Other Destinations and Attractions in New Jersey

For idyllic natural surroundings, with hardly any people, there is Island Beach State Park, approximately halfway along the coastline and only a few miles from the busy holiday complexes of Seaside Heights and Seaside Park.

Asbury Park began in 1871 as a summer spot for temperance advocates. During the late 1930s and 1940s, the mile-long sidewalk and restored Convention Hall made it a premier shore resort. After the decline during the 1960s, Asbury Park was made famous by the likes of Bruce Springsteen and Southside Johnny.

Strauss Mansion and Museum is the home to the Atlantic Highlands Historical Society. This 21-room Queen-Anne style mansion features wrap around 2-story porches, conical towers, stained glass windows and parquet floors. Displays include a Victorian parlor, turn of the century tool room, Native American and Lenape room, and a library.

Space Farms began in 1927 as a small General Store, repair shop, and wild animal shelter. It has grown to over 400 acres with 500 animals of 100 different species. The Space Farm's Museum contains more than 50,000 artifacts, such as 50 antique cars, motorcycles, farm implements, early American tools, dolls, clocks, and Native American artifacts.

This brick townhouse, built in 1848, holds an eclectic collection of Warren County artifacts, antiques and furnishings, and a genealogical library. Display items include textiles, folk art and Native American artifacts.

Grover Cleveland was the only United States President to serve two non-consecutive terms. He was born in 1837 and lived in this house until 1841. The home has been restored and contains the most complete collection of President Cleveland's possessions. Items on display include a cradle, White House chair, clothing and fishing gear.

Ulysses S. Wiggins Park and Marina offers a great view of the Philadelphia skyline as well as picnicking along the shores of the Delaware River. In summer, free concerts are offered. At the marine, boat rentals are available.

Built in 1826 by Nathan Cooper, this gristmill included some of the newest innovations of the time. Two sets of millstones still operate today.

Clementon Amusement Park began in 1907 and features rides, carnival games and a children's section with petting zoo. The Water Park has three water slides.

Lakota Wolf Preserve is home to Tundra, Timber, and Arctic wolves that live in their natural surroundings on the preserve. Bobcats and foxes also reside at the reserve.

The Museum of the Cranford Historical Society is housed in an 1845 Victorian cottage that served as a honeymoon house for Josiah Crane Jr., great-grandson of the original miller in Cranford. It was also the home of Henry Phillips (from the Philips "Milk of Magnesium" family). The Phillips family owned the house from 1867 to 1928. This living museum depicts life in Cranford in the latter part of the 19th Century.

Picatinny Arsenal is a comprehensive armaments facility providing research, development, engineering, and production of weapons systems.

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Over 100 hands-on activities in various themes are available and suited to children ages two an up.

The Bergen Performing Arts Center is a cultural institution offering live theatrical and musical performances. The center was brought to life after the John Harms Center closed in 2003.

Peter Garretson began building this farmstead in 1719. It features a restored Dutch-American sandstone house, many outbuildings, and craft shops. Activities on this living Dutch farm include historic digs, local history and folklore, colonial agriculture, horticulture and crafts.

The brick beehive oven has been restored in the kitchen, the older section of the house. The main section of the house was built with sandstone blocks, held together with a mortar made of river mud, mixed with straw and hog's hair.

Allaire State Park is home to the historic 19th-century ironmaking town, Allaire Village and the Pine Creek Railroad which has a museum displaying antique steam trains. The Manasquan River, which winds through the park, attracts canoeists and fishermen. The many trails in the park allow for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding.

Florham Park was derived from the first names of millionaire Hamilton Twombly and his wife, Florence. The College of St. Elizabeth, a Catholic liberal arts college was founded in 1899 and is said to be the oldest women's college in the state.

This museum features more than thirty-five interactive exhibits. Some of the major topics include dance, science, art, around the world and computers.

Popcorn Park was established in 1977 to provide refuge for sick, handicapped, injured, abused and abandoned animals that could not survive if returned to their natural habitat. The zoo has grown to house over 200 animals and birds. There are different types of monkeys, farm animals as well as native wildlife.

Fort Monmouth began as the Signal Corps Camp in 1917. It is now home to the U.S. Army Communications and Electronic Command headquarters.

Fort Monmouth contributed to the development of the first radio-equipped meteorological balloon in 1928 and aircraft detection radar in 1938. The museum features exhibits of photographs and artifacts that tell the story of the various developments.

The Nothnagle Log Cabin is believed to be the oldest such structure in the United States, it was built shortly after the first Swedish settlers arrived in America, around 1638. Various furnishings represent life at that time.

The Whitney Brothers Glass Works was one of the nation's leading glass manufacturers. The history of glass can be traced at the museum with examples of historic bottles, glass, and related items are on display.

The Gibbon House was built in 1730 by wealthy merchant Nicholas Gibbon. This early 18th century structure allows visitors the opportunity to experience life for the county's earliest settlers.

Hackensack was named in honor of the "Segamore of Hacquinsacq", born in 1577 who deeded the land to settlers.

Haledon was the site of a meeting of striking workers from Paterson Silk. It was major turning point in the history of unionized labor.

Botto House was the 1908 home of immigrant silk mill workers. Home to the American Labor Museum, it was the site of labor unrest in 1913 when Pietro Botto offered his home as a meeting place for the strikers. The meeting brought about reforms in the workplace!

During the war of 1812, William Coffin built a sawmill along what later became known as Hammonton Lake. Upon his death, his sons John Hammond Coffin and Edward Winslow Coffin inherited the factory and the settlement became known as "Hammondton".

This Greek Revival structure was built in 1823 as a one-room schoolhouse with a second story added in the 1870s. Period furnishings are on display.

The original section of the Hermitage House was built in the mid-18th century. It was visited by George Washington and his staff during the Revolutionary War. In 1845, the house was transformed, by architect William Ranlett, into one of the finest examples of Gothic Revival architecture in North America.

The museum at the Hermitage features two main collections that include costumes and textiles, furniture, linens, toys and dolls as well as decorative arts.

Frank Sinatra fans should take a trip from New York City to Hoboken, opposite Manhattan, the town where "Ol' Blue Eyes" was born, at 415 Monroe Street. Today he would have enjoyed visiting the shops, bars and restaurants of Washington Street.

Hope was settled in 1769 by Moravians from Bethlehem, PA. They built a sturdy community with houses, a church, a public inn and mills. The few that survived a smallpox epidemic returned to PA in 1808.

The Land of Make Believe features Action River Ride, a Roller Coaster, Buccaneer Pirate & Wading Pool, Tilt-A-Whirl, Civil War Locomotive, Old McDonald's Farm, Middle-Earth Theater, and Pirates Peak World Class Water Slide.

The Hopewell Museum displays what is most typical and interesting of village life in America from early Colonial days to the present. The collection began with a donation of antiques from Hopewell resident Sarah D. Stout. The Museum is housed in a brownstone building with a Colonial Parlor and a Victorian Parlor; Colonial furniture and furnishings; antique china, glass, silver, and pewter; Southwestern American Indian crafts, early tools and farm implements as well as photographs and maps of the area.

Jackson is located at the edge of Pine Barrens in the center of New Jersy. Outdoor recreational opportunities are available and nearby tourist destinations include Six Flags amusement parks and New Egypt Speedway.

The Six Flags Great Adventure features many attractions and rides, the Wild Safari features a drive-through African safari.

Runaway Rapids Waterpark has several water slides, river-rafting, old-fashioned rope swing and a children's play area. Comfort Cove allows visitors to swim or float and Castaway Creek is a four-foot lazy river.

Farming began on the site in the 1730's. Today, the Howell Living History Farm takes visitors back farming life from 1890 to 1910. Farming and farm life can be experienced through hands-on programs on this 130-acre homestead.

Lake Hopatcong Historical Museum is housed in this rustic 19th century building which served as a lock tender's house on the Morris Canal. The Museum features exhibits highlighting the Lenape Indians, the Morris Canal, and the Great Hotel Era at Lake Hopatcong.

This 19th century Georgian farmhouse, built about 1770 and added to about 1820, was owned by the Stafford family and visited by poet Walt Whitman. It features local history displays and is furnished in Victorian style.

The Lincoln Tunnel is the world's only three-tube underwater vehicular tunnel facility. It provides a vital link between midtown Manhattan and central New Jersey, and forms part of New Jersey Route 495.

Monmouth Museum allows visitors to explore the arts, sciences and humanities. The Becker Children's Wing and the WonderWing provide interactive learning for young visitors.

Long Branch was one of America's first seashore resorts. Several presidents had summer homes here including Woodrow Wilson, Ulysses S. Grant and Rutherford B. Hayes.

Built in 1879 as St. James Episcopal Church, this church still remains where seven presidents worshipped and is now known as Church of the Presidents. Artifacts and memorabilia relating to Long Branch's national historical role are displayed.

The Medieval Times building in Lyndhurst resembles an old European castle with visitors treated as guests of a royal family. Dinner is served during a performance that includes knights on horseback catching flags, piercing rings, throwing javelins and fighting with swords.

Middletown is the oldest settlement in New Jersey, originally settled by Englishmen and Hollanders in 1613.

Landmarks, historical churches, and graveyards dating back as early as 1731 are found throughout the town.

Built in 1686, Marlpit Hall reflects the evolution of Dutch and English building traditions in New Jersey. The museum displays the furnishings and architecture of the late-seventeenth and early-eighteenth century Dutch and English colonial cultures.

Millburn was named in 1857, as a tribute to a local mill built on a stream, with "burn" being the Scottish name for "stream."

Montague was formed out of Wallpack, and is believed to be named for the Duke of Manchester, George Montague. It was settled in 1701 and the Dutch West Indies Co., probably had trading posts here before the homesteads.

Mount Holly is named after the nearby 183-foot mountain. The town dates back to 1676. Historic attractions are available for touring.

The Trailside Nature and Science Center is located within the Watchung Reservation, it features exhibits of live reptiles, pond life, geology, local plants, a bird observation area, and other exhibits that cover a variety of subjects from art to zoology. The museum has taxidermy displays, fossils, and a hands-on discovery room.

Wild West City is a western heritage theme park that recreates life in the Old West through real-life western characters, legendary events and a recreated frontier town. A 24-gauge miniature train, stagecoach and pony rides are also available.

This New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route was set up to provide appreciation and enjoyment of the coastal area of New Jersey. The trail crosses five regions past historic villages, migrating birds, and the boardwalks of sandy beaches.

The Pinelands National Reserve includes over 1 million acres of farms, forests and wetlands. The Reserve offers opportunity for sightseeing, bird watching, hiking, cycling, wildlife viewing and photography.

The town of Newton was incorporated in 1864 but the heritage of the town dates back to 1751. There are numerous historical buildings found throughout the town as well as a variety of recreational attractions.

Newton contractor Thomas Farrel constructed Hill Memorial in 1916. The Renaissance Revival style house features collections of local samplers, coverlets, quilts, agricultural implements, early baskets, household utensils, and Civil War memorabilia.

The Nutley Historical Society is housed in the restored Church Street School, which was built in 1875.

Ocean Grove was established in 1869 by a group of spiritual lay leaders. It is now a year-round family seashore resort featuring the largest assemblage of authentic Victorian architecture in the nation.

The Historical Society of Ocean Grove Museum presents the history of Ocean Grove through a collection of over 15,000 artifacts that detail 19th century life. Exhibits include post card and stereopticon slide collections; photographs; a case filled with plates, purses, souvenir glass and books; and a large collection of antique maps dating from 1877 to 1897.

Sterling Hill Mining Museum features an underground zinc mine offering tours where visitors can learn about the mining process. The museum displays minerals and mining equipment as well.

The Hiram Blauvelt Art Museum is located in an 1893 shingle and turret-style carriage house. Hiram Blauvelt was an early conservationist whose collection includes wildlife art and big game. A highlight of the museum is a recreated diorama of an African watering hole.

The permanent collection of the Hiram Blauvelt Art Museum features John James Audubon, Charles Livingston Bull, Robert Kuhn, Dino Paravano, Alexander Phimister Proctor, Sir Peter Scott and Eustracz Ziegler.

The Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center allows visitors to see how 600,000 brook, brown and rainbow trout are reared each year from eggs to stocking the New Jersey public waters.

The New Jersey Children's Museum features over thirty different interactive exhibits where children can discover the world. Science and technology, housekeeping, animal senses and the kid-sized grocery store are highlights of the exhibits.

Church Landing Farmhouse, built 1860, is located on the banks of the Delaware River. Visitors can see how residents would have lived over one hundred and thirty years ago.

The East Jersey Olde Towne Village is a collection of original, replica and reconstructed 18th and 19th century structures. Many of the buildings have been relocated to the site, others were constructed here. They represent the typical architecture of farm and merchant communities of central New Jersey. The Village is dedicated to teaching the history, traditions, folk arts and craftsmanship of the people who lived and worked throughout the region.

This colonial stone house was once a colonial tavern and is believed to be Ramsey's oldest building.

Contemporary American Indian artwork, American Indian history, culture and traditions are displayed through various exhibits at the American Indian Heritage Museum.

The Lenape and Ramapough Native Americans were the original inhabitants of the area. The Ramapo Mountains gained attention when the first forge was built in 1739. The Ringwood iron mine produced steadily until 1931.

The Borough of Ringwood is home to Ringwood State Park and Skylands, the New Jersey State Botanical Garden.

The New Jersey Botanical Garden contains many varieties of plants, evergreens, deciduous trees and shrubs. Of particular interest are the crabapple alley, terraced gardens, perennial and annual gardens and woodland paths.

Ringwood Manor was home for a succession of well-known ironmasters for nearly 200 years. The manor has 51 rooms, 21 have been restored, as well as 24 fireplaces, 13 bathrooms, 28 bedrooms and more than 250 windows.

Ringwood State Park consists of 6,199 acres with Shephard Lake offering boating, canoeing and fishing opportunities. Ringwood Manor and Skylands Manor are also located on the grounds.

The Roselle Park Museum features historical items and material relating to Roselle Park from its first settlers in 1700.

The Meadowlands Museum has four permanent exhibits: an Antique Toy Room with a selection of dolls, games and toys from the 19th through the early 20th century; rocks and minerals; the pre-electric kitchen; and the Homespun Room including spinning wheels, dishware and clothing.

Displays at the Sea Isle City Historical Museum include post cards, furniture, photos of all of the major storms, antique toys, local Girl Scout and Boy Scout pictures, and pictures of past Christmas Parades.

Located just north of Long Beach Island, Seaside Heights has a mile long boardwalk and beaches that provide water activities.

Casino Pier is an amusement park offering a variety over 40 rides and games including roof-top miniature golf. The Water Park has water slides, river rides and an activity pool.

Seaside Park is a shore community and summer family resort offering rides, fun and games on the boardwalk.

Narrated sightseeing and ecological tours of Barnegat Bay are offered. Visitors are taken along the shoreline, in a covered pontoon boat, to view birds and wildlife.

The original Allen House was built between 1670 and 1688 by Quaker Judah Allen. The original structure is no longer standing, and its location is unknown. In the early 1700s, the property passed into the hands of New York City merchant Richard Stillwell, who built the main part of the still standing structure (ca. 1740) to be his second home. Allen House offers a glimpse of the public side of colonial life during the second half of the eighteenth century.

The Blackwells Mills Canal House housed the men and women who operated the swinging bridges along the canal. In the 1970's, when the last bridge tender passed away, a local group leased the building and began restoration. It was built around 1835, and now serves as a community center, museum and library.

The Wetlands Institute houses saltwater aquariums, features a touch tank, children's discovery room, and observation deck. The Institute promotes the conservation and preservation of coastal ecosystems.

The New Jersey Center for Visual Arts offers a variety of fine arts education programs and displays of contemporary art representing a variety of cultures.

Built in 1787, this Dutch Colonial house, was the home of the Reverend Elias Van Bunschooten, appointee of the Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church. Today the house is operated as a museum by the Daughters of the American Revolution. Collections of period antiques including original furnishings of the house as well as vintage clothing, quilts, china and cookware are displayed.

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Owl Haven Nature Center is located within Monmouth Battlefield State Park. The trails and habitats surrounding the center provide excellent opportunities to view numerous species of birds. Over 25 miles of old farm roads, footpaths and field edges for hikers or casual walkers as well as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are available.

The Aviation Hall of Fame & Museum of New Jersey houses aviation memorabilia and historic aircraft equipment. New Jersey's role in aviation history is depicted through the various displays and the inductees gallery.

Liberty Hall was built in 1772 by William Livingston, a member of the Continental Congress and the first elected governor of New Jersey. Originally a Georgian style 14-room country mansion, it was transformed throughout the 19th Century into the 50-room Victorian Italianate-style mansion.

The Yogi Berra Museum in Little Falls traces the history of baseball and commemorates Yogi Berra's career with the New York Yankees.

Mountain Creek combines a water park, ski resort, extreme sports facility, and nature center. Access to mountain-biking and hiking trails also available.

Water World has 26 unique rides, slides and pools set within Mountain Creek.

Vineland is a large city with a country-like natural environment, as well as ample recreational and cultural activities. Thomas Welch developed a non-fermentative method of preserving grape juice - which is still associated with his name.

Exhibits at the Vineland Historical Society include locally crafted glassware, military memorabilia, American Indian relics, and period furniture.

This craggy gap, on the border of northwestern New Jersey and northeastern Pennsylvania, is more than a mile wide.

The site was established to spread the message of Fatima. The Shrine has become a center of Eucharistic and Marian devotion and offers pilgrims a peaceful setting for prayer and meditation.

Albert Payson Terhune, author of many books regarding the collies he raised, lived 4 miles west of Wayne. His estate has become Terhune Memorial Park.

This Georgian-style manor house was built in the 1740s by Dirck Dey, whose son, Theunis, went on to become a Colonel of the Bergen County Militia during the Revolutionary War.

General George Washington established his headquarters at Dey Mansion in July, October and November 1780.

The New Jersey State Police Museum and Learning Center in West Trenton was opened to the public in 1992. The history of law enforcement in New Jersey is highlighted. A portion of the Learning Center is housed in the historic log cabin structure, built in 1934.

This story-and-a-half clapboard farmhouse with shingled roof was begun in 1740, three more sections were completed by 1782. The Miller-Cory House Museum was established to create the atmosphere of an 18th century farm. Costumed guides take visitors on a tour of the house, trained artisans recreate the crafts and tasks of the farm family from the 18th and early 19th century.

In 1965, Whippany was home to the Morris County Central, a steam tourist railroad. Displays show the history of the railroad through representative models, historic photographs, and rare paperwork.

Woodbury was founded by Henry Wood, a Quaker who left Great Britain and settled to fee his family from religious persecution, The city was incorporated in 1871.

There are several historical houses to visit as well as Woodbury Creek.

The remains of Fort Mercer is located in the northern section of Red Bank Battlefield Park, site of a successful Revolutionary War Battle. An 18th century house, belonging to James and Ann Whitall House, served as the hospital after the Battle of Red Bank.

This 81-acre environmental center allows visitors to tour through woodland gardens and habitats of a wide range of animals. Twenty-five thousand daffodils along with rhododendron and azaleas are found on the grassy slopes of the park. The Wildlife Exhibit Hall features natural history displays, live animals and art exhibits.