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Top Garden State Attractions

A short trip east opens up lots to see and do between the river and the sea.

image from www.delawarerivertubing.com

Delaware River Tubing

2998 Daniel Bray Highway (Route 29)
Frenchtown, NJ 08825
908-996-5386
www.delawarerivertubing.com

As someone who enjoys being out on the water, this trip is an appealing respite on a hot summer day. Innertube close to where George Washington crossed the Delaware River during the American Revolution. Prices range from $19.95 per person during the week, to slightly higher weekend and kayak rates, and all trips include a barbeque meal with the famous "hot dog man." Canoes and kayaks must be reserved three days in advance.

Image from www.visitnj.org

The Jersey Shore

www.visitnj.org

While the TV show may be what comes immediately to mind when one thinks of the Jersey Shore, the term actually refers to 131 miles of New Jersey's Atlantic coast, from Sandy Hook in the north to Cape May in the south – not just to Seaside Heights, where the show is filmed. The Jersey Shore is home to numerous rock and roll bars, most famously in Asbury Park, where Bruce Springsteen honed his skills at now defunct clubs like The Upstage and the Student Prince.

Cape May

www.capemay.com

Cape May is a historic seaside gem with more than 600 preserved Victorian buildings and dozens of bed and breakfasts. Climb to the top of the Cape May lighthouse for an unparalleled view of the shore, visit the Victorian Museum offering a glimpse at life 100 years ago or take a whale watching tour. The Cape May Wine and Food Festival in September is the best time to go to see both the beach and to sample great food and fine wine. The event offers winery tours and tastings, a five-course beer tasting dinner, a gourmet marketplace, the popular People's Choice Chowder Contest and numerous seminars and classes.

Image from www.oceancitychamber.com

Ocean City

www.oceancitychamber.com

Also located within Cape May County is the quaint beachside resort town of Ocean City. The eastern side of Ocean City borders the Atlantic Ocean, while the western side faces Great Egg Harbor Bay. Visitors can take a stroll along the boardwalk, which offers attractions such as miniature golf, ghost tours and the famous Crab Tree restaurant. But FYI: Ocean City is a "dry town," meaning alcoholic beverages are not sold within town limits.

Deal of the Day

Atlantic City

www.atlanticcitynj.com

Atlantic City's Boardwalk is the backbone of this seaside resort city, providing access to hotels, resorts, shops and casinos. Stemming from the boardwalk is Garden Pier, with the Atlantic City Historical Museum and Atlantic City Art Center. Salt water taffy, fudge and caramel apples are available for a taste of old school boardwalk fare, but high-end shops such as Gucci and Louis Vuitton separate this boardwalk from the rest. Hotels such as Caesars and the Hilton Atlantic City offer gambling and fine dining, too.

Photo by Ricardo Barros.com/www.groundsforsculpture.org

Grounds For Sculpture

18 Fairgrounds Road
Hamilton, NJ 08619
(609) 586-0616
www.groundsforsculpture.org

Grounds For Sculpture is a 35-acre public sculpture park located in Hamilton, N.J. It was founded in 1992 on the site of the former New Jersey State Fairgrounds by J. Seward Johnson to promote an understanding of and appreciation for contemporary sculpture. Visitors can enjoy the outdoor permanent collection, indoor seasonal exhibitions, and learn about contemporary sculpture through a variety of educational programs including workshops for adults and children, artist residencies and lectures. The park also offers a 35-acre arboretum and the well-regarded Rat's Restaurant.

Six Flags Great Adventure

1 Six Flags Boulevard
Jackson, NJ 08527
www.sixflags.com

Six Flags New Jersey offers a 350-acre wildlife preserve that is home to more than 1,100 exotic animals including lions, kangaroos and elephants. The park offers a week-long animal adventure camp for children during the summer and the requisite number of rides and attractions, including the Great American Scream Machine with a 155-foot drop, seven loops and a corkscrew. Daily adult tickets are $37.99 (online prices) and season passes are $62.99 and up, depending on membership level.

Go Phillies

Princeton University Art Museum

33 Washington Road
Princeton NJ 08542
(609)258-3788
www.princetonartmuseum.org

Located at the heart of Princeton University, the museum's collection concentrates on the Mediterranean regions, Western Europe, China, the United States and Latin America. There is an outstanding collection of Greek and Roman antiquities, including ceramics, marbles, bronzes, and Roman mosaics from Princeton University's excavations in Antioch. Medieval Europe is represented by sculpture, metalwork, and stained glass. The collection of Western European paintings includes important examples from the early Renaissance through the nineteenth century, and there is a growing collection of twentieth-century and contemporary art.

Bank Robbery

Meadowlands Sports Complex

50 State Route 120
East Rutherford, NJ 07073
(201) 935-8500
www.meadowlands.com

The Meadowlands Sports Complex is a sports and entertainment facility located in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The site currently consists of three venues: New Meadowlands Stadium, the horse racing track and the IZOD Center. The parking lot also hosts the State Fair Meadowlands and is home to a twice-weekly flea market. The IZOD center, a multi-purpose indoor arena, is a popular concert destination. It was formerly home to the New Jersey Nets and New Jersey Devils until both moved to the Prudential Center in Newark. Want more info on the new Meadowlands Sports Complex? Check out our in depth guide and you'll be on your way.

Image from www.battleshipnewjersey.org

Battleship New Jersey

62 Battleship Place
Camden, NJ 08103
www.battleshipnewjersey.org

Spend a night on the legendary Battleship New Jersey on the Camden waterfront across the water from Philadelphia. The Battleship New Jersey's overnight encampment program can accommodate groups and families of all sizes, up to 300 people. Sleep in bunks just like enlisted sailors once did and enjoy a meal in the mess hall. The USS New Jersey was commissioned during World War II, one year after the Pearl Harbor attack. The Battleship New Jersey was decommissioned for the last time on February 8,1991 in Bremerton, Washington, where she resided until heading home to New Jersey.

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