New Jersey is known for its beautiful coastlines, amazing sites of historical events, diverse culture and its beautiful seasonal landscape. In this article you will read about 11 Beautiful Places to Visit in New Jersey.
1. High Point State Park
Address: 1480 NJ-23 Sussex, NJ 07461
It is known for being the highest point in New Jersey, offering beautiful panoramic views of nearby grasslands. The park encompasses an area of over 16,000 acres and features a variety of recreational activities for visitors to enjoy.
High Point State Park is known for its famous monument which is a gift that Honors all of the New Jersey Heroes who participated in roles of land, sea, and air during all of the war. The monument sits at 220-feet high and throughout the year. The monument is open to visitors allowing them to climb this beautiful masterpiece which is about 1,803-feet above sea level.
Activities at High Point State Park include Swimming in Lake Marcia which is 20 acres of Spring fed water. In and around the lake you can also enjoy picnics on the sand and boating.
There are over 50 miles of trails for explorers to hike, mountain bike, horseback riding, cross country skiing, and more.
All of the trails at High Point State Park vary from 1 ½ miles to 18 miles long.
Fees may apply upon entry to this location, check the website for details before planning your trip.
2. Liberty State Park
Liberty State Park is known for its beautiful view of the New York Skyline, which includes a spectacular view of the Statue of Liberty. This Riverfront park is an excellent place to enjoy activities such as jet skiing, boating, fishing, crabbing, and nature walks.
With acres of open land this is a great place to play ball, cookout, or enjoy a picnic with family. There are also playgrounds throughout the park for kids to play.
While at the park, don’t forget to explore the world of science at The Liberty Science Center. Or take a walk through America’s past at Ellis Island.
3. Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park
Located at 72 McBride Ave. Ext. Paterson, NJ 07501
This beautiful waterfall needs to be on your to do list for places to visit in New Jersey, especially if you live here. The Paterson Falls is the 2nd largest fall by volume east of the Mississippi River and sits at 77 feet High.
There was once a time when you could walk across the falls on a foot bridge but the bridge is currently under construction. That should not deter you from visiting because there is still a way to enjoy the view of the falls.
4. Giant Stairs Palisades
Located at Shore Trial, Closter NJ 07624
If you are looking for an exciting but also challenging place to hike, then the Giant Stairs at Palisades is the place for you. With breathtaking views from this waterfront cliff, you will immediately forget you are in New Jersey.
This trail is about a 4.3 mile loop which has a very steep way down to the bottom of the cliff and a very rocky level once you hit the shoreline which is known as the scramble. This trail on the map is identified as the white trail shoreline trail and is not recommended for pets or small children.
*My advice is to watch a Youtube video before you commit yourself to this hike, to make sure this is a good trail for you.
If you are planning to visit the area, there are shorter also, less challenging walking trails to hike. You will also find picnic benches in the parking lot of the welcome area which is a beautiful place to look at the view while grabbing a bite to eat.
5. Manasquan Reservoir
Located at 311 Windeler Rd. Howell, NJ 07731
Is the most visited park in the Monmouth County Park system, with so many different activities for all to enjoy. The reservoir has a 5.1 mile trail that loops around the reservoir. The trail allows visitors to go on walks, bike rides, and also horseback riding.
For a shorter walk, the reservoir has a 1 mile nature walk trail.
The reservoir also has a visitor center with a variety of activities to partake in. Some of the activities include a picnic area, playground, rowboat rentals, kayak rental boat tours and fishing.
The Manasquan Reservoir opens daily at 7am from November 31st- March 31st and 6am April 31st – October 31st.
6. Stairway to Heaven
Located at 443 Vernon Warwick Rd, Vernon Township NJ 07462
The “Stairway to Heaven” in Vernon, New Jersey, is a popular place to visit in New Jersey and is a local landmark. It’s known for its stunning natural beauty and offers hikers an opportunity to explore the part of the Appalachian Trail.
The Stairway to Heaven trail is a roughly 2.8-mile hike that takes you through a variety of landscapes, including fields, forests, and rocky outcrops. The trail gets its name from a steep, rocky section with a series of wooden steps, which can be challenging but also rewarding as it offers breathtaking views of the surrounding area once you reach the top of the mountain.
If you are looking for more of an adventure and a longer hike, since this trail is also part of the Appalachian trail that spans from Springer Mountain, Georgia to Northern Terminus Katahdin, Maine.
The address above will take you to the base of this hike which has a small parking lot and a little shop to purchase food and drinks. If you are into more of a scenic view before you start the Stairway to Heaven hike you can follow the trail across the street from the parking lot which is known as the boardwalk trail. I heard so many great things about this hike.
7. Hartshorne Woods Park
Located at 1402 Portland Rd. Highland, NJ 07732
When make your list of places to visit in New Jersey, don’t forget to add this gem. Hartshorne Woods Park is a popular recreational area located in Highlands, New Jersey. It is a part of the Monmouth County Park System and offers a wide range of outdoor activities and natural beauty for visitors to enjoy.
This park allows activities such as camping, cross country skiing, fishing, hiking, biking and horseback riding.
Hartshorne Woods Park is also a great and popular place for Geocaching, which is a cool treasure hunting activity that you can do with your family or friends.
This park is also the home to diverse wildlife and is a great place for birdwatching. You may spot various species of birds, deer, and other animals along your journey in the park.
Throughout the year Hartshorne Woods Park hosts a couple of seasonal events, guided walking tours, and educational programs, this is a great way to learn more about the history of the park and the history of New Jersey.
Click here for a deeper dive into all that Hartshorne Woods has to offer.
8. Allaire State Park
Located at 4265 Atlantic Ave. Wall Township NJ 07727
Allaire State Park is a beautiful state park located in Farmingdale, New Jersey, in Monmouth County. It covers an area of approximately 3,278 acres and offers a diverse range of outdoor recreational activities including camping, bike riding, picnicking and walking trails, there’s also a variety of natural attractions as well. This park is known for its historical significance, scenic beauty, and a variety of outdoor opportunities.
Popular events that takes place yearly at Allaire are the historical 19th Century Baseball tournament, the duck darby, the Fall Apple Festival, The 19th Century Thanksgiving Celebration, the 1830 All Hollow’s Eve Haunted Celebration, The Christmas Lantern Tour and the Independence Day Celebration.
Allaire State Park also has a variety of workshops such as weaving, black smithing and more.
Allaire State Park is also very famous for its antique steam train that loops around a section of the park, that is great for all ages and is a must see.
9. Turkey Swamp Park
Located at 200 Georgia Rd. Freehold, NJ 07728
This park is a beautiful state park which happens to be a Northern part of the New Jersey Pine Barrens. This park is most popular for its campsite but also allows a number of wonderful activities.
Turkey Swamp park has a variety of things to do such as cooking out on charcoal grills. The park provides, hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, horseback riding and archery.
There are also various playgrounds and open land available for families to enjoy.
Turkey Swamp Park is a wonderful place for outdoor nature lovers and families looking for a peaceful and natural escape.
10. Cheesequake State Park
Located at 300 Gordon Rd. Matawan, NJ 07747
Cheesequake State Park is a popular destination for both locals and visitors who enjoy the natural beauty of New Jersey. This is a great place for outdoor activities such as swimming, biking, hiking, camping, sledding, fishing, hunting and more.
This park is known for its variety of ecosystems, including saltwater, and freshwater marshes, forest and a brackish water lake.
This beautiful 1,610 acre land is great for so many adventures for all to enjoy.
11. Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park Trail
The Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park Trail, often referred to as the D&R Canal Towpath, is a popular recreational trail located in central New Jersey. It follows the historic route of the Delaware and Raritan Canal, which was originally constructed in the 1830s and served as a transportation route for cargo, primarily coal, between the Delaware River and the Raritan River.
Today, it’s a scenic multi-use trail that offers a wide range of outdoor activities such as bike riding, running, hiking, nature lovers, and historians.
This location is also good for water activities such as fishing, boating, canoeing, and tubing.
Although the total distance of this loop is 77 miles long, there are shorter loops around the trail which makes the distance great for beginner explorers.
Conclusion
So there you have it, 11 of the most beautiful places to visit in New Jersey. Although we know there are beautiful places to visit in this state that are indoors, we wanted to focus on places outdoors in the natural beauty of the state. If there are any places that you feel like we missed, please feel free to comment below.
