2023 is here, meaning it’s the perfect time for a resolution to explore the Garden State fully! There are so many hidden gems in New Jersey that many people living here for decades haven’t scratched the surface. These twelve attractions, restaurants, and events give you a taste of the best of New Jersey – with one day trip picked to fit every month of the year. From a humble fish market hiding in one of the state’s best towns to a vintage restaurant serving elite modern cuisine to an arcade celebrating one of the very first electronic games ever played, these hidden gems in New Jersey will give you a new appreciation for just how unique this great state of ours truly is.
January - Winterfest Ice Skating Rink - Cooper River (Cherry Hill)
Winterfest Ice Skating Rink Cooper River/Facebook The holiday season might have passed, but this massive skating rink in Cherry Hill is open all winter long - and it’s the perfect way to celebrate the season. Winterfest Ice Skating Rink At Cooper River Park, Cuthbert Blvd and, Park Blvd, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003, USA
February - Whispers Restaurant (Spring Lake)
Management/TripAdvisoer Located in the Hewitt Wellington Hotel, this Victorian-style fine dining restaurant is a popular location for Valentine’s Day. The A La Carte menu fuses classic ingredients with modern techniques. Whispers, 200 Monmouth Ave, Spring Lake, NJ 07762, USA
March - Dooney’s Pub (Delran)
Dooney’s Pub Delran/Google Local St. Patrick’s Day is a big event in New Jersey, and Dooney’s is a popular spot for downing pints and eating some corned beef and cabbage. Located in a strip mall, it’s easy to miss - but those in the know are in for a treat. Dooney’s Pub Delran, 1361 Fairview Blvd, Delran, NJ 08075, USA
April - Nassau Street Seafood & Produce Company (Princeton)
Nassau Street Seafood & Produce Company/Facebook This humble fish market on the main street of Princeton mostly sells fish for cooking at home, but they also have a regular menu of fried and grilled fish specialties. This hole-in-the-wall is especially popular during Lent. Nassau Street Seafood & Produce Co., 256 Nassau St, Princeton, NJ 08542, USA
May - Popcorn Park Zoo (Forked River)
Popcorn Park Animal Refuge/Facebook This zoo isn’t your usual animal exhibit - it’s a certified animal sanctuary, and all the animals here have been deemed unreleasable. You’ll find everything from big cats to peacocks to tiny lemurs here! Popcorn Park Animal Refuge, 1 Humane Way, Forked River, NJ 08731, USA
June - Silverball Retro Arcade (Asbury Park)
Hgtravl/TripAdvisor Pinball ruled the arcades before video games came along, and this beachside pay-per-hour arcade collects hundreds under one roof. Play to your heart’s content without a single quarter needed! Silverball Retro Arcade, 1000 Ocean Ave N, Asbury Park, NJ 07712, USA
July - World War II Lookout Tower (Cape May)
Cape May MAC This historic site was used to guard the New Jersey coast from German attacks, and today visitors can climb the tower for a stunning view and a fascinating history lesson. World War II Lookout Tower, 536 Sunset Blvd, Cape May, NJ 08204, USA
August - Just Peachy Festival (Princeton)
Tehrune Orchards Located on Terhune Orchards, this peace festival is a great place to taste the orchard’s crops as well as many specialty products. It’s held on August 6th and 7th. Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Rd, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
September - Whitesbog Historic Village
Whitesbog Preservation Trust/Facebook Whitesbog is a beautiful spot to explore, but during September it’s home to the state’s biggest cranberry festival - and that means a lot of cranberry goodies for sale! Whitesbog Historic Village, 120 W Whites Bogs Rd #34, Browns Mills, NJ 08015, USA
October - Scare Farm (Hillsborough Township)
Scare Farm/Facebook Located on a working farm, this elaborate network of haunted houses is one of New Jersey’s most immersive haunted experiences. Scare Farm, 120 S Branch Rd, Hillsborough Township, NJ 08844, USA
November - Metuchen Inn (Metuchen)
Metuchen Inn/Facebook A charming historic restaurant in a residential area of Metuchen, this inn is known for its elaborate Thanksgiving feasts. It’s been serving food since 1843, and has been faithfully preserved for a one-of-a-kind experience. Metuchen Inn, 424 Middlesex Ave, Metuchen, NJ 08840, USA
December - Polar Express Train Ride (Whippany)
The Polar Express Train Ride/Facebook New Jersey’s most iconic Christmas experience, this trip on Whippany’s recreational railroad transforms the train into a magical wonderland on a ride to the North Pole. The Polar Express Train Ride, 1 Railroad Plz, Whippany, NJ 07981, USA
Have you visited any of these unique hidden gems in New Jersey? Tell us about your visits, and let us know about your travel plans for 2023 in the comments section! For more 2023 adventures to start the year, consider taking one of these ideal winter day trips!
Winterfest Ice Skating Rink Cooper River/Facebook
The holiday season might have passed, but this massive skating rink in Cherry Hill is open all winter long - and it’s the perfect way to celebrate the season.
Winterfest Ice Skating Rink At Cooper River Park, Cuthbert Blvd and, Park Blvd, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003, USA
Management/TripAdvisoer
Located in the Hewitt Wellington Hotel, this Victorian-style fine dining restaurant is a popular location for Valentine’s Day. The A La Carte menu fuses classic ingredients with modern techniques.
Whispers, 200 Monmouth Ave, Spring Lake, NJ 07762, USA
Dooney’s Pub Delran/Google Local
St. Patrick’s Day is a big event in New Jersey, and Dooney’s is a popular spot for downing pints and eating some corned beef and cabbage. Located in a strip mall, it’s easy to miss - but those in the know are in for a treat.
Dooney’s Pub Delran, 1361 Fairview Blvd, Delran, NJ 08075, USA
Nassau Street Seafood & Produce Company/Facebook
This humble fish market on the main street of Princeton mostly sells fish for cooking at home, but they also have a regular menu of fried and grilled fish specialties. This hole-in-the-wall is especially popular during Lent.
Nassau Street Seafood & Produce Co., 256 Nassau St, Princeton, NJ 08542, USA
Popcorn Park Animal Refuge/Facebook
This zoo isn’t your usual animal exhibit - it’s a certified animal sanctuary, and all the animals here have been deemed unreleasable. You’ll find everything from big cats to peacocks to tiny lemurs here!
Popcorn Park Animal Refuge, 1 Humane Way, Forked River, NJ 08731, USA
Hgtravl/TripAdvisor
Pinball ruled the arcades before video games came along, and this beachside pay-per-hour arcade collects hundreds under one roof. Play to your heart’s content without a single quarter needed!
Silverball Retro Arcade, 1000 Ocean Ave N, Asbury Park, NJ 07712, USA
Cape May MAC
This historic site was used to guard the New Jersey coast from German attacks, and today visitors can climb the tower for a stunning view and a fascinating history lesson.
World War II Lookout Tower, 536 Sunset Blvd, Cape May, NJ 08204, USA
Tehrune Orchards
Located on Terhune Orchards, this peace festival is a great place to taste the orchard’s crops as well as many specialty products. It’s held on August 6th and 7th.
Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Rd, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
Whitesbog Preservation Trust/Facebook
Whitesbog is a beautiful spot to explore, but during September it’s home to the state’s biggest cranberry festival - and that means a lot of cranberry goodies for sale!
Whitesbog Historic Village, 120 W Whites Bogs Rd #34, Browns Mills, NJ 08015, USA
Scare Farm/Facebook
Located on a working farm, this elaborate network of haunted houses is one of New Jersey’s most immersive haunted experiences.
Scare Farm, 120 S Branch Rd, Hillsborough Township, NJ 08844, USA
Metuchen Inn/Facebook
A charming historic restaurant in a residential area of Metuchen, this inn is known for its elaborate Thanksgiving feasts. It’s been serving food since 1843, and has been faithfully preserved for a one-of-a-kind experience.
Metuchen Inn, 424 Middlesex Ave, Metuchen, NJ 08840, USA
The Polar Express Train Ride/Facebook
New Jersey’s most iconic Christmas experience, this trip on Whippany’s recreational railroad transforms the train into a magical wonderland on a ride to the North Pole.
The Polar Express Train Ride, 1 Railroad Plz, Whippany, NJ 07981, USA
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
