Raymond Goldfield is a life-long New Jersey resident and an avid traveler and foodie who can be usually found on the Jersey Shore during the offseason or checking out the latest seasonal flavors at The Bent Spoon in Princeton. He has been working for Only In Your State for since early 2022, where he writes for New Jersey and Iowa and edits the Mid-Atlantic region. He can also be found writing about pop culture for GeekDad. When at home, he enjoys reading comic books and is part of The Rabbitt Stew podcast team. While New Jersey is his home base, he travels regularly and has visited Virginia, Florida, Maine, Minnesota, and Canada as well as all of NJ's border states. Ultimate travel goal? Visit all the best buffets in the United States.
Ah, summer in New Jersey. Is there any better time in the Garden State? I don’t think so, especially since I spend most of my time down the shore during these months! There are so many amazing things to do in summer in New Jersey that it’s often hard to fit it all in before fall comes along. It’s the perfect time to explore a beautiful state park, visit some iconic boardwalk attractions, or take a river cruise at sunset. Then there are the festivals and events – you can expect some of the country’s best parades and food fests across the states during these months. No matter how you like to spend your summer, the odds are good that your perfect summer adventure awaits. We’re here to help you narrow it down with the 15 absolute summer events and destinations to explore this year!
For those planning a getaway to remember, you won’t do better than the Garden State, New Jersey is home to some amazing vacation destinations – including a world-class amusement park, some of the best boardwalk amusements and beaches in the country – and if you can’t handle the heat, we have you covered too! For those sweltering days, why not head to the top indoor shopping and dining destination on the East Coast?
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Best Beaches And Lakes To Visit In New Jersey This Summer
The Jersey Shore is hopping this time of year and everyone knows it – so when you want to beat the crowds, it’s best to head inland. These beaches and lakes range from a pristine inland beach that’s one of the state’s best-kept secrets, to a massive freshwater fishing and boating destination. There’s even a beach near one of New Jersey’s top tourist towns that most visitors have never heard of.
Parks To Visit In New Jersey This Summer
New Jersey’s best parks often come alive in the summer – and that goes for both the state parks and county parks. The state parks are frequently at their busiest during the summer, so we’re spotlighting some hidden gems. This includes a county park with some amazing live entertainment, the most impressive urban recreation park in the state, and a beachside state park that gets you as close to the water as you can possibly get without a boat.
Even if you’re on a budget this summer, that doesn’t mean you can’t have some fun in the sun. New Jersey has some incredible museums, gardens, and animal exhibits that don’t charge a cent – including a unique county zoo with some adorable residents, a fascinating exhibit celebrating the residents of the sea, and one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in the whole state.
Best Summer Events And Festivals In New Jersey
No one does a summer party like New Jersey! This summer, the best festivals in New Jersey include a massive beach party in one of the state’s best shore towns, a laid-back flower festival on a farm that always has something going on – and of course, the granddaddy of them all. That’s right, one of the best state fairs in the country is back for another engagement, and we’re here to tell you all about it.
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What are your favorite things to do in summer in New Jersey? Which of the places or events on this list have you done in past years? Let us know in the comments section! This is also a phenomenal time to explore New Jersey’s best state parks, and we put together a list for exactly that purpose. If you’re planning to do some hiking this year, consider a subscription to AllTrails + – it’s ideal for when you’re really headed off the beaten path and need step-by-step trail guides you can access even when online.
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