A new analysis of TripAdvisor reviews highlights the most-loved free attractions in every state, and New Jersey’s top pick is one of our favorite towns to spend the day!
The recent, informal study from CashNetUSA used TripAdvisor data to rate more than 6,000 free-entry attractions in the country to reveal the most-loved spots to visit in each state.
New Jersey’s top spot is Princeton, which received a 4.6 rating out of 5. Walking around the Princeton University campus, Palmer Square and Nassau Street offers an easy, no-cost way to explore historic architecture while getting in your steps. Visit the library, the newly reopened and free-admission Princeton University Art Museum, or head to Terhune Orchards for the free play areas and weekend concerts.
Ocean City Boardwalk in Ocean City placed second, with 4.61 points out of 5. The Music Pier is home to many events, like First Night/First Day, Polar Bear Plunge, the Doo Dah Parade and summer concerts. Markets are planned on various weekends throughout the year, in addition to block parties, memorabilia shows, and comic book festivals.
Third on the list is Liberty State Park in Jersey City, with a 4.55 ranking out of 5. You can’t go wrong with a picnic while overlooking the NYC skyline and Statue of Liberty. But if you want more active recreation time, sign up for free nature activities, storytime, crafts, shoreline cleanups, wildlife and bird walks, and volunteer events. Check out the playgrounds, biking and hiking trails, and fishing areas.
Learn about NJ’s immigration history at the Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal, make a pit stop at the sea-themed playground, or hop on the free shuttle for a panoramic view. You can also pause and reflect at the Empty Sky Memorial, dedicated to the lives lost on 9/11.
Wildwood Beach in Wildwood placed fourth, with 4.46 out of 5 points. With some of the whitest sand along the Jersey Shore, the five towns of The Wildwoods provide plenty of space to lay out your beach umbrella and chairs. There’s even a dog-friendly beach. Pack your bike and ride along the boardwalk. Check the schedule of year-round free events, ranging from concerts and movies to fireworks and tree lightings. Visit the Wildwoods By the Sea Doo Wop Experience Museum, climb inside the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse (in North Wildwood), check out the various events held inside and outside the Wildwoods Convention Center, show off your artistic nature at the Amateur Sand Sculpting Festival, or pack onto the beach for the Thunder Over the Waves airshow.
The Asbury Park Boardwalk in Asbury Park came in fifth, with 4.14 points out of 5. This artsy, beachy area of town includes lots of cute shops and eateries, but you can also walk along the boards and window shop. We’re hoping North 2 Shore Festival, the Underground Downtown Art and Music Crawl and the Color & Light Festival return, since all three host free events for everyone. The Stone Pony is iconic for music lovers – but if you can’t get tickets, we can almost guarantee you can hear the music from the streets. Asbury Park Bazaar holds open-air markets during different times of the year; and you can join the ghostly parade when the Zombie Walk takes over Ocean Avenue.
The Best Free Things to Do in New Jersey, according to CashNetUSA:
- Princeton
- Ocean City Boardwalk, Ocean City
- Liberty State Park, Jersey City
- Wildwood Beach, Wildwood
- Asbury Park Boardwalk, Asbury Park
Some of our other favorite free places to visit in New Jersey include:
- Cape May County Park & Zoo.
- Howell Living History Farm in Hopewell, which has free farm activities on Saturdays.
- Free museums like the Rutgers Geology Museum in New Brunswick, the New Jersey State Museum in Trenton, the Charles J. Muth Museum for baseball at Hinchliff Stadium in Paterson, or the Hiram Blauvelt Art Museum in Oradell.
- Hunterdon Art Museum, Clinton; Liberty Science Center, Jersey City; Montclair Art Museum, Montclair; Morris Museum, Morristown; and The Newark Museum of Art, Newark, are part of the Bank of America Museums on Us Weekend, which grants free admission to cardholders on the first weekend of every month.
- Great Swamp Wildlife Refuge in Morris County.
- Children’s Regatta Playground in West Orange.
- Big Brook Park in Marlboro for fossil hunting.
- Stroll through downtowns like Long Branch (Pier Village), Morristown and Montclair.
- The metroburb at Bell Works in Holmdel, which has lots of space to roam, a basketball court, an exercise area, green space, and weekly markets.
- Several of NJ’s 11 lighthouses offer free admission daily, or during special events.
- BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville, the largest Hindu temple outside of India.
- Newport Centre Mall has Jersey City’s first free play area, where your little ones can climb, explore tunnels, go down slides, challenge their friends to a racing game, and light the tower.
- Playgrounds & spray parks in the summer.
Get the latest on the best things to do with your family in and around New Jersey by signing up for our newsletter and following us on Facebook and Instagram!
Read More:
The Best Free Things to Do in New Jersey in January 2026
The Best Free Things in New Jersey
14 Free New Jersey Adventures Your Kids Will Never Forget
