New Jersey is diverse, dynamic, and full of character. If you are planning a trip and researching the Top 20 Best Things to Do in New Jersey, you will quickly realise that this state offers far more than most travellers expect. From scenic beaches and historic towns to theme parks, cultural districts, and mountain trails, New Jersey blends coastal charm with rich American heritage.
The most rewarding experiences among the Top 20 Best Things to Do in New Jersey combine seaside relaxation, revolutionary history, family entertainment, outdoor adventure, and modern city energy. Because the state is compact, you can experience multiple landscapes in one trip. This guide breaks everything into clear sections with short introductions, helping you plan a well-balanced itinerary with ease.
Coastal and Beach Things to Do in New Jersey
New Jersey’s coastline stretches for more than 130 miles. Exploring these beachside attractions is essential when planning the Top 20 Best Things to Do in New Jersey. From lively boardwalks to peaceful seaside towns, the shore offers something for every travel style.
1. Walk the Atlantic City Boardwalk
One of the most iconic highlights in the Top 20 Best Things to Do in New Jersey is visiting the historic Atlantic City Boardwalk. Established in the 19th century, this oceanfront promenade is lined with casinos, restaurants, entertainment venues, and classic seaside attractions.
Visitors can enjoy beach views, live music, amusement rides at Steel Pier, or simply take in the lively atmosphere. It remains one of the most energetic coastal experiences in the state.
2. Relax in Cape May
Cape May offers a completely different coastal experience. Known for its Victorian architecture and relaxed pace, it stands out among the Top 20 Best Things to Do in New Jersey for travellers seeking charm and elegance.
Climbing the Cape May Lighthouse provides panoramic ocean views. The town’s historic streets, boutique shops, and sunset beaches create a peaceful and romantic setting.
3. Visit Ocean City
Ocean City is famous for its family-friendly atmosphere. Unlike Atlantic City, it focuses on wholesome entertainment with arcades, mini-golf, and classic boardwalk snacks.
Including Ocean City in the Top 20 Best Things to Do in New Jersey ensures a fun coastal stop ideal for families with children or travellers seeking a quieter beach experience.
4. Explore Asbury Park
Asbury Park blends beach culture with music history. Its revitalised boardwalk, vibrant arts scene, and live music venues make it one of the trendiest entries in the Top 20 Best Things to Do in New Jersey.
The city has deep musical roots and continues to attract performers and creative entrepreneurs. The mix of sand, culture, and nightlife makes it especially appealing to younger travellers.
5. Discover Long Beach Island
Long Beach Island is ideal for travellers seeking calm beaches and relaxed coastal living. This barrier island offers charming beach houses, seafood restaurants, and scenic views.
Among the Top 20 Best Things to Do in New Jersey, Long Beach Island stands out for its peaceful atmosphere and slower pace compared to busier shore destinations.
Historical and Heritage Best Things to Do in New Jersey
New Jersey played a central role in shaping early American history, from the Revolutionary War to the era of mass immigration and industrial innovation. Exploring these landmarks adds depth and perspective to the Best Things to Do in New Jersey. These destinations are not just places to visit. They tell the story of a state that influenced the direction of the nation. For travellers who value context, culture, and legacy, these historical sites stand out among the Best Things to Do in New Jersey.
6. Visit Liberty State Park
Liberty State Park offers some of the most iconic views in the country. From its waterfront paths, visitors can clearly see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island rising from New York Harbor.
The park itself provides expansive green space along the Hudson River, with walking trails, cycling routes, and picnic areas. It is both scenic and educational. Including Liberty State Park among the Best Things to Do in New Jersey gives travellers a meaningful connection to American immigration history while enjoying open-air riverfront views.
7. Explore Princeton University
Princeton University is more than an academic institution. It is a historic and architectural landmark. Founded in 1746, the university campus features Gothic-style buildings, quiet courtyards, and beautifully maintained grounds.
Walking through Princeton feels refined and reflective. Visitors can explore art galleries, chapels, and historic halls that have shaped generations of scholars. For travellers who appreciate intellectual heritage and elegant design, a campus visit ranks high among the Best Things to Do in New Jersey.
8. Tour Morristown National Historical Park
Morristown National Historical Park preserves the location where General George Washington and the Continental Army camped during the harsh winter of 1779 to 1780.
Visitors can tour preserved structures, view exhibits, and walk through grounds that played a direct role in the Revolutionary War. Including this destination among the Best Things to Do in New Jersey provides a tangible link to America’s fight for independence and the endurance of its early soldiers.
9. Visit Thomas Edison National Historical Park
Thomas Edison National Historical Park showcases the laboratory and residence of one of the most influential inventors in history. This preserved site allows visitors to step inside Edison’s workspace, where groundbreaking technologies were developed.
Exploring the laboratory complex offers insight into innovation, experimentation, and the industrial growth of the United States. Adding this stop to the Best Things to Do in New Jersey highlights the state’s contribution to scientific advancement and modern technology.
10. Discover Ellis Island via New Jersey
Although commonly linked with New York, ferries departing from Liberty State Park provide access to Ellis Island. Visiting this immigration station remains one of the most emotionally powerful Best Things to Do in New Jersey.
The museum shares stories of millions of immigrants who passed through its halls seeking new opportunities. Personal records, photographs, and restored spaces make the experience deeply personal. Including this journey among the Best Things to Do in New Jersey allows travellers to understand the human stories that shaped modern America.
Nature and Outdoor Best Things to Do in New Jersey
Beyond the coastline, the Best Things to Do in New Jersey extend into mountains, forests, rivers, and preserved parklands. The state’s outdoor spaces often surprise visitors who expect only beaches and boardwalks. From elevated viewpoints to quiet wetlands, these natural attractions add balance and adventure to any itinerary. If you enjoy hiking, wildlife, photography, or simply peaceful landscapes, these outdoor highlights deserve a place on your list of the Best Things to Do in New Jersey.
11. Hike in the Delaware Water Gap
One of the most refreshing Best Things to Do in New Jersey is exploring Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. This protected area stretches along the Delaware River and offers miles of forested trails, waterfalls, and scenic overlooks.
Hikers can choose from gentle riverside paths or more challenging climbs that reward you with sweeping valley views. Seasonal changes make every visit different, from vibrant autumn foliage to lush summer greenery. For outdoor enthusiasts, this destination consistently ranks among the most scenic Best Things to Do in New Jersey.
12. Visit High Point State Park
Another standout among the Best Things to Do in New Jersey is High Point State Park. As the highest elevation in the state, High Point offers panoramic views that stretch across New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.
The High Point Monument at the summit is a popular photo spot, while surrounding trails provide peaceful hiking experiences. On clear days, the sweeping landscape feels expansive and calming. For travellers seeking elevation and quiet scenery, this park remains one of the most rewarding Best Things to Do in New Jersey.
13. Explore the Pine Barrens
Pine Barrens covers more than one million acres of preserved forest and wetlands, making it one of the largest protected natural areas in the region. Exploring this ecosystem is easily among the most unique Best Things to Do in New Jersey.
Visitors can canoe along winding rivers, observe rare plant species, and spot wildlife in its natural habitat. The landscape feels remote and untouched, offering a completely different experience from coastal towns or urban districts. For nature lovers, the Pine Barrens is a peaceful highlight within the Best Things to Do in New Jersey.
14. Relax at Grounds For Sculpture
Art and nature come together at Grounds For Sculpture, making it one of the most creative Best Things to Do in New Jersey. This expansive outdoor museum features large-scale sculptures displayed across landscaped gardens and walking paths.
Visitors can wander at their own pace, discovering contemporary artworks integrated into natural surroundings. The setting encourages reflection while still feeling accessible and relaxed. For travellers who appreciate both creativity and open-air experiences, this attraction ranks high among the Best Things to Do in New Jersey.
15. Walk Along the Palisades
Palisades Interstate Park features dramatic cliffs overlooking the Hudson River, providing some of the most striking views in the state. Walking here is one of the most visually impressive Best Things to Do in New Jersey.
The park’s trails run along elevated ridges and wooded paths, offering both river views and shaded hiking routes. Its proximity to urban centres makes it easily accessible while still feeling removed from city noise. Including the Palisades in your itinerary strengthens your list of the Best Things to Do in New Jersey with dramatic landscapes and unforgettable skyline perspectives.
Entertainment and Modern Attractions in New Jersey
Modern entertainment completes the Best Things to Do in New Jersey by adding excitement, innovation, and variety to your itinerary. While the state is known for beaches and history, its large-scale attractions and waterfront districts bring a fresh, energetic dimension to any trip. These experiences are ideal for families, couples, and travellers who enjoy interactive fun alongside cultural depth.
16. Spend a Day at Six Flags Great Adventure
One of the most thrilling entries among the Best Things to Do in New Jersey is visiting Six Flags Great Adventure. Located in Jackson, this massive theme park is famous for its high-speed roller coasters, seasonal festivals, and safari park.
Adrenaline seekers can enjoy record-breaking rides, while families appreciate the wide range of attractions designed for all ages. The Wild Safari drive-through experience adds a distinctive element, allowing visitors to see exotic animals within the same complex. For travellers looking for action-packed entertainment, this destination easily ranks among the Best Things to Do in New Jersey.
17. Explore American Dream
Another standout among the Best Things to Do in New Jersey is American Dream. This enormous entertainment and retail complex combines shopping with indoor attractions that can fill an entire day.
Visitors can ski indoors, visit a water park, enjoy themed entertainment zones, and explore hundreds of shops and restaurants. Its year-round accessibility makes it especially attractive during colder months or rainy days. For travellers who enjoy large-scale indoor experiences, American Dream remains one of the most impressive Best Things to Do in New Jersey.
18. Visit Adventure Aquarium
Families consistently include Adventure Aquarium among the Best Things to Do in New Jersey. Located on the Camden waterfront, this aquarium features interactive exhibits, shark tunnels, and diverse marine habitats.
The hands-on learning environment makes it engaging for children and adults alike. Visitors can walk through underwater tunnels surrounded by sea life or participate in educational programmes. Its balance of entertainment and conservation awareness firmly secures its place among the Best Things to Do in New Jersey.
19. Tour the Battleship New Jersey
For travellers interested in military history, touring Battleship New Jersey stands out among the Best Things to Do in New Jersey. Docked along the Delaware River, this historic naval vessel served in multiple major conflicts.
Visitors can explore crew quarters, command centres, and deck areas while learning about the ship’s service record. The self-guided and guided tour options provide flexibility depending on how detailed you want your visit to be. Adding this stop to your itinerary brings historical depth to your list of the Best Things to Do in New Jersey.
20. Experience Hoboken’s Waterfront
Ending your journey in Hoboken offers a relaxed yet sophisticated finish to the Best Things to Do in New Jersey. The waterfront promenade provides sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline across the Hudson River.
Visitors can enjoy scenic walks, waterfront dining, and vibrant nightlife. Hoboken blends urban energy with open river views, creating an atmosphere that feels both lively and peaceful. Including this experience rounds out the Best Things to Do in New Jersey with modern city charm and memorable skyline scenery.
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Conclusion:
New Jersey challenges assumptions. When exploring the Top 20 Best Things to Do in New Jersey, you realise the state delivers far more variety than its size suggests. From historic landmarks and Ivy League campuses to sandy beaches and mountain trails, the experiences are layered and accessible.
The strength of the Top 20 Best Things to Do in New Jersey lies in balance. You can move from oceanfront relaxation to Revolutionary War history, from theme park thrills to peaceful forest hikes, all within short travel distances. Few destinations combine coastline, countryside, innovation, and culture so seamlessly.
Whether you stay for a weekend or plan a longer journey, the Top 20 Best Things to Do in New Jersey offer something meaningful for every type of traveller. The Garden State is not simply a stop between larger cities. It is a destination with its own identity, energy, and stories waiting to be experienced.
