Ah, summer in New Jersey. Is there any better time in the Garden State? I don't think so, especially since I spend most of my time down the shore during these months! There are so many amazing things to do in summer in New Jersey that it's often hard to fit it all in before fall comes along. It's the perfect time to explore a beautiful state park, visit some iconic boardwalk attractions, or take a river cruise at sunset. Then there are the festivals and events - you can expect some of the country's best parades and food fests across the states during these months. No matter how you like to spend your summer, the odds are good that your perfect summer adventure awaits. We're here to help you narrow it down with the 15 absolute summer events and destinations to explore this year!

Best Summer Vacation Destinations In New Jersey

For those planning a getaway to remember, you won't do better than the Garden State, New Jersey is home to some amazing vacation destinations - including a world-class amusement park, some of the best boardwalk amusements and beaches in the country - and if you can't handle the heat, we have you covered too! For those sweltering days, why not head to the top indoor shopping and dining destination on the East Coast?

1. American Dream

Location: East Rutherford.

Popularity: Very popular - this shopping and dining destination is growing in popularity with each new addition. You can expect heavy crowds in the evenings and weekends, and camp trips can frequently make attractions fill up.

Need To Know: This is a free-to-enter destination, but most of the additional attractions such as Nickelodeon Universe or Blast 7D require separate tickets.

One of the largest malls in the world, American Dream is run by the same team as the Mall of America in Minnesota. This one has a huge shopping collection including a luxury section, but its emphasis is much more on dining and entertainment. The attractions here include an amusement park, the country’s largest indoor water park, an indoor ski slope, an aquarium, a LegoLand Discovery Center, and a 7D motion theater. Looking for a memorable night out? There are around 20 full-service restaurants and a self-serve wine bar. You can easily spend a full day or more here.

2. Jenkinson's Boardwalk

Location: Point Pleasant Beach.

Popularity: Very popular - summer is the top season for all boardwalks, and while this one is not the most popular, you can expect large crowds on the weekend..

Need To Know: Jenkinson’s is a free-to-enter destination, with additional charges for most attractions. The beach is privately owned, so you’ll need a beach pass.

While Wildwood might have the biggest boardwalk attractions, Jenkinson's always seemed to me like the ideal New Jersey shore experience. This small but packed boardwalk contains an amusement park, an indoor aquarium, a mini-golf course, and dozens of stops for food and games. It also has some destinations you can’t find anywhere else in New Jersey - including the state’s largest tiki bar, Martell’s, which features five different food concepts under one roof; and a surreal indoor funhouse packed with surprises.

3. Six Flags Great Adventure

Location: Jackson.

Popularity: Extremely popular - this is the top amusement park in the tri-state area and is very crowded in summer. .

Need To Know: Different ticket rates apply for adults and children, depending on whether you want to visit the amusement park, the new safari experience, or both. If you’re planning multiple visits, a season ticket may make sense.

With a whopping fourteen roller coasters, Six Flags Great Adventure might be the premiere coaster destination on the East Coast. This roster includes the massive Kingda Ka, which shoots riders hundreds of feet into the air. For younger visitors, they’ll love the extensive collection of flat rides and Looney Tunes characters to visit with. The amusement park adjoins the Six Flags Wild Safari experience, a drive-through Safari that has just been completely revamped and now includes an option for Safari glamping.

Best Beaches And Lakes To Visit In New Jersey This Summer

The Jersey Shore is hopping this time of year and everyone knows it - so when you want to beat the crowds, it's best to head inland. These beaches and lakes range from a pristine inland beach that's one of the state's best-kept secrets, to a massive freshwater fishing and boating destination. There's even a beach near one of New Jersey's top tourist towns that most visitors have never heard of.

4. Bianchini Beach Park

Location: Browns Mills.

Popularity: Moderately popular - this is very much a locals’ destination, so you can expect to have a lot of room for fishing or having a picnic.

Need To Know: This is a local park with free admission, and you can bring your own fishing gear or boat.

A small city park with one of the most beautiful inland beaches in New Jersey, Bianchini Beach Park is a gorgeous retreat on the banks of Presidential Lakes. Unlike the Jersey Shore, you’ll probably never have big crowds here. You can relax on the sandy beach, go fishing or boating, or hold a picnic feet from the water. Whatever you do, make sure you stay till the sun goes down - the sunset here is truly amazing.

5. Lake Hopatcong

Location: Hopatcong.

Popularity: Very popular - this lake is crowded with fishers, boaters, and vacationers all through the summer.

Need To Know: This is one of the most competitive vacation spots in the state if you’re looking to stay here - it’s ringed by cabin rentals, and they go quickly as the season approaches.

The largest lake in New Jersey, Lake Hopatcong is a vacation destination in its own right and one of the top spots around for those who love the water. It’s surrounded by parks, cabins, and marinas, which means you should have everything you need right here. It’s common for people to rent a place and stay several days or more - fishing, boating, and just relaxing on the banks of the lake. This is one of the more crowded lakes in the state during the summer, so it’s ideal if you’re looking forward to meeting fellow water-lovers.

6. Poverty Beach

Location: Cape May.

Popularity: Not popular - this is a well-hidden beach mostly visited by locals.

Need To Know: This is a free public beach, and all attractions and sights located nearby are open to the public.

Want to spend a day on the shore but need to beat the crowds? Head to Poverty Beach in Cape May, named for the fact that it used to be the beach that the workaday crowd came to while the more famous beaches were crowded with visitors. There is no boardwalk attached to this beach, so it doesn’t get too many visitors today. Those who do come will be greeted with stunning white sand, free of the detritus we often see on popular beaches, as well as blue waves and some fascinating sights like abandoned WW2 bunkers.

Parks To Visit In New Jersey This Summer

New Jersey's best parks often come alive in the summer - and that goes for both the state parks and county parks. The state parks are frequently at their busiest during the summer, so we're spotlighting some hidden gems. This includes a county park with some amazing live entertainment, the most impressive urban recreation park in the state, and a beachside state park that gets you as close to the water as you can possibly get without a boat.

7. Roosevelt Park

Location: Edison.

Popularity: Moderately popular - this is a local destination filled with recreation opportunities, but not well-known outside its community.

Need To Know: This is a free county park and all attractions during the summer are free of charge. Bring your own equipment and have a good time!

Roosevelt Park is only minutes from my home, and this is one of my favorite spots during the summer. This unique county park is home to some amazing attractions like Plays in the Park - nightly free theater featuring some of the country’s top musicals. It’s also full of bike paths, basketball courts, playgrounds, and even a meditation garden. There are two unique spots here that everyone should visit - a beautiful war memorial, and Light Dispelling Darkness. This is a surreal New Deal-era fountain sculpture that’s one of the most bizarre spots in New Jersey. The camp is also home to Camp Kiddie Keep Well, a free sleepaway camp for kids 7-11.

8. Overpeck County Park

Location: Leonia.

Popularity: Popular - This is one of the largest county parks in New Jersey, and is full of recreation destinations. As it’s also home to a separate tourist attraction, you can expect large crowds through the summer.

Need To Know: A free county park that’s also home to an equestrian center and Field Station: Dinosaurs, this is a hybrid of a local recreation destination and a full-fledged attraction.

Bergen County’s largest park, Overpeck County Park is ideal for a summer day when everyone wants to do something different. The park surrounds a huge lake with amazing fishing spots, and there’s a great natural-themed playground that kids will love. A huge amphitheater often hosts live music in the evening. But parents be warned - your kids will likely want to visit Field Station: Dinosaurs, a unique audio-animatronic-filled theme park with massive realistic dinosaurs. It’s an amazing attraction, but it does require a separate ticket.

9. Island Beach State Park

Location: Berkeley Township.

Popularity: Popular - this is one of the best spots on the Jersey Shore for recreation. The only thing holding back its popularity is its remote location.

Need To Know: Like all New Jersey state parks, admission is technically free but there is a parking fee. Swimming is permitted during the summer months when lifeguards are on duty. No camping is allowed.

Located on an undeveloped barrier beach, Island Beach State Park might be the most pristine spot on the Jersey Shore. It’s a popular location for surfing and saltwater fishing, and there are guided kayak and canoe trips offered during the summer. This way you can see the osprey colony that makes the beach its home. There are plenty of hiking trails among the sand dunes, so you can easily spend a whole day here - and you’ll want to, because this area is home to some gorgeous sunsets.

Best Free Summer Activities

Even if you're on a budget this summer, that doesn't mean you can't have some fun in the sun. New Jersey has some incredible museums, gardens, and animal exhibits that don't charge a cent - including a unique county zoo with some adorable residents, a fascinating exhibit celebrating the residents of the sea, and one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in the whole state.

10. Cohanzick Zoo

Location: Bridgeton.

Popularity: Moderately popular - this is a great zoo, but the remote location keeps it a hidden gem.

Need To Know: Located in a county park, this is one of the few free zoos in New Jersey. All profits from merchandise and concessions go to funding the zoo. .

The best animal sanctuary in New Jersey, the Cohanzick Zoo dates back to 1934 and is home to an impressive menagerie of animals. You can find farm animals like goats, as well as a collection of reptiles and birds - including massive emus! When it comes to the mammals, some of the stars of the show include adorable fennec foxes and tiny sugar gliders - as well as massive big cats like tigers. Keep an eye out of the unique animal sculptures dotting the place - no, that’s not a bear on the loose.

11. Frelinghuysen Arboretum

Location: Morristown.

Popularity: Popular - Morristown is full of historic attractions and museums, and this charming garden gets quite a bit of traffic.

Need To Know: This garden is completely free to enter and is a popular educational spot for school and camp trips.

One of the best botanical gardens in New Jersey, the Frelinghuysen Arboretum is an amazing 127-acre complex home to several miles of hiking trails around the garden. It’s home to the Morris County Parks Commission, and the exhibits include a historical display of vintage vehicles and artifacts from New Jersey’s early days. The highlight is definitely the massive garden full of flowers, and the over 2000 specimen trees lining the paths. This is an ideal destination for a sunny but not-too-warm day.

12. Marine Mammal Stranding Center & Museum

Location: Brigantine.

Popularity: Not popular - this out-of-the-way museum is a true hidden gem.

Need To Know: A free museum attached to an animal rescue and rehabilitation center, this is an ideal spot for ocean-lovers. The marine mammal stranding center is not open to the public.

The Marine Mammal Stranding Center does good work helping lost and beached sea mammals return safely to the water, but this Brigatine destination is also home to the Sea Life Museum, a free exhibit with a fascinating collection of artifacts. This includes preserved bones from a massive sperm whale and tusks from a walrus. There are also touch tanks featuring live sea creatures, and a live feed of the marine mammals when there are residents at the stranding center. Make sure to stop by the gift shop on your way out!

Best Summer Events And Festivals In New Jersey

No one does a summer party like New Jersey! This summer, the best festivals in New Jersey include a massive beach party in one of the state's best shore towns, a laid-back flower festival on a farm that always has something going on - and of course, the granddaddy of them all. That's right, one of the best state fairs in the country is back for another engagement, and we're here to tell you all about it.

13. Meadowlands State Fair

Location: East Rutherford.

Popularity: Extremely popular - this is THE summer event in New Jersey.

Need To Know: This year’s event takes place from June 20th to July 7th in 2024. Single-day tickets start at around $40, with upgrades for fastpass access to attractions available.

The Meadowlands State Fair is one of the most spectacular events in the whole country each summer, taking over the entire Meadowlands Fairgrounds each year with a huge collection of rides and games. Additionally, you’ll have no shortage of entertainment while you’re here - including a petting zoo, magic acts, live music, and the world-famous pig races. You can even take a helicopter ride for an additional fee. And then there’s the food - you’d better believe they’re coming up with new and amazing things to deep-fry as we speak.

14. Beachstock

Location: Margate City.

Popularity: Popular - although Margate City isn’t usually a big tourist destination, this event brings guests from all around.

Need To Know: This massive beach party is completely free and is being held June 29th. Food is available for purchase.

Beachstock is actually the largest beach party in the United States, and it completely transforms this charming and sleepy beach town for one day. The beach is the focus of the festival, with games of beach volleyball, surfing, and live music. More into laid-back beach games? Belly up for a game of cornhole! There are educational tours of the beach for kids, as well as cultural dance demonstrations. And of course, the food is amazing - you can expect some of the best pizza, seafood, and frozen desserts around to be on offer.

15. Summer at Happy Day Farm

Location: Manalapan.

Popularity: Moderately popular - this is a popular farm destination, but the summer events are consistent through the season so the crowds will be spread out.

Need To Know: Admission varies during the summer, ranging from $15 for lavender picking to $5 for blueberry or strawberry picking.

Harvest festivals were the very first summer festival, and Happy Day Farm is keeping the tradition alive! This Manalapan farm is open for lavender, sunflowers, blueberries, and raspberries during this season - and every choice is a day to remember. There is also a petting zoo for kids featuring adorable goats and chickens, and a paintball field is open on the weekends. You’ll probably work up a thirst here, so make sure to stop by the lemonade stand for a refreshing treat before you go.

What are your favorite things to do in summer in New Jersey? Which of the places or events on this list have you done in past years? Let us know in the comments section! This is also a phenomenal time to explore New Jersey's best state parks, and we put together a list for exactly that purpose. If you're planning to do some hiking this year, consider a subscription to AllTrails + - it's ideal for when you're really headed off the beaten path and need step-by-step trail guides you can access even when online.