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With outdoor activities, historic sites, a vast wine region and much more, travelers have much to explore beyond the Jersey Shore.

National Parks and Trails
New Jersey is called the Garden State for a reason. Stunning and serene green space can be found throughout the state and are excellent getaways to discover nature. The National Park Service has protected several spaces in the state to preserve their beauty, biodiversity and history. Check out Paterson Great Falls to hike alongside rolling waterfalls, where America's first planned industrial city was centered on. From here, humble mills created industries that changed the face of the United States. The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area provides a unique opportunity to experience tranquil landscapes, rich human history, and striking scenery along 40 miles of the longest free-flowing river east of the Mississippi. Explore one-million acres of farms, forests and wetlands in the New Jersey Pinelands, the country’s first national reserve. Union Transportation Trail is a calm and scenic 9-mile gravel pathway, dotted by fields, forests, and a historic wooden trestle bridge over Lahaway Creek with an overall feeling of quaint rural tranquility.

Historical Sites and Museums 
As the third official state in the country, New Jersey is home to historical sites from the nation’s earliest days and beyond. The Historic Village at Allaire was once an iron-producing, factory-town and now is an interactive museum where visitors can experience history directly through hands-on activities and discover the experiences of the economic and social changes of those who experienced early Industrial America. Washington Crossing State Park is the site of General George Washington’s historic 1776 Christmas night crossing of the icy Delaware River. Visitors can explore the site where for almost ten hours, boats and ferries moved continuously back and forth carrying men, horses and cannon to the Jersey side. Liberty Science Center in Jersey City lets families explore the universe at the Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium, the biggest planetarium in America, or visit “weird, naked” mole rats, tiny cotton-top monkeys, schools of piranhas, massive fish and hundreds of other intriguing animals.

Entertainment and Theater
New Jersey has a variety of theaters across the state, offering world class entertainment, in beautiful and often historic venues. Count Basie Theater in Red Bank is a 1,568-seat historic theater that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places in America. Everyone from Tony Bennett to Bruce Springsteen to Ringo Starr and William J. “Count” Basie have performed on its historic stage. The New Jersey Performing Arts Center is the anchor cultural institution for the city of Newark, as well as the state of New Jersey, and it has an impressive lineup of musical acts, theater productions, comedians and many more arriving this year. All of the hottest tours of the season are sure to stop at MetLife Stadium this year, including Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, BlackPink, Bruce Springsteen and Metallica. 

Fine Dining and Wineries
New Jersey boasts some of the best culinary offerings in the country, and with an up-and-coming wine region, the state is the perfect place for a gastronomic getaway. With over 50 wineries, the Garden State has established an international award-winning status with its unique vintages and offers several scenic backdrops to enjoy vino with friends and family. Renault Winery is the oldest continuously operating winery in the state with a rich history, and Hawk Haven Vineyard’s selection features a signature series, which often have fruity notes of melon, grapefruit, or even black cherry. New Jersey natives are proud of the wide variety of world-class culinary offerings, such as Italian options like Augustino’s in Hoboken and Bareli’s in Secaucus, or hot outdoor dining at Haven in Edgewater and Mediterra in Princeton. Enjoy modern Indian at Aarzu in Freehold and Café Panache in Ramsey for elevated American dining. If you are looking for a bit of everything, Hoboken’s main thoroughfare, Washington Avenue, is lined with an exciting array of eateries and drinking spots that you’ll want to check out. Pop into East LA for authentic Mexican fare or pull up a chair at Amanda’s for American classics with an upscale spin.

Retail Shopping 
New Jersey is known for having some of the best shopping in the country, and with its impressive newest addition, it’s easy to see why. The brand-new American Dream Mall redefines what it means to be a shopping mall. The tremendous facility has an indoor theme park, water park, ski slope and high-end luxury stores. Check out Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park, the largest indoor theme park in the Western Hemisphere or Big SNOW, the first of its kind in North America, which is the only indoor real-snow park on the continent. There are also several premium malls throughout New Jersey, such as the Freehold Raceway Mall, Woodbridge Center, and Willowbrook Mall. For those travelers who love a good deal, don’t miss the The Mills at Jersey Gardens. New Jersey is also filled with towns with quaint shopping districts in their downtown areas, like Princeton, Red Bank, Morristown and Montclair. 

For more information on New Jersey’s upcoming events, please visit www.vistnj.org.