Summer’s never boring when you’re lucky enough to live in New Jersey. Our state has plenty to keep you busy, whether you enjoy lazy days at the beach, shopping, or outdoor activities. Here are a few of our favorite things to do on a summer day.

Hit the Beach

Need a challenge this summer? Why not set a goal to visit every one of New Jersey’s 44 beaches? From Sandy Hook to Cape May, you’re bound to find a New Jersey beach that’s just perfect for you. If you like lots of activities and enjoy busy beaches, try Ocean City, Wildwood, Seaside Heights, Asbury Park, Atlantic City, or Point Pleasant. These towns all have boardwalks, restaurants, shops, arcades, and fun activities like mini-golf and banana boat rides.

If you prefer a quieter day at the beach, consider making the drive to Sea Isle City, Strathmere, Lavallette, Spring Lake, Ortley Beach, Ocean Grove Beach, or Pearl Beach in Cape May. Before you pack your cooler and beach chairs, check out Fun New Jersey’s recommendations for things to do, see and eat.

Enjoy Amusement Park Thrills

Everyone’s a kid at the amusement park. In fact, age becomes irrelevant when you’re plummeting down the roller coaster track at 75 mph or marveling at the view from high atop the Ferris wheel. Since amusement park season is short, you’ll want to make sure you visit at least one park this summer. 

Six Flags Great Adventure, New Jersey’s largest amusement park, offers rides for the whole family, in addition to a drive-through safari and a water park. If you’re looking for a theme park experience geared to young children, you can’t go wrong with Diggerland, Storybook Land, Nickelodeon Universe, or the Land of Make Believe. Other good choices include Morey’s Piers, iPlay America, Casino Pier, Fantasy Island, The Fun Plex, the Steel Pier, and IPlay America.

Take a Walk in the Woods

Outsiders think New Jersey is just one big suburb, but we know better. The state is full of parks and wooded areas ideal for hiking, biking and other outdoor activities. If you’d like to do a little hiking in New Jersey this summer, the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Sourland Mountain Preserve, and Wawayanda State Park offer miles of scenic trails throughout the most beautiful parts of our state. 

Watch Some Fireworks

Firework displays make any day more festive, whether it’s the Fourth of July or a random Wednesday. Wildwood offers fireworks every Friday at 10 p.m., weather permitting. (If it rains, the fireworks will be launched on Sunday at 10 p.m. instead.) Other places to watch amazing fireworks displays in New Jersey include Seaside Heights (every Wednesday evening) and Point Pleasant Beach (every Thursday night). The Somerset Patriots also offer firework displays after some home baseball games.

Get Some Culture

Need to add a little culture to your life? Make plans to visit a museum, enjoy a symphony orchestra performance, or attend one of the many other cultural activities in New Jersey. 

The New Jersey Symphony’s upcoming slate of concerts includes a bass and flute extravaganza, jazz and jazz-inspired classical music concerts, wind music from the 20^th and 21^st centuries, and performance featuring music from “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.”

For a complete list of museums in the state, check out the information on the VISITNJ website.  

Visit a Small Town

Looking for an activity for a laidback Saturday? There’s nothing more relaxing than strolling through one of New Jersey’s picturesque small towns. Lambertville, Clinton, Princeton, Cranbury, Red Bank, and Cape May are all good choices for a day trip. 

You’ll find unique stores and restaurants housed in historical buildings, museums, and outstanding scenery. Frenchtown, one of the most charming towns on the Delaware River, was recently named the best small town for shopping in USA Today’s 10 Best Reader’s Choice travel awards for 2022! 

Try One of These Activities

Other fun NJ summer activities include:

• Watching a play at The Summit Playhouse, Princeton Summer Theater, Somerset Valley Players or George Street Playhouse
• Hitting the links at one of New Jersey’s public or private golf courses
• Attending community events, like Riverfest, Frenchtown’s popular street fair (September 4)
• Floating down the Delaware River on a tube, raft or kayak, complete with a stop for a hot dog at The Famous River Hot Dog Man’s floating food stand
• Shopping for fresh produce at a New Jersey farmers market (many also have live music and activities)