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The New Jersey Devils play right in Newark and not too far away the awesome sight of air balloons in flight at one of the state’s hot-
are the New York Rangers or Brooklyn Nets. You can cross the air-balloon festivals.
Delaware to Philadelphia for a Flyers and/or Sixers game, too. Late
season campers may want to enjoy their NFL Sunday funday seeing Campground owners in New Jersey get in on their own festive fun
some of the country’s greatest rivals—the Eagles, Giants, and Jets. to entertain their guests. Some campgrounds host their own full
festivals. Most have themes each long weekend with fun activities
5. Main Streets during the day like crafts, scavenger hunts, trivia, and then at night
New Jersey is the most densely populated state, but it’s not about there could be parties with DJs and dancing or movie nights. So,
big cities. Newark is the largest city with 311,500 people and Jersey check the calendars for not only your campground options, but
City runs close behind with 292,500. The next largest is about half also the community’s because you may want to plan your vacation
that. There are only 37 cities with populations above 50,000, and around a festival or specific campground theme. But remember to
that means quaint communities, many with welcoming Main Streets. book early as camping is a very popular activity in New Jersey.
The Main Streets of New Jersey support local businesses, but it’s the
sum of the individual storefronts that is the main business—and that 2. Beer and Wine
business is tourism. The cities and towns invest in their promenades Throughout New Jersey, enterprises that take advantage of the
and plazas to please you, the visitor. fertile land are blooming… and business is booming! The beer and
wine-making industries have both become a driving force for the
Savor the flavors of each community’s specialty foods. Pop in to state’s economy. And what a fun way to support local businesses.
a gallery and pop out with a unique piece as a souvenir of your Wineries offer tours, tastings, live music, lawn games, tasting plates,
vacation. Forgot something? Most Main Streets have a hardware markets and more for their guests. Additionally, you get to enjoy the
store or five-and-dime full of gadgets, games, and gizmos. A lot beautiful vineyard setting.
of towns have museums celebrating a community’s culture or
perhaps even live theatre. If you are the type of person who likes Micro breweries might not showcase the source of their ingredients
a side of culture with your camping, then don’t wait to reserve onsite, but they usually offer a laid-back atmosphere, great music,
your site. And if you’d rather be in the woods, but find a dreary fun games, beer and other spirits (hard cider and seltzers) and are
day is upending your plans, then a drive into town could put your near to great eateries so you can grab some food nearby to enjoy
vacation back on track. with your growler. Some larger breweries have restaurants as well.

4. History 1. Food
As a camper, you clearly like adventure. You know who had some If you’ve been to New Jersey before, it’s impossible to think about
big adventures in New Jersey? The founding fathers. New Jersey’s it without thinking about food. After all, you can’t have all the great
location between New York and Philadelphia made it a strategic beverages without a bite to go along with them. New Jersey even
location during the Revolutionary War. More battles were fought has an ongoing feud over a food—is it Ham or Taylor Pork Roll? Either
here than in any other colony. After General Washington’s crossing way, it is a deliciously tangy meat that can’t be beat. You can eat it
of the Delaware River from Pennsylvania to New Jersey, his army won alone, as a sandwich with cheese, with egg and cheese, or even
two important battles making it a turning point for the Continental on a burger. Though some people equate New York with pizza,
Army. In 1783 New Jersey was actually the site of the Continental Jersey pizza is really the best! The crust is thin, but not crispy and
Congress and you can visit the building today—Nassau Hall at the cheese is piled on in the perfect ratio with sauce so it doesn’t
Princeton University. become one big cheese sheet.

To get a taste of civilian life in the late 1700s, you can visit Batsto Though not known for crab cakes as much as Maryland, you will find
Village spanning both Atlantic and Burlington Counties. It was a interesting chefs’ takes on this crab-meat preparation. With a high
village that sprung up around an important iron works. Farther south population of Italian descent, there is an abundance of amazing
in Cape May County, you can visit Cold Spring Village, a settlement and authentic Italian restaurants. More into Mexican? There are
that represents the very early days of the United States of America. all varieties of Mexican food from upscale restaurants that serve
Get a taste of the traditional trades as craftspeople and farmers traditional platters to grab-and-go burrito and taco stands. The term
made each village self-sufficient. Taco Tuesday was actually coined in Somers Point, NJ by the owners
of Gregory’s Restaurant and Bar back in 1978!
3. Festivals
You know what pairs perfectly with community pride? A festival Isn’t there something about vacation that makes it seem like
to celebrate how amazing your part of New Jersey is. New Jersey calories don’t count? At the very least, they don’t seem to count
is the Garden State after all, so from Spring to Autumn, there are on the many boardwalks that sell the greatest sweet confections.
festivals paying homage to blueberries, cranberries, pumpkins, New Jersey is famous for salt water taffy, but fudge isn’t far behind.
corn, tomatoes, beer and wine. There are many festivals with an And other places make caramel corn, but there’s something
environmental theme. It’s important to keep the environment clean about popping kernels in the seashore’s salty air that makes it
and healthy so we can grow all of our fabulous food. Speaking taste so much better. Molasses paddles, coconut macaroons,
of food, food truck festivals are a popular new addition and are and chocolate-covered pretzels, also rank among the top treats.
popping up all over the state. There are festivals dedicated to music, Enjoy while you are here, and bring home goodies as souvenirs.
but there is live music at nearly every festival. And if you’ve seen all Your friends and family will thank you for camping in New Jersey.
our land has to offer, you can turn your eyes to the skies and take in
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