From Northern New Jersey's Cities to the Coast

After your flight lands, get settled in comfortable accommodations convenient to the airport. At the airport, board a shuttle to The Mills at Jersey Gardens, New Jersey’s largest indoor outlet mall in nearby Elizabeth. The mall features dining, entertainment and translation services – not to mention more than 200 stores offering tax-free shopping on clothes and shoes. Spend the night enjoying top-notch shows and concerts at outstanding Newark venues such as the Prudential Center, New Jersey Performing Arts Center and Newark Symphony Hall. (Tip: Check performance schedules ahead of time to reserve your seats.) In the morning, admire treasures in Newark’s must-visit collection of museums, including the GRAMMY Museum Experience™ Prudential Center, The Newark Museum of Art, The Jewish Museum of New Jersey and New Jersey Historical Society. Before leaving Newark, spend time in The Ironbound neighborhood, which is especially popular for its array of international shops and the nine-block Riverfront Park along the Passaic River. In the mood for Portuguese, Spanish or Latin American food? You’ll find a great meal in Ironbound.

Your next stops are Jersey City and Hoboken, right next to each other along the Hudson River in an area known as the “Historic Gateway to America.” To get there, make the 30-minute drive east using either U.S. Route 9 or Interstate 78, crossing either the Hackensack River or Newark Bay. Here, the Hudson River separates you from bustling New York City. This is where you can take those perfect Manhattan skyline photos; you can also catch a ferry to tour the iconic Statue of Liberty and historic Ellis Island. See the sights of Hoboken by taking a walking tour of the 2.6-square-kilometer city. You’ll find shops, pubs and restaurants in addition to plenty of pretty places to relax. Stroll the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway, which features green spaces such as Sinatra Park and Pier A Park.

In adjoining Jersey City, top places to visit include the “Empty Sky” 9/11 Memorial and Liberty Science Center. Download a map at jcmap.org to find and view public art that is part of the Jersey City Mural Arts Program. Jersey City also is a haven for an eclectic mix of restaurants, bars, nightclubs, live music and entertainment. You’ll especially want to visit Restaurant Row along Newark Avenue. Tonight, stay in great accommodations in Hoboken or Jersey City. One hotel to check out is the Canopy by Hilton Jersey City Arts District, which is near the train station, Newport Centre Mall and Liberty State Park.

By now, you’ll be ready to enjoy the sun, sand and Atlantic Ocean surf at New Jersey’s beaches. Drive south for an hour on Interstate 95 and the Garden State Parkway to reach Asbury Park. Top beach choices include the Asbury Park Boardwalk area, Ocean Grove Beach and Asbury Park Beach. For a tamer outing, let the kids play at the Asbury Splash Park. Other top things to do here include browsing shops and eating at a diverse array of restaurants, serving food ranging from casual boardwalk snacks to deli fare, pizza, traditional American, European and Italian. Legendary New Jersey natives Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi once performed with their bands at The Stone Pony. Today’s rock ‘n’ roll fans will want soak up the vibe there by scoring tickets to shows by big-name groups and up-and-coming musicians. Take in more local culture at the restored Paramount Theater and Convention Hall or tour author Stephen Crane’s former home.

Continuing south on the Garden State Parkway, drive about an hour to reach the Atlantic City Expressway, which leads to the glitz and excitement awaiting in Atlantic City. An array of stylish hotel resorts feature casino games and big-name entertainers. Lodging in the region also includes off-boardwalk hotels, inns, golf resorts and bed-and-breakfasts. Get some exercise by walking, jogging or biking the famous boardwalk that stretches 6.5 kilometers along the Atlantic Ocean shoreline. Businesses lining the boardwalk include food stands and specialty shops. Beyond the boardwalk, Atlantic City is haven for shoppers at more than 25 retailers in The Quarter at Tropicana and 60 stores for bargain-hunters at Tanger Outlets.

It takes about 50 minutes driving on the Garden State Parkway to reach the southern tip of New Jersey. You’ll enjoy visiting Cape May, a charming oceanfront resort town with Victorian architecture. The entire city is a National Historic District, and the ornate buildings include the Emlen Physick Estate, which was built in 1879 and is now a museum. Learn more about the city aboard a trolley tour of the historic district. Discover shops and marinas downtown along Washington Street, attend year-round special events and enjoy great waterfront dining. Relax on the top-rated beach, climb the stairs to the top of the 1859 Cape May Point Lighthouse and book a spot on a boat cruise to see whales and dolphins. Enjoy locally made vintages on tasting tours at Willow Creek Winery and Cape May Winery & Vineyard. When it’s time to head home, return to Newark Liberty International (EWR), or save an hour of drive time and fly out of Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) in Pennsylvania.