Best things to do in New Jersey

A celebration of all things sculptural, Grounds For Sculpture, features a beautifully landscaped park and museum located on the former New Jersey State Fairgrounds. Founded in 1992 by John Seward Johnson II, the park contains over 270 large-scale contemporary sculptures by Johnson and other international artists. Most notable is the 7.9 m (26 ft) tall sculpture of Marilyn Monroe in her famous white billowing dress from the film "The Seven Year Itch.” Rat’s restaurant is well worth a visit, designed by Johnson to make customers feel as if they are dining in Claude Monet’s beloved town of Giverny.

Come enjoy these adorable creatures. We are here for you to learn about alpacas. In our farm store, Absolutely Alpaca, you will find quality alpaca clothing, such as capes, shawls, and sweaters, handknit scarves, hats, earwarmers, socks, gloves, toys, a large assortment of luxurious alpaca yarn, and other unique gift ideas. You can expect your visit to last 30-45 mins. Admission is free, though donations are appreciated. Private appointments are also available -there is a charge of $20 per group up to 4 people (additional guests are $5 each), but we will allow you to go into the paddock with the alpacas as part of your private visit - sort of like swimming with the dolphins, but without water!

September-December Schedule:

We are open to the public on Saturdays 10am-4pm, without an appointment (free, but we do have a donation box on the fence :) Also, private appointments are available Monday-Friday - cost is $20 for a group of up to 4 people and $5 for every additional person). Please call or email us for a reservation. It is best to reserve a tour at least 1-2 days in advance during the fall, but you are welcome to call/email for last minute availability. Reservations must be confirmed in advance. We are closed on Sundays.

Note: We are not able take private appointments during any "Open Farm" day (there just are not enough of us or the alpacas to do so). Thanks for understanding.

At 8 km (5 mi) long white sandy Wildwood Beach, swim, sunbathe, play ball, or catch a seasonal event. The pristine beach is that way for a reason--each morning the sand is raked and the beach cleaned. The surrounding area blossoms with shops, stores, amusement parks, and restaurants known for live entertainment.

Climbing the 199 steps of Cape May Lighthouse is a rite of passage on the Jersey Shore. The view from atop the lighthouse covers all points of interest along the shore from north to south and east and west. Bring your camera and a bottle of water for the ascent. The "Oil House" near the base of the lighthouse houses the visitor center with a museum that shares the lighthouse's story.

Not only a popular amusement park but also a renowned concert venue, Six Flags Great Adventure contains eleven themed areas, three of them designed with small children in mind. In 2012, the complex combined its 65 hectares (160 acre) with a 140 hectare (350 acre) animal park, making this one of the largest amusement parks in the world. Choose from over 100 rides, shows, and special events, or go on an off-road safari adventure for a chance to see and feed a range of big and small exotic animals. To help find your way inside the enormous park, pick up a map at the front gate. Save money and avoid long lines by buying your tickets online.

Soak up the ocean breeze and vibrant energy of Atlantic City Boardwalk. The 6.43 km (4 mi) seaside promenade is home to some of the east coast’s most famous restaurants, casinos, hotels, and attractions, and holds the title for the oldest boardwalk in the country. Try your luck at the tables in one of the boardwalk’s luxury casino-resorts, such as Trump Taj Mahal, or head to the House of Blues to attend a show with views over the Atlantic. Tour the Atlantic City Historical Museum or Ripley’s Believe It or Not before stopping for a meal at one of the boardwalk’s five-star restaurants or hole-in-the-wall diners. Catch a bicycle taxi back down the boardwalk if you tire after the long walk.

Try your luck at a daily poker tournament at Borgata Casino. This Las Vegas-style casino offers a variety of table games and hundreds of modern slot machines--with a rapid-pay ticket system you won't have to walk around with pockets full of coins. If you need a break from gambling, relax in the garden area by an outdoor pool or check out a burlesque show at the comedy club.

At Cape May County Park & Zoo, 550 animals are cared for in a pristine natural environment. Since its opening in 1978, the zoo has participated in numerous species survival programs. Now it is home to 250 mammals, amphibians, birds, and reptiles, and a breeding ground for snow leopards--large Asian cats with thick fur and paws for walking through snow. The park is known for being particularly tidy and organized. Picnic areas, bike paths, a disk-golf court, and even fishing ponds are available. Just remember, you cannot bring food into the zoo. However, you can purchase it from a cafe at the site, which offers healthy food, fast food, snacks, and beverages.

In 19,000 sq m (200,000 sq ft) of space, Adventure Aquarium houses 8,500 animals and offers interactive activities. You can watch live shows, pet sharks, and meet hippos nose-to-nose. See one of the rarest and largest sharks--the hammerhead shark--as well as 25 other kinds of sharks and 850 other creatures swimming around you in a suspended tank with a 12 m (40 ft) tunnel. Make reservations in advance for a chance to swim with sharks. The aquarium also has a 4-D theater and numerous educational activities for children.

Bask on the white sand and in the calm water at Cape May Beach. Explore the promenade on bike or surrey, which are available to rent. To spend time on the beaches, you must purchase tags from the patrols at one of the entrances or at city hall. Keep the tags handy as you move between beaches, which feature similar amenities, including lifeguards. Food and nonalcoholic drinks are allowed, so consider bringing a picnic, or pick up a hot dog from one of the snack bars.

Encompassing coastal habitats and tidal wetlands, Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge is a bird-watchers heaven. Home to more than 300 species of migratory water birds during spring and fall migration, the refuge boasts four hiking trails and a 13 km (8 mi) unpaved loop road that goes through wetlands and woodlands passing several observation towers. In addition to birding, hiking, and cycling, popular activities include canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. At the visitor center, you can rent a pair of binoculars. Note that access to the part of the refuge designated as a wilderness area is limited during the nesting season.