WHAT’S WHERE IN NEW JERSEY

AREA CODES New Jersey has nine area codes: Area codes 201 and 551 serve the Northeastern Gateway region; 609 covers the Southern Shore region, including Atlantic City, the Wildwoods, and Cape May, as well as portions of the Delaware Bay and Pinelands regions, Princeton, and Trenton; 732 and 848 serve the central shoreline, and parts of central New Jersey and the Gateway region; 856 covers the Pinelands, Delaware Bay, and the Camden region; 908 serves the northern New Jersey region; 973 and 862 are the area codes for northern New Jersey as far east as Newark.

AGRICULTURAL FAIRS The Agricultural Fair Association of New Jersey (www.njagfairs.com) publishes an online directory of 20 old-fashioned county fairs with agricultural exhibits, carnival rides, animals, live entertainment, food, and midway games held throughout the state from May to September. The Warren County Farmers’ Fair in Harmony has been an annual event in northern New Jersey for 75 years, with tractor pulls, horse shows, and hot-air balloons. There are also two state fairs: In Sussex County, the New Jersey State Fair in Augusta is a traditional country fair; State Fair Meadowlands is a 2-week-long fair at the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford in July.

AIRPORTS AND AIRLINES Newark Liberty International Airport (973-961-6000; parking information: 888-397-4636; www.panynj.com) in Newark is New Jersey’s largest airport, served by more than 40 major carriers, including American Airlines (800-433-7300), British Airways (800-247-9297), Continental Airlines (800-525-0280), Delta Airlines (800-221-1212), United Airlines (800-241-6522), and US Airways (800-428-4322). Air-Train Newark (888-397-4636; www.airtrainnewark.com) provides rail service between airport terminals and mass transit, including New Jersey Transit and Amtrak trains as well as New York and Newark’s Penn Stations. Atlantic City International Airport (609-645-7895; www.acairport.com), Exit 9 on the Atlantic City Expressway in southern New Jersey, is served by Spirit Airlines (800-772-7117). Out-of-state options near the Northeastern Gateway region include John F. Kennedy International Airport (718-244-4444; www.kennedyairport.com) and LaGuardia International Airport (718-533-3400; www.laguardiaairport.com) in New York City. Philadelphia International Airport (215-937-6937; www.philadelphia-phl.com) in Pennsylvania is near western New Jersey. Click on www.njaviation.com for a complete list of the state’s local, regional, and international airports.

AMUSEMENT PARKS New Jersey’s largest and best-known amusement park is Six Flags Great Adventure (732-928-1821; www.sixflags.com) on Route 537 in Jackson, with rides and attractions in the theme park, water-slides at Hurricane Harbor, and exotic animals at Wild Safari. Others include Mountain Creek Waterpark (973-827-2000; www.mountaincreekwaterpark.com) in Vernon, Tomahawk Lake (973-398-7777; www.tomahawklake.com) in Sparta, Fantasy Island Amusement Park (609-492-4000; www.fantasyislandpark.com) in Beach Haven, and Clementon Amusement Park and Splash World (856-783-0263; www.clementonpark.com) in Clementon. Several parks cater specifically to families with young children, including Wild West City (973-347-8900; www.wildwestcity.com) in Netcong, Land of Make Believe (908-459-9000; www.lomb.com) in Hope, and Storybook Land (609-641-7847; www.storybookland.com) in Cardiff. Point Pleasant Beach, Seaside Heights, and Wildwood are some of the resort towns along the Jersey Shore that sport their own amusement piers on the boardwalk.

ANTIQUING Antiques dealers and shops are found virtually throughout New Jersey, but certain regions—in particular the towns of Frenchtown and Lambertville on the Delaware River, Mullica Hill in the Delaware Bay region, and Red Bank near the Jersey Shore—have many antiques shops in concentrated areas. In addition, New Jersey has a variety of antiques marketplaces, auctions, and flea markets where collectors and browsers can conveniently see merchandise from a variety of dealers in one location. For listings of statewide antiques dealers and a calendar of antiques shows and events, click on www.newjerseyantiques.net.

APPALACHIAN TRAIL The 2,174-mile-long Appalachian National Scenic Trail runs through New Jersey and 13 other states on its route from Mount Katahdin in Maine to Georgia’s Springer Mountain. The 72.4-mile New Jersey section is more rugged and remote than one might expect from the nation’s most densely populated state, and has an active bear population. The white-blazed trail—or “AT” as hikers call it—crosses the Delaware River on the busy Delaware Bridge between New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and winds along trout streams, through hemlock ravines, and across rocky ridges on its way to New York State. Particular sections of the trail like the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Sunfish Pond, and Mohican Point with its 360-degree panorama are extremely popular with day- and weekend hikers. For more information, contact the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (304-535-6331; www.appalachiantrail.org), 799 Washington St., P.O. Box 807, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425-0807.

AQUARIUMS The state’s largest is Adventure Aquarium (856-283-0545; www.adventureaquarium.com), in Camden (formerly the New Jersey State Aquarium). The city’s riverfront aquarium boasts a West African river exhibit with hippos and crocodiles, a shark tank with a 40-foot walk-through tunnel, a 760,000-gallon Deep Atlantic Open Ocean Tank that is home to two-dozen sharks, as well as sea turtles and stingrays; and some 80 permanent exhibits featuring seals, penguins, and thousands of fish. Jenkinson’s Aquarium (732-892-0600; www.jenkinsons.com/aquarium) on the boardwalk in Point Pleasant Beach has sharks, seals, penguins, and a touch tank. The Ocean Life Center at Historic Gardner’s Basin (609-348-2880; www.oceanlifecenter.com) in Atlantic City is a fisherman’s museum and educational marine center with a shark- and tropical fish–filled aquarium, touch tanks, and interactive exhibits.

ART MUSEUMS The Princeton University Art Museum (609-258-3788; www.artmuseum.princeton.edu) holds the university’s topflight collection, with 60,000 works of art that span centuries. At the shore, Noyes Museum of Art (609-652-8848; www.noyesmuseum.org) in Oceanville contains exhibits of contemporary art, American folk art, and crafts. In Clinton, Hunterdon Museum of Art (908-735-8415; www.hunterdonartmuseum.org) is a 19th-century gristmill on the Raritan River, with three galleries of contemporary art. The African Art Museum of the Society of African Missions (201-894-8611; www.smafathers.org) in Tenafly has a unique collection of art and crafts from sub-Saharan Africa. The Hiram Blauvelt Art Museum (201-261-0012; www.blauveltmuseum.com) in Oradell is one man’s collection of wildlife art and big game. The Newark Museum (973-596-6550; www.newarkmuseum.org) in Newark isn’t devoted exclusively to art, but boasts the largest collection of Tibetan art and artifacts in the Western Hemisphere and one of America’s top collections of 18th- to 20th-century American art. In Montclair, the Montclair Art Museum (973-746-5555; www.montclairartmuseum.org) is New Jersey’s first public museum, with a noted collection of American Indian art and artifacts. Rutgers University has on its campus in New Brunswick the Jane Voorhees Zimmerli Art Museum (732-932-7237; www.zimmerlimuseum.rutgers.edu), which displays American and European art.

ARTS COUNCILS Jersey Arts (1-800-843-2787; www.jerseyarts.com) is a comprehensive online guide to arts and culture in New Jersey, with events listings, links to local and national arts organizations, and information on artists who live and work in New Jersey. South Jersey Cultural Alliance (609-645-2760; 888-704-7522; www.sjca.net) publishes a comprehensive listing of arts and cultural events and sites in eight South Jersey counties, from ecotourism and historical sites to theater, music festivals, museums, and galleries.

BALLOONING Scenic hot-air balloon rides are available year-round throughout New Jersey, and many are concentrated in rural Hunterdon County, in communities like Clinton, White-house Station, and Readington. Flights generally begin around sunrise or sunset, when the wind is calmest, and last about an hour. Most companies suggest you make a reservation well in advance; weekend-evening flights tend to be the most popular. The annual summertime Quick Chek Festival of Ballooning (800-468-2479; www.balloonfestival.com) in Readington features more than 100 hot-air balloons plus entertainment and fireworks. Check the index, or look under To Do—Ballooning in relevant chapters for companies in a particular region.

BEACHES New Jersey’s 127-mile shoreline is a lively jumble of boardwalk amusements, pristine natural areas, and white-sand beaches stretching along the Atlantic Ocean, beloved by surfers, anglers, beachcombers, and sunbathers. The northernmost ocean beach on the shoreline is in Gateway National Recreation Area—Sandy Hook Unit, Fort Hancock (732-872-5970); Island Beach State Park (732-793-0506) in Seaside Park is a 10-mile swath of untouched sand dunes between the Atlantic Ocean and Barnegat Bay. More than 30 of the state’s town beaches charge entrance fees; the beaches in Atlantic City and the Wildwoods, however, are free. New Jersey beaches aren’t considered an exotic vacation destination, but they are within driving distance of millions of people. The best times to drive to the shore during the summer are late Friday evening or very early on Saturday morning. The heaviest beach-bound traffic is Friday after work until around 10 PM; avoid traveling to the shore on Saturday from 9 AM to 3 PM. Dogs are prohibited from most New Jersey beaches from May to September. For information on local beaches, including access fees and regulations, contact the local municipal clerk’s office. Most communities require beachgoers to purchase a badge for access to their beaches.

BED & BREAKFASTS B&Bs throughout New Jersey include charming Colonial farmhouses, ornate Victorian homes, and elegant mansions that welcome overnight visitors. B&Bs can be found along the shoreline and the Delaware River, in the northern rural hills, and in historic towns scattered throughout the state. The B&B Innkeepers Association of New Jersey (732-449-3535; 866-449-3535; www.njinns.com), P.O. Box 108, Spring Lake 07762, publishes a directory with brief descriptions of more than 80 B&Bs and inns around the state.

BICYCLING The New Jersey Department of Transportation (www.state.nj.us/transportation) publishes a series of full-color guides to rides throughout the state that can be downloaded from their Web site, where you can also order a water-resistant version. Other free materials include information on New Jersey paths and rail-trails, cycling clubs, bike events, and bike commuting tips. Before setting out on your own, drop by a local bike shop for supplies, repairs, advice on planning a route, or information on local group rides.

BIRDING The Pinelands, the Delaware Bay region, and the southern shore are prime areas for bird-watching in New Jersey, especially during the spring and fall migrations. The vast expanses of hardwood swamps and salt marshes along the Delaware River, like those in Tuckahoe’s Lester G. Mac-Namara Wildlife Management Area (609-628-3219), are a busy feeding and resting ground for bald eagles, peregrine falcons, and hundreds of other bird species. Birders from around the country come to the Cape May region in May, when birds feast on horseshoe crab eggs at Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area (609-628-2103). Hawks and owls live in the woods and fields of Assunpink Wildlife Management Area (609-259-2132), one of the top bird-watching areas in central New Jersey. Just outside of Atlantic City, the 44,000-acre Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge (609-652-1665) is a pristine swath of islands, bays, and inlets on the Atlantic Flyway, the route for tens of thousands of migrating birds. Herons and egrets nest at the Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary (609-368-5102), the only municipally funded heronry in America. Also in Stone Harbor, the Wetlands Institute (609-368-1211) leads guided birding walks through coastal wetlands and upland marshes. Just to the south, Cape May is a premier birding center. During the summer, hundreds of bird species nest at the Cape May Bird Observatory (609-884-2736; birding hotline: 609-898-2473), which sponsors the New Jersey Audubon Society’s World Series of Birding, a popular 24-hour birding contest. Many birds pass through Cape May Point State Park (609-884-2159), where fall is the best time to observe the migration of waterfowl, raptors, shorebirds, and songbirds. The New Jersey Audubon Society (908-204-8998; www.njaudubon.org) works to raise environmental awareness and protect New Jersey’s wildlife and natural habitats. The society maintains nine staffed nature centers throughout the state; they are described in each chapter.

BOARDWALKS Atlantic City, Ocean City, Wildwood, Point Pleasant Beach, and other resort towns on the Jersey Shore are famous for their long wooden boardwalks, each with a unique flavor. Some, like in Seaside Heights, are virtual kiddie amusement parks offering a barrage of activities, kitschy souvenir shops, food stands, and carnival rides. Others, like the one in historic Ocean Grove, are quiet and charming beachfront walkways perfect for leisurely strolls.

BOATING New Jersey offers many opportunities for boating on lakes, ponds, rivers, and the Atlantic Ocean. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Fish and Wildlife (609-292-2965; www.njfishandwildlife.com) has information on boating on inland and tidal waterways, including a list of boat access sites. Children under 17 operating a boat must complete a boating safety course; anyone operating a motorized boat on inland waters must be licensed. All motorboats must be registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles.

BUS SERVICES Greyhound (800-231-2222; www.greyhound.com) serves more than a dozen communities at terminals and at stops with limited services: Newark, Ho-Ho-Kus, Ridgewood, Mahwah, Waldwick, Ramsey, Somerville, Paramus, and Hackettstown in northern New Jersey; Camden, Trenton, Mount Laurel, and Atlantic City in the southern regions. Peter Pan (800-343-9999; www.peterpanbus.com) stops in Camden, Mount Laurel, and Newark. New Jersey Transit (973-275-5555; 800-955-2321; www.njtransit.com) provides local bus service on nearly 200 routes around the state.

CAMPING For a free campground map and guidebook of New Jersey’s public and private campgrounds and RV parks, contact the New Jersey Campground Owners Association (609-465-8444; 800-222-6765; www.njcampgrounds.com;), 29 Cooks Beach Rd., Cape May Court House, NJ 08210. There are 19 state forests, parks, and recreation areas with camping facilities for tents and trailers; these public campgrounds do not provide hook-ups. Several of them offer furnished rental cabins, with running water, electricity, bathrooms, kitchens, and fireplaces or wood-burning stoves. Others offer lean-tos, rustic wilderness campsites, and yurts—circular, wood-framed tents with a wood floor and deck. For information and reservations regarding these sites, contact the state park or forest directly. Pets are not allowed in state camping facilities.

CANOEING AND KAYAKING A number of outfitters offer guided kayak and canoe tours, while others have boat rentals available; they are described in each chapter. Rentals are also available at some state parks. For information, contact the Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Parks and Forestry (609-984-0370; 800-843-6420), P.O. Box 402, Trenton 08625-0402.

CASINOS More than 30 million visitors descend on Atlantic City every year, the majority of whom come to try their luck at one of the 11 casinos at this world-famous Jersey Shore gambling mecca. They are Atlantic City Hilton Casino Resort (609-347-7111; www.hiltonac.com), Bally’s Atlantic City (609-340-2000; www.ballysac.com), Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa (609-317-1000; www.theborgata.com), Caesars Atlantic City (609-348-4411; www.caesarsac.com), Harrah’s Atlantic City Casino Hotel (609-441-5000; www.harrahs.com), Resorts Casino Hotel (609-344-6000; www.resortsac.com), Showboat Casino Hotel (609-343-4000; www.harrahs.com), Tropicana Casino and Resort (609-340-4000; www.tropicana.net), Trump Marina Hotel & Casino (609-441-2000; www.trumpmarina.com), Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino (609-441-6000; www.trumpplaza.com), and Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort (609-449-1000; www.trumptaj.com).

CHILDREN, ESPECIALLY FOR Throughout this book the symbol designates child-friendly attractions, lodgings, dining, and special events. Kids love boats and trains, especially the antique steam-powered Pine Creek Railroad (732-938-5542) in Allaire State Park and the Black River & Western Railroad (908-782-9600), which runs between Ringoes and Flemington. Also in Flemington, Northlandz (908-782-4022) is billed as the world’s largest model train exhibit, with a life-sized working steam train. In Bivalve, kids can sail on the restored oyster schooner A. J. Meerwald (856-785-2060), New Jersey’s official tall ship. Jersey City’s Circle Line Ferry (201-435-9499) to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty is another child pleaser. New Jersey’s minor-league ballparks cater to kids. The New Jersey Jackals (973-746-3131) play Yogi Berra Stadium at Montclair State University in Little Falls (the Yogi Berra Museum is a good stop before the game). The Somerset Patriots (908-252-0700) play in an old-fashioned ballpark in Bridgewater. In Trenton, the Trenton Thunder (609-394-3300) has New Jersey’s only minor-league stadium with a hand-operated scoreboard. A vintage-looking brick stadium on the Delaware River is home to the Camden Riversharks (856-963-2600), and at Lakewood BlueClaws (732-901-7000) home games, spectators can picnic on the outfield lawn. For a peek at living history, Howell Living History Farm (609-737-3299) in Titusville is an old-fashioned horse-powered farm with a lively barnyard, and demonstrations like spring planting, cider making, and maple sugaring. Wild West City (973-347-8900) in Netcong looks like 19th-century Dodge City, Kansas, with live action shows, stagecoach rides, and gold panning. Kids can watch bull riding, steer wrestling, and barrel racing at the Cowtown Rodeo (856-769-3200) in Pilesgrove. Museums designed just for children, with fun hands-on exhibits and make-believe play stations, include Cherry Hill’s Garden State Discovery Museum (856-424-1233) and the New Jersey Children’s Museum (201-262-5151) in Paramus. Liberty Science Center (201-200-1000) in Jersey City has more than 250 interactive exhibits on health, the environment, and inventions—and the largest IMAX dome screen in the country. New Jersey’s rugged northern hills comprise the “Fluorescent Mineral Capital of the World,” with two rock and mineral museums: Franklin Mineral Museum (973-827-3481) in Franklin and Sterling Hill Mining Museum (973-209-7212) in Ogdensburg, where you can explore a real underground zinc mine. At the shore, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum (609-347-2001) in Atlantic City features Robert Ripley’s infamously bizarre collection of unusual finds. Nearby, Lucy the Elephant (609-823-6473) is a 65-foot-tall national historic landmark, and the only elephant statue of its size in the world. Live animals can be seen in their natural surroundings at Turtle Back Zoo (973-731-5800) in West Orange, the largest zoo in northern New Jersey, and at Space Farms Zoo and Museum (973-875-5800) in Sussex, the most extensive private collection of North American wildlife in the world. Other zoos include Paramus’s Bergen County Zoo (201-262-3771) with a walk-through aviary and a 19th-century farmyard; Popcorn Park Zoo (609-693-1900) in Forked River, Cape May County Park and Zoo (609-465-5271) in Cape May Courthouse, and Cohanzick Zoo (856-455-3230) in Bridgeton. Adventure Aquarium (856-365-3300) in Camden is home to two-dozen sharks, thousands of fish, and rare South African penguins. Jenkinson’s Aquarium (732-899-1659) at Point Pleasant Beach and the Ocean Life Center (609-348-2880) in Atlantic City have aquariums, touch tanks, and interactive exhibits. The Jersey Shore boardwalks are lined with kid-friendly attractions: Jenkinson’s Pavilion and Amusement Park (732-892-0600) at Point Pleasant Beach has arcades, rides, and bumper cars; the Seaside Park Boardwalk (732-914-0100) boasts an antique carousel and carnival games; Funtown Amusement Pier’s Tower of Fear (732-830-7437) is the tallest ride on the Jersey Shore; Atlantic City’s Steel Pier (609-345-4893) is lined with food stands, rides, and games; Gillian’s Wonderland Pier (609-399-7082) in Ocean City has dozens of tame rides catering to children and families; and Morey’s Piers and Water Parks (609-522-3900) in Wildwood has it all, from roller coasters to carousels. Off the boards, Six Flags Great Adventure (732-928-1821) in Jackson has extreme rides for the older kids, Bugs Bunny Land and the Looney Tunes Seaport for the younger set; Clementon Amusement Park (856-783-0263) in Clementon has a nostalgic antique carousel, classic Ferris wheel, and one of the longest log flume rides in the country; and Mountain Creek Waterpark (973-827-2000) in Vernon has whitewater tubing rides for big kids, Half Pint Harbor for the little ones. A few old-fashioned theme parks cater to families with very young children. Land of Make Believe (908-459-9000) in Hope has low-key carnival rides, a water park, and a petting zoo, and Storybook Land (609-641-7847) in Cardiff is an amusement park with a collection of whimsical storybook-themed buildings.

CLIMATE New Jersey is one of the smallest states in the nation, but its climate varies widely, from the cool Kittatinny Mountains in the north, the mild Delaware Bay region in the south, and the moderate temperatures along the shoreline. In the Northern Highlands, where elevations reach 1,800 feet, it snows an average of 40 to 50 inches from mid-October to April, and temperatures are about 10 degrees colder than on the coast. The south receives only 10 to 15 inches of snow-fall from mid-November to mid-April. Sea breezes off the Atlantic keep the temperature flux on the Jersey Shore in check, with cooler summers and warmer winters than in interior regions. In the vast interior known as the Pine Barrens, the scrub pine and oak forest with its sandy soil (which doesn’t absorb sunlight) keeps the air cool and dry.

COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES For information on the state’s colleges and universities, contact the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education (609-292-4310; www.state.nj.us/highereducation), 20 West State St., P.O. Box 542, Trenton 08625-0542. The commission publishes a comprehensive online directory of New Jersey’s 56 state colleges and universities, independent 4-year institutions, theological seminaries, and community colleges.

COTTAGE RENTALS Most cottage rentals in New Jersey are in the shore towns along the 127-mile Atlantic coastline, although others can be found on the shores of the state’s many lakes and ponds, especially in the northern hills. Contact the tourism organizations listed under Guidance in each chapter, or real estate agents in the region you plan to visit.

CRAFTS The Peters Valley Craft Education Center (973-948-5200; www.petersvalley.org) in Layton is a nationally known school for fine craftsmanship in the picturesque Delaware Water Gap National Recreation area. In spring and summer, instructors lead seminars and intensive workshops for beginner to advanced students who want to learn about and create fine crafts, from photography and ceramics to blacksmithing and woodworking. One of the largest crafts shows in America is held here in September. The gallery and gift store feature contemporary crafts, on display and for sale, by more than 300 artists from around the country. In Madison, the Museum of Early Trades and Crafts (973-377-2982) mounts exhibits and workshops on 18th- and 19th-century craftsmen and craftswomen, and hosts special crafts events and demonstrations for children.

DINERS New Jersey is the unofficial Diner Capital of the World, an homage to the classic late-night eateries that sprang up along the state’s roadsides when the phenomenon spread up and down the East Coast. To travelers, diners promise a quick cup of joe or a cheap, hearty meal. New Jersey’s glowing neon and polished chrome diners are living postcards from 1950s America, with streamlined exteriors typical of the era’s futuristic designs. Inside, customers sit in Naugahyde booths or at Formica-topped counters, and hash browns, meatloaf, and lemon meringue pie are still on the menu. Many of the prefab roadside eateries were built in New Jersey and wound up alongside the state’s highways (a few companies here still manufacture them). Some of the 2,000 or so diners once in New Jersey still survive, serving up old-fashioned home-style cooking as they have for decades, notably: Jersey City’s White Manna Hamburgers, Forked River Diner in Forked River, Short Stop Diner in Bloomfield, Mastori’s Diner in Bordentown, Tick-Tock Diner in Clifton, and Burlington Diner in Burlington. For more information on these Garden State icons, click on www.njdiners.com.

EMERGENCIES Call 911 from anywhere in New Jersey in an emergency. Hospital and emergency numbers are listed at the beginning of each chapter.

EQUESTRIAN SPORTS The horse is New Jersey’s official state animal, and the history of equestrian sports here is long. Freehold Raceway (732-462-3800; www.freeholdraceway.com) in Freehold dates to the 19th century; today it has live daytime harness racing for pacers and trotters as well as simulcast races from tracks around the country. In Oceanport, Monmouth Park Racetrack (732-222-5100; www.monmouthpark.com) has live and simulcast thoroughbred racing. The million-dollar Haskell Invitational Thoroughbred Race in August draws some 50,000 spectators to see the world’s top champions. Meadowlands Racetrack (201-935-8500; www.meadowlandsracetrack.com) in East Rutherford is known for its live world-class harness racing, particularly the Hambletonian Festival of Racing, whose $1.7 million purse makes this the highest-stakes trotting race in the world. The headquarters of the United States Equestrian Team (908-234-1251) is in Gladstone, with an Olympic training facility and a summertime Festival of Champions horse show that attracts the world’s best Olympic-caliber riders, and horses that compete in show jumping, dressage, driving, and other events in a country fair atmosphere. In Allentown, the Horse Park of New Jersey (609-984-4389; www.horseparkofnewjersey.com) hosts the Festival of Horses in August, a popular family event.

EVENTS This guidebook lists a variety of regional special events at the end of each chapter. The New Jersey Office of Travel and Tourism (800-847-4865); www.visitnj.org) maintains an online events calendar and can mail travel literature that features events around the state.

FALL FOLIAGE The hills and forests of New Jersey put on a fiery autumn foliage display that rivals any in New England. Peak viewing is usually from early to mid-October in the higher northern elevations; by mid- to late October the central and southern regions are ablaze in vibrant color. Some of the best places for leaf peeping are in the state parks and forests; see the Green Space listings in each chapter. The summit of High Point (in High Point State Park), along the Delaware and Raritan Canal (from the Delaware River to New Brunswick), and Pinelands National Reserve are popular spots. The best way to see the spectacle is by exploring back roads. For twice-weekly updated foliage reports throughout the season, click on www.foliagenetwork.com; New Jersey is included in their Northeast United States report.

FARMER’S MARKETS There are more than 100 open-air farmer’s markets scattered around New Jersey during the growing season, which usually runs from early summer to October. They are often held on Saturday and Sunday mornings, or on evenings during the week. The markets that were originally intended to provide local farmers with an additional source of income have provided an economic boost to many downtowns across the state. Their popularity in New Jersey is part of a nationwide revival, thanks to a growing interest in organic and locally grown produce. Strawberries, tomatoes, corn, asparagus, blueberries, eggplant, herbs, and lettuce are among the state’s more prolific crops. For a comprehensive listing of all community farmer’s markets in New Jersey, log onto the state Department of Agriculture Web site, www.state.nj.us/jerseyfresh.

FERRIES In Jersey City, the Statue of Liberty Ferry (877-523-9849; www.statuecruises.com) provides service between Liberty State Park and the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. New York Waterway (800-533-3779; www.nywaterway.com) links Weehawken, Hoboken, and Jersey City to New York City. Liberty Park Water Taxi (201-985-8000) runs between Jersey City and Manhattan. SeaStreak (800-262-8743; www.seastreak.com) connects Atlantic Highlands and Highlands to New York City. On the Delaware River, RiverLink Ferry (215-925-5465; www.riverlinkferry.org) runs from mid-March to November between Adventure Aquarium in Camden and Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia. Three Forts Ferry (302-834-7941; www.threeforts.com) operates from April to October, offering service from Fort Mott State Park in Pennsville to three historic forts along the Delaware River. On the Cape May peninsula, the Cape May–Lewes Ferry (800-643-3779; www.capemaylewesferry.com) is a toll ferry that connects Cape May to Lewes, Delaware, via Delaware Bay, and is popular with commuters and tourists.

FILM Hollywood may be synonymous with the film industry, but it all began in New Jersey. Thomas Edison invented the motion picture at his laboratory in West Orange and tested his equipment at the nation’s first film studio, the Black Maria. Shortly thereafter, the silent-film industry was born in America’s original Hollywood, Fort Lee, where by 1914 most American movies were made with stars like Mary Pickford and Paul Robeson. Screen legend Marlon Brando made Hoboken famous when he starred in On the Waterfront, which was shot at locations around the city. Jack Nicholson, Meryl Streep, Danny DeVito, and Susan Sarandon are all Garden State natives who went on to big-screen fame. Many movies and television shows are filmed here, including Law & Order: SVU, which shoots in North Bergen and other New Jersey locations. New Jersey native Kevin Smith is a well-known independent filmmaker who shot Clerks in Leonardo and Jersey Girl, in Paulsboro. South Orange native Zach Braff wrote, directed, and starred in Garden State, which he filmed in and around his hometown. The New Jersey International Film Festival (732-932-8482; www.njfilmfest.com) at Rutgers University in New Brunswick is a 2-month-long celebration of American independent films and international releases that includes film screenings and guest directors.

FISHING, INLAND There are more than 4,000 lakes, rivers, ponds, streams, and reservoirs in New Jersey. Inland waters are stocked with three-quarters of a million fish. A fishing license is required for residents aged 16 to 69, and all nonresidents 16 or older, who fish on inland waterways. Visitors can obtain the license in advance from the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife (609-292-2965; www.njfishandwildlife.com); a trout stamp is required if you’re planning to fish for trout. The Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resources Education Center (908-637-4125) in Oxford raises hundreds of thousands of brook, rainbow, and brown trout each year for release in more than 200 of New Jersey’s lakes and rivers. In addition to the hatchery, the education center has interactive exhibits and films on the state’s natural resources.

FISHING, SALTWATER Tuna, bluefish, Atlantic mackerel, and marlin are some of the common species found in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of New Jersey. Hundreds of charter- and party fishing boats are available to take anglers out on the open water on day trips to fish for blues and bottom fish, or on long-distance excursions for cod, tuna, and other species. For party-boat and charter-boat services, see the To Do—Fishing sections throughout this guidebook. Party boats are usually 60 to 100 feet long and carry 20 to 150 passengers; they accept anglers on an individual, first-come basis until the boat is filled. Charter boats are smaller vessels—most carry six to eight people, and are reserved by a group in advance. No license is required to fish in the Atlantic Ocean. Surf fishing for striped bass and bluefish is popular onshore. Information on tide charts, solar and lunar tables, marinas, and tackle shops, as well as a comprehensive list of New Jersey’s party and charter boats is available from the Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Fish and Wildlife (609-292-2965; www.njfishandwildlife.com). Crabbing and clamming are popular along New Jersey’s 83 miles of bay shores. Clamming is allowed from June to September; a license is required. The season for blue crabs runs from mid-March to December, and varies depending on location. Bay scallops, mussels, and oysters can be harvested without a license.

GARDENS New Jersey earns its Garden State nickname in part from its wide variety of lovely botanical gardens, arboretums, and parks that boast stunning blooms, as well as numerous commercial flower and herb nurseries with their own winning displays. The New Jersey State Botanical Garden (973-962-9534; www.njbg.org) in Ringwood State Park is a 100-acre mountaintop oasis of formal borders, naturalized gardens, and European-style parterres surrounding the magnificent Skylands Manor. In Upper Montclair’s Presby Memorial Iris Gardens (973-783-5974; www.presbyirisgardens.org), more than 40,000 irises explode in a springtime profusion of color. Some of the species date to the 1500s. The Reeves-Reed Arboretum (908-273-8787; www.reeves-reedarboretum.org) in Summit features 12 acres of rose, herb, wildflower, daylily, and rock gardens in an estate setting. In Swainton, the highly regarded Leaming’s Run Botanical Gardens (609-465-5871; www.leamingsrungardens.com) has the largest annual garden in the country. The Garden Conservancy’s Open Days program (888-842-2442; www.gardenconservancy.org) provides the public with a rare glimpse of private New Jersey gardens each summer.

GOLF New Jersey has more than 200 golf courses, and more than 140 of them are open to the public. This guide describes only those courses that are open to the public. Click on www.njsga.org for the New Jersey State Golf Association’s list of tournaments, courses, golf news, and volunteering opportunities. High-rated golf courses are found all over New Jersey, but the Atlantic City region has the state’s top courses. The Greater Atlantic City Golf Association (800-465-3222; www.gacga.com) offers golf packages and advance tee times at nine public courses in the area, as well as maps and information about lodging and dining. For true golf aficionados, the United States Golf Association Museum and Archives (908-234-2300; www.usgamuseum.com) in Far Hills features exhibits on the history of golf, vintage golf equipment, and personal memorabilia from some of the game’s greatest players.

HANDICAPPED ACCESS Throughout this book, the symbol indicates restaurants and lodgings that are handicapped accessible.

HIGHWAY TRAVEL New Jersey is served by three major toll roads. The Garden State Parkway (732-442-8600) runs north and south, paralleling the coast for 173 miles from the New York State Thruway to Cape May. The New Jersey Turnpike (732-247-0900) travels 137 miles from the northeast corner of the state at the George Washington Bridge to the Delaware Memorial Bridge in southeastern New Jersey. The 44-mile-long Atlantic City Expressway (609-965-6060) connects Atlantic City to Route 42 in Gloucester County, just east of the New Jersey Turnpike. Other major interstates include 287, 280, 80, 78, and 195. Contact the New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism (800-847-4865; www.visitnj.org) to request a free official state driving map. For lane closures, holiday congestion, roadwork, or similar travel news regarding New Jersey highways, click on www.njcommuter.com.

HIKING AND WALKING There is a wealth of places to hike and walk in New Jersey, ranging from easy jaunts through coastal nature preserves along the shore to moderate hikes through the rural Pinelands and strenuous excursions along the ridges and thickly forested hills of the northern Highlands. Most of the state’s parks, forests, recreation areas, wildlife refuges, and nature preserves have hiking trails; see individual listings under the To Do—Hiking and Green Space sections of each chapter. The Appalachian Trail (AT) cuts through the rugged northwestern corner of the state (see Appalachian Trail in this section) and can be accessed via many side trails. In the Pinelands, the Batona Trail meanders 50 miles from Brendan T. Byrne State Forest in Pemberton to Bass River State Forest in New Gretna, passing through a rural landscape of cranberry bogs, swamps, and pine forests. The Highlands Trail, an under-construction long-distance trail system, will stretch 150 miles from the Hudson River in New York to the Delaware River in New Jersey. Some sections of the trail are open; others are still being cleared. The New York–New Jersey Trail Conference (201-512-9348; www.nynjtc.org) is an organization of more than 100 hiking clubs and environmental organizations that build and maintain marked hiking trails. Their Web site posts news on trail closures and other information useful to hikers.

HISTORIC HOMES AND SITES As one of America’s 13 original colonies, New Jersey is rich in history, particularly of the Revolutionary War era. State parks protect battlefields, military forts, and encampments across the state. Nearly 60 preserved historic homes and structures are open to the public; see To See—Historic Homes and Sites in each chapter for sites in a particular region. In the Delaware Bay region, Bridgeton has the state’s largest historic district, with more than 2,200 registered colonial-, federal-, and Victorian-era historic landmarks. The seaside resort town of Cape May is a national historic landmark, with more than 600 restored Victorian buildings. Re-created historic villages like Batsto, Allaire, and Whitesbog, and living-history farms, including Howell and Fosterfields, give visitors a glimpse of New Jersey life as it was centuries ago. The New Jersey Historical Society (973-596-8500; www.jerseyhistory.org), 52 Park Place, Newark 07102, is an excellent resource.

HORSE RACING See Equestrian Sports.

HUNTING For information on hunting in New Jersey, contact the state Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Fish and Wildlife (609-292-2965; www.njfishandwildlife.com), P.O. Box 402, Trenton 08625-0402.

INFORMATION The New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism (609-777-0885; 800-847-4865; www.visitnj.org), 20 West State St., Trenton 08625, publishes a state travel guide, specialized brochures, and the official state map, and will send them on request. There are six regional tourism councils that also provide a wealth of travel information for their areas: Greater Atlantic City (866-719-8687), Delaware River (856-757-9400), Gateway (877-428-3930), Shore (732-506-5050), Skylands (800-847-4865), and Southern Shore (800-227-2297).

INFORMATION CENTERS There are 13 state welcome centers located throughout New Jersey on major highways and at other sites. There are two on the Atlantic City Expressway, in Atlantic City (609-383-2727) and in Hammonton (609-965-6316). On the New Jersey Turnpike, the Molly Pitcher Welcome Center (609-655-1610) is southbound in Cranbury at mile marker 71.9; another welcome center is in Liberty State Park (201-915-3401), off Exit 14B on the New Jersey Turnpike in Jersey City. Two are on the Garden State Parkway: northbound at mile marker 172 in Montvale (201-391-5737) and at mile marker 18.3 in Ocean View (609-624-0918). A welcome center in Deepwater (856-299-5272) is on I-295 northbound, a mile from the Delaware Memorial Bridge. The Knowlton Welcome Center (908-496-4994) is on I-80 eastbound at mile marker 7, near the Delaware Water Gap in Columbia. At Newark Liberty International Airport (973-624-1014) an information booth is in Terminal B at international arrivals. In Flemington, the Liberty Village Premium Outlets (908-788-5729) has a welcome center; another is in Bridgewater (908-725-1552). In Trenton there are two welcome centers: the State House Annex (609-777-2719) on West State Street and the Trenton Convention and Visitors Bureau (609-777-1770) at Lafayette and Barrack streets.

LIGHTHOUSES New Jersey has 11 lighthouses along the coast that are accessible to the public. The New Jersey Lighthouse Society (www.njlhs.org), P.O. Box 332, Navesink 07752-0332, offers information on past and current lighthouses along the Atlantic coast, in New York Harbor, and in the Delaware Bay, as well as events and information for visitors. The Twin Lights of Navesink, a medieval-style brownstone beacon named for its double light, was built in 1862 and boasts panoramic views of Manhattan from the top. Sandy Hook Lighthouse is the oldest operating lighthouse in America, built in 1764 and standing sentinel over New York Harbor at the Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area. The 1896 Sea Girt Lighthouse is part of a refurbished Victorian building. Built in 1835, Barnegat Lighthouse, known locally as “Old Barney,” overlooks Barnegat Bay and Island Beach State Park on Long Beach Island. Visitors can climb 217 steps to the top. Tucker’s Island Light, at the working maritime village of Tuckerton Seaport, is a replica of the original 1868 lighthouse that collapsed into the Atlantic Ocean in the 1920s. Atlantic City’s Absecon Lighthouse is a 171-foot-tall beacon built in 1857. The 1859 Cape May Lighthouse looms above Cape May Point State Park, a natural area popular with migrating butterflies and birds. Hereford Inlet Lighthouse, built in North Wildwood in 1874, is surrounded by a charming flower and herb garden. East Point Lighthouse in Heislerville, built in 1849, overlooks Delaware Bay. New Jersey has two rear-range lighthouses that were built inland to operate in conjunction with front-range lights to guide vessels through the Delaware River’s shipping channel. The 1880 Tinicum Rear Range Lighthouse stands in Paulsboro; and Pennsville’s Finns Point Rear Range Light was built in Buffalo, New York, then transported by train and wagon in 1876.

MUSEUMS As you might expect from a state whose roots are in the colonial era, New Jersey has a bounty of small local history museums, mostly in well-preserved 18th- and 19th-century homes. There is also a fine collection of top-notch museums that covers a wide assortment of subjects, from arts and sciences to maritime, industrial, and agricultural history. Some of the best include Liberty Science Center (201-200-1000; www.lsc.org) in Jersey City, a four-story family science museum with more than 250 interactive exhibits on health, the environment, and inventions; and the Old Barracks Museum (609-396-1776; www.barracks.org) in Trenton, with the only original French and Indian War barracks in America, and where Washington defeated Hessian troops during the American Revolution. Also in Trenton, the New Jersey State Museum (609-292-6464) has Native American artifacts, a cast of the first complete dinosaur skeleton found in America, and an extensive collection of African American art. At the Battleship Memorial and Museum (856-966-1652; 866-877-6262; www.battleshipnewjersey.org) in Camden, visitors can tour the battleship New Jersey, a floating museum and the most highly decorated battleship in the U.S. Navy. The Morris Museum (973-971-3700; www.morrismuseum.org) in Morristown is one of New Jersey’s largest museums, a 1912 Georgian-style mansion with an eclectic mix of some 48,000 pieces. The state has world-class art museums (see Art Museums), and a number of museums that are beloved by children (see Children, Especially for).

MUSIC Professional orchestras perform at various venues throughout New Jersey; they include the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (973-624-3713), the Garden State Philharmonic (732-451-0064), and the Greater Trenton Symphony Orchestra (609-394-1338). Summertime music festivals bring nationally known musicians to stages around the state. Starting in May, the Cape May Music Festival (609-884-5404; 800-275-4278) is a month-long extravaganza of jazz bands, chamber music, orchestras, world music, and opera at various locations around town. Two other major festivals come in June: the Appel Farm Arts and Music Festival (800-394-1211) in Elmer is a day-long outdoor concert on two stages; and in Bridgeton, the Bridgeton Folk Festival (856-451-9208; 800-319-3379) draws nationally known folk musicians to the Delaware Bay region. Knowlton Riverfest (908-496-4816) in Knowlton is a 3-day festival of country, jazz, bluegrass, and blues along the banks of the Delaware River in August. Many towns—especially along the Jersey Shore—host weekly free outdoor concerts in July and August; they are listed in individual chapters under Entertainment—Music.

NATIONAL PARK AREAS The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (570-828-2253; www.nps.gov/dewa) in Columbia cuts a dramatic swath through the Kittatinny Mountains, in some places soaring a quarter mile above the river. The 70,000-acre park stretches for 40 miles along the Delaware River in the rural hills of Warren County. Outdoor enthusiasts flock here to canoe, kayak, and fish; waterfalls, deep ravines, and steep ridges in this spectacular area beckon hikers and campers. Morristown National Historical Park (908-766-8215; www.nps.gov/morr) in the hills above Morristown—the first national park in America—is where George Washington and his troops spent the winter of 1779–80 during the Revolutionary War. On the grounds is Washington’s headquarters, and the soldiers’ quarters in Jockey Hollow. Gateway National Recreation Area—Sandy Hook Unit (732-872-5970; www.nps.gov/gate) sits on a barrier peninsula at the northern tip of the Jersey Shore. This is one of the nation’s first urban national parks, with a unique combination of Manhattan skyline views, historic Fort Hancock, Sandy Hook Lighthouse—the oldest operational lighthouse in America—and wide, sandy ocean beaches with trails leading through dunes. In central New Jersey, the vast Pinelands National Reserve (609-894-7300; www.nps.gov/pine) is a 1.1-million-acre preserve of pine and oak forest, cranberry bogs, and Atlantic white cedar swamps that’s one of the largest natural areas east of the Mississippi River.

NATURE PRESERVES New Jersey has more than 500,000 acres protected as state land in parks, forests, recreation areas, and natural areas. Nearly 300,000 acres are preserved within 117 wildlife management areas, which are large swaths of land used mostly by paddlers, birders, anglers, and hunters. Some have visitors centers and nature trails; others are largely undeveloped. The Nature Conservancy, a nationwide environmental conservation organization, has helped to preserve 54,000 acres throughout the state. And, of course, there’s the 1.1 million acres protected in the massive Pinelands National Reserve, which covers about 25 percent of New Jersey. A variety of nature preserves are described in each chapter under Green Space.

PETS, TRAVELING WITH Throughout this book, the symbol indicates lodgings, parks, and other places where pets are welcome.

PICK-YOUR-OWN More than 150 farms across New Jersey welcome visitors into the fields to pick their own fruits, berries, vegetables, herbs, flowers, and Christmas trees. The growing season stretches from mid-April to mid-November, with the majority of crops ready for picking from June to September. For a detailed listing of pick-your-own farms and a harvest schedule, click on www.pickyourown.org or on the New Jersey Department of Agriculture Web site (www.state.nj.us/jerseyfresh); you can find a farm in a particular region or search for a certain type of crop. It’s advised that you phone a farm before visiting to check if the fields are open. Pick-your-own farms in each region are listed by chapter under Selective Shopping—Farms and Gardens.

POPULATION New Jersey’s population, according to the 2006 U.S. Census estimate, is 8,724,560.

RAILROAD EXCURSIONS See Children, Especially for.

REST AREAS See Information Centers.

RESTAURANTS Many New Jersey restaurants have a bring-your-own alcohol policy. If “BYOB” appears in the text of a restaurant listing, it means that alcohol is not served on the premises, but patrons may bring their own wine. You might be able to bring your own wine to a restaurant with a liquor license, if, for example, the bottle isn’t on their wine list; but you will likely be charged a corkage fee. It’s best to phone ahead to be sure.

SKIING, CROSS-COUNTRY High Point (973-702-1222) in Sussex has groomed cross-country ski trails and snowmaking from mid-November to March. Many trails are above 1,600 feet in elevation, which almost guarantees snowy conditions in winter. In Newton, Fairview Lake Ski Touring Center (201-383-9282) has 600 acres of woodlands and open fields with 12 miles of marked, groomed trails and a ski lodge.

SKIING, DOWNHILL New Jersey has three major ski areas, all with snowmaking capability, night skiing, snowboarding, ski shops, and groomed trails ranging from easy novice to challenging expert terrain; all are within a 1-hour drive from the metropolitan New York area. Mountain Creek (973-864-8000; www.mountaincreek.com) in Vernon has 45 trails, nine lifts, seven terrain park trails, and eight tubing lanes, as well as lodging, dining, and shopping on-site. Also in Vernon Hidden Valley (973-764-4200; www.hiddenvalleynj.com) has been a family ski resort for 35 years, with skiing on a dozen trails, snowboarding, and snow tubing in a tubing park with a 600-foot snow chute. Campgaw Ski Area (201-327-7800; www.skicampgaw.com) in Mahwah has five beginner and intermediate ski and snowboarding trails on a mountain with a 275-foot vertical drop; two double chairlifts, six 800-foot snow tubing runs with surface lifts, and a freestyle terrain park.

STATE PARKS AND FORESTS New Jersey has 41 state parks, 11 state forests, and three state recreation areas that offer a variety of activities, from camping and hiking to canoeing, biking, and historic sites. For more information, contact the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry (609-984-0370; 800-843-6420; www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests), 501 East State St., P.O. Box 404, Trenton 08625.

THEATER The New Jersey Theatre Alliance (973-731-6582; www.njtheatrealliance.org), a consortium of the state’s nonprofit professional theaters, features information, an events calendar, and special offers. Click on www.njartstix.org for deeply discounted day-of-show tickets to concerts, dance performances, and plays at affordable prices at close to 40 New Jersey theaters. The alliance also sponsors Family Week at the Theatre, with more than 120 theater events for children at venues throughout the state; most events are free. Theaters are listed under Arts Centers or Theater in the Entertainment section of each chapter.

TIDES Click on www.saltwatertides.com to view tide tables for locations around New Jersey, including the Hudson River; the shoreline from Sandy Hook to Cape May, including Barnegat Bay and other major bays; Delaware Bay; and the state’s tidal rivers.

TRAIN SERVICES Amtrak (800-872-7245; www.amtrak.com) routes from New York’s Penn Station to points south and west pass through New Jersey; most trains serve Newark and Trenton, some make stops at Newark Liberty International Airport, Iselin, New Brunswick, and Princeton Junction. New Jersey Transit (973-275-5555; www.njtransit.com) trains serve much of the state on a commuter rail network of 11 rail and light rail lines. Port Authority Transit Corporation (PATCO) (856-772-6900; www.drpa.org) runs a high-speed rail line linking southern New Jersey and Philadelphia. Port Authority Trans Hudson (PATH) (800-234-7284; www.panynj.com) provides rail service between the Newark metropolitan area and Manhattan. Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) (215-580-7800; www.septa.org) links Trenton and the Camden area with greater Philadelphia.

VINEYARDS AND WINERIES Wine making in New Jersey is a tradition that dates more than 200 years. London’s Royal Society of the Arts recognized two New Jersey vintners in 1767 for producing the first bottles of quality wine from grapes grown and harvested in Colonial America. In the 1800s, a grape-growing industry producing wine and grape juice was based in Vineland in South Jersey. Early explorers gave Vineland its name because of the abundance of grape vines.

Wine grapes are one of the Garden State’s most profitable crops. There are 33 wineries—many family-owned and - operated—that together produce about a million gallons of wine a year in more than 40 varieties, from sparkling wines and fruit wines to dry red and white wines. All are open for tours and tastings; many host festivals and special events attended by more than a quarter-million visitors every year. In addition to their wines, together they preserve thousands of acres of open space. The Garden State Wine Growers Association (609-588-0085; www.newjerseywines.com) has information on festivals, wineries, wine trails, day trip suggestions, and the history of New Jersey wine making. Wineries are located all around the state in beautiful areas of pristine farmland or surrounded by rural scenery; some are housed in historic buildings or converted barns. Many are collecting national and international awards at prestigious wine competitions. Among them, Alba Vineyard (908-995-7800) in Finesville boasts spectacular views as well as a tasting room in a rustic 1805 stone barn. Four Sisters Winery (908-475-3671) in Belvidere is on the grounds of a working farm. In Ringoes, Unionville Vineyards (908-788-0400) sits on 90 acres spread across picturesque central New Jersey countryside. In southern New Jersey, Renault Winery (609-965-2111) in Egg Harbor City is one of the oldest continually operating wineries in America, established in 1864. Tomasello Winery (800-666-9463) in Hammonton is the state’s largest winery, with a selection of 40 wines. Cream Ridge Winery (609-259-9797) in Cream Ridge specializes in award-winning wines made from cherries, apricots, plums, cranberries, and many other fruits.

WHALE AND DOLPHIN WATCHING In Atlantic City, Cruisn 1 (609-347-7600) hosts 2-hour dolphin-watch trips with an onboard marine naturalist. Silver Bullet Speedboat and Dolphin Watch (609-522-6060) in Wildwood offers daily whale- and dolphin-watch excursions. In Wildwood Crest, Captain Sinn’s Marine Center (609-522-3934) takes passengers on whale-watching excursions. In Cape May, the Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center (609-898-0055; 888-531-0055) and the Cape May Whale Watcher (609-884-5445; 1-800-786-5445) sail from March to December to view humpback whales, finback whales, and bottle-nose dolphins.