Top Things to do in New Jersey
Top Hotels in New Jersey
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10 Free Things to do in New Jersey That You Shouldn't Miss
Whether you are looking for sun-drenched beaches or outdoor activities in beautiful countryside, New Jersey has plenty to offer. Those who love the great outdoors should head for the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, which runs along the Delaware River for forty miles. Here you can go rock climbing, canoeing, kayaking or fishing, or simply admire the stunning waterfalls. There is a huge range of hiking trails to choose from as well as historic sites to visit. In winter, you can enjoy cross-country skiing near Blue Mountain Lakes, and birdwatchers might be lucky enough to catch sight of bald eagles. If you are looking for a change, visit one of New Jersey's eleven lighthouses that are open to public, such as the one in Cape May. For art and history enthusiasts, New Jersey State Museum in Trenton has historic artifacts and American fine art from the nineteenth century to the present day as well as a Planetarium.
Restaurants in New Jersey
1. Princeton University
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 996 reviews
The ivy league campus is ideal for a stroll, where some interesting buildings may be visited.
Reviewed By johnbZ8051LU - Princeton, United States
Princeton University is many things: quaint, with one of THE most beautiful campuses in the world (and where the word “campus” was coined in the 19th century); historical, as George Washington defeated the British for the first time in the Battle of Princeton on January 3, 1777, and marched down its Main Street in pursuit with his aid Captain James Madison (a graduate of the college) while his Captain of Artillery Alexander Hamilton canonnaded Nassau Hall, the college’s main building where the British were quartered; intellectual, as a college town often is, but in Princeton’s case moreso with such luminaries as Albert Einstein living there, working at the Institute for Advanced Study, one of the world’s most prestigious think tanks: and finally gracious, as many of its older faculty houses reflect a bygone era of serenity and spaciousness. Princeton University, founded in 1746, is the smallest of the Ivy League schools, yet one of the most influential if any United States colleges in terms of its alums attaining the highest of positions: several Presidents of the United States, Secretaries of State, Federal Reserve chairs, three current Supreme Court Justices, several heads of foreign goverments, world renowned scientists, an astronaut, famous actors, corporate and financial heads, a Heismann Trophy winning athlete, highly decorated military leaders, and a faculty which has made it one of the top ten research universities in the world, with 63 Nobel Laureates, Turing Award Laureates, and hundreds of other prestigious awards. Its Chapel is the third largest college chapel in the world, seating over two thousand. The university campus occupies one side of the entire Main Street of the town evoking a hint of Oxford or Cambridge, not accidentally. It is a university and town worth a visit to soak in its rich and long history as well as its incomparable dedication to academics, culture and the pursuit of higher knowledge in service towards a better world.
2. Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 206 reviews
Reviewed By joselejinpj - Bengaluru, India
Beautiful architecture. Nice interiors and ambience. It has a large pipe organ. Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart is the seat of the Archdiocese of Newark. Cathedral Basilica holds concerts open to the public throughout the year. Good parking space.
3. Princeton University Art Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 731 reviews
The Princeton University Art Museum is one of the nation's finest art museums, housing collections of over 72 ,000 works of art spanning 5,000 years of world history and all the world's major cultures. The Museum also presents special exhibitions and educational programs throughout the year. Admission is free.
Reviewed By ProfessorCharles
Allow time during your visit in Princeton to spend time at the Uni Art Museum. There's a superb permanent collection that spans centuries across the globe, and there's always the added attraction of a special exhibit. Everything is perfectly curated (as one would expect), and the museum itself, though large, will invigorate rather than tire you. Highlights include a fabulous window by Burne-Jones.
4. Jersey Shore Alpacas
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 550 reviews
IMPORTANT: PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT US FOR AVAILABILITY WITHOUT VISITING OUR WEBSITE FIRST for complete schedule information. Closed Sundays. Due to COVID, we will be open BY APPOINTMENT ONLY, but we are booking well in advance. Fleece and Fun for Everyone! Jersey Shore Alpacas is a small, friendly farm located in Green Creek, just north of Cape May, NJ (about 3 hours from NYC). Please see our website for more information on visiting the farm. :) You'll love meeting our curious alpacas and browsing in our shop for soft, warm alpaca clothing and cuddly toys! We also carry more than 20 different types of alpaca yarn from Blue Sky Fibers, Alpaca Yarn Company, and farm yarn (when available). Hope to see you soon!
Reviewed By elwood18974 - Warminster, United States
So worth the trip - we were staying less than 10 minutes away and I decided to surprise my family. We'd never been to an Alpaca farm before so my wife and two teenage sons were very surprised - and we all thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Jim was our host - he had the necessary handwashing and sanitizing station prepared. After a short introduction, he provided us bags of carrots (teats for the Alpacas) and walked us to the pen to see the male Alpacas, followed soon after by female Alpaca in their pen. Jim was an awesome host, answered all our questions, and taught us all about Alpaca - they are such friendly animals. This visit was definitely worth the time and money!
5. Hoboken Waterfront Walkway
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 628 reviews
Reviewed By 509DENISEH - Titonka, United States
This view never gets old. We only get to visit here every couple years but visitors that come to NYC never get to see this spectacular view of the city from Hoboken. After a great meal in Hoboken, this was a great walk to end a wonderful evening. The city of Hoboken has done a great job with this river walk.
6. Wildwood Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,879 reviews
A wide beach that appeals to families.
Reviewed By stronziger - Carlstadt, United States
Absolutely one of the cleanest, largest and most importantly free beaches in New Jersey. After spending time here you will not want to go anyplace else.
7. The Frelinghuysen Arboretum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 185 reviews
This 127-acre preserve, which surrounds a historic Colonial-Revival mansion and its formal gardens, offers self-guided nature trails with all trees and shrubs labeled as reference.
Reviewed By jeff1809C - Yardley, United States
I discovered this place in 2019 and wanted to go back in the spring, so glad I did! The flowering trees and all the daffodils were beautiful! Definitely a nice place for a walk to quiet place to sit and look at all the beauty.
8. Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 63 reviews
This wilderness area consists of 3,660 acres in the state of New Jersey, and is a popular destination for hikers, wildlife enthusiasts, birdwatchers and paddlers.
Reviewed By PaleoGypsy - Philadelphia, United States
Paved and unpaved roads exist. If keeping your car clean is important to you, don’t visit this NWR. The speed limit is 15 mph. Wear shoes that may get muddy. As you are hiking in a swamp, soft mud exists. Check yourself for ticks after the hike. If you enjoy birding, a zoom lens and binoculars may be helpful. Many trails exist and they are not all connected. Look at the map before you go, as your choice of trails determines where you park.
9. Borgata Casino
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,481 reviews
This high-energy casino offers a range of table games and daily poker tournaments. Their modern slot machines feature a rapid-pay ticket system so gamblers don't have to deal with carrying around coins.
Reviewed By tigers746
We have been there for a few shows both the event center and the music box theatre and set up well and a great place to see any singers or comics you enjoy seeing -- take some time out of the gambling and enjoy the shows
10. Hamilton Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 139 reviews
This is where in 1804, Aaron Burr killed Alexander Hamilton.
Reviewed By kelliplansitall - Keller, United States
Hamilton Park has the most breathtaking views of Manhattan. Additionally there is a little monument for the Alexander Hamilton - Aaron Burr duel. The actual dueling ground would have been somewhere in the trees below the cliff, so largely inaccessible. It’s beautiful and somber to consider the lives lost here (since it was home to more duels than just this famous one). We took the ferry across from the city and then took an Uber to the park. Walking to the park is not impossible, but it’s not easy and mostly uphill, making it difficult for my travel companion.
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