New Jersey: Little State. Lotta Wow.
There’s so much more to New Jersey than its location—although it is perfectly nestled between New York City and Philadelphia. This smallish state is big on personality, packed with possibility, and will wow your group every chance it gets, from Princeton’s ivy-covered campus to the world’s very first boardwalk, and from the oldest operating lighthouse to the brilliant Thomas Edison’s laboratory. Add in a shoreline with powder-soft sand, awe-inspiring attractions, jackpot bells and whistles, uncommon historical landmarks, and more, you’ll begin to wonder just how many wows your group can take!
More than 1,000 attractions
Extreme exhilaration or learning disguised as play? New Jersey has you covered. Six Flags Great Adventure is a thrill-a-minute amusement park, boasting rides for every age (and level of bravery!), live shows, and seasonal events. American Dream houses every type of pleasurable pursuit you can imagine under its ultra-expansive roof— including the Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park, which happens to be the Western Hemisphere’s largest indoor amusement park; Big Snow, North America’s first and only indoor, real-snow, year-round ski and snow resort; and world-class shopping. Looking for edutainment opportunities? Liberty Science Center is an absolute must-do.
130 miles of beaches
Even beyond the toes-in-the-sand season, the Jersey Shore delivers. Your group can dig into a unique blend of history and nature at the Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area. They can jam to live music and snap pictures in front of Instagrammable art murals in Asbury Park. Or they can celebrate the holidays in Dickensian style, excavate Cape May “diamonds,” and admire the “Painted Ladies” in Victorian Cape May.
Over 418 cultural experiences
Majestic masterpieces loom large under clear blue skies at Grounds For Sculpture, a distinctive outdoor art park. Explore exotic collections from around the globe at the Newark Museum of Art. And gaze upon artifacts that embody the wonders of science, history, and the arts at the New Jersey State Museum.
463-plus historical landmarks
From the distant past to recent memory, New Jersey has long been where history happened. Your group can marvel over military relics at the Old Barracks Museum and glimpse into the industrial revolution at Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park. Or they can stroll a perfectly preserved 19th-century hamlet at Historic Cold Spring Village. Finally, everyone can pay their respects to those lost not so long ago at Empty Sky 9/11 Memorial.
More than a dozen places to make their hearts race
Atlantic City’s crowd-pleasing casinos are a jackpot for gamblers, foodies, fans, and nightlifers. Favorites lining its famed boardwalk include Caesar’s, Hard Rock, and Tropicana. But don’t miss the city’s gaming and entertainment destinations tucked away from the boards, including Harrah’s and Borgata. Further north, Meadowlands Racing showcases the excitement of live harness racing, around-the-globe simulcasting, and FanDuel Sportsbook betting.
Plus one culinary wow after another
For innovative dining that showcases a blend of authentic international options, New Jersey delivers deliciously. Multicultural cuisine is a favorite among locals and tourists alike and is representative of the diverse ethnicities that populate the state. Italian, Japanese, Indian, Cuban, Portuguese, and fusion specialty restaurants can be found in every region. And the options continue to grow—literally. Many New Jersey farms are now cultivating ingredients used in Asian, Latin American, and Caribbean fare. A glimpse at New Jersey’s bounty of crops reveals exotic peppers, squashes, eggplants, and greens alongside traditional corn and world-renowned tomatoes. Of course, the state’s farm-to-table cuisine and diner culture are not to be missed, either!
Plan for their wow … right now
Whether you want to hit it big in Atlantic City, make their spirits bright with Christmas in Cape May, offer a fresh take on the Garden State’s agritourism, or breeze into summer days down on the shore, this is the time to arrange your group tour. Even better? Make it a multi-day journey! New Jersey offers a huge range of accommodations—from budget to luxury—with competitive rates that beat its big city neighbors. For expert assistance in wowing your group, head to visitnj.org/travel-agent-and-tour-groups-resources.
Photos provided by New Jersey Division of Travel & Tourism