens April 1 – April 16 for spring break. Experience the thrill of Kingda Ka, or the world’s fastest, tallest, and longest single rail coaster: Jersey Devil Coaster.
8. Check Out NJ’s Stunning Arboretums
A variety of beautiful arboretums are scattered around New Jersey. If you are seeking a peaceful, outdoorsy vibe, then pay a visit to a local arboretum! Some North-Jersey favorites include the: Thielke Arboretum (Glen Rock), Reeves-Reed Arboretum (Summit), Frelinghuysen Arboretum (Morristown), and Willowwood Arboretum (Far Hills). I recommend visiting in May or June for the best blooms!
9. Enjoy A Peaceful Stroll Through A Garden
In addition to many beautiful Arboretums, New Jersey also has a ton of aesthetic gardens that start to become vibrant in late spring! Deep Cut Gardens in Middletown is a floral oasis, as well as Cross Estate Gardens inBernardsville, and many more!
10. Walk Around NJ’s Beautiful Downtowns
With warmer weather comes more ideal conditions to take a leisurely stroll through town. Check out my blog post 20 Walkable Downtowns in New Jersey Worth A Visit.
11. Visit The Paterson Great Falls
The Paterson Great Falls National Historic Park is a unique treasure to North Jersey that is worth checking out atleast once in your life.
12. Experience “Daffodil Day” At Reeves-Reed Arboretum
Many arboretums, gardens, and farms in New Jersey host fun events in the spring season. One family-friendly event worth checking out is Daffodil Day at the Reeves-Reed Arboretum in Summit. Enjoy many festive activities to get into the Spring spirit!
13. Pick Your Own Fruit At A Local Farm
Late spring is the start of pick-your-own fruit season in New Jersey. While a majority of fruit picking is done in summer, there are a few berries good to pick late May into June such as strawberries. For a list of great pick-your-own farms in New Jersey, check out this blog post by NJMOM.
14. Explore The Grounds For Sculpture
The Grounds For Sculpture in Hamilton is an art-lovers haven. Combine large-scale, unqiue art with the outdoors, and you get the Grounds for Sculpture. Learn more about visiting by checking out their website.
15. Visit A Lighthouse
As a coastal state, New Jersey’s is home to a few lighthouses. Enjoy a climb to the top, or just take in their beauty. Here’s a list of all lighthouses in New Jersey.
16. Try A Delicious Pizza Spot
It’s no secret that New Jersey is home to some of the BEST pizza in the country! While New Jersey is famously known for it’s crispier, thin-crust pies, we are also home to many neapolitan-style pizza spots. I’m personally a huge fan of italian-style pizza with it’s bubbly crust, and bar-pie-sized slices. Some of my favorite pizza spots in New Jersey are: Talula’s (Asbury Park), S.Egidio (Ridgewood), Vic’s (Bradley Beach), and Porta (Asbury Park & Jersey City). For more recommendations, check out Best of NJ’s ultimate list of The Best Pizza & Pizzerias in New Jersey – 2023 Edition.
17. See Animals At A Local Farm
Delight yourself with fresh air and a trip to a local farm to see some adorable animals this spring! Holland Ridge Farms in Cream Ridge reopens in April, and typically has alpacas and other farm animals on the property to see. Alstede Farms in Chester is another local farm with a variety of spring farm tours offered.
18. Take In The Cherry Blossoms At Branch Brook Park
Branch Brook Park is famously known for it’s annual Essex County Cherry Blossoms Festival. Branch Brook Park, which is located within Belleville and Newark, features over 5,000 cherry blossom trees that bloom in April. The annual festival takes place between April 1st and April 16th, 2023, and the park is free to stroll through.
19. Enjoy a local baseball game
Baseball season kicks off in spring, and New Jersey is home to a few minor-league teams. Support a local team and enjoy a more budget-friendly sporting event with friends and/or family!
Below is a list of teams you can watch play in NJ:
- Jersey Shore BlueClaws (Ocean County)
- Trenton Thunder Park (Mercer County)
- Somerset Patriots (Somerset County)
- Sussex County Miners (Sussex County)
- New Jersey Jackals (Passaic County)
20. Visit A Local Zoo
Zoos in New Jersey make for a fun day trip with the whole family! The Garden State is home to many zoos, and according to NJMOM, here are 11 Zoos in New Jersey And Nearby Worth The Trip.
21. Go Canoeing Or Kayaking
Looking to experience outdoor activities, but not on foot? Well, New Jersey has you covered! Enjoy canoeing or kayaking in the Pine Barrens this spring/summer! New Jersey Leisure Guide offers a great list of canoeing and kayaking options in the Pine Barrens.
22. Walk Through Liberty State Park In Jersey City
Liberty State Park is the perfect spot to stroll through if you love a NYC view! Take in stunning panoramic views of the skyline and Hudson River while exploring all the park has to offer.
23. Enjoy A Day In Coastal Asbury Park & Ocean Grove
I know I mentioned in a previous idea to take a stroll on some of New Jersey’s boardwalks, but Asbury Park and Ocean Grove deserve their own point! As a Monmouth County native, I’ve grown to admire the culture and beauty of Asbury Park and Ocean Grove Beach. Stroll along Cookman Ave in Asbury and try out some of their incredible eateries such as: Talula’s (pizza), Cookman Creamery (ice cream), MOGO Korean Fushion Tacos, and more. There are also plenty of local shops within the main streets of Asbury and Oean Grove. Enjoy a long walk along the Jersey Shore as you can easily cross between the two towns. Also, right on the Asbury Park boardwalk lies the Silverball Retro Arcade, which houses numerous classics you can play. Additionally, see historic landmarks including The Stone Pony and Wonder Bar while in the area. Overall, visitors and locals can definitely enjoy an entire day in Asbury Park and Ocean Grove!
24. Get Ice Cream At Nicholas Creamery in Monmouth County
I may be a little biased, as a Monmouth County native, but Nicholas Creamery serves some of the BEST ice cream in New Jersey! This local creamery slings small-batch, homemade scoops, while offering a variety of ecclectic flavors and an ever-chaning specials menu. Their hot fudge is a MUST for all chocolate-lovers as it’s incredibly decadent and rich. Nicholas Creamery currently has four locations throughout Monmouth County: Tinton Falls, Long Branch, Fair Haven, and the Atlantic Highlands.
25. Visit New Jersey’s Best Instagrammable Photo Spots
New Jersey is a beautiful state with unique, stunning photo spots scattered throughout. Check out my list of 50+ Spots to Take Photos in New Jersey.
As a proud New Jersey native, I believe it truly is one of the BEST states to experience spring in! Being on the northeast gives the Garden State the chance to experience all four seasons, which is something to cherish. New Jersey is home to beautiful gardens, parks, hiking areas, beaches, downtowns, and much more!
What are you putting on your New Jersey spring bucket list? Comment down below!
A great list of places.. the sculpture garden is my favorite.
Thank you! The sculptures look beautiful.