Laws are designed to set boundaries and establish order. Many make sense, while others are just plain strange or entirely outdated. Here are some of the craziest laws still on the books in New Jersey. Take a look, and see if you're guilty of breaking any of these weird laws in New Jersey! Don't worry - we won't tell.
It's more up to the owner than the cat. They must wear bells on their collars at all times.
Which of these weird laws in New Jersey do you find strangest? Are there any other weird state or local laws that you would add to this list? Let us know in the comments.
Being as busy a state as we are, it's no surprise that New Jersey is full of iconic sounds that bring back memories. From the legendary tunes of Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi, to the sounds of crashing waves at the beach, we all have memories of them going back years or decades. But for me, there's no more nostalgic New Jersey sound than another one from the Jersey Shore - the sound of Boardwalk arcades. If you've ever walked into one, you know what I'm talking about - the entire place is humming with the sound of beeps, clangs, pinball flippers, flying skeeballs, and haggling at the prize counter. It's less one sound than a few hundred sounds all coming together into a unique New Jersey symphony. All the boardwalks at Point Pleasant Beach, Wildwood, Atlantic City, and Ocean City have huge arcades, but if we had to pick one that stands out, it's probably Wildwood's Mariner's Arcade.
advertisement
Just take a look at this video from Winner Every Time on YouTube to see the arcade and its sounds in action, and read on to discover why we're so excited for Boardwalk season to kick off every year!
You can probably hear the hubbub from a boardwalk arcade before you even set foot inside.
Yes, these can sometimes be a bit frustrating as we try to get the big one...
But most guests keep at it in exchange for a trip to the prize counter, where you could leave with anything from a handful of candy to a big electronics item.
Do you have fond memories of Boardwalk arcades? What's your favorite nostalgic New Jersey sound? Let us know in the comments section! If this article has made you want to dust off your gaming reflexes, check out the Mariner's Arcade website for more information. It's located in the heart of Wildwood, which means you're walking distance from other attractions like Splash Zone and the Doo-Wop Experience. You can also book a room at the Caribbean Motel, a historic Jersey Shore budget hotel with iconic decor.
There is no other state like New Jersey, and that's exactly how we longtime residents like it. The Garden State is small, to be sure, but it packs an enormous amount of culture and surprises into that compact area. New Jersey has great food, unique attractions, quirky memories - and even a shocking amount of natural beauty hiding in a dense urban state. There's a little something for everyone here - and if you have strong roots in New Jersey like us, you probably want to show them off! That's why companies like Wear Your Roots have developed unique lines of apparel for those who want to say "Yeah, I'm from New Jersey - and I'm proud of it!". Speaking of state pride, here are eight experiences that can only be had if you've got roots in New Jersey!
advertisement
SHOP WEAR YOUR ROOTS
1. You Know Your Parkway Exit By Heart - And Probably Your Friends
The NJ Parkway is one of the most extensive road systems in the state - a massive corridor going from Cape May to Woodbridge, with a total of 365 exits. And those key numbers are burned into any Garden State resident's memories - because it can be a long drive back if you miss it!
2. You've Picked A Side On Pork Roll vs. Taylor Ham
It's Taylor Ham in North Jersey, and Pork Roll everywhere else - but there is sort of a right answer. Taylor Ham is a brand of pork roll, the largest manufacturer in fact. Of course, the divided factions all agree on one thing - it's delicious.
advertisement
advertisement
You Have A Favorite Shore Town - And It's Not Atlantic City
Hey, AC's great and we love it too. So are other popular tourist destinations like Wildwood and Point Pleasant Beach. But the unique culture of Asbury Park, the laid-back atmosphere of Belmar, or dozens of tiny little beach towns without the crowds have a big fanbase among locals - and here in NJ, beating the crowds is very welcome.
The diner is still king here in New Jersey, and almost every town has one. Many people order the same thing at each diner they visit, comparing and contrasting how the locals do their favorite. Mine is the roast top sirloin platter - what's yours?
There have been many articles written about the decline of the mall - so of course, New Jersey just debuted one of the nation's biggest! The state is dotted with malls, and we all have memories of them - from back-to-school shopping, to movie nights, to hanging out there as teenagers.
The Pine Barrens are one of New Jersey's top natural wonders - and also home to its most famous cryptid. Have you ever seen something unusual while exploring the swamp at night? If so, you're not alone!
advertisement
advertisement
7. You've Been To A Sopranos Filming Location - And Maybe Ate There
Unlike many top Hollywood productions, The Sopranos was filmed on location in New Jersey and most of the locations are real businesses. This includes Holstein's, the beloved ice cream parlor where the divisive finale scene was filmed!
8. You Or Someone In Your Family Has An Action Park Story - And Maybe A Scar
If you're an 80s/90s kid like me, you grew up in the days when Action Park was still going strong. This wild, wicked, and often hazardous extreme theme park left countless kids with skinned knees and broken bones before it finally closed in 2014. Today it operates as Mountain Creek Waterpark and is much safer - but many New Jerseyans of a certain age have interesting stories to tell about the original.
If you can't wait to get your NJ apparel from Wear Your Roots, make sure to use code NewJersey10 to get 10% off your purchase and celebrate your deep roots in New Jersey with some new gear! Which of these New Jersey experience do you relate to? Let us know in the comments section! If you can't get enough of unique things to explore in New Jersey, make sure to visit some of our other discoveries - like a New Deal-era mystery statue or a seafood shack feet from the water.
