New Jersey – Things to Do

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New Jersey

Sure, it gave us the famous boardwalk along the Jersey Shore, but the state of New Jersey is also a treasure trove of history, with Revolutionary War sites in Trenton and Princeton. The Garden State moniker is no accident either, as the state is blessed with a rich landscape that produces some of the finest fruits and vegetables in the nation. With a laid-back appeal and plenty to do, New Jersey is a place you can go, explore and find out something you didn’t know before. And Hyatt will be there to lead you along the way.

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ARTS/CULTURE

The Stone Pony

913 Ocean Avenue

Asbury Park, NJ

+1 732 502 0600

This Asbury Park music venue by the ocean helped launch the careers of Elvis Costello and The Ramones. Stop by and see who’s next.

George Street Playhouse

9 Livingston Avenue

New Brunswick, NJ

+1 732 246 7717

A nationally recognized theater, George Street focuses on new and emerging artists while producing captivating plays that are beyond the ordinary, like The Toxic Avenger.

Grounds for Sculpture

18 Fairgrounds Road

Hamilton, NJ

+1 609 586 0616

Featuring sculptures from emerging artists, this beautifully landscaped park seems to whisper "serenity now" while people stroll through in appreciation of their surroundings.

Jane Voorhees Zimmerli Museum

71 Hamilton Street

New Brunswick, NJ

+1 732 932 7237

One of the most acclaimed university museums in the nation, the Zimmerli has 60,000 pieces of art, but its Soviet and Russian art collections get the most attention.

Maxwell's

1039 Washington Street

Hoboken, NJ

+1 201 653 1703

Those who know the New Jersey music scene know this is the place where musicians take the stage as unknowns and take a bow as stars.

Mayo Center for the Performing Arts

100 South Street

Morristown, NJ

+1 973 539 8008

Built in 1937 and renovated in 1994, when this theater says performing arts, it means it: comedy, classical music, jazz and dance.

Menlo Park Museum

37 Christie Street

Edison, NJ

+1 732 494 4194

Yes, Thomas Edison created the light bulb and the phonograph, but this museum will make you realize his most important accomplishment was overachieving.

Princeton Historical Museum

158 Nassau Street

Princeton, NJ

+1 609 921 6748

A cast of intellectual characters, from elite scholars to writers, have been passing through this town since the colonial period. This museum makes you feel like you’ve met them all.

Princeton University Arts Museum

1 Nassau Hall

Princeton, NJ

+1 609 258 3788

Princeton students are the primary beneficiaries of the American, African, Islamic and Asian art collections here, but this museum is open to the general public too.

StarLand Ballroom

570 Jernee Mill Road

Sayreville, NJ

+1 732 238 5500

Nothing's more New Jersey than rock and roll, and this concert venue provides the shows that keep Jersey in the groove.

PLACES

Ironbound District

56 Congress Street

Newark, NJ

+1 973 491 9191

Explore the catacombs beneath St. Mary's Church, then peruse the shops and get something to eat at one of the 160 Portuguese or Latin restaurants.

Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal at Liberty State Park

Audrey Zapp Drive

Jersey City, NJ

After being processed at Ellis Island, millions of immigrants entered the country through this Victorian-style terminal in New Jersey.

Liberty Science Center at Liberty State Park

222 Jersey City Boulevard

Jersey City, NJ

+1 201 200 1000

Have fun testing the strength of a model skyscraper in the wind tunnel or tagging the graffiti wall with digital paint at this interactive museum.

Princeton Battle Monument at Princeton Battlefield State Park

Mercer County, NJ

In the serene setting of trees in an open field stands this monument that commemorates one of the fiercest battles of the Revolutionary War.

Route 130

New Jersey

New Jersey has more diners than any other state, and the 84-mile stretch of road down Route 130 is a tour through the classics.

Speedwell Iron Works

333 Speedwell Avenue

Morristown, NJ

+1 973 285 6550

Set in a once booming iron mill town, this museum contains artifacts from Morristown’s Industrial Age.

EAT/DRINK/PLAY

Blue Point Grill

258 Nassau Street

Princeton, NJ

+1 609 921 1211

The daily catch dictates the menu and the food, from swordfish to yellowfin tuna, is prepared in such a way that you'll think you caught it yourself.

Due Mari

78 Albany Street

New Brunswick, NJ

+1 732 296 1600

Known for its Italian cuisine as well as its seafood, this restaurant has a Chatham cod that melts in your mouth, and service that would make a butler proud.

Elements

163 Bayard Lane

Princeton, NJ

+1 609 924 0078

This restaurant harvests the New Jersey farmlands to create savory cuisine that's locally produced, sustainable and delightfully delicious, from Hudson Valley duck to the Griggstown chicken.

Hoagie Haven

242 Nassau Street

Princeton, NJ

+1 609 921 7723

On the weekends, the college kids come here after a night on the town. Still, the enormous hoagies appeal to everyone. This place is old school Jersey, so cash only.

La Parilla de Manila

16 Condict Street

New Brunswick, NJ

+1 732 428 7273

At this simple little restaurant that specializes in Filipino comfort food, the pork barbecue is great but the pancit palbok is the real reason to go.

Stuff Yer Face

49 Easton Avenue

New Brunswick, NJ

+1 732 247 1727

Sometimes the name of a restaurant tells you all you need to know. But here are a couple other things you should know: the beer list is extensive and the strombolis are made to order.

Steakhouse 85

85 Church Street

New Brunswick, NJ

+1 732 247 8585

Yes, the steak is great. But the comfy club chairs in the bar area make it hard to go to your table when it’s ready.

SHOPPING

Another Man's Treasure

335 Grove Street

Jersey City, NJ

+1 201 860 9990

It has a rock n' roll vibe and puts out tons of new men's and women's merchandise each week. If you go in once, you'll go again.

Jersey Gardens

651 Kapkowski Road

Elizabeth, NJ

+1 908 354 5900

With an abundance of stores from Armani Exchange to Tommy Hilfiger, you can always find something to buy here.

Kanibal Home

213 Montgomery Street

Jersey City, NJ

+1 551 200 9386

The vintage housewares have a touch of glam, while the designer t-shirts and scarves are for anyone who desires a casual accent to their personal style.

Palmer Square

40 Nassau Street

Princeton, NJ

+1 609 921 2333

Built in 1937, this colonial style outdoor shopping area has the stores you know, like J. Crew, and a few you don't, like Zoë.

Princeton Record Exchange

20 South Tulane Street

Princeton, NJ

+1 609 921 0881

People pop into this local used record, CD and DVD store for its incredible selection. The prices aren't so bad either.

The Raconteur

431 Main Street

Metuchen, NJ

+1 732 906 0009

Each year, this little bookstore hosts nearly 75 events with award-winning authors and poets who come in to discuss their work.

White Lotus Home

431 Raritan Avenue

Highland Park, NJ

+1 732 828 2111

An organic bedding store, White Lotus has pillows, coverings and mattresses that are custom made. Unfortunately, you still aren't allowed to jump on the mattresses

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