From Wikitravel

New Jersey [1] is located in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States of America. It is the most densely populated state in the country, mainly because parts of the state are in fact the suburbs of New York and Philadelphia, both just across the Hudson and Delaware Rivers respectively. New Jersey is bordered by the states of Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New York.

New Jersey is not all urban sprawl. If you get away from the Turnpike and other superhighways, you can also find large areas of farmland, parks, and other unspoiled wild areas. You can hike a surprisingly rugged 72-mile leg of the Appalachian Trail and bike or stroll a sizable stretch of its interurban analogue, the ever-lengthening East Coast Greenway.

[edit] Regions

• Delaware River
• Gateway
• Shore
• Skylands
• Southern Shore

[edit] Cities

• Trenton - The state capital. Home to the the New Jersey Capital Building (which is the second oldest capitol building in America)
• Atlantic City - A ocean resort town from the 1800s that fell into blight, the city was reborn as a gambling destination in the 1970s. The boardwalk remains a major attraction and is often packed on any summer weekend.
• Camden - Located on the Delaware River east of Philadelphia. Home to the USS New Jersey, Adventure Aquarium, and Campbell's Field
• Hoboken - Tree-lined streets with well-preserved brownstones typify this former dockworkers' town overlooking the Hudson. Yuppies are taking over Hoboken's old Italian and Irish neighborhoods, but the city still has the highest number of bars per square mile in the country! Birthplace of Frank Sinatra and the location of the world's first baseball game.
• Jersey City - New Jersey's second largest city, directly across from Lower Manhattan. Home to Liberty State Park, where ferries leave for Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.
• Lambertville
• Cape May - Scenic and Victorian-esque historical town about 45 minutes away from Atlantic City, Bed & Breakfasts adorn the town and the Cape May Zoo is a favorite place for visitors.
• Newark New Jersey's largest city - City near New York that is home to one of the New York area airports. Home to the NJPAC, Newark Symphony Hall, and Newark Arena- home of the New Jersey Devils, Newark Museum- largest museum in the state.
• New Brunswick - Home of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey and all its college-age hipsters. Self-proclaimed "Health Care City" as it houses two hospitals and the headquarters of Johnson & Johnson.
• Paterson - Third largest city in the state. Home to the Great Falls of the Passaic (which is now a state park), Lambert Castle,and Garret Mountain (the mountain also in West Paterson)
• Princeton - Home of Princeton University, as well as many research and technology organizations.
• Red Bank
• Rockaway

[edit] Other destinations

[edit] Attractions

Here are a few areas worth exploring:

• Six Flags Great Adventure - world class amusement park[2]
• The Delaware Water Gap
• Mountain Creek - ski resort, 1 hour from New York City.
• The Jersey Shore
• Raritan Bayshore- An area along the Raritan Bay between the Amboys and Sandy Hook. Though the area is more developed than the Delaware Bayshore, its brackish water beaches remain less crowded than the Atlantic Beaches. The Bayshore has the highest elevation on the east coast from the Yucatan Peninsula to Maine.
• The Pine Barrens
• Sandy Hook. Located at the northern end of New Jersey's coast, Sandy Hook is home to one of the Northeast's only officially clothing-optional beaches.
• Lake Hopatcong - New Jersey's largest lake provides boating and swimming activities for families and singles.

[edit] National parks

• Appalachian National Scenic Trail
• Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
• Gateway National Recreation Area
• New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve
• Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
• Morristown National Historical Park [3]

[edit] Understand

New Jersey is densely populated state with a diverse population and rich culture. Because it is situated in between New York City and Philadelphia, the state is greatly overshadowed by its big city neighbors. North Jersey is under the New York City influence, while South Jersey is under the Philadelphia influence. All major radio stations and local TV stations that serve New Jersey are located outside the state in neighboring New York and Philadelphia. New Jersey also serves as a bedroom community for many people who work in New York City, though New Jersey has many fortune 500 companies itself and has many jobs. North Jersey has three types of neighborhoods, one is suburban, the other is urban suburban, and the third is urban. The urban neighborhoods tend to be poor. The urban suburban neighborhoods have huge apartment buildings and tend to be very costly. The suburban neighborhoods in New Jersey tend to be very high priced and unaffordable. South Jersey can be broken down in much of the same way, with the addition of small rural areas, that are now becoming somewhat of a memory. Most of the housing prices compared to North Jersey tend to be lower and more affordable.

If driving in New Jersey, be aware of a state law that does not allow self-service at gas stations. A gas station attendant must pump the gas. All you must do is pull up to a pump and tell the attendant "(Dollar amount), (grade), (cash/credit)". That said, you will be surprised to find New Jersey has some of the cheapest gasoline in the country due to its low gas tax.

[edit] Talk

The New Jersey accent or New Joisey, as mimicked by non-residents tends to vary from area to area. It is usually broken down by North and South, with both typically arguing over which accent and area is better. Though there is an accent uniquely identifiable as a "Jersey accent", it is somewhat influenced by the nearest major city. North Jerseyians typically use words and slang, with an accent slightly similar to New Yorkers, while South Jerseyians usually use slang and words with an accent slightly similar to Philadelphians. Though this may be present in the way New Jerseyians speak there are words and slang that are soley used by people within the state.

Though this is typical of South and North Jersey, this shouldn't be taken literally because even within both areas there are places that have their own unique accents: "Piney's" in the Pine Barrens, parts of the Jersey Shore and parts of Central Jersey and one also has to take into account ethnic influences on speech.

Philadelphia influence on South Jersey accent

wooder: water

cawfee: coffee

dey, dat, doze, deese, dem and dough: they, that, those, these, them and though

Other New Jersey talk

New Jerzey: The way most Jerseyians really pronounce New Jersey

New Jerz: slang for New Jersey

Mat-hatin: South Jersey pronunciation of Manhattan

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) [4] probably provides the most convenient international access to both New York City and New Jersey. Philadelphia (PHL) [5] is also another option. Atlantic City Airport (ACY) [6] provides some minor domestic service, mostly carrier service, but travellers should be aware that it is a good distance away from most destinations.

[edit] By train

Amtrak [7] operates a line (the Northeast Corridor) through NJ. It goes through NJ from Philadelphia to NY Penn Station to points beyond (Boston in the north, and Washington, DC and Newport News, VA in the south).

[edit] By car

The New Jersey Turnpike (Interstate 95) [8] runs through the state, connecting the north of the state with the south. Interstates 80 and 78 provide good access from the west. The Garden State Parkway is in many ways the backbone of the state, connecting many major cities.

When it is time to fill your gas tank be ready for full service and no tip, or extra fees required. In the state of New Jersey it is illegal to pump your own gas. Making it one of the only two states (Oregon being the other with looser restrictions) in America where self serve is non-existent and don't worry the prices are significantly cheaper then gas in all surrounding states.

[edit] By bus

Greyhound [9] provides service as well as several intra-state services. These include Academy and New Jersey Transit, connecting New Jersey to New York City and Philadelphia.

[edit] Get around

The PATH train system [10] runs from Manhattan to Hoboken, Jersey City and Newark.

NJ Transit [11] is a commuter network of trains, light rail and buses connecting communities throughout the entire state. It can be used for travel to Newark Liberty International Airport as well as Pennsylvania Station in New York City. Its website provides a user friendly method of planning your itinerary.

SEPTA [12] Regional Rail Lines connect Trenton and West Trenton with Philadelphia.

PATCO Operates a high speed train that connects several key points in downtown Philadelphia to many immediate southern New Jersey suburban towns.

[edit][add listing] See

New Jersey has many scenic sites, including the majestic Palisades, opposite New York City on the western banks of the Hudson River. The cliffs rise about 300 to 500 feet in areas and give a breathtaking view of New York City across the river. There are also many mountains located in the western portion of the states that are full of many trails.

[edit][add listing] Do

New Jersey's greatest asset is the abundance of options available for people of any age and interest. There are numerous places to shop in New Jersey, including the Garden State Plaza, Jersey Gardens Mall, Bergenline Ave, and Paramus Park Mall. During the summer there is a vibrant variety of activities on the New Jersey shoreline, ranging from casinos in Atlantic City to nightclubs in Belmar, Seaside Heights, etc. to quaint, scenic stays in places like Cape May. There are hiking trails and campsites all over Northwestern New Jersey. There are also numerous opportunities for fine dining, museums, and theaters, and for those craving "true" urban culture, New York City and Philadelphia are in easy access from virtually anywhere in the state. There are (at last count) 8 active New Jersey baseball teams. You can also enjoy horseracing for the day in East Rutherford at Meadowlands Racetrack in the Meadowlands Sports Complex. In the wintertime, there are modest skiing opportunities in both New Jersey and neighboring Pennsylvania.

[edit][add listing] Eat

New Jersey is known for its abundance of diners. Diners typically offer inexpensive sit-down meals served quickly. Many establishments are open 24 hours and breakfast is served all day.

Residents of New Jersey claim to have some of the best in the US of the following foods: hot dogs (more specifically chili dogs) mostly found in the Northern Jersey area; pizza; bagels; Chinese and Italian. Being so close to New York, it is quite possible to see how different cuisines migrate to New Jersey, and in some cases the quality quite outshines the New York variation.

Many foods popular in North Jersey are also staples in the South Jersey area ie. (pizza and cheese fries). Italian, Chinese and Spanish Caribbean cuisine are influential to the area also. Its proximity to Philadelphia has a significant influence on popular foods: hoagies, Scrapple (a loaf formed from cornmeal, pork scraps and spices. It is usually cut into 1/4 thick slices and fried in butter or oil until crisp. Scrapple is traditionally served with breakfast or as a sandwich, which is surprisingly delicious) soft pretzels, water ice and the infamous cheesesteak are area favorites with Philadelphia influence.

[edit][add listing] Drink

Beer and liquor can only be purchased in freestanding liquor stores, never supermarkets. Underage drinking is frowned upon but of course common. Drunk driving checkpoints are EXTREMELY common on the shoreline. Be advised that smoking is illegal in all bars and restaurants (save designated "cigar bars").

[edit] Stay safe

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New Jersey is known for having some of the safest suburban towns in the nation. At the same time, New Jersey is also known for having some of the most dangerous cities in the nation. The suburbs tend to be very safe while the cities can be very dangerous at times. Use extreme caution when traveling or exploring some of New Jersey's big cities. Avoid walking around Newark, Paterson, Camden, and Jersey City after 6 pm. If you must travel these places after 6 pm, go by car. Even when driving in these cities, stay on busy roads and stay away from side streets. Many streets in Newark, Paterson and Camden are run by gangs and drug dealers. Even if driving on a busy street in these areas makes you feel unsafe in the evening, then don't do it. Even though some of the suburbs tend to be nice and safe, some of them are infact dangerous such as the Burlington county area. There has been an uproar of gang violence in places such as Browns Mills, Mt. Holly, and Willingboro.

Drivers in New Jersey are recognized as some of the worst in the entire United States. This may range from rude to criminally malicious. Do not be intimidated by insulting drivers or drivers that will tail-gate, as some drivers (especially on major highways) will tail-gate no matter how fast you may be going. If you are being tailgated while traveling in the left lane, move to the right and let them pass. Just keep your wits about you on the road, as many Jersey drivers will not.

[edit] Get out

One of the benefits of visiting New Jersey is that you're very close to two major cities, New York City and Philadelphia across from Hudson and Delaware rivers respectively. North is upstate New York, rural and beautiful, a vast contrast to New York City.

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