Nature Is Reclaiming This One Abandoned New Jersey Spot And It’s Actually Amazing
Fort Hancock, a former U.S. Army fort at Sandy Hook, features the nation's oldest working lighthouse and is now part of the Gateway National Recreation Area.
Fort Hancock is a former United States Army fort at Sandy Hook. Built in 1859, the coastal artillery base was decommissioned in 1974. Portions of the base remain intact and the oldest working lighthouse in the nation stands on its grounds. Still, much of Fort Hancock is in disrepair.
The fort was active for over 100 years, but was most utilized during WWII, hosting over 7000 residents. These residents included members of the Women's Army Corps along with African American soldiers. This was fairly significant as the military had not officially been desegregated yet.
From 1874 until 1919, Sandy Hook was used as a proving ground for the military’s latest experimental weaponry. Fort Hancock is now part of the Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area.
There is a museum to explore, but I would not recommend exploring the buildings themselves - they are structurally unsound and overflowing with poison ivy. The NPS recently brought in Nubian goats who eat the ivy to help combat the issue.
Can you believe these buildings have only been abandoned for about 40 years? It's incredible to see how quickly Mother Nature is reclaiming her territory.
Summer never seems to stick around long in New Jersey - it's all part of living in a state that moves a mile a minute, I guess. But that just means it's all the more important to pack a lot of good times into August while we have the chance! Some of us might be looking forward to our fall pumpkin-picking and leaf-peeping trips already, but the weather is still great out there - so we put together this ultimate New Jersey summer bucket list to help you create an epic August. From some of New Jersey's best parks and forests, to fun and thrilling amusements, to delicious food - and even an indoor escape or two - these eight destinations perfectly sum up summer in New Jersey for us. You can pick the one you think will send your summer off with a bang- or try to pack them all into a few action-packed weeks!
There is no better way to enjoy a cool drink than while hanging around the pool - and you can do exactly that at The Shore Club, a luxury resort in Spring Lake. This hotel just opened its outdoor drinking spot, simply called The Pool Bar, and it offers a full menu of seafood-forward dishes along with a selection of craft cocktails created by skilled bartenders. Our favorites have to be the frozen margaritas - perfect for a sweltering day.
New Jersey has some fantastic boardwalk parks in towns like Wildwood, Point Pleasant Beach, and Seaside Heights - but one we particularly like is Keansburg Amusement Park in the town of the same name. It has an old-school vibe, is more affordable than many of the alternatives, and is adjacent to a water park and a go-kart course. It's also next to the Old Heidelberg, a German-themed dive that serves the shore's best chili dogs.
There are some days that just aren't meant for the outdoors - like when the mercury hits 95. On those days, it's the perfect time to explore one of New Jersey's many malls - but there is none more epic than American Dream in East Rutherford. This massive complex features an amusement park, indoor ski slope, luxury shopping district, and dozens of dining options ranging from barbecue to dim sum - as well as the newest attraction., The Gameroom. This Hasbro-themed arcade is the first of its kind in the United States.
New Jersey's county parks are great hidden havens without the crowds of the state parks - but they're often packed with surprises. Overpeck County Park in Bergen is particularly impressive - it's home to a live music venue, an Equestrian sports center, a dock for fishing, and bridges that provide amazing views. It's also home to Field Station Dinosaurs, an independent attraction featuring dozens of audio-animatronic dinos.
I'm sure people were shocked when I said I had never tried boardwalk lemonade and fries before - but they really do live up to the hype! There's just something unique about this fresh-squeezed lemonade with just the right amount of sugar, and those crispy double-fried potatoes. The best place to enjoy this classic combo is at Pucker in Asbury Park - one of the best boardwalk snack stands out there. Of course, if you're in the mood for a sausage sandwich, pizza, or another boardwalk classic, you'll find those stands nearby too.
New Jersey's shore is an amazing dining spot that spotlights seafood - and many of the best restaurants feature wonderful outdoor dining spots. One of our favorites is The Shrimp Box in Point Pleasant Beach, which serves a casual but upscale menu of seafood classics that often taste like they came straight from the sea. The outside patio bar is a great place for a meal or a casual drink after a day at Jenkinson's.
Many of New Jersey's best state parks are mobbed during this time of year - so it's the perfect time to explore a laid-back state forest instead. Bass River State Forest, one of the largest at 29,000 acres, is full of amazing recreation opportunities including great swimming and fishing spots, fifteen well-maintained hiking trails, and a sprawling campsite with 176 tent and trailer spots, if you want an extended adventure.
There is no better way to end a summer day in New Jersey than with a cruise. There are plenty of Hudson River cruises, but we're partial to River Lady Cruises, which is a Toms River cruise on an old-school riverboat complete with a paddlewheel. There are several options for cruises, but our favorite is the dinner cruise - which takes you down the river at sunset after a sumptuous multi-course meal with your choice of six entrees.
Are any of these destinations on your New Jersey summer bucket list? What are your favorite end-of-summer traditions? Let us know in the comments section! The end of summer is just the start of the fun in New Jersey, though - towns like Asbury Park are almost as action-packed in the off-season, and top hotels like the Asbury Ocean Club are much lower-priced during the fall.
Jersey pride runs deep. It’s easy to see why, too, especially if you’ve spent any time in the Garden State. From the natural beauty of its beaches and majestic Pine Barrens to the delicious food and the diversity and tenacity of its residents, New Jersey is a gem that you really have to experience to appreciate. Once you do, you’ll understand how Just Jersey catapulted from a fundraising catalog selling Jersey-made products to a popular storefront, an online shop, and one of the best small businesses in New Jersey.
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Just Jersey began as a simple concept. Co-owners Tina Bologna and Paul Miller created a catalog of locally made and handcrafted products, featuring everything from apparel to souvenirs, that schools could use for fundraising. Part of the business's success would, arguably, depend on that pride of state for which New Jerseyans are known.
By 2014, just two years after Just Jersey in New Jersey launched, the catalog was doing so well that the co-owners decided to test a brick-and-mortar concept by introducing a pop-up shop during the holiday season. The rest, as they say, is history.
Today, those in search of a unique gift can head over to Just Jersey’s brick-and-mortar shop in Morristown or stock up on Jersey-made goods – home décor, accessories, and more – at the online shop. Both feature products from more than 300 New Jersey-based artists, makers, and small businesses.
The stories of the makers, including a father and daughter duo who sell laser-engraved items, are as unique as Just Jersey.
“Our most popular products are our gift boxes, which are made up of a selection of New Jersey-made specialty foods,” Bologna says. “We ship them all over the country and many companies now purchase these boxes to support their corporate gifting whether it’s for talent acquisition, relocations, or employee and client gifts.”
Whether you’re a lifelong New Jersey resident, have lived there short-term (as I have), or have been a visitor who has fallen head over heels for the Garden State, you’ll find just the right item – from New Jersey license plate trays to t-shirts and hats – to show off that love.
While Jersey pride may contribute to the shop’s success, Bologna and Miller’s openness to listen to their customers undoubtedly plays a significant role in the small business in New Jersey’s continued growth and popularity.
“Our customers requested more and more New Jersey-themed items, and we have passed along these suggestions to our artists and makers,” Bologna says. “Now you can find New Jersey represented in many ways, from chocolate to wood and many things in between.”
That willingness to become partners with both customers and makers helped the duo navigate the challenging days of the pandemic that saw mandatory shutdowns and consumer spending on a downswing. In 2020 alone, an estimated one in three businesses in New Jersey shut due to the often insurmountable challenges of COVID. Just Jersey survived, in part, because, “We learned a lot about the need to pivot and respond to changes that may be out of our control,” Miller says.
But it’s also how the Just Jersey owners approach the business that have helped it become one of the best small businesses in New Jersey. “Every day is different and brings new challenges and opportunities. As such, there is continuous learning and growth that takes place, enriching life beyond the business as well,” Bologna says.
Bologna and Miller also work hand-in-hand with a variety of organizations as a way to give back to the community that has supported them for more than a decade. They’re currently working with several organizations that sell products created and assembled by neurologically divergent adults.
“Our customers love hearing stories about the makers of our products and really appreciate the opportunity to support these organizations through their purchases,” Bologna says.
The photo above includes Bologna and Miller with residents of Cohome, who sell birdhouses at Just Jersey.
Many thanks to owners Tina Bologna and Paul Miller for sharing Just Jersey history and story for the 2024 Small Business Spotlight. Learn more and support this iconic New Jersey shop by visiting Just Jersey’s Facebook page.
Of course, Just Jersey is one of many amazing businesses in New Jersey that’s doing great things in the state. If you have another business you’d like to see profiled on Only In New Jersey, please nominate them for a chance to be featured. And be sure to follow Only In New Jersey on Facebook and Instagram to stay in the know on the state’s events, restaurants, local businesses, and hidden gems.
