New Jersey
Gem of the Atlantic
Gem of the Atlantic
| From the sparkling sands of the Jersey shore to the woods along the Delaware River, New Jersey offers a range of outdoor adventures. Try river rafting at Delaware Water Gap, or look for birds at the Great Swamp Refuge. South of Newark, Jersey City, and the Staten Island ferry, explore the beaches at Sandy Hook, part of the Gateway National Recreation Area. At Washington's Crossing State Park you can ski or hike along the site of George Washington's famous crossing of the Delaware. | ||||
| The southern half of New Jersey is a playground of woods, lakes, and miles of coastline. Birders can hunt for eagles, hawks, herons, and plovers at Island Beach or Barnegat, while fishers try for sea bass, flounder, weakfish, and bluefish in the ocean surf. Stop in Wharton State Forest, New Jersey's largest tract of wild lands, and hike its trails, watching for deer, bluebirds, owls, and river otters. The eastern shore holds Atlantic City, the getaway spot of the eastern seaboard. Just south, don't miss the historic town of Cape May. You can watch for birds, climb the steps to the top of its lighthouse, or enjoy a picnic with an ocean view. | ||||
| image #1 courtesy of NPS, images #2, #5-8 courtesy of George Semple / NJ Commerce, Office of Travel & Tourism, image #3, #4 courtesy of Heather L. Jones |