9 “Hidden Gems” in New Jersey We’ve Always Known About but Can’t Stop Visiting

I've lived in New Jersey my whole life, and there are so many amazing places to discover and experience in the Garden State. Many are bucket-list spots I've crossed off and am happy with the memories, and others are the kind of places I find myself returning to every year. Picking the best hidden gems in New Jersey is not easy, because there are so many, but these nine destinations have all stayed in my mind for years after I first visited them. Many are out of the way, located on the Jersey Shore or in small towns, while others might be hiding right under your nose in suburbia. The one thing they have in common is that no matter how many times I visit, they always promise something new to discover.

1. Lucy the Elephant, Margate City

Located off the beaten path in Margate City, Lucy the Elephant is one of the most intriguing attractions in New Jersey. The oldest still-standing roadside attraction in the United States was built in 1881 and housed a restaurant and a cottage over the decades. It's been completely restored and is occasionally open for Airbnb stays.

2. The Reo Diner, Woodbridge

I usually visit this local hidden gem at least once a month. New Jersey might be the diner capital of the world, but this is one of my favorites thanks to its massive menu of American, Italian, and Greek specialties. I always get the roast sirloin platter. However, the Reo Diner is best known for its many celebrity guests, including Robert De Niro, immortalized on a wall of autographs near the entrance.

3. Lakota Wolf Preserve, Columbia

The Lakota Wolf Preserve, a massive 10-acre refuge home to wolves, lynx, and bobcats, is the most unique animal attraction in New Jersey. All the animals here have plenty of room to roam safely, and visitors can see them from behind a fence. This is a fantastic place to learn more about the unique social structure of these majestic wild animals.

4. Molly Pitcher Inn, Red Bank

When it comes to hotels, I usually pick a mid-range chain like Homewood Suites. However, there are a few bucket-list hotels in the Garden State, and one of my favorites is the Molly Pitcher Inn. This Red Bank hotel on the banks of the Navesink River has an incredible old-school aesthetic, as well as an on-site restaurant serving one of the best hotel brunches around. The hotel is large enough to feel bustling, but the service is always personal. Book your stay and discover for yourself.

5. Jenkinson's Boardwalk, Point Pleasant Beach

Wildwood and Atlantic City get all the hype when it comes to New Jersey boardwalks, but my favorite is the smaller one in Point Pleasant Beach. Jenkinson's Boardwalk is less than a mile long, but it's packed with attractions, including an amusement park, an aquarium, and a truly bizarre funhouse. For dining, you can't beat Martell's, a massive tiki-bar-themed complex featuring multiple restaurants and fast-food stands, plus a live music venue.

6. Insectropolis, Toms River

New Jersey has all sorts of strange museums, but none stranger than Insectropolis. This massive museum is dedicated to all things bugs and is filled with unique exhibits showing rare bugs on display, live bugs, and other critters like iguanas. For anyone with a love of nature and no fear of bugs, it's a great place to spend an afternoon.

7. Keyport Fishery, Keyport

The best food is often found in unlikely locations. Keyport Fishery is a perfect example. This shoreside seafood shack is a working fish market, but it does a brisk business in simple but delicious fried seafood boxes and sandwiches. The fried fish and shrimp here are fantastic. There are no seats, but you can take your meal and eat it on a bench feet from the water.

8. Plays in the Park, Edison

This is another local gem, found in Roosevelt Park every summer. Local actors perform some of the most popular Broadway musicals of all time in an Edison amphitheater for only a few dollars a ticket. The offerings at Plays in the Park range from classic musicals like "1776" to modern productions like "Wicked," and there's even a holiday production each December.

9. The Bent Spoon, Princeton

There's a reason this hole-in-the-wall Princeton ice cream parlor is consistently named the best ice cream shop in New Jersey. The Bent Spoon takes local flavors to a new level, featuring ice creams and sorbets made from produce from regional orchards, and takes bold swings with flavor combinations, including chocolate orange, like few other confectioners. The sorbets are incredibly refreshing and flavorful (I'm partial to the Concord grape), and they recently introduced a line of dairy-free ice creams.

Have you visited any of these hidden gems in New Jersey? If not, tell a friend about this list and discover some of them for yourself. And if you're looking for more unique New Jersey activities, check out our 2026 New Jersey bucket list, which has 25 more Garden State activities to discover!

Feeling inspired? Try planning your own trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.