These Attractions in New Jersey Are So Much More Than Tourist Traps

I’ve lived in the Garden State my whole life, and I still discover new destinations that I want to share with everyone I know each and every year. We’re kind of in the middle of it all—right next to New York and Pennsylvania, and the most densely-populated state in the whole country. We get a lot of tourists, and they definitely have their favorite destinations! It’s pretty common for New Jersey residents to turn up their noses at some of these spots, regarding them as tourist traps—and I was among them! But you know what? More often than not, when I actually visit one of these spots, I wind up deciding it’s not just more than a tourist trap; it’s a true must-see attraction in New Jersey!

We do things a little differently here in the Garden State, and even our most heavily visited attractions and destinations tend to have something special that makes it worth a visit. Here are five you should discover for yourself.

1. Six Flags Great Adventure (Jackson)

New Jersey’s largest theme park wasn’t my favorite growing up—it was often hot in the summer, and its offerings were more extreme thrill coasters, light on theming. But when I returned this past summer, I was impressed in a number of ways. The theming on the coasters has gotten more innovative, the food has some hidden gems like Granny’s Country Kitchen, and a Justice League-themed dark ride provides some high-tech thrills. And we can’t forget about the park’s unique safari-themed animal adventure.

2. Jimmy Buff’s (West Orange and Kenilworth)

Some of New Jersey’s signature dishes are too rich for my blood, and I expected the Italian Hot Dog to be one of them. But one bite of Jimmy Buff’s specialty—a combo of hot dogs or Italian sausage, fried potatoes, and peppers and onions, all stuffed into a puffy pizza bread—and I was hooked. It’s perfectly indulgent without putting you in a food coma for the rest of the day.

3. Jenkinson’s Aquarium (Point Pleasant Beach)

I love a good zoo or aquarium, but I’m usually pretty picky to make sure that they’re meeting strict ethical standards for the animals’ sake. A boardwalk aquarium made me think it might be a tourist trap that didn’t meet those standards, but Jenkinson’s Aquarium blew me away. A two-floor facility featuring huge tanks filled with sharks and other fish, as well as plenty of rare animals in roomy tanks, it even has a penguin habitat and the fan-favorite seal area, which houses unreleasable rescue seals. Make sure to take time to watch a seal-feeding session.

4. American Dream (East Rutherford)

It’s not so much that I didn’t want to like this massive East Rutherford megamall (I’m a little obsessed with giant malls), but it’s more that all signs were pointing to disaster. The mall had been through decades of legal wrangling and delays before it was taken over by the Mall of America team and brought to fruition. But today, it’s a thriving all-purpose entertainment destination with an amusement park, a water park, an indoor ski slope, a pour-your-own-wine bar, and one of the best dining scenes anywhere in New Jersey.

5. The Boardwalk (Atlantic City)

One of New Jersey’s claims to fame is that we do everything bigger, so of course we have the longest boardwalk in the world! The Atlantic City boardwalk is lined with tourist traps and casinos, and that led me to write it off for a while, but it’s also packed with hidden gems. There’s nothing like shopping at the massive candy stores on the boardwalk, and the full boardwalk offers some beautiful ocean views. And only minutes from the boardwalk, you’ll find New Jersey’s best Afghan restaurant.

Have you visited any of these must-see attractions in New Jersey? Are there any unique destinations you’ve discovered that are more than a tourist trap? Tell a travel buddy about this article and discover some of these spots for yourself! If you’d like some help designing your own New Jersey itinerary, head over to Only in Your State’s AI-powered travel planner and let it design you a customized itinerary.

Of course, not every spot is for everyone. Here are five NJ spots I wouldn’t take my worst enemy!