Are you bored with nothing to do during the summer? Do you not want to waste your break and also live in New Jersey? Then you're in luck! Here are ten things to do in New Jersey during the summer that won't break your bank!
1. Water Adventures
With every sort of body of water available in New Jersey, it's not hard to find a waterfall, creek, bay, or ocean to explore. Whether it's kayaking, canoeing, or just going for a swim, New Jersey has you covered for those excruciatingly hot days.
2. Central Railroad of New Jersey
This historic station is located right across the water from the NYC skyline, and also has an area where you can still see the tracks and some train cars. The location offers some spectacular views, including the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, which are accessible from the area.
3. Matawan Creek
For fans of Shark Week, this destination is a must. The 1916 shark attacks that inspired "Jaws" happened right here in Jersey at Matawan Creek. Needless to say, there are no sharks inhabiting the waters today (hopefully), but the history behind the site makes the trip a must.
4. Apple Pie Hill
This spot is a rite of passage for locals of the Pine Barrens. Located in Tabernacle in Wharton State Forest, Apple Pie Hill is a fire tower you can climb, and on a clear day the top provides you with an incomparable view of the Pine Barrens and the skylines of Philly and Atlantic City.
5. Hiking
Jersey is filled with secret and not-so-secret trails, giving even the most inexperienced hikers options for summertime excursions. Make sure to pack snacks and water though, since some of these trails can get pretty long, and there are no Wawas in the forest.
6. Visit Monuments
Carranza Memorial resides off Carranza Road in Tabernacle. The monument was erected after Emilio Carranza's plane went down in Jersey, and legend has it that if you pull up to the monument, flash your headlights three times, and yell "Emilio" out your car window, his plane will roll up behind you. Whether it's true or not, the site is a fun trip, especially late at night with some friends!
7. Jersey Devil Hunting
My friends and I did this one day, and it actually turned out to be a lot of fun! We looked up the supposed birthplace, home and graves of his family (the Leeds family) and then set out to find them. If you're someone who believes Jersey has our very own devil flying around, then this venture is for you.
8. Lighthouse Bucket List
Another thing Jersey has plenty of is lighthouses, so it's not a bad idea to kill two birds with one stone and achieve your summer body by completing a lighthouse bucket list for fun! Plenty are open to the public to climb, so why not just do them all?
9. Backroad Driving
I've found nothing better than driving around the scenic backroads of New Jersey with my windows down and music blasting. We have everything from farms, to forests, to beautiful water views. Going for a sunset drive with your friends on a quiet night in the summer is the perfect alternative to sitting inside doing nothing.
10. Hidden Jersey Beaches
Jersey is known for our beaches, and nothing beats going down the shore and exploring. Turns out, a lot of shores have hidden coves and sections either not open to the public or kept secret. Finding them is all the fun and then having them all to yourself is even better.
