New Jersey Staycation: 7 Fun Things to Do While Staying Close to Home

From its popular Jersey Shore to the infamous Atlantic City, New Jersey has plenty of family vacation or staycation activities all year long. Visitors can chose from a wide variety of activities to do and see in the Garden State.

Here are seven great places to visit in New Jersey:

1. Montclair offers culture, entertainment and the arts. The urban suburb includes a vibrant downtown that includes the Montclair Art Museum and the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center. Writers, artists and musicians provide the city with an exciting atmosphere. Enjoy the unique downtown shops and restaurants or the Victorian mansions of Upper Montclair.

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2. Long Beach Island stretches some 18 miles with plenty of activities and shops available. Beach side towns include Barnegat Light, Surf City and Ship Bottom, which houses the original Ron Jon surf shop. The island has surfing, swimming, boating and a lively nightlife.

3. Cape May at the lower end of the state also has Victorian structures with shops and restaurants dotting the quaint town. When sightseeing or enjoying a walk downtown, hop aboard a trolley for a pleasant tour. Dolphins can often be seen jumping in the wakes in the clear water of the beaches.

4. Spring Lake has wonderfully quiet beaches in an area of stately homes, making it a peaceful getaway. Neighborhoods near the beach and boardwalk are lined with trees and weeping willows for comforting walks after a day on the beach.

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5. Ocean City has been popular for beachgoers for decades. Huge crowds gather in the summertime, but lifeguard stations make it safe for water activities. Dozens of shops and stores on the boardwalk make a family vacation or staycation an enjoyable experience. There are also many rides and attractions for kids on the boardwalk. Downtown art galleries and novelty shops that are entertaining for the entire family.

6. Camden Waterfront, located along the Delaware River offers a variety of entertaining spots for children and adults. The Adventure Aquarium includes a 550,000 gallon tank for sharks. Lively theater entertainment give viewers a close-up of the underwater creatures. The USS New Jersey Battleship and Museum on the waterfront includes guided tours and stories of missions of the U.S. Navy's most decorated battleship. Kids will also enjoy the Camden Children’s Garden. Include a nature walk to your staycation with the Camden GreenWay Trail Network.

7. Atlantic City has long been a vacation or staycation spot, including a casino haven in recent decades. However, the city provides a variety of entertainment attractions, from concerts and performing arts to air shows and marathon race events. The popular boardwalk stays alive all year long with shops, museums and entertainment establishments the entire family can enjoy.

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