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Explore Central Jersey 2024

Edison and Woodbridge Top 10 for Best Art and Culture

Author Joel Katz
Map showing highest ranking towns for culture and art

Throughout the summer I see families going to the beach, amusement parks, and pools, and visiting parks during the warm weather months.

Many are looking for a more culturally focused getaway, and want to cut costs by staying local, trying to avoid the trek to New York.

New Jersey residents opting for local culture find that New Jersey offers a rich and affordable alternative to New York City.

A new study by AirportParkingReservations has revealed the best cultural offerings in the state. These are the best cities for day trips to museums, art galleries, libraries, and historical landmarks for a fun culture lesson.

The study revealed that 25% of travelers want to stay local, and 14% of those in the United States want culture to be part of their trip.

City Ranked Best for Culture

According to the survey, the Garden State’s first choice for culture is Jersey City. Jersey City was named the best city for culture, art, and history in New Jersey.

The study lists the best cities for days out for some culture.

Jersey City has the most for culture seekers with the most art galleries at 10, plus 8 landmarks. You can stop by Liberty State Park with a view of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the New York skyline. The study gives Jersey City an 89.7 out of 100 in its cultural ranking.

Close in both proximity and ranking, Newark comes in second. It has more libraries with 17. The Newark Public Library is a significant part of this history and is great for those who want to take a break and check out some good books. Newark also ranked top for museums, it’s home of the Newark Museum of Art which is the largest museum in New Jersey.

Ranking third is Trenton, followed by Camden, Elizabeth, and Paterson.

Edison landed in the number 7 spot and has much to offer including the Thomas Edison Museum. Edison is followed by Toms River, Cherry Hill, and Woodbridge at 10.

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.

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

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