It is the unique goal of travel adventurers to visit all fifty states in America. To boost this objective, each week we shall explore one state. Alphabetically, the 30th to visit is none other than New Jersey, abbreviated NJ. Regardless of the order in which you explore them, NJ, The Garden State is super fun!
Visit state # 30 – NJ
| State Motto | Liberty and prosperity |
| State Flower | Common blue violet |
| State Bird | American goldfinch |
| State Rock | Franklinite |
| State Capital | Trenton |
| Famous Foods | Hoagies, hot dogs, pork roll, saltwater taffy, tomato pie, jersey corn, blueberries, tomatoes, pizza, disco fries, surf clams, ocean quahogs, flounder, and more. |
New Jersey is in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. It is bordered on the north and east by New York State, on the east, southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by the Delaware River and Pennsylvania, and on the southwest by Delaware Bay and the state of Delaware. The region was colonized in the early 17th century by Dutch and Swedish settlers. The area was ceded to Britain in 1664. New Jersey was one of the original thirteen colonies. It was admitted to the union in December of 1787 as the 3rd state.
New Jersey is the fourth-smallest U.S. state, yet it is ranked 11th in terms of population size. New Jersey was given the nickname “The Garden State” to advertise farmland in the Pine Barrens during the early to mid-1800s. While New Jersey leads in many forms of agriculture, the state is widely known for its abundant industries as well as beaches. Along the Atlantic Coast sits the Jersey Shore. The coastal area consists of quaint towns with pleasurable boardwalks, shopping, restaurants, amusement parks, entertainment, and more. The beaches also draw a multitude of vacationers who enjoy sunbathing, swimming, boating, parasailing, and more. Among the prettiest of towns to visit is Cape May, rich in colorful and historical Victorian architecture, quaint stretches of sandy beach, the Cape May Lighthouse, Bed and breakfasts, a Nature Center, wineries, specialty shops, excellent dining options, and more. Atlantic City is also one of the most popular coastal towns of the northeastern coast and boasts casinos and a nightlife atmosphere, plus entertainment, famous boardwalks and more.
Princeton is another great New Jersey town to visit. From guided walking tours of the famed Princeton University campus to a stroll through the shopping village, there is an abundance of things to do. The city boasts monuments and parks and a lovely downtown with excellent b&bs throughout for a great night’s sleep. New Jersey is also home to Six Flags Great Adventure/Hurricane Harbor, perfect for thrill enthusiasts, and Liberty State Park, ideal for photo takers seeking panoramic views of New York City and the Statue of Liberty. It’s fun to know that Liberty State Park is just a short ferry ride to Ellis Island to learn the history of those who passed through the halls on the road to citizenship.
Among the must-see destinations in New Jersey is the Howell Living History Museum, great for folks to learn about real-life rural farm operations. Nearby, visit Lambertville, a city in Hunterdon County, with many things to do. The town, founded in 1705, has charming streets, eclectic art galleries and antique stores, and lots of shops featuring one-of-a-kind crafts, arts, culture, and historical items for sale. Additionally, the town is not far from Washington Crossing Park, an historic 500-acre state park that preserves the site where George Washington and the Continental Army crossed the Delaware River on Christmas night 1776 and greatly impacted the American Revolution.
Up next: New Mexico