- Newark Airport is in New Jersey and often cheaper for New York trips
- The Jersey Shore has more than 130 miles of beaches and boardwalks
- Cape May is one of America's best-preserved Victorian seaside towns
- Easy trains link New Jersey to New York and Philadelphia
- Airports
- Newark Liberty (EWR), direct from London, Manchester and Edinburgh; Philadelphia (PHL) for South Jersey
- Best time to go
- June-September for the shore; May and September-October for fewer crowds
- Type
- State
New Jersey suffers from a reputation built on motorway views around Newark, but there is much more to the Garden State. Its long Atlantic coastline, the Jersey Shore, is lined with old-fashioned boardwalks, beach towns and wildlife refuges, ending at the gingerbread Victorian streets of Cape May.
Inland you will find the Ivy League town of Princeton, Revolutionary War battlefields and the wild pine forests of the Pine Barrens. It sits right between New York City and Philadelphia, making it easy to combine. For the wider picture, see our USA guide.
Things to do
- Cape May – Victorian guesthouses, a lighthouse, whale and dolphin watching, and excellent autumn bird migration.
- The Jersey Shore – family boardwalks at Wildwood and Ocean City, chic Spring Lake and lively Asbury Park, home of the Stone Pony music venue.
- Atlantic City – casinos and the original boardwalk, now quieter and cheaper than Las Vegas.
- Princeton – the university campus, the art museum and a pretty small-town centre.
- Liberty State Park and Hoboken – some of the best views of the Manhattan skyline, plus ferries to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
- Pine Barrens – a million acres of pine forest with canoeing, cranberry bogs and the legend of the Jersey Devil.
- Delaware Water Gap – hiking and river trips in the state's northwest.
- Thomas Edison National Historical Park – the inventor's laboratory and home in West Orange.
Where to stay
- Cape May – B&Bs in historic houses; many have minimum stays in summer.
- Asbury Park and Spring Lake – stylish options on the northern shore.
- Hoboken and Jersey City – often cheaper than Manhattan, with quick trains and ferries into New York.
- Princeton – charming inns and a good base between New York and Philadelphia.
Getting there
Newark Liberty is New Jersey's main airport, with direct flights from London Heathrow, Manchester and Edinburgh on United and other airlines, taking around seven to eight hours. From Newark, NJ Transit trains reach New York Penn Station in about half an hour and run down the coast towards the shore. South Jersey and Cape May are easier from Philadelphia. A car helps for the shore and countryside. You will need an approved ESTA.
Best time to visit
Summer is beach season, with warm sea and busy weekends. June and September offer the same weather with fewer crowds and lower prices. Autumn is lovely for Princeton, the Water Gap and the Cape May bird migration. Many shore businesses close or cut hours in winter.
Most Jersey Shore beaches charge for a daily beach tag in summer, so check each town's rules before you go.
Top attractions in New Jersey
NatureCentral Park
Manhattan's 843-acre green heart, with lakes, meadows, bridges and woodland stretching for 51 blocks between Midtown…
LandmarkStatue of Liberty
The copper colossus in New York Harbor, a gift from France in 1886, visited by ferry with Ellis Island on the same trip.
New Jersey on the map
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to stay in New Jersey when visiting New York?
Often, yes. Hotels in Jersey City, Hoboken and near Newark are usually cheaper than Manhattan, with fast public transport into the city.
Which is the best Jersey Shore town?
Cape May for history and charm, Ocean City for families, Asbury Park for music and nightlife, and Spring Lake for a quieter, upmarket stay.
Can I visit the Statue of Liberty from New Jersey?
Yes. Ferries run from Liberty State Park in Jersey City to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, and they are often less busy than those from Manhattan.
Do I need a car in New Jersey?
Not for Hoboken, Jersey City or Princeton, which are on rail lines, but a car makes the shore and Pine Barrens far easier.
Written by
Thomas Ski, mountains & expeditions editor
Thomas is happiest above the tree line or below the Antarctic Circle. He writes our ski, mountain and polar expedition guides.
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