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Joel Katz

Correcting the New Jersey Snub by National Geographic Exclusive List

Author Joel Katz
Two people ride horses on a beach during sunset on April 05, 2023.

It’s still very early 2024, but if you’re like our family, you’re already thinking about your summer vacation plans. It would be easy to recommend the latest National Geographic suggestions. The experts at Nat Geo created a long list of exciting destinations throughout the world that don’t appear to be necessary or economical.

Don’t misunderstand my point, I’m not suggesting these spots aren’t impressive. However, not one of the twenty spots on the list is located in New Jersey. Are you kidding?

Exotic Locales

The destinations and experiences are far and wide. Not just in location, but also in the activities they’re suggesting.

There’s a luxury floating lodge on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, called Tofino Wilderness Resort at number twenty. Number nineteen is antiquing in New York’s Hudson Valley.

How about packing up the family to wander the tea trail in Sri Lanka, That journey is at number fourteen.

Do you want to watch some bears? Their list’s fourth spot is where you can do that in Hallo Bay, Alaska’s Katmai National Park.

It’s All in New Jersey

Let’s start at the beginning. Nat Geo’s number one choice is horseback riding in Kenya’s Borana Conservancy. I’ve got a valuable tip for all New Jersey travelers. You don’t have to trek nearly seventy-four hundred miles for over sixteen hours to ride a horse.

According to NewHorse.com, there are multiple places to ride in Central Jersey. There’s North Windsor Farm, Acres Away, and Kierson Farm in Flemington. You can ride in Ringoes at Good Manners Farm or gallop at Someday Stables in Whitehouse Station. The list is long with farms and stables also available in Stockton, Hillsborough, Pittstown, and many other Central Jersey towns.

Another National Geographic suggestion, number five, is to see some live music in Kyoto, Japan. Again, you can choose to fly for fourteen hours or drive just a couple to see some awesome live music. There’s the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, Cooper’s in Trenton, and if you’re looking to rock, The Meat Locker in Montclair. As we all know, Jersey has an unbelievable music scene. You don’t have to leave the state to have an unforgettable experience.

Several other National Geographic activity suggestions can also be enjoyed throughout New Jersey. White water rafting, antiquing, gallery hopping, hiking, marathon running, and deep sea diving.

Did You Know There’s a Volcano in Jersey?

There’s even a volcano, The Beemerville Volcano, also known as Rutan Hill can be found in the Garden State. It not a live volcano, so if you’re looking for that, you will need to leave the state,

There is some other National Geographic endorsements that would be difficult in accomplish in Jersey. A few examples include exploring Algerian ancient art, visit Niagara Falls, or trek a glacier.

Suffice it to say that if you’re on a budget there’s plenty to do in New Jersey that can be as equally enjoyable as some much further destinations.

2 New Jersey Destinations Among The Best For Solo Travel

There are some major benefits to taking a trip by yourself. The solitude gives you time to clear your mind and gather your thoughts. And it also enables you to create your own schedule, taking in the sights you set out for. Good Housekeeping published a report that details America’s best places for solo travel, and New Jersey was all over this list.

By The Numbers

In addition, Fifty Grande recently conducted a solo travel survey. They found that “52% of respondents said they planned to take a solo trip before the end of the year, and 64% of them planned to take that trip in America.” Furthermore, they found that 40% of those that participated in their survey answered “10” on a scale of 1-10 on how comfortable they were to travel alone. 83% said answered a 7 or above.

Other interesting items to note were 89% of the people had already taken a solo trip. The main reason was to “explore a new place and/or immerse in a local culture.” 22.9% said they traveled alone because it was “more fun when I’m 100% in control.”

Moreover, 52% of people plan on traveling solo before the end of the year. Much of that will be within the United States, Fifty Grande shows.

New Jersey is filled with areas that are prime for solo travel exploring. Of course, Atlantic City has a major nightlife scene. There are pristine golf courses all throughout the state, some of which are in close proximity to New York City (if you want to head in for dinner or a show). Finally, there are miles of beachside attractions along the Atlantic and historic sites deep in the heart of the Garden State. So, let’s take a look at the two New Jersey destinations that were named best for solo travel. They happen to over a hundred and thirty miles away from each other, and vastly different in terms of what you can explore there.

  • Princeton

    Home to the Ivy League Tigers, Good Housekeeping calls out the historic sites this central New Jersey town house to offer. “Princeton Battle Monument honors the battle fought and won by George Washington in 1777.” The University Art Museum and the Morven Museum and Garden often attract tourists from all over the world. Lastly, Carnegie Lake is one of the most serene spots in the state.

    Carnegie lake in Princeton, New Jersey featuring old bridge on the background

    Getty Images

  • Cape May

    “Spend your day wandering the cute shops, sunbathing at the beach or climbing the 199 steps to the top of Cape May Lighthouse in Cape May Pointe State Park,” Good Housekeeping suggest. Cape May draws a lot of visitors in the summer months. It’s very common that you will find families, couples, and solo travelers among them. In addition to one of the most beautiful lighthouses on the east coast, you can visit winery’s, theaters, safaris, or just rest along the shore of the beautiful beaches.

    Cape May branded Lifeboat on the beach with the ocean in the back

    Getty Images

Joel Katz is the Morning Show Personality, Assistant Program Director, Podcast Host, Voiceover artist, audio producer, and Digital Content Writer for Magic 98.3. Joel has been working in New Jersey radio since college and started at Magic in 2002 as the Morning Show Host, “I can’t think of another place where I’d fit more perfectly; it’s just a great company with awesome people.” Joel is married to Kathleen, his elementary school sweetheart (they were each other’s first dates at age 9), shares a birthday with his oldest son, Ty, and has twins, Kiera and Liam. Joel runs at least 3.1 miles every day and enjoys playing basketball, doing laundry, saving his turn signal for when he really needs it, kissing dogs through a fence, using coasters, making that cool noise by rubbing his fingers on balloons, and chasing after ping pong balls on a windy cruise ship.

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