We know the popular spots to visit in New Jersey: the Jersey Shore, American Dream, its vibrant downtowns like Jersey City, Morristown and Westfield, and High Point State Park are among them. But there are lots of off-the-beaten-path destinations for a different kind of adventure.
Barefoot Yachts Indonesia surveyed 3,000 international travelers about which lesser-known landmarks in America they would like to visit. Three New Jersey locations made the list.
No. 58, Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge in Atlantic County, is a conservation area that covers 48,000 acres of New Jersey’s coastal habitat. People come for the hiking, wildlife watching, shell fishing and bird watching. You can go on an 8-mile-long wildlife drive through saltwater marsh and freshwater habitats, then take a break for a picnic.
Grounds for Sculpture ranked 65 for its combination of art and nature at the 42-acre sculpture park in Hamilton. You walk through the grounds and gardens to see larger-than-life sculptures and artwork, including the new Slow Motion exhibit. You can have lunch at the popular Rat’s Restaurant. Additionally, the park holds events such as educational programs, workshops, tours and concerts throughout the year.
Coming in at 102, Lucy the Elephant is a seven-story-high historic landmark that dates back to the 1800s. Visit this National Historical Landmark located along the beach at Josephine Herron Park for a guided tour inside, where you can look through Lucy’s eyes and climb the stairs to his (yes, Lucy is a boy) riding carriage for an incredible view of Margate.
The Top Must-See Hidden Gems in New Jersey, according to Barefoot Yachts Indonesia:
58. Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge in Oceanville
65. Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton
102. Lucy the Elephant in Margate City
The survey asked about quirky attractions, what makes a travel experience unique, if they like popular places or remote paradise, if they wanted an outdoor adventure or something more tranquil, and how important culture is when sightseeing. It also evaluated the importance of safety, transportation options, room accommodations and crowd control to travelers.
The Top 10 Must-See Hidden Gems in the U.S., according to Barefoot Yachts Indonesia:
- The Seven Magic Mountains, Las Vegas, Nevada
- The Pyramid Lake, Northeast of Reno, Nevada
- The International UFO Museum and Research Center, Roswell, New Mexico
- The North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame, Medora, North Dakota
- Little Wild Horse Canyon, near Goblin Valley State Park, Utah
- The Old Slave Mart Museum, Charleston, South Carolina
- The Dunes, Indiana Dunes National Park, Indiana
- The Detroit Historical Museum, Detroit, Michigan
- The Museum of Pop Culture, Seattle, Washington
- The Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Carlsbad, New Mexico
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Read More:
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