Every Friday in 2013, the Let’s Fly Away Across the USA series will feature a different state, documenting the things we love about each sate and what you should do or see when you visit. Want to submit your photos or travel tips? Visit the Across the USA page.
Where’s all the Jersey love? I mean, I know the casts of Jersey Shore and the Real Housewives of New Jersey aren’t exactly glowing testimonials to the merits of the state, but still, I was surprised to hear from people who have absolutely no love for NJ! I mean, how can you not have at least a little love for a state with candy-colored houses by the sea and a six-story statue of an elephant? Hopefully my friends here will convince you to give the poor state a chance.
Marie says
I’m Marie Mosley from Code it Pretty. I currently live in Virginia, but I was born, raised, and educated in New Jersey.
MARIE LOVES // I love the Jersey sense of humor. A little cynical, sometimes a little raunchy, but always so funny.
MARIE RECOMMENDS // I’m a Mercer County girl, so here are my three “must sees” in the Capital region:
1. Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton. A huge exhibition of more than 250 sculptures by artists from around the world, including a selection of founder Seward Johnson’s striking bronze sculptures. Wander the giant outdoor sculptures during the spring while the peacocks are roaming around!
2. Downtown Princeton. Go to Triumph Brewery for great food and even greater beer. Visit Princeton Record Exchange to find that out-of-print album you can’t find anywhere else. Tune in to Princeton University’s radio station 103.3 WPRB while you’re driving in the area, you never know what you’re going to hear!
3. Washington’s Crossing State Park. George Washington famously led the Continental Army across the Delaware River here. The historic park is now home to a museum, an open-air theater, and miles and miles of trails along the river. The park is beautiful for picnicking and birdwatching in the spring and summer, vibrant with turning leaves in the fall, and a popular cross-country skiing venue in the wintertime.
FOR BONUS POINTS // New Jersey is famous for its Italian food and diner cuisine, but the Indian food is also amazing! Try the surprisingly glam Palace of Asia, tucked away in a strip mall in Lawrenceville.
see more recommendations on page 2
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I have to admit that when my friends and I decided to switch our summer vacation spot from the Hamptons to Avalon, New Jersey, I was skeptical. But we LOVED it. The people were so nice, the beaches were gorgeous, there’s Atlantic City for nightlife, and it’s CHEAP. Well, compared to the Hamptons, at least.
Totally agree with the downtown Princeton tip, too. Cute, quaint, and full of old-fashioned architecture . . . and ice cream parlors!
So many great tips! I don’t get all the Jersey hate. NJ has the best of everything. People who hate on NJ obviously haven’t been here!
Amen to that, Allyssa. I think it comes from tv stereotypes (Sopranos, Jersey Shore, et al).
By the way, good call mentioning Smithville! We used to buy Christmas ornaments there every year when I was a kid. Brings back good memories
Love the photos. New Jersey looks beautiful.
I have a thing for barns and love that photo! Also Palace of Asia!
My family and I have vacationed on the beach in Jersey for all our lives…and we LOVE it there (Ocean Grove, NJ to be specific). The town has some beautiful Victorian houses, we lease a tent house (yes, a tent house) every summer, and my husband and I even got married in a building on the beach not far from there. It’s near and dear to our hearts. I think Jersey gets a bad rap BECAUSE of Jersey Shore and Real Housewives. People don’t take Jersey seriously. But there’s a lot of history and a playful spirit that comes with visiting Jersey…especially by the beach.
Lastly, I’ll just add that I was delighted to Lucy the Elephant pictured in your post. I have vivid memories of climbing up inside Lucy as a little girl. #nostalgia
I don’t get the Jersey hate. I’m from NC but spent many a summer vacay at Wildwood Crest, NJ and Cape May is beautiful! I love Jersey!
As a Jersey girl, I really appreciated this post! Yes, Indian food is really good in NJ, especially near Edison, where I’m from and where there is an especially large Indian population. There’s also really good outlet shopping to be found in NJ (and bonus — no sales tax on clothing!).
This Jersey girl is always happy to see when “love” shown to our beautiful state, and we need it more than ever, now, thanks to Sandy. NJ is used to defending itself, but that’s OK! We’ve got beaches, farmland, mountains and lakes to rival the best of them, not to mention the proximity to NYC. NJ is also home to the Great Falls, in Paterson, which is an Historic National Landmark boasting the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi! Tops on my NJ list? Cape May, Long Beach Island, great towns like Montclair and Ridgewood, and the sweetest corn and tomatoes you will ever eat!