Morristown National Historical Park is one of the state's most unique sites - home to countless pieces of Revolutionary War history and stunning hiking trails. This park is home to so many fascinating spots that you'll discover something new every time. One of them is Jockey Hollow Visitor Center in New Jersey - one of the best visitor centers in New Jersey. Not only is it home to some great information about New Jersey and some shelter in the heat of the day but it's surrounded by one of the park's crown jewels - the location used by parts of the Continental Army during the harshest winter of the 1770s.
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Jockey Hollow Visitor Center is an oasis in the middle of the sprawling Morristown National Historical Park - and your pathway to adventure.
Have you visited the Jockey Hollow Visitor Center in New Jersey? Tell us what you did and what you saw at this historic site in Morristown National Historical Park in the comments section! You can find out all about the larger park by visiting the website of the National Park Service. You're also not far from the iconic Madison Hotel in Morristown.
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.
New Jersey has its fair share of odd roadside attractions. One of the most recognizable, the Mighty Joe Gorilla Statue, has quite a story behind it. Read more about the biggest gorilla in the Pinelands of New Jersey below.
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If you've ever traveled down Route 206 towards Hammonton, chances are you've seen the enormous roadside gorilla standing tall above a gas station near the intersection of Atsion Road or Old Indian Mills Road.
If you've lived in New Jersey for a long time, you might recognize this gorilla from the Wildwood Boardwalk, or the Rio Grande go-kart track. So, what is this giant ape doing in the Pinelands, watching the cars go by?
Larry and Barbara Valenzano have owned the gas station and deli that sits on 206 for more than 40 years. In 1999, they lost their son "Mighty Joe" to a sudden illness, and just a few years later, decided to purchase the statue in honor of their son.
"Mighty Joe" Valenzano was a bodybuilder who competed under the nickname, and the roadside gorilla reminded Larry of his son's mighty, larger-than-life presence and spirit.
For years, Larry Valenzano passed the gorilla on his way down the shore. At that time, it was standing in Rio Grande, and it did not take much convincing for the track owner to sell the statue to Valenzano.
The gorilla statue has been standing at Mighty Joe's Gas, Grill, and Deli for nearly two decades. It took some minor repairs, fresh paint, and a bit of TLC to get him back into roadside shape, but all of the effort seems to have been well worth it.
