New Jersey Cities and Regions

Atlantic City is the East Coast’s premier gambling outpost and while you don’t need to be the Monopoly man to stroll the world’s longest boardwalk (4.5 miles), you will need at least $200 to really get your game on in the casinos. Thanks to a recent surge in luxurious boutique hotels such as The Waterclub and The Chelsea, Atlantic City has more to offer than ever before. Come to play the slots, wine and dine, shop, or just laze out at the beach. See our Atlantic City Travel Guide

Located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Delaware Bay at the Southernmost point in New Jersey, 200-year-old Cape May is one of the oldest seaside resort towns in the U.S. Colorful Victorian Mansions, unique nature reserves (including Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge – one of the best birding spots in the mid Atlantic), a small-town vibe, and swanky restaurants catering to a cosmopolitan crowd contribute to Cape May’s charm.

A 15-minute ride from Manhattan on the PATH train deposits you in the midst of a treasure trove of funky boutiques, galleries, and bacchanal bars – evidence of the dramatic urban renaissance that these two cities, which are only about 8 minutes apart by car, are currently experiencing. Spend an afternoon walking along the western banks of the Hudson River and enjoying the spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty from Liberty State Park in Jersey City.

Just a short drive away from the South Jersey Shore, the Pine Barrens of New Jersey’s central coastal plains are a nationally-protected wilderness refuge of windswept cedar, “pygmy” pine, and marshland. Explore this million-acre biosphere by hiking, biking, canoeing, or kayaking. Learn about the region’s history at the restored Batsto Village, where period actors bring to life historical trades within 18th-century buildings like an iron works and a gristmill.

On first impression, these two south Jersey suburbs of Philadelphia may feel straight out of a Kevin Smith movie. But don’t be fooled – Cherry Hill is home to the Garden State Park horse track, one of the nation’s premier thoroughbred race tracks. In neighboring Camden, the visitors can explore their inner bard at the restored home of celebrated American poet Walt Whitman and interact with an assortment of sharks, seals, and penguins at the New Jersey State Aquarium, both of which are located on the scenic Delaware River waterfront overlooking the Philadelphia skyline. Just don’t venture far from these attractions – the rest of Camden is an urban wasteland.

Princeton is best known for the distinguished halls and quads of its namesake Ivy League university, and for good reason – the quaint, colonial town has an authentically academic feel. Get in touch with your inner laureate by touring the famed university and then spend a delightful afternoon ambling the town’s streets, which are lined with oak trees, redbrick colonial mansions, cozy taverns, and refined restaurants.

World-class golf courses, natural azure lakes, and short mountains make New Jersey’s northwestern “skylands” region, a premium spot for hikers, bikers, golfers, and fresh-air fiends. There are 60,000 acres of public parkland for visitors to enjoy, including the Delaware Water Gap National Recreational Area on the Delaware River bordering Pennsylvania.

Situated on a barrier island north of Atlantic City, Long Beach Island, or “LBI” as it is commonly called, is an idyllic shore destination for boaters and beachcombers alike. Separated from the mainland by Barnegat Bay, LBI boasts soft white sand beaches and a laidback atmosphere, making it the perfect place for a summer escape.

This family-friendly shore town boasts two piers with amusement rides and an impressive sandy beach packed with surfers, sunbathers, and teenage scene-sters looking for a little summertime fun away from home.

Cut loose like a deuce in the shore town that proudly touts New Jersey’s legendary rock club, “The Stone Pony.” The flourishing venue is home turf to Jersey rock giants Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi, who hail from the towns of Long Branch and Perth Amboy, respectively. In the true spirit of the Jersey shore, Asbury Park also hosts a family-friendly boardwalk packed with midway skeeball arcades and saltwater taffy stands.

The New Jersey state capital attracts history buffs to the Jersey side of the Delaware River to see “The Old Barracks” where George Washington and his troops surprised the British redcoats after a daring icy-river crossing during the American Revolutionary War’s “Battle of Trenton.” Today the city is pleasant mix of historic homes and modern office buildings. Families and thrill-seekers will appreciate the proximity to Six Flags Great Adventure theme park, located 30 miles to the west in Jackson.