THE INTERESTED AMERICAN

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Japan: People Would Agree to Coalition Government

Would you agree or disagree with a government coalition featuring the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the People’s New Party (PNP)?

Agree	58%
Disagree	39%

Source: Yomiuri
Methodology: Interviews with 1,065 Japanese adults, conducted on Sept. 1 and Sept. 2, 2009. No margin of error was provided.

Monday, September 14, 2009

John Kerry Tops 50 Richest Members of Congress

Image by cliff1066 via Flickr

$167,550,000.00

You would think Kerry would have redistributed some of that wealth by now.
I guess only we're supposed to do that.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Connecticut: Dodd Continues to be in Trouble, Trails Simmons by 10

Survey of 500 Likely Voters in CT
September 10, 2009

Election 2010: Connecticut Senate Race
Rob Simmons (R)	49%
Chris Dodd (D)	39%
Some other candidate	5%
Not sure	6%

Election 2010: Connecticut Senate Race
Tom Foley (R)	43%
Chris Dodd (D)	40%
Other	7%
Not sure	10%

Election 2010: Connecticut Senate Race
Sam Caligiuri (R)	40%
Chris Dodd (D)	43%
Some other candidate	7%
Not sure	10%

Election 2010: Connecticut Senate Race
Peter Schiff (R)	40%
Chris Dodd (D)	42%
Other	7%
Not sure	10%

Rasmussen Reports

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Who Are America's Allies?

I'm sick of all these polls that ask people in lesser countries what they think of the United States. That's like asking Hitler what he thinks of Eisenhower. Now this Rasmussen poll is more like it. It asks what Americans think of these other jealous nations that hate us. I don't agree with every single result in this poll, but over all it is a promising sign that Americans understand what is going on in the world.

Country	Ally	Enemy	U.S. Should Defend	U.S. Should Not Defend
China	19%	26%	13%	72%
Japan	59%	10%	46%	41%
Russia	17%	27%	15%	72%
Great Britain	85%	5%	73%	18%
Iraq	17%	41%	30%	57%
Germany	66%	5%	53%	33%
Vietnam	21%	21%	19%	64%
Canada	86%	4%	78%	16%
Saudi Arabia	23%	25%	26%	59%
France	61%	4%	45%	37%
Israel	70%	8%	59%	29%
North Korea	4%	75%	13%	74%
Mexico	54%	11%	59%	28%
Iran	5%	70%	13%	74%
Pakistan	12%	28%	29%	49%
Afghanistan	15%	40%	33%	50%
Venezuela	20%	34%	25%	56%
Egypt	39%	9%	38%	41%

New Jersey: Christie Leads Corruptzine by 8

New Jersey Survey of 500 Likely Voters
September 9, 2009

2009 New Jersey Governor Race
Chris Christie (R)	46%
Jon Corzine (D)	38%
Some Other Candidate	6%
Not Sure	10%

Rasmussen Reports

Donate to Joe Wilson!

Image via Wikipedia

Donate to Joe Wilson, the only man in congress brave enough to tell it like it is.
It is important that we reward the rare politician who stands up for us.
Click on the link below and then press on the red "donate" button.
joewilsonforcongress.com

Colorado: McInnis Leads Ritter by 5

Image by McInnisForColorado via Flickr

Survey of 500 Likely Voters in CO
September 9, 2009

Election 2010: Colorado Governor's Race
McInnis	44%
Ritter	39%
Other	7%
Not sure	10%

Election 2010: Colorado Governor's Race
Penry	40%
Ritter	41%
Other	7%
Not sure	12%

Rasmussen Reports

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Sarah Palin: Obamacare would give beaureaucrats life-and-death rationing powers

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Writing in the New York Times last month, President Barack Obama asked that Americans "talk with one another, and not over one another" as our health-care debate moves forward.

I couldn't agree more. Let's engage the other side's arguments, and let's allow Americans to decide for themselves whether the Democrats' health-care proposals should become governing law.

Continue on Wall Street Journal

Mexico: More Than 2/3 Approve of Calderón

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Do you approve or disapprove of Felipe Calderón’s performance as president?

	Aug. 2009	May 2009	Feb. 2009
Approve	68%	69%	66%
Disapprove	24%	25%	27%

Source: Reforma
Methodology: Face-to-face interviews with 1,515 Mexican registered voters, conducted from Aug. 14 to Aug. 16, 2009. Margin of error is 2.8 per cent.

Macedonia: Status Quo Looks Safe

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Which party would you vote for in the next legislative election?

	Sept. 2009	Jul. 2009
Macedonian Revolutionary Organization - Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity (VMRO-DPMNE)	29.1%	26.1%
Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM)	9.5%	9.2%
Democratic Union for Integration (DUI)	7.1%	7.0%
New Democracy (ND)	2.6%	3.2%

Source: Institute for Democracy
Methodology: Interviews with 1,110 Macedonian adults, conducted from Sept. 1 to Sept. 3, 2009. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.

British Want Televised Election Debates

Image by acidrabbi via Flickr

Do you support or oppose holding a televised debate featuring the leaders of the three main parties—Labour, Conservatives and Liberal Democrats—before the next general election?

Support	76%
Oppose	12%
Not sure	13%

Source: Angus Reid Strategies
Methodology: Online interviews with 2,003 British adults, conducted from Sept. 2 to Sept. 4, 2009. Margin of error is 2.2 per cent.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Children Don't Dream of Being Politicians

When you were a child, did you ever fantasize about holding any of these jobs? (Positive responses only)

CAN - Prime Minister of Canada	9%
USA - President of the United States	8%
BRI - Prime Minister of the United Kingdom	5%

Source: Angus Reid Strategies
Methodology: Online interviews with 1,006 Canadian adults, 1,002 American adults, and 2,001 British adults, conducted from Aug. 27 to Aug. 30, 2009. Margins of error range from 2.2 per cent to 3.1 per cent.

Argentina: Kirchner Popularity Dives

Image via Wikipedia

Do you have a positive or negative opinion of Cristina Fernández de Kirchner?

	Aug. 2009	Feb. 2009	Nov. 2008
Positive	23%	29%	28%
Average	24%	30%	32%
Negative	53%	41%	39%

Source: Poliarquía Consultores
Methodology: Interviews with 1,000 Argentine adults, conducted in August 2009. Margin of error is 3.3 per cent.

45% Believe Unions Hurt US, 26% Say They Help

Forty-five percent (45%) of Americans believe that labor unions make our country weaker, while just 26% say unions make the nation stronger.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 13% believe organized labor has no impact on America, and 16% are not sure.

Rasmussen Reports

GOP Lead Over Democrats Rises to 7 pts

Date	Dem	GOP
08-30-09	36%	43%
08-23-09	38%	43%
08-16-09	38%	43%
08-09-09	38%	42%
08-02-09	38%	43%
07-26-09	39%	42%

Rasmussen Reports

Virginia: McDonnell 54, Deeds 42

For Governor, Republican Bob McDonnell appears undamaged and today defeats Democrat Creigh Deeds. Compared to an identical SurveyUSA poll released five weeks ago, the race has tightened slightly, not dramatically. There is movement to Deeds in the Washington DC suburbs, where a 15-point McDonnell lead has evaporated, but there is no GOP erosion in the rest of the state.

Survey USA

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Politically Correct Slogans Riddle School Booklet

Monday was the first day of the new school year, and it proved to be more of a learning experience for me than it was for my fifth-grader. He brought home a pile of papers last week that included the 12-page school district booklet, "Elementary Students: Behaving Positively at School."

I opened it, wanting to make sure I was familiar with the guidelines regarding bullying, drugs, classroom disruptions and other legitimate school concerns. Instead, I was greeted by a full page of mind-numbing, politically correct mumbo-jumbo under the headline, "The Challenge of Excellence -- Be Positive!" ... >

Las Vegas Review Journal

Obama Ends Plan to Have Teachers Force Kids to Write Paper on How to 'Help Obama'

President Obama's plan to inspire the nation's schoolchildren with a video address next week erupted into controversy Wednesday, forcing the White House to pull out its eraser and rewrite a government recommendation that teachers nationwide assign students a paper on how to "help the president."
Presidential aides acknowledged the White House helped the U.S. Education Department craft the proposal, which immediately was met by fierce criticism from Republicans and conservative organizations who accused Mr. Obama of trying to politicize the education system.

Washington Times

New Jersey: 14 More Politicians Indicted!

A former Atlantic City mayoral candidate and 13 campaign workers have been indicted in a vote fraud scheme.
New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram announced the indictments today against City Councilman Marty Small and the others.

NJ.com

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Virginia: Smears by Deeds Only Increase McDonnell Lead by 1

Has Bob McDonnell, the Republican nominee for governor of Virginia in the Nov. 3 election, suffered much political damage over some controversial social policy views he expressed in a graduate thesis 20 years ago?

A Rasmussen Reports survey conducted Sept. 1, two days after McDonnell's thesis was first reported by The Washington Post, suggests that he has not, at least for now.

Congressional Quarterly

New Jersey Rat Leaving Sinking Ship: Democrat Assembly Speaker Calls it Quits

Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts formally announced this afternoon that he will not seek re-election this fall, calling it "a very emotional day" as he begins to shut the door on a 22-year career in the Legislature.

NJ.com

Voter Affiliation With Democrats Plummets

Oregon: Kitzhaber Running for Governor Again

Former Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber just filed papers with the state Elections Division to create a campaign committee to run for his old job in 2010.

Kitzhaber announced on a new campaign web site that he is running "because we need to fundamentally change how we engage with one another to solve our shared problems."

OregonLive.com

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Top 100 Wonders of New Jersey

Pinelands National Reserve/UNESCO International Biosphere Blueberries, cranberries, crisp pine forests, tree frogs and the Jersey Devil all love the Pinelands—or the Pine Barrens as many people call it. This is the first National Reserve in the United States, encompassing approximately 1.1 million acres (22% of New Jersey's land area). It is the largest body of open space on the Mid-Atlantic seaboard between Richmond and Boston. In 1983 the area was designated a U.S. Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO and in 1988 it was recognized as a International Biosphere Reserve. Scores of tea-colored man-made lakes dot this unique landscape, which is blessed with orchids, carnivorous plants and pygmy pines. 39 species of mammals, 299 Bird, 59 reptile and amphibian species and 91 fish species have been identified as occurring within the Pinelands including 43 animal species listed as threatened or endangered by the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife. Multiple counties in South Jersey.
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area Part of the National Park Service, and shared with Pennsylvania, this vast park preserves almost 70,000 acres of land along the Delaware River. Peter's Valley Craft Education Center. Walpack Valley Environmental Education Center. Buttermilk Falls. River Bend Group Campground. Millbrook Village. Watergate Recreation Site. Depew Recreation Site. Mohican Outdoor Center. Upper Yards Creek Reservoir. Mount Tammany.
Atlantic City Boardwalk The longest boardwalk in the world. Built in 1870, it is also the world's first boardwalk. The Steel Pier is the home of an amusement park. The Garden Pier is now home to the Atlantic City Historical Society and an Arts Center. The New Jersey Korean War Memorial is located along the boardwalk. Also, most of the casinos in the city are located along the Boardwalk. Atlantic City.
Long Beach Island 18 mile long barrier island. Less than 9,000 people live on the island year round, but during the tourist season the population rises to over 100,000. While the entire island is upscale, the northern half is consider the richest area, leaving the southern half with only being considered rich. Long Beach Island is often referred to as "LBI." Only one bridge, referred to as "The Causeway," connects the island to mainland New Jersey. Communities on Long Beach Island include Barnegat Light, Loveladies, Harvey Cedars, Surf City, Ship Bottom, Brant Beach, Spray Beach, Beach Haven and Holgate.
Princeton University One of only eight colleges in the Ivy League and the number 1 ranked university in the United States according to U.S. News and World Report. Notable landmarks include the Firestone Library, McCarter Theatre, Princeton Art Museum, Nassau Hall, Lake Carnegie, Princeton Stadium and Prospect Gardens. From July to October 1783, Princeton was the capital of the United States and Nassau Hall was home to the entire American government. Perhaps the best way to enjoy the University is to just take a simple stroll through the campus and enjoy the ivy-clad gothic buildings, works of art and gardens. Princeton Boro and Princeton Township.
Cape May Historic District More Victorian than Queen Victoria, Cape May is the oldest seashore resort in the United States. According to the National Historic Landmarks program, "With over 600 summer homes, hotels and commercial structures, this venerable seashore resort has one of the largest collections of 19th century frame buildings remaining in the United States." The Cape May Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts operates the Emlen Physick Estate, a Victorian house museum. Visitors can take a walking or trolley tour of the Victorian homes or spend the night in one of the beautiful bed & breakfasts. Don't be surprised to see dolphins jumping out of the water where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean. Cape May is a year-round resort, becoming a charming Christmas village in the winter.
Liberty State Park Ferry to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Liberty Walk is a riverside promenade that stretches almost the entire length of the park. Liberation Monument. Historic CRRNJ Terminal. Jersey City.
Island Beach State Park The largest reserve of undeveloped barrier island in New Jersey and one of the largest in the United States. It was a peninsula, but the Point Pleasant Canal cuts it off from the mainland. The park contains close to ten miles of sandy beach, an extensive shoreline along Barnegat Bay, dense maritime forests, rolling sand dunes, and tidal marshes. Island Beach is also home to semi-friendly foxes (Don't be fooled, they just covet your McNuggets. They are foxes after all), ospreys and more than 400 species of plants. Berkeley.
Sandy Hook A barrier peninsula approximately 7 miles in length, Sandy Hook is a part of the Gateway National Recreation Area which includes sites in Staten Island and Queens, New York. The prime attraction are the beaches, but history buffs can tour old Nike missile sites, visit Battery Potter and Battery Gunnison, learn at the History House on the restored Officer's Row and climb Sandy Hook Lighthouse. Surf fishing is a popular with anglers, and night fishing passes are available for purchase. There is a 5 mile long multi-use pathway for walkers, bikers and rollerbladers. Birding opportunities include Plum Island, the Spermaceti Cove boardwalk, Horseshoe Cove salt marsh, North Pond and the New Jersey Audubon Society Sandy Hook Bird Observatory. Middletown.
Six Flags Great Adventure & Wild Safari/Hurricane Harbor Great Adventure has some of the highest rated roller coasters: Kingda Ka, the world's highest roller coaster (also, until recently, it was the world's fastest); El Toro; Nitro; Superman: Ultimate Flight; The Dark Knight; Bizarro—the first floorless roller coaster in the world (originally named Medusa). Fright Fest is a Halloween-themed festival held in October. Hurricane Harbor is a 45 acre tropical themed water park, which includes: Hurricane Mountain water slide. Bada Bing, Bada Bang, Bada Boom! water slide. Boreas, Eurus, Zephyrus and Nortus water slide. Blue Lagoon Wave Pool. Cannonball, Wahini and Jurahnimo Falls water slides. Discovery Bay for little children. Jackson.
Seaside Heights Boardwalk Amusements include Casino Pier with its Jenkinson's Breakwater Beach Water Park, Funtown Pier, Belle Freeman Carousel, Dr. Floyd L. Moreland 1910 Dentzel/Loof Carousel and multiple arcades. Seaside Heights.
Wildwood Boardwalk 1.8-mile boardwalk. Morey Piers and Beachfront Water Parks. Splash Zone Water Park. National Marbles Hall of Fame. Deep Sea Fishing. Doo Wop Preservation League. Parasailing. Friday night fireworks during the summer.
Meadowlands Stadium The Giants will soon be moving into their new football stadium along with their hapless sidekicks, the Jets. Also, the biggest of the big concerts are held here. East Rutherford.
The Horse Country A rural region noted for its rolling hills, millionaire estates and scores of horse farms. The United States Equestrian Team is headquartered in Peapack-Gladstone and the Far Hills Race Meeting has more than 50,000 spectators. The highlight race of this event is the Grand National. Northern Somerset County, much of Hunterdon County.
New Jersey Meadowlands 30.4 square mile Meadowlands District. Pontoon boat tours are available from the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission, and launch from River Barge Park in Carlstadt. Canoe and walking tours are also popular. Southern Bergen County and Northern Hudson County.
Prudential Center Home to the New Jersey Devils hockey team, Seton Hall college basketball and the New Jersey Ironmen indoor soccer team. Also, major concerts, WWE wrestling, Cirque du Soleil and comedy shows. Newark.
Liberty Island Home to the Statue of Liberty. Most of Liberty Island, but not the part where the Statue is, belongs to New Jersey. That is because originally the island was much smaller than it is now and the landfill that was added on to the island overflowed the borders of the island and became a part of New Jersey. Jersey City.
Battleship New Jersey The most decorated battleship in U.S. Navy history is now a floating museum. According to the official web site, "tours cover many areas, including the Bridge, the crew’s mess, the communication’s room and the big 16” guns. Exhibits include 'New Jerseyans on the Big J', 'A Sailor’s Life', 'Keepers of the Sea' and more." Camden.
New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Stretches nearly 300 miles along the Atlantic seaboard including Raritan, Barnegat and Delaware Bays.
The Atlantic Highlands This geographic formation is home to the highest east-coast natural elevation from Maine to the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. Mt. Mitchell Overlook offers some of the best opportunities to view the Atlantic Ocean, Raritan Bay, Sandy Hook, the Jersey Shore, Staten Island, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Long Island. Atlantic Highlands, Highlands, Middletown.
Mountain Creek Skiing. Snowboarding. Snow Tubing. Cobblestone Village. Diablo Free-Ride Park. Mountain Creek Waterpark. Open Air Gondola Rides. Vernon.
Grounds for Sculpture The best art museum in New Jersey. 35 acre sculpture park and museum featuring famous and up-and-coming artists. Rats restaurant is a destination in and of itself. Also, the Grounds host a variety of concerts. Hamilton.
NHL Devils Three Stanley Cups for New Jersey. Newark.
NFL Giants Three Super Bowls for New Jersey/New York. East Rutherford.
NFL Jets Wait 'til next year! East Rutherford.
The Jersey Devil The earliest legends date back to the Lenni Lenape Indians, but the traditional folklore begins with Mother Leeds in the early 1700s. It was said that Mother Leeds had 12 children and, after giving birth to her 12th child, stated that if she had another, it would be the devil. Well, be careful what you wish for. And yes, the hockey team was name after the Jersey Devil.
High Point State Park The highest elevation in New Jersey at 1,803 feet. As if the highest point in the state was not enough, there is an obelisk monument atop the mountain which was built to honor war veterans. Montague.
The Lenni Lenape Indians The original inhabitants of New Jersey were well-organized groups of people known as the Lenni Lenape. These people were part of the Algonquin linguistic group. Throughout New Jersey
"The Diner Capital of the World" New Jersey is that. Throughout New Jersey.
New Jersey Performing Arts Center Prudential Hall (2,750-seats and the largest of the three NJPAC venues) has been named "one of the world's greatest concert halls" and "the nation's most glamorous theater." Victoria Theater (514-seats) and the intimate Chase Room also offer cultural entertainment opportunities. Newark.
Lambertville The Antique Capital of New Jersey. Carriage rides, restaurants, coffee shops, art galleries and a view of the scenic Delaware River and Lambertville's Pennsylvania sister city, New Hope, on the opposite shore. The interesting architecture of the town is anchored by Federal and Victorian buildings. Lambertville Station is a restored 1800s train depot which is now an inn and restaurant. Also, the Delaware and Raritan Canal cuts through town, offering visitors the opportunity for a nice stroll.
Palisades Interstate Park About 12 miles long and half-a-mile wide at its widest, with 2,500 acres of wild Hudson River shorefront and uplands, including some of the most impressive sections of the Palisades.Shared by New Jersey and New York, the land in the NJ Section was the first that the Commission acquired after its creation in 1900 by the states of New York and New Jersey. 30 miles of hiking trails.
The Borgata/The Waterclub This impressive $1.1 billion casino hotel features 2,000 rooms and boasts the largest poker room in Atlantic City. The 2,400 seat Borgata Event Center hosts major concerts while the Music Box is home to the nightly Comedy Club. Guests can be pampered at Spa Toccare. The Waterclub offers 800 additional rooms and has a pool theme. The Sunroom Lounge has two outdoor pools. There are also two indoor pools. Immersion is a spa which also features a 75 foot infinity-edge pool. Atlantic City.
New Jersey Festival of Balooning The largest summertime hot air balloon and music festival in North America. Earned the American Bus Association's designation as a Top 100 Festival in North America. Held annually at Solberg Airport. Readington.
Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park The longest waterfall in New Jersey and located on the Passaic River, the Great Falls drop 77 ft. The National Park designation occured in 2009. Prior to that it was a National Historic Landmark District. Alexander Hamilton and the Society For The Establishment of Useful Manufactures helped to make the district around the falls an early industrial success story.
Caesar's Atlantic City The show-stealer of this hotel/casino is The Pier Shops at Caesars with three levels of upscale shopping, restaurants, nightlife and a water and light show at the tip of the structure, jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean from the Atlantic City Boardwalk. If you get exhausted eating and buying things, you can waddle over to the Qua Baths & Spa, with its Roman bath, treatment rooms and an outdoor rooftop pool.
Crystal Springs Resort Minerals Resort and Spa. Grand Cascades Lodge. Also, there is The Biosphere, an indoor pool complex with an underground aquarium, water slide, vortex pools and caves, and tropical foliage. There are seven golf courses including Ballyowen.
Morristown National Historical Park George Washington's Headquarters at the Ford Mansion available for guided tours. Washington's Headquarters Museum. Jockey Hollow's miserable winter quarters for the Continental Army troops was a worse experience than that at Valley Forge's, but as a park employee said, Valley Forge had better public relations people. Also, visit the historic Wick House.
Ocean City Boardwalk The Travel Channel gave Ocean City the title of "the No. 1 family beach community in the country." Surfer Magazine named it one of the Top Ten American Surf Towns. In 2008, Frommers named it one of its Top Destinations. There are two and half miles of boardwalk with eight blocks of family amusements. You may want to enter one of city's famous contests, such as the Miss Crustacean Beauty Pageant, the Twins Contest or the Hermit Crab Day festival. Fans of the 50s will enjoy the historic Ocean City Doo-Wop District. At the Music Pier, concerts are performed throughout the year and it is also home to the Ocean City Pops.
Local 9/11 Memorials Scattered throughout North and Central Jersey.
Lucy the Elephant
Harrahs Resort & Casino 113,000 square foot casino, more than 3,700 slot machines and Poker Room, host to the World Series of Poker. The Pool is a tropical themed indoor pool which becomes a night club after dark. Red Door Spa was chosen as Best Casino Hotel Spa by SpaFinder magazine in 2008. The Waterfront Tower expansion was completed in 2008. This addition to the resort is breathtaking at night due to its enormous brightly lit animations on the sides of the tower.
Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park Opened in 1934, the Canal was used mostly to carry coal from Pennsylvania. The waterway offers a highway of surprising biological diversity cutting through Central Jersey. Some of the most scenic sections of the Canal are: Along Princeton's Lake Carnegie, Lambertville, New Brunswick and Bull's Island.
Cape May County Zoo 200 different species of animals in this, the best zoo in New Jersey. The largest single exhibit is the African Savannah. An aviary and a reptile house are also notable parts of the collection. In a bizarre twist, the Zoo is home to thirteen Chilean Flamingos originally from Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch. Also, in 2008, the zoo opened a bald eagle exhibit. Picnic areas, nature trails and bike paths are also available. Admission to the zoo is free.
Ellis Island
Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge More than 43,000 acres of coastal habitats preserved for migratory birds. An excellent site for birdwatching and nature photography.
Princeton Art Museum 72,000 works of art. The collections include African art, American art, Islamic and Ancient art, Asian art, Contemporary art, European art, Prints and Drawings, and Photography.
George Washington Bridge
Night in Venice Festival One of the largest boat parades in the world. Ocean City.
The Tropicana Casino and Resort 2,125 rooms, a 148,000 sq ft casino and over 3,800 slot machines. The Quarter at Tropicana is an "Streets of Old Havana" styled shopping mall with 50 shops and restaurants. There is also an IMAX theatre (at the time of this writing, "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs" is playing in IMAX 3D) and the Comedy Stop Cafe and Cabaret. The Showroom and Tango's Lounge offer entertainment opportunities. Also, try the bluemercury spa.
Appalachian Trail 2,175 miles long, from Maine to Georgia, the trail enters New Jersey from the south on a pedestrian walkway along Interstate 80 on a pedestrian walkway over the Delaware River. Kittatinny Ridge, Worthington State Forest, Sunfish Pond, Stokes State Forest and High Point State Park, Wawayanda State Park and Abraham Hewitt State Forest are some of the sights one passes through while traveling on the New Jersey section of the trail.
Adventure Aquarium 4-D theater. 40-foot Shark Tunnel. Currents Ballroom. West African River Experience complete with hippos. Irazu Falls two-story waterfall. Seal Shores. Penguin Island. Feed exotic birds at Feather Ridge. Swim With the Sharks. Camden.
Liberty Science Center An interactive science museum in Liberty State Park. Permanent exhibits include Nature Unleashed, Skyscraper!, Infection Connection, Communication, Eat and be Eaten, I Explore, Our Hudson Home, Energy Quest, Wonder Why, Wildlife Challenge and Breakthroughs. IMAX Dome Theater and Digital 3D Theater offer entertaining educational films. Jersey City.
Rutgers University The state university of New Jersey is one of the Colonial Colleges (the nine institutions of higher learning in the colonies founded before the American Revolution), Rutgers is the 8th oldest college in the United States.
Izod Center
Edison National Historic Site/Glenmont
Ocean Boulevard Long Branch.
Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge The refuge was established on November 3, 1960. It consists of 7,735 acres and is a resting and feeding area for more than 244 species of birds. This area was once a glacial lake known as Glacial Lake Passaic.
The Arts Center Ranked among the top five most successful amphitheatres in the country. The winter off-season is an opportunity to host the Holiday Light Spectacular. This is a 2.5-mile slow drive through a forest of Christmas, Chanukah and secular lights. Holmdel.
Artificial Reef Network Constructed by sinking old ships, barges, subway cars, demolition debris and dredge rock on the ocean floor. This attracts fish, shellfish and crustaceans and provides opportunities for fishermen and scuba-divers. Plus it is kind of cool to know there's all that crap down there. These are the artificial reefs: Sandy Hook, Sea Girt, Shark River, Axel Carlson, Barnegat Light, Garden State North, Garden State South, Little Egg, Atlantic City, Great Egg, Ocean City, Townsends Inlet, Wildwood, Cape May, Deepwater.
Jenkinson's Boardwalk Home to Jenkinson's Aquarium, Funhouse, Miniature Golf, Amusement Park and Jenkinson's Nightclub. Point Pleasant Beach.
Frenchtown Quaint shopping and fine dining can be found in this little ville on the Delaware River. There are three big festivals – Wine and Art in May, Bastille Day in July and RiverFest in September
Trump Taj Mahal One of the largest poker rooms in Atlantic City. Comedy Shows and Concerts. Spa At The Taj and Salon At The Taj. Atlantic City.
Asbury Park Boardwalk Visit the Stone Pony. Get freaked out by Tillie, the most disturbing smiling cartoon character in the world. Asbury Park Convention Hall. Old Casino Building.
New Jersey State House The second oldest state house in continuous use in the United States. The dome is covered with 48,000 pieces of gold leaf. Trenton.
Space Farms Zoo and Museum This may be the most eclectic attraction in New Jersey. 100 species of animals—including tigers, lions, bobcats, jaguars, hyenas, buffalo, leopards, llamas, monkeys, yaks and lemurs. The largest private collection of North American wildlife in the world. Visit the famous stuffed remains of the Guiness Book of World Records' "largest bear in the world," Goliath. 50 antique cars as well as motorcycles, farm implements, early American tools, dolls, clocks, tractors and American Indian artifacts can be seen in the multiple little museums on the property. Also, Space Farms has the second largest privately owned collection of antique firearms.
Lakota Wolf Preserve The observation area is in the center of four packs of wolves. The guide tells you about the social structure, eating habits and other interesting facts. If you are lucky, you may hear the wolves howl. Also, bobcats and foxes. Knowlton.
Ocean Grove Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this neighborhood is well known for its abundant examples of Victorian architecture. The land is owned by the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association which leases many of the houses to residents, businesses and quaint hotels. The Great Auditorium.
Cape May/Lewes Ferry From the ferry's web site: "Enjoy historic lighthouses, picturesque harbors, oceangoing vessels, unique seabirds and, just maybe, your very own dolphin escort!" The ferry ride is 17 miles from New Jersey to Lewes, Delaware (near Rehoboth Beach) or vice versa. It takes 80 minutes to complete a one-way trip.
Bruce Springsteen I'm not a big fan of The Boss, but I've heard some people like him and don't mind his hatred of the New York City Police or his annoying accent that nobody else in New Jersey has. Freehold, Asbury Park, Rumson and Colts Neck are some of the towns most associated with Bruce Springsteen.
Newark Museum 80 galleries of art and science, a miniature zoo, planetarium, sculpture garden and the Victorian Ballantine House, a restored 1885 mansion that is a National Historic Landmark. The galleries of the museum feature African Art, American Art, Art of the Americas, Asian Art, Classic Art, Contemporary Art and Decorative Arts. There are also the Natural Science Galleries and the Dreyfuss Memorial Garden.
The World Series of Birding Arguably the world's most famous birding competition. Participants compete to identify the most bird species throughout the state of New Jersey in 24 hours. Organized by the Audubon Society.
Duke Farms A 2,700-acre estate developed by tobacco millionaire James Buchanan Duke beginning in 1893. The property is closed temporarily while it is undergoing renovation. It will reopen in 2010. Walk on the Wild Side trail. There are a total of 9 man-made lakes which were created and stocked by Duke. The Mermaid Pool. Lake 45. Mud Lake. There are 7 fountains. When the park reopens, visitors will begin their trip in a new 22,000-square-foot orientation center. From there, visitors will walk on numerous paths or ride trams to explore the vast property. The indoor Display Gardens will expand to include an outdoor portion.
Twin Lights A non-operational lighthouse and museum overlooking Raritan Bay, Sandy Hook and the Atlantic Ocean. The Twin Lights are about 200 feet above sea level. Visitors can climb the North Tower for some spectacular views.
NJ Vietnam Veteran's Museum and Monument
Downtown Hoboken
Sunset Beach Known for its beautiful, unobstructed sunsets over water—a rarity on the east coast. The evening flag ceremony, every sunset from Memorial Day to Labor Day, is a popular tradition. The "Concrete Ship," SS Atlantus is an interesting oddity. Cape May "Diamonds" (Quartz Crystals) can be found on the beach.
New Jersey State Museum
Luna Parc
Cowtown Rodeo Oldest rodeo on the East Coast; competition May-Sept. Large flea market year-round. Yee-Haw!
Popcorn Park Zoo Refuge for animals that were abused, ill, injured, handicapped, elderly or exploited. You are allowed to feed a lot of the animals popcorn which you buy at the zoo, hence the name.
Batsto Village
Rankokus Indian Reservation The home of the Powhatan Renape Nation. is located on 350 acres of woodland. The museum has tools, musical instruments, clothing, weapons, dioramas and decorative arts. The gallery has works by modern American Indian artists, including paintings, photography, sculpture, drawings, and woodcarvings. There is also a guided tour through a re-created traditional woodland village and a self-guided nature trail.
First Baseball Game June 19, 1846, Elysian Fields, Hoboken.
Downtown Princeton
Weird New Jersey This biannual magazine has a cult following in New Jersey among people who like the bizarre, paranormal, historic or just like to tell stories. The magazine branched out and became a show on the History Channel named Weird US. Also, several Weird books have been created for other, lesser states. Mark Moran and Mark Sceurman are the creators of this venture.
USGA Museum Home to the world's premier collection of golf artifacts and memorabilia. The association has completed a major renovation and expansion project. Recently the USGA opened of its new facility, the Arnold Palmer Center for Golf History. More than 2,000 artifacts are on display when the museum. The focal point of the USGA Museum is the new Hall of Champions. The names of every USGA national champion are inscribed on bronze panels that encircle the walls of the clerestory-lit, oval rotunda. Displayed in three artifact cases that stand at the center of the room are the 13 original USGA national championship trophies, including, most prominently, the United States Open Championship Trophy.
Round Valley Recreation Area Round Valley Reservoir was formed in 1960 by flooding a ravine in rural Hunterdon County. Reaching depths of 180 feet, this 2,000-acre reservoir contains 55 billion gallons of water. the reservoir is the southernmost body of water that contains naturally reproducing lake trout. Snorkeling and scuba diving are allowed with permit. Round Valley Reservoir has been called the "Bermuda Triangle of New Jersey," because over 2 dozen people have drowned there. 5,291 acres of woodland and park surround the reservoir.
Camden Children's Garden Attractions include Violet Plaza, Arrow River Train, Benjamin Franklin's Workshop, the Butterfly Tent, the Philadelphia Eagles Four Seasons Butterfly House, Garden Carousel, Storybook Gardens, the Irish Faerie Garden, Dinosaur Garden and the Puerto Rican themed Plaza de Albonito.
Red Bank Battlefield
Stokes State Forest From the official web site of the State Forest: "The crest of Sunrise Mountain is one of the most frequently visited sites in Stokes State Forest. The mountaintop provides a breathtaking view at an elevation of 1,653 feet above sea level. The thin soil and harsh climate characteristic of Sunrise Mountain is a difficult environment in which few plants can survive. Mountain laurel, wild blueberry, pitch pine and scrub oak are among the natural vegetation found throughout the area. The pavilion at the summit was built in the late 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps." Also from the web site: "Tillman Ravine: This cool evergreen forest of eastern hemlock is ideally suited for the steep slopes carved by the rushing waters of Tillman Brook. Several trails wander through this spectacular ravine, providing views of waterfalls and ferns clinging to rock crevices. The area is home to the threatened barred owl and other endangered species." In total, a 12.5 mile section of the Appalachian Trail runs through Stokes State Forest.
Leaming's Run Garden Largest annual garden in the USA.
Monmouth Battlefield The largest and longest battle of the Revolutionary War was fought here. Every summer there is a reenactment of the fight which draws large crowds.
Morris Museum The fine arts collection is comprised of 19th and 20th century European and American painting and sculpture. There are also contemporary art, decorative art and a Costumes and Textiles collections. The museum’s geology and paleontology collection is one of the best in New Jersey. The Morris Museum was awarded the Murtogh D. Guinness collection of 700 historic mechanical musical instruments and automata (mechanical figures) and more than 5,000 programmed media, ranging from player piano rolls to pinned cylinders in 2003.
Ben Franklin Bridge A suspension bridge across the Delaware River connecting Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Camden. Named for American statesman Benjamin Franklin. Pedestrian walkways run along both sides of the bridge, elevated over and separated from the vehicular lanes. From 1926 to 1929, it was the worlds longest suspension bridge. The bridge also has an impressive lighting system that puts on quite a show beginning in the early evening, flashing multi-colored lights at different intervals. Camden.
Paper Mill Playhouse
Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart Pope John Paul II celebrated mass here in 1995, and during the same visit elevated the cathedral to basilica status. Newark.
Pulaski Skyway Historic, terrifying and beautiful bridge spanning the Passaic and Hackensack Rivers. Its black silhouette is one of the most famous landmarks in New Jersey, and when it opened in 1932 it was named the "Most Beautiful Steel Structure." However, urban decay has left the majestic span in need of repair. Newark, Kearny, Jersey City.
Atlantic City Convention Center Professional boxing and wrestling, concerts and more. 5000,000 square feet of exhibit space. Atlantic City.
New Jersey Seafood Festival Named as one of the top 100 events in North America. According to the festival, the festival "spotlights Belmar’s scenic oceanfront and allows people from around the State to sample a wide variety of seafood specialties from their favorite restaurants including: Klein’s Waterside Cafe, Jack Baker’s Lobster Shanty and many others. Food offerings extend from the traditional shrimp, lobster and calamari, to the more exotic alligator sausage, sushi, conch fritters, and seafood paella." Belmar.
Historic Smithville & Village Greene Restored colonial village: cobblestone paths, restaurants, car shows, parades and festivals.
McCarter Theatre Embedded in the gothic setting of Princeton University, this cultural center offers over 200 performances of theater, dance, music and special events each year. Over 200,000 people come to McCarter each season. In 1994, the theater was awarded the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theater.
Fort Dix
Hindenburg Crash Site Call the Navy Lakehurst Historical Society at least two weeks in advance to register and be approved (U.S. citizens only) 732-818-7520.
Lambert Castle/Garrett Mountain Reserve
Downtown New Brunswick This growing downtown area benefits from being intertwined with Rutgers University. Just make sure you don't stray from the touristy areas, or else you might find yourself in one of New Brunswick's two quality hospitals.
Waterloo Village
Downtown Red Bank
Sterling Hill Mine and Museum
Bon Jovi
Northlandz Railway and Doll Museum An interesting museum for model train nuts and, yes, even those who normally would think model trains are boring (like me). There are 100 miniature trains and eight miles of track. The display features 35-foot mountains, 4,000 buildings and 300 bridges. The Raritan River Railway is a 2/3-scale steam-train replica that travels through tunnels and over bridges, giving visitors a relaxing ride through the Northlandz woodlands. The La Peep Dollhouse is a 94-room mansion with indoor swimming pool plus a ballroom with a dog band. The Doll Museum shows off over 200 dolls from around the world. In The Music Hall, there’s a 2,000-pipe organ at the centerpiece of a 400-seat theater. The Art Gallery has more than 250 paintings and other works of art.
Renault Winery Resorts Founded in 1864, this is the oldest winery in New Jersey, and tours are available. Enjoy the unique blueberry champagne. The Tuscany House Hotel allows people the opportunity to gain a more in depth knowledge of the area. Antique Glass Museum. Vineyard Golf Course. There is also an annual Halloween costume ball. Egg Harbor.
Count Basie Theater A historic landmark for performing arts. Opened as the Carlton Theater in 1926 and was renamed in 1984 to honor jazz great and Red Bank native William “Count” Basie. Major acts regularly perform here. Red Bank.
Hadrosaurus The first reasonably complete dinosaur skeleton (except for the head, which I may or may not have in my kitchen) ever discovered.
Uncle Floyd Floyd Vivino starred in The Uncle Floyd Show (1974-1998). A UHF cult favorite, the show worked on two levels: As a children's show and as an adult parody of a children's show. Floyd's most famous co-star was Oogie...a little hand puppet.
Golden Classics
Ripley's Believe it or Not! Museum Overpriced "chain" museum, Ripleys nevertheless is loaded with interesting curiosities. Atlantic City.
Cherry Blossom Festival Held every April in Newark's Branch Brook Park. The park has over 4,000 cherry blossom trees in more than fourteen different varieties. About 10,000 visitors come each year to enjoy the festival.
Spring Lake A small beach resort and summer getaway for barons of industry in the mid 1800s. Consider staying the night at one of the Historic Inns of Spring Lake, all of which were built between 1870 and 1888.
Insectropolis Insect museum with hundreds of live insects and arthropods, thousands of pinned specimens from around the world and even ones visitors can touch.
Newark Public Library
Tuckerton Seaport 40-acre working maritime village with 16 restored and replicated buildings, including the Tucker's Island Lighthouse. Maritime history, heritage and lifestyle of baymen is preserved at this living museum.
Boardwalk Hall Built in 1929 and formally the site of the annual Miss America pageant. The world's largest pipe organ. Concerts, sports and family events.
Montclair Art Museum
Iron Bound District More than 170 restaurants and eateries. Predominantly Portuguese, Spanish and Brazilian. Also Mexican and Central and South American influences. Fresh seafood, meat and chicken dishes.
Meadowlands Racetrack
Spruce Run Recreation Area A 1,290 acre park encompassing the Spruce Run Reservoir, the third largest in New Jersey. The reservoir is used for fishing, boating and swimming.
New Jersey Museum of Agriculture
Allaire State Park
Turtle Back Zoo
Delsea Drive-In Movie Theater
Jane Voorhees Zimmerli Art Museum
Fort Lee Historic Park 33-acre Historic Park blends scenic beauty and history. At the north end of the Historic Park, two overlooks reveal spectacular views of the George Washington Bridge, the Hudson River, and the skyline of upper Manhattan. In the southern portion of the Historic Park, winding paths lead past a reconstructed blockhouse and to the historic section of the grounds, with reproduction gun batteries and firing steps. Opposite the barbette battery, authentically reconstructed eighteenth-century huts, with a well, woodshed, and baking oven, serve as the focal point for interpretive programs.
Aaron Burr/Alexander Hamilton Duel Site
Lindburgh Kidnapping
Downtown Atlantic Highlands
Museum of Early Trades and Crafts This museum is packed with artifacts from the 1700s and 1800s. Madison.
Abbott and Costello Bud Abbott was born in Asbury Park and Lou Costello was born in Paterson. They were one of the most famous comedy teams in history, best know for their "Who's On First" bit.
Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center
Minor League Lakewood Blue Claws
Liberty National Golf Club 7,346 yard course designed by Robert E. Cupp and Tom Kite. It is one of the most expensive golf courses in history, costing about $130 million, and it costs $500,000 to join the club. Includes a marina, heliport, spa, fitness center and pro shop. Views of Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Downtown Jersey City. Manhattan, Brooklyn, Verrazano Narrows Bridge, the Hudson River and Liberty State Park. Jersey City.
Colgate Clock The world's largest clock (until Dubai decides they want to have the world's largest clock), 50 feet in diameter. Located in downtown Jersey City on the Hudson River. Jersey City.
Princeton Cemetery
Lake Hopatcong
Susquehanna Bank Center
Shad Festival Lambertville.
Morven Museum & Garden Princeton.
Goldman Sachs Tower At 781 feet tall and 42 floors, this is the tallest building in New Jersey. If it was an interesting looking building it would have placed higher on the list. Unfortunately, it looks like the end of a pencil that has had its eraser used a little bit. Jersey City.
Salem Oak Over 400 years old.
A. J. Meerwald New Jersey's official tall ship is a restored 1920s oyster schooner.
Fort Mott State Park
Downtown Chester One of New Jersey's prettiest downtown areas.
Revolutionary War Trail
Wetlands Institute
Frelinghuysen Arboretum The home of Fungus Fest.
Washington's Crossing State Park
Grover's Mill/Site of War of the Worlds Martian Landing
Indian King Tavern This is the site where New Jersey was officially declared a state in 1777. It is now a museum. .
Green Sergeant's Covered Bridge site This bridge in rural Hunterdon County is the last covered bridge in New Jersey. It is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Grover Cleveland Birthplace
The Tube Bar Tapes In the mid-1970s, The Bum Bar Bastards (John Elmo and Jim Davidson) began crank-calling the Tube Bar in Journal Square, Jersey City. The owner, Louis "Red" Deutsch, usually answered the calls, and the pranksters would try to get Red to call out the names of "people" they were looking for, like Al Coholic, Stu Pitt, Ben Dover. Often, Red would yell out the names, not knowing that he was the butt of a joke. If Red did realize the call was a prank he would respond with hilarious cursing, threats and challenges to the prankster's honor. He would even offer the callers money to come over to the Tube Bar and fight him. Al Kaseltzer, Al Kykyoras, Al Killeu, Ben di Banana, Bill Loni, Cole Kutz, Connie Lingus, Frank Enstein, Hal Jalykakik, Izzy Cumming, Jim Nasium, Joe Dildo, Mike Ockhurts, Mike Untstinks, Pepe Roni, Phil Lacio, Sal Lami, Sid Down, Stan Dupp and Stan de Pain never seemed to be at the Tube Bar. The Tube Bar Tapes would eventually be the inspiration for the prank calls Bart Simpson made to Moe's Tavern on The Simpsons tv show.
The Widow of Mount Holly An anonymous young widow of a doctor who helped "detain" Colonel Carl von Donop from reaching his Hessian comrades in Trenton before George Washington's forces crossed the Delaware River and won the Battle of Trenton. Some people believe that the Widow of Mount Holly was that slut, Betsy Ross.
Blue Hole A mysterious pool of water with many local legends associated with it: It is bottomless...Mysterious whirlpools appear and suck people down to their deaths...The Jersey Devil loves to stop by for frequent visits...Perhaps the Hole was created by a meteor...And why is the water always cold?...Why is it blue when the water in the Pine Lands is usually tea-colored?
Mannington Meadows Owned by the NJ Division Of Fish & Wildlife, this large refuge in the rural southwestern corner of New Jersey is excellent for viewing local and migratory birds and wildlife. The water here is brackish and slightly tidal.
Sourland Mountain Preserve Strewn with beautiful large boulders and heavily forested, this parkland contains 3,025 acres. Hillsborough, Montgomery.
Ken Lockwood Gorge Designated by the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife as a trout conservation area, this preserve takes in two and a half miles of the South Branch of the Raritan River in Hunterdon Couty. This area is a favorite of fly fishermen. The late Ken Lockwood was an outdoors writer and conservationist.
Chatsworth Cranberry Festival According to the Festival itself, this event is "a celebration of New Jersey's cranberry harvest, the 3rd largest in the United States, and offers a tribute to the Pine Barrens & Culture. The main attraction is the diverse showing of many artists & craftsmen, some of which will also be demonstrating their crafts as well as displaying them for sale."
Lakewood Orthodox Jewish Community Lakewood is the center of Orthodox Jewish culture in New Jersey and home to Beth Medrash Govoha, one of the largest yeshivas (schools focused on the study of the torah and talmud) in the world.
Ocean City Weird Contest Week
Sky Blue FC New Jersey's Women's Professional Soccer league team. Won the league's first championship in 2009, 1-0 over the favored Los Angeles Sol, therefore bringing glory to the Garden State.
Liberty Hall Museum
New Jersey State Fair
Megan's Law Named for seven-year-old Megan Kanka, who was raped and murdered by a repeat violent sex offender. Megan's parents, Richard and Maureen Kanka began the Megan Nicole Kanka Foundation with the belief that "Every parent should have the right to know if a dangerous sexual predator moves into their neighborhood." The Kankas circulated a petition demanding immediate legislative action. The law was passed in approximately 89 days. Federal legislation followed in 1995.
Marine Mammal Stranding Area
The Blueberry New Jersey is the birthplace of the cultivated blueberry. The town of Hammonton is known as "The Blueberry Capital of the World." Elizabeth C. White gets the credit for "inventing" the blueberry. And finally, the blueberry is the official fruit of New Jersey. So the next time you are stuffing your purple-stained gaping maw with blueberry pie, think fondly of New Jersey.
Flying Pumpkin Festival ***
Hermitage A National Historic Landmark, this house is a Gothic Revival built in 1848.
Broadway Center
Storybook Land Favorite childrens' stories and nursery rhymes can be found in this theme park.
Feltville A ghost town which used to be a utopian community from the mid 1800s. It is located in the Watchung Reservation. The remaining structures are fragile, so it's look but don't touch—except for the restored building that houses the interpretive center.
Atlantic City Aquarium More than 100 species of fish and other marine creatures. The 750-gallon Touch Tank allows visitors to handle sea urchins, shrimp, whelk, mussels, hermit crabs and other sea creatures. 23,000-gallon Fish of the New Jersey Coast tank.
Hiram Blauvelt Art Museum
Pequest Trout Hatchery More than 200 bodies of water in New Jersey are annually stocked with 600,000 brown, brook and rainbow trout from the hatchery. You can tour the facility and learn how the trout are raised and observe them in different stages of their development. Oxford.
Pyramid Mountain Over a thousand acres of preserved land. Tripod Rock, a 240-ton boulder precariously balanced on three smaller boulders. It has been in this position for 10,000 years and it used to be a religious place for the Lenni-Lenape indians.
Clementon Park and Splash World
Mitsuwa Marketplace
Incandescent Light Bulb Thank you Thomas Edison, for inventing the first practical light bulb in Menlo Park, a part of present day Edison Township. This was the first bulb which could stay lit without burning up quickly, so it pretty much allowed humanity to light up the night with electricity. Edison.
Phonograph Another Thomas Edison invention in New Jersey. Edison.
Movie Projector And yet another Thomas Edison/New Jersey gem. West Orange.
First College Football Game
The Matawan Man-Eater In 1916 there were a series of Great White Shark attacks along the Jersey Shore between July 1 and July 12, 1916, in which four people were killed and one injured. Most of the action happened in Matawan Creek. The attacks inspired Peter Benchley's novel Jaws. These days Matawan Creek is much smaller than it was during that golden age of shark attacks because of the damming of the waterway to create Lake Lefferts. Matawan Creek is located in Matawan and Aberdeen.
Cape May Victorian Week
Crawfish Festival
The Kallikak Family A "Feeble-Minded" South Jersey clan studied in a popular book by Henry H. Goddard that promoted eugenics and forced sterilization.
First Modern Submarine John Philip Holland, was known as the Father of the Modern Submarine. 1881 was the launch date of his 31 foot long Fenian Ram. It can be seen in the Paterson Museum. Paterson.
Union Lake A 898-acre reservoir located Cumberland County. Union Lake has a history that goes back to the 1790s, when the Maurice River was first dammed at a location upstream from the present dam. The lake is four miles long and one mile wide. It is the largest freshwater lake in South Jersey. Fishing, swimming, and boating are popular activities. Bass fishing tournaments are often held there.
Bayshore Heritage Byway 122-miles long, and traversing Salem, Cumberland and Cape May counties. The cultural, natural and historic assets along the Delaware River and Delaware Bayshore offer many opportunities to explore this area. This Byway tells the story of communities and cultures that were dependant on the area's natural resources.
Mullica Hill Settled in the late 1600s and built mostly during the Civil War era. The entire town is on the National Register of Historic Places. About three dozen antiques shops, most near or on Main Street. The Old Mill Antique Center has three floors in a pre-Revolutionary War mill. Festivals include the Antiques Street Fair in April, and the Festival of Antiques in June, a Ghost Walk in October and Christmas House Tours.
Old Barracks Museum The only original French & Indian War Barracks still standing in the US. Trenton.
Lower Free Bridge Famous for the "Trenton Makes, The World Takes" sign on the side of the span over the Delaware River. Trenton.
Winter Eagle Festival
New Jersey State Ice Cream Festival Toms River.
New Egypt Speedway Holds auto races on Saturday nights from April to October.
Atlantic County Wind Farm The nation’s first coastal and urban setting wind farm and New Jersey’s first commercial wind farm. Also home to a solar power facility.
Downtown Westfield The only town east of the Mississippi to win a Main Street Award.
Merrill Creek Reservoir 650 acres.
Lumberville-Rock Haven Bridge A free pedestrian bridge over the Delaware River, connecting Bull's Island Recreation Area in New Jersey with Lumberville, Pennsylvania.
Albino Village Located by Rt 3 & 21 in NJ where Albinos supposedly lived in the middle of the 1900's. Probably folklore.
The Jackson Whites
Moll DeGrow In the early 1800s, Newark had its very own witch. Legend says that Moll DeGrow lived on the allegedly haunted Gully Road and people had their suspicions of her. Eventually, babies started to die and Moll was blamed. The people went to her house with the intention of lynching her, but when they entered her home, she was already dead...sitting in her chair with a smile on her face. Newark.
Barron Arts Center Built in 1877, this Richardsonian Revival style building serves as a center for the arts. Its stained-glass windows and clock tower provide an intimate setting for musical performances, PoetsWednesday and art exhibitions by nationally renowned artists and craftsmen. There is also the annual model train display. Woodbridge.
Presby Memorial Iris Garden Dedicated to cultivating and displaying a rich variety of irises. Founded in 1927, it is a part of the National Register of Historic Places. Montclair.
Evolve Music and Yoga Festival
The Original Friday the 13th
The Wine Room Create your own wine using professional winery equipment, including authentic wine presses from Italy. You can bottle your wine with personalized labels. Cherry Hill.
Pine Lands Aquifer
Downtown Cranford
Naval Weapons Station Earle Pier A 2.2-mile pier jutting into Raritan Bay. Ammunition is loaded and unloaded from a wide variety of warships at a safe distance from land. Middletown.
Raceway Park
Monopoly Board game based on Atlantic City streets and properties.
Bear Swamp West 500 year old trees. The most primeval area in New Jersey.
Paulinskill Viaduct An abandoned railroad bridge over the Paulinskill River. When the Viaduct was built, it was briefly the largest reinforced concrete structure in the world. There are plans for the Paulinskill Viaduct to become part of a rail line that runs from Hoboken to Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Wild West City Living history demonstrations, petting zoo, panning for gold, train, stagecoach rides, live action shows, pony rides.
USFL New Jersey Generals Helped introduce owner Donald Trump to the general public. Probably the most well known team in the United States Football League. Heisman Trophy-winning running back Hershel Walker was the team's biggest star, along with Doug Flutie, Brian Sipe, Gary Barbaro, Maurice Carthon and Kent Hull.
Burt Ross New Jersey's honest politician
Jersey Tomato Festival West Cape May.
Albert Music Hall 350 seat concert hall featuring country, bluegrass and pinelands music. Usually seven 30-minute sets each Saturday night.
Downtown Summit
New Jersey Ballet
Georgian Court University The former winter estate of George Jay Gould. Visitors can stroll through the beautiful grounds which overlook Lake Carasaljo.
Hackensack University Medical Center The fourth largest hospital in the nation based on admissions. It has been designated as a magnet hospital since 1995 after it became the first hospital in the country to receive the Magnet Award for Nursing Excellence by the ANA. The Cancer Center is among the nation's top 10 in patient volume. The Cancer Center's Adult Blood and Marrow Stem Cell Transplantation Program is one of the top eight in the United States.
Saltwater Taffy
Molly Pitcher During the Battle of Monmouth on June 28, 1778, Mrs. John Hays, carried water in a pitcher back and forth from a well to her husband and his fellow artillery gunners. Thus, the nickname "Molly Pitcher." As the battle ensued Molly's husband was wounded she took his place at the gun. She served at the cannon for the remainder of the battle, which was a victory for the Americans.
The Cranberry
Downtown Burlington
Downtown Mount Holly
Wildwood Baby Parade
Route 57 Scenic Byway Locally known for its scenic Highlands setting, rolling fertile valleys and streamside views. This 19-mile historic roadway segment traverses the region's distinctive mountain ridges, Scotts Mountain, Pohatcong Mountain and Point Mountain. The valleys between these forested ridges are home to agricultural areas and feature the Pleasant Valley, Port Colden and Beattystown historic districts.
Union County MusicFest
Proprietary House The only Proprietary Governor's Mansion of the Original Thirteen Colonies still standing. Built in 1762 in the Georgian style, the house was commissioned by the Proprietors of East Jersey to be the official residence of Royal Governor William Franklin, Benjamin Franklin's son. The atmospheric underground Tea Room is the most interesting part of the mansion. Perth Amboy.
Natirar A 411-acre property in the hills of Somerset County. Formerly the estate of Kate Macy Ladd and Walter Graeme Ladd. The estate was bequeathed by the late King Hassan II of Morocco to the local community. A 1912 Tudor mansion along with two cottages and a carriage house will house the Virgin Hotel & Spa, operated by Sir Richard Branson.
Starland Ballroom Perhaps Swampland Ballroom would be more descriptive of this isolated rock music venue on a road that snakes its way through a mixed industrial/marshy area. Perhaps that just adds to the atmosphere. A great place to see acts close up. Sayreville.
State Theatre
Eagle Rock Reservation
Sayre & Fisher Bricks The Museum of Natural History, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Corcoran Art Gallery are some of the buildings throughout the United States that were made using Sayre & Fisher bricks. Sayreville.
Pork Roll I have been accused of being "not really from New Jersey" for not knowing what pork roll is, so I guess it deserves to be on this list.
American Beer The first brewery in the United States came about in Hoboken in 1642.
Jersey City Museum
Mount Tabor A small historic area with gingerbread Victorian houses.
MacCulloch Hall Historical Museum
The Blueberry Factory One-hour tours of a blueberry farm. Learn all about agriculture, irrigation, hot beds and the packaging process. Each visitor receives a fresh pint of blueberries to with as they please.
Chowderfest Mmm... chowder... This festival features live music, activities and unlimited Chowder slurping—with the opportunity for each ticket holder to vote for the best red and white chowder. Beach Haven.
Belmar Sandcastle Contest
Holland Tunnel
The Country's Oldest Residence Revell House, built in 1685. Burlington.
Palace of Depression This building was built by George Daynor. He was an Alaska gold miner who lost his fortune during the stock market crash of 1929. Daynor built the home out of "junk" as a testament of will against the Great Depression. It was known as "the strangest house in the world," but eventually a fire destroyed the building. It is undergoing a historical restoration. Vineland.
Cape May Wine School
Kohr's Soft-serve ice cream stands scattered along the Jersey Shore.
Albert Einstein's House
First American Copper Mine Dutch Settlers got to digging in the Kittatiny Mountains, circa 1640.
Holmdel Horn Antenna
Lima Bean Festival I'm afraid it's as bad as it sounds. West Cape May.

Compared to a strip mall in Jersey, the Continent [Europe] is "sophisticated." But it's sophisticated in the sense that a belle époque Parisian boulevardier is sophisticated—outwardly dapper and worldly, inwardly eaten away by syphilis and gonorrhea.
—Mark Steyn.

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