National Park New JerseyATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near National Park, New Jersey.
1. Gateway National Recreation Area
BEACHES AND HISTORIC STRUCTURES
Gateway National Recreation Area spans 27,000 acres from Sandy Hook in New Jersey to Breezy Point in New York City, serving as the gateway from the ocean into New York Harbor. The recreation area offers green spaces and beaches alongside historic structures and cultural landscapes for visitors to explore. Gateway is open daily for exploration, providing opportunities to envision and enjoy the natural beauty of the area.
2. Sandy Hook
BEACHES AND LIGHTHOUSE
Sandy Hook is a key part of Gateway National Recreation Area, featuring pristine beaches along the Atlantic Ocean. Visitors can explore the historic Sandy Hook Lighthouse, the oldest working lighthouse in the United States. The area also offers excellent opportunities for swimming, fishing, and wildlife viewing throughout the year.
3. Great Egg Harbor River
SCENIC PINELANDS WATERWAY
The Great Egg Harbor River is a 129-mile river system established as a National Park Service unit in 1992, with nearly all of it resting within the Pinelands National Reserve. The river gradually widens as it collects water from 17 tributaries on its journey to Great Egg Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean. This unique park unit is administered by local jurisdictions while maintaining its status as a National Wild and Scenic River.
4. Lower Delaware National Wild and Scenic River
FREE-FLOWING HISTORIC WATERWAY
The Lower Delaware is the largest free-flowing river in the eastern United States, running past forests, farmlands, and villages. In 2000, key segments of the lower Delaware River were incorporated into the National Wild and Scenic River System to form this unit of the National Park System. The river links some of the most densely populated regions in America while providing numerous recreational opportunities.
5. Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
SCENIC MOUNTAIN VALLEY
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area encompasses 70,000 acres of mountain ridges, forest, and the Delaware River valley. The park offers visitors spectacular scenery, outdoor recreational activities, and access to historic sites that tell the stories of early settlement and industry. The area is known for its abundant wildlife, waterfalls, and over 100 miles of hiking trails including a section of the Appalachian Trail.
6. Appalachian National Scenic Trail
LEGENDARY LONG-DISTANCE PATH
The Appalachian National Scenic Trail passes through New Jersey for approximately 74 miles, offering hikers remarkable views and diverse ecosystems. The New Jersey section traverses through the Delaware Water Gap, High Point State Park, and continues northeast through the Kittatinny Mountain ridge. Hikers enjoying this section of the trail can experience dense forests, wildlife sightings, and panoramic vistas of the surrounding valleys.
7. Ellis Island
HISTORIC IMMIGRATION GATEWAY
Ellis Island served as an immigration processing depot from 1892 to 1954 and is now part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument. The island, which sits partially in New Jersey waters, played a crucial role in America's immigration history, processing over 12 million immigrants during its operation. Today, visitors can explore the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration to learn about the immigrant experience and possibly trace their family history.
8. Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park
INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE SITE
Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park preserves the Great Falls of the Passaic River, a National Natural Landmark and site of mills and mill races originally developed in the late 1700s. The 77-foot waterfall powered the industrial development of Paterson, which was planned as America's first industrial city by Alexander Hamilton. Today, visitors can view the impressive falls from multiple overlooks and learn about the area's significant contributions to American industrial history.
9. Thomas Edison National Historical Park
INVENTOR'S LABORATORY COMPLEX
Thomas Edison National Historical Park preserves inventor Thomas Alva Edison's laboratory and his residence, Glenmont. The site showcases Edison's workspace where he developed numerous inventions that transformed modern life, including improvements to the phonograph, the storage battery, and motion picture technology. Visitors can tour both the extensive laboratory complex and Edison's Victorian mansion to gain insight into the life and work of America's most prolific inventor.
10. Morristown National Historical Park
REVOLUTIONARY WAR ENCAMPMENT
Morristown National Historical Park preserves sites associated with the American Revolutionary War, including Ford Mansion, Jockey Hollow, Fort Nonsense, and the New Jersey Brigade Encampment Site. The park commemorates the location where General George Washington and the Continental Army endured the harsh winter encampment of 1779-1780. Visitors can tour the historical buildings, hike the trails through former encampment grounds, and learn about the struggles and perseverance of the soldiers who fought for American independence.
11. Atlantic City Boardwalk
HISTORIC OCEANFRONT PROMENADE
The Atlantic City Boardwalk is America's first and longest boardwalk, providing a perfect blend of history, entertainment, and natural beauty. The iconic wooden walkway stretches along the Atlantic Ocean, offering visitors access to casinos, shops, restaurants, and breathtaking ocean views. Since its construction in 1870, the Boardwalk has remained the heart of Atlantic City's tourism industry and continues to attract millions of visitors each year.
12. Tuckerton Seaport & Baymen's Museum
MARITIME HERITAGE CENTER
Tuckerton Seaport & Baymen's Museum is a working maritime village and heritage center that showcases the culture and history of the Jersey Shore and Pine Barrens region. The 40-acre site features historic and recreated buildings connected by a boardwalk, where visitors can learn about traditional boat building, decoy carving, and fishing techniques. The museum provides an immersive experience of coastal New Jersey's maritime heritage through exhibits, demonstrations, and hands-on activities.
13. Historic Smithville
COLONIAL VILLAGE SHOPPING
Historic Smithville is a charming colonial village featuring over 60 specialty shops, restaurants, and lodging in restored historic buildings. Visitors can stroll along cobblestone walkways, cross footbridges, and enjoy the scenic lake while exploring unique boutiques offering everything from handcrafted items to gourmet foods. Throughout the year, Smithville hosts various events and festivals that celebrate its colonial heritage and provide family-friendly entertainment.
14. Dock's Oyster House
HISTORIC SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
Dock's Oyster House is Atlantic City's oldest restaurant, established in 1897 and still operated by the same family after four generations. The restaurant is renowned for its fresh seafood, particularly the extensive raw bar featuring various oyster varieties and clams. With its elegant atmosphere and commitment to quality, Dock's has remained a dining landmark through Atlantic City's many transformations.
15. The Wetlands Institute
COASTAL RESEARCH CENTER
The Wetlands Institute is dedicated to preserving and protecting coastal ecosystems through research, education, and conservation. The facility sits on 6,000 acres of wetlands and features an interactive museum, salt marsh trail, and observation tower where visitors can learn about coastal wildlife. The Institute offers various programs including guided marsh tours, bird watching expeditions, and seasonal terrapin releases that provide hands-on learning experiences about wetland ecology.