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New Jersey

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Diverse Charm from Shore to City

New Jersey provides a varied landscape within a compact area. The state features sandy beaches along the Atlantic coast, rolling hills in the north and urban centers filled with cultural attractions. Major cities like Newark and Trenton host museums, restaurants and historic sites. Visitors can explore forests, parks and waterfronts throughout the year. Its central location makes travel to other East Coast destinations easy. The mix of city life, nature and history creates a practical stopover or weekend getaway for many travelers.

State/Prefecture in United States
Climate zone: Humid subtropical

Humid subtropical: Warm temperate climates with hot, humid summers, mild winters and evenly distributed rainfall, common on eastern continental margins.

See climate table
Price level: $$$
$Cheap
$$Medium
$$$Expensive, upscale
$$$+Very expensive, luxury
See price details
Safety: 6.8
General Safety:6
Health & medical:8
Accessibility:7
Tap water:8
Read details
Tourist English: 5/5
English is the dominant language spoken throughout New Jersey. Visitors will find it easy to communicate in most areas including tourist centers, hotels, and restaurants.
Last update: 12 Oct 2026
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New Jersey Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work
Great for beaches and city escapes. Walk lively boardwalks, relax on Atlantic beaches, visit amusement parks and explore historic towns.
Place score
6.7
Best at:
Birdwatching
8
Local cuisine
7
Forests
6
Sea
6
Beaches
6
Personal score
?
Log in to see how this place matches your personal travel interests.
Suited for
👶 7
Families
🧓 7
Seniors
🛡️ 7
Travel Beginners
❤️ 7
Couples
United States – Quick facts
Power Grid: 120 V, 60 Hz
Plug: Type A , Type B
Type A:
Diagram of a Type A power plug
Type B:
Diagram of a Type B power plug

Read about power adapters
Currency: US Dollar (USD)
£1 ≈ US$1.33
Cashless info: Rating 5/5
The U.S. is highly cashless, with credit and debit cards accepted almost everywhere. Mobile payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely used.

Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers: Best value: Saily
Flexibility: Airalo
Read our in-depth comparison
Tipping: Tipping is customary and expected in the U.S. In restaurants, 15-20% is standard. Taxi drivers, hotel staff, and tour guides also expect tips, usually around 10-20% depending on the service.
Public drinking: Public drinking laws vary by state, but it is generally prohibited in public spaces without a permit.
Public smoking: Smoking is restricted in most indoor public spaces and some outdoor areas. Local laws vary.
Etiquette: Greet with a firm handshake, maintain eye contact, respect personal space, and avoid discussing politics or income unless invited to share opinions. Politeness and friendliness are appreciated.
Thanksgiving
(November)
A major holiday with closures and domestic travel surges.
Independence Day
(July)
Expect parades, fireworks, and celebrations nationwide.
Christmas
(December)
Markets, festive events, and crowded tourist spots.
Emergency contact: Emergency Number: 911 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps: Uber, Lyft, Bolt
Helpful links: Wikipedia
Visa regulations
Customs & border control
Travel with medicine
Other: The U.S. is known for its diverse landscapes, cultural experiences, and regional cuisines. Public transport is efficient in cities but less so in rural areas. Renting a car is recommended for exploring national parks.
Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for New Jersey, United States
❄️
Jan
❄️
Feb
🌤️
Mar
🌤️
Apr
🌤️
May
🌤️
Jun
🔥
Jul
🔥
Aug
🌤️
Sep
🌤️
Oct
🌤️
Nov
🌤️
Dec
High season: June - Sep.
Shoulder season: April - May, Oct.
Crowdedness: 8 (Very crowded)
Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info
Climate and season vary by region: Jersey Shore best for beaches Memorial Day to Labor Day, northwest hills good for hiking and autumn foliage September to October, cities good for sightseeing spring and autumn
Many Jersey Shore boardwalk rides, shops and restaurants close from October to Memorial Day
Hurricane and tropical storm risk on the coast, mainly August to October

Why travel to New Jersey?

Travelers appreciate New Jersey for its proximity to major cities, charming coastal towns like Cape May and expansive parks such as the Delaware Water Gap. Whether one craves the lively boardwalks of Atlantic City, the historic charm of Princeton or outdoor adventures, New Jersey delivers variety. However, some urban areas face issues like traffic congestion and occasional higher crime rates, so awareness of neighborhoods is recommended. Summer crowds at beaches can also be intense, impacting parking and hospitality availability.

🏙️Cities & Regions
  • 1 Cape May
    A coastal town on New Jersey’s southern shore offers a mix of historic boardwalks, scenic beaches and maritime museums. Visitors can stroll along the waterfront, explore local seafood restaurants or enjoy nearby nature preserves.
🏯Places worth seeing
  • 1 Statue of Liberty
    Iconic symbol of freedom, the statue stands on Liberty Island in New York Harbor. Visitors can tour its pedestal and crown, enjoy panoramic views and learn about its history through interactive exhibits.
  • 2 Cape May Lighthouse
  • 3 Liberty State Park
  • 4 Boardwalk
  • 5 Grounds For Sculpture
  • 6 Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
  • 7 Thomas Edison National Historical Park
  • 8 Great Falls
  • 9 Princeton University - Forrestal Campus
  • 10 Boardwalk
🎡Places for activities
  • 1 Six Flags Great Adventure
    This thrilling amusement park features towering roller coasters and classic family rides, set within a sprawling complex of green lawns and vibrant attractions that draw crowds seeking excitement and adventure all year round.
  • 2 Adventure Aquarium
  • 3 Shore Beach
🏞️Natural landmarks
  • 1 Cape May Point State Park
  • 2 High Point State Park
  • 3 Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
  • 4 Delaware Water Gap
  • 5 State Park Road
  • 6 Island Beach State Park
  • 7 Stokes State Forest
  • 8 Raritan Bay Waterfront Park
🛍️Shopping
  • 1 The Mall at Short Hills
  • 2 Ollie's Bargain Outlet
  • 3 Garden State Plaza
  • 4 Westfield Garden State Plaza
  • 5 The Mills at Jersey Gardens
🎈Events
  • New Jersey State Fair
  • Cape May Victorian Weekend
  • Atlantic City Airshow
  • Fabulous 50s Weekend, Wildwood
  • Morristown Festival on the Green
  • Princeton Jazz Festival
  • Red Bank Guinness Oyster Festival
  • New Jersey Film Festival
  • Montclair Food and Music Festival
  • Haddonfield Crafts and Fine Arts Festival

Knowledge before you go

  • Pack comfortable shoes; New Jersey's terrain varies from beaches to hills.
  • Check the state’s weather forecast before traveling, as coastal storms can affect travel plans and beach access.
  • Reserve accommodations in advance during peak summer months, especially near popular attractions like Atlantic City or the Jersey Shore.
  • Explore local diners for authentic New Jersey cuisine; many offer classic dishes such as pork roll sandwiches and fresh seafood.

How to travel to New Jersey

Major airports include Newark Liberty International Airport, Atlantic City International Airport and Trenton‑Mercer Airport. Newark Liberty offers extensive domestic and international flights. Amtrak and NJ Transit trains provide train connections to New York City and Philadelphia.

Access summary

  • From Newark Liberty (EWR): AirTrain plus NJ Transit to Newark, about 15–25 min.
  • From New York City: NJ Transit trains or buses into northern New Jersey, 30–60 min.
  • From Philadelphia: Direct trains or driving to southern New Jersey, typically 1–2 h.

Where to stay in New Jersey

Lodging options range from luxury hotels and beach resorts along the Jersey Shore to budget-friendly motels and boutique hotels in cities like Hoboken and Princeton. Camping is available in state parks for nature enthusiasts.

How to get around New Jersey

New Jersey has a well-developed transportation system including NJ Transit trains and buses connecting major cities and towns. Car rental is practical for exploring beaches and natural parks outside urban centers. The state is served by major highways like the Garden State Parkway and Interstate 95.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

+7 %
Daily expenses in New Jersey are around 7% higher than the average across United States. That means you'll spend more on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-4 %
Your exchange rate (GBP to USD) is 4% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

Backpacker Mid-range Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation
£97
£199
£515
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person
£53
£113
£263
🍝 Food per day
£33
£77
£222
🚕 Transportation per day
£11
£9
£30
Food & Drink
🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person
£32
🍛 Lunch Set, per person
£15
🍟 Fast food combo
£9
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day
£12
☕ Cappuccino
£3.90
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l
£4.80
Transportation
🚌 Public transport ticket
£2.80
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi
£16
⛽ Petrol, 1 l
£0.65
Other
🎞️ Cinema ticket
£12.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult
£110
🤧 Cold medication
£7.50
💇 Basic haircut
£16

Safety information overview

General safety
6
New Jersey is generally safe for tourists but crime rates vary by location. Exercise standard urban precautions especially in larger cities and crowded tourist areas. Be cautious with parking and personal belongings in busy places.
Health & Medical
8
Healthcare facilities are widely available and of good quality across New Jersey. Emergency services are reliable in urban and suburban areas. Travel insurance is advisable for visitors.
Accessi­bility
7
Many urban attractions and transportation services offer good accessibility for people with disabilities. Some natural parks and older buildings may have limited wheelchair access; travelers should plan ahead and check individual site accessibility.
Tap water
8
Tap water in New Jersey is safe to drink and is routinely tested for quality. Public drinking fountains are available in many parks and urban areas.

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