You don't have to travel the globe and spend tons of money to seek out natural wonders — New Jersey actually has many natural wonders of its own, from jaw-dropping waterfalls to curious rock oddities to unbeatable mountain views.
Best of all, you can see these wonders for free!
1. Buttermilk Falls
It's easily one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the country.
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2. Palisades Cliffs
These sharp vertical cliffs are certainly eye-catching. Plus, the view from the top is unrivaled, with a beautiful river and glimpses of the New York City skyline.
3. High Point
High Point is exactly what it sounds like — the highest point in New Jersey. Go hike up here and marvel at one of the most jaw-dropping views you can find in the state.
4. Great Falls
Paterson's Great Falls are absolutely astounding. Move over, Niagara Falls!
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5. Tripod Rock
We're not really sure how this massive boulder is supported in the air by these two little rocks — hike over to this natural oddity and consider it for yourself.
6. Pinelands National Reserve
The Pinelands are THE spot to go to New Jersey to experience nature: The combination of oak forests and swamplands makes it so beautiful and peaceful here. We recommend kayaking and hiking through!
7. Blue Hole
No need to travel to the Bahamas to see intensely blue water — there is a series of "blue holes" in New Jersey that have the bluest water around. Just don't go swimming in them — the holes, which are abandoned mines and get their color from sulfur, are quite dangerous.
Winter in New Jersey is often unpredictable, especially when it comes to how much snow we'll get, but the Old Farmer's Almanac usually gives us a pretty good clue of what lies ahead. An average winter in New Jersey brings about 13 inches of snow to Cape May County and between 40 to 50 inches in Sussex County in Northern New Jersey. Winter 2023-2024 saw just 2.3 inches of snow in the southern half of our state and 36 inches in Sussex County. The Old Farmer's Alamanac winter weather predictions in New Jersey for 2024-2025 look a bit different than normal.
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While the Old Farmer's Alamanac calls for higher than normal temperatures for all of New Jersey this winter, the expected snowfall will flip. Northern New Jersey should see less snowfall than normal while the southern part of the state will experience more snow than usual.
That leads to the inevitable question. Will we wake up to a snowy wonderland on Christmas morning? Probably not. The Farmer's Almanac 2024 winter in New Jersey predicts a sunny and cool Christmas week, although snow should arrive in the south in the final days of the year. There's no mention of a major snowstorm either, although we all know that can change at any time.
The Old Farmer's Almanac winter forecast for New Jersey shows that the snowiest parts of the season will occur at the end of December and February, both ideal times for getting outdoors. Pull out your sled, and head to Cheesequake State Park, which boasts one of the best sledding hills in New Jersey. Go ice skating on a natural rink, or set off on a brisk winter hike.
We also have to be prepared for the cold. The Old Farmer's Almanac predicts mid-December, the beginning and end of January, and late February will be the coldest parts of the season. February will have an average temperature of 33 degrees Fahrenheit, the lowest of the the season. The warm-up starts in March, with temperatures in the mid-40s as we welcome spring.
Even though the winter weather predictions in New Jersey call for milder conditions than normal, prepare your home and vehicle ahead of time just in case. Start by checking your furnace, smoke alarm, and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they're working properly, and make sure your home is insulated. Stock up on salt for those icy mornings, and put your shovel where it's easy to find. Keep emergency supplies - blankets or extra clothes, an ice scraper, salt, chargers for your phone, a first aid kit, and water and snacks - in your car.
The Old Farmer's Almanac, founded in 1792, claims to be correct 80 percent of the time. Have you found that to be true? What do you think of the Farmer's Almanac winter forecast for 2024 for New Jersey? Are you looking forward to the milder temperatures? Or do you hope the snow will surprise us? Let us know in the comments!
One of my favorite memories of living in South Jersey was a late February snowstorm, with thunder and lightning, that started right after sunset. I woke up the next morning to temperatures in the high 40s and much of the snow had already melted. A blast of winter that doesn't stick around too long...pure perfection. We have to be prepared for whatever comes our way, though, especially if we plan on traveling. If you're hitting the road this winter, check out the OIYS ultimate winter packing list.
Fall in New Jersey is a truly unique time. Yes, we're a densely populated, crowded state - but when the leaves change color, it feels like all that's a million miles away. There's something incredibly peaceful about taking in the New Jersey fall foliage. If you're like me, you're wondering exactly when do leaves change color in New Jersey - and one of the best tools around has us covered.
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The Smoky Mountains fall foliage map is an interactive tool that not only shows when leaves change color but gives a week-by-week prediction of the fall foliage season. By toggling the cursor from left to right, you'll be able to see when leaves will start their fall foliage journey in NJ:
Once we know what to expect, it's time to find the very best spots in New Jersey to take in the fall foliage - and there are so many beautiful places to go for amazing leaf peeping in the Garden State.
The Fall Foliage Prediction Map is an interactive tool that makes it easy to see when fall colors will be most beautiful across the United States. In New Jersey, the colors start changing as early as the second week of September and hit their peak the weeks by the beginning of October.
One of our favorite places for fall leaf peeping in New Jersey is Monmouth Battlefield State Park. In fact, New Jersey's state parks are an amazing place to see the fall colors, like the Pine Barrens haven of Parvin State Park, or a peaceful retreat into Stokes State Forest, where the trees form a multi-colored canvas come autumn.
Meanwhile, if you want to see the colors from the highest vantage point, you won't do better than Allamuchy Mountain State Park. And High Point National Monument, which has roots in the Revolutionary War, is another incredible vantage point as the colors change.
If you're up for an epic adventure, take the Delaware and Raritan Canal Trail, a spectacular 69-mile bike trail weaving from New Brunswick to Trenton with incredible views along the way.
Now that you know when do leaves change color in New Jersey in 2024, let us know all about your fall foliage plans for 2024 in the comments section! The Smoky Mountains fall foliage map will be updated all season long to make planning easier. If you're planning to explore New Jersey's state parks and do some hiking among the fall foliage, you'll definitely want to subscribe to AllTrails+ to gain access to the app's interactive trail maps and other features.