10 Photos You'll Only Understand If You Hail From New Jersey
By Raymond Goldfield|Published August 10, 2023
×
Raymond Goldfield
Author
Raymond Goldfield is a life-long New Jersey resident and an avid traveler and foodie who can be usually found on the Jersey Shore during the offseason or checking out the latest seasonal flavors at The Bent Spoon in Princeton. He has been working for Only In Your State for since early 2022, where he writes for New Jersey and Iowa and edits the Mid-Atlantic region. He can also be found writing about pop culture for GeekDad. When at home, he enjoys reading comic books and is part of The Rabbitt Stew podcast team. While New Jersey is his home base, he travels regularly and has visited Virginia, Florida, Maine, Minnesota, and Canada as well as all of NJ's border states. Ultimate travel goal? Visit all the best buffets in the United States.
It takes a special kind of person to live in the Garden State and embrace all its quirks, and that’s why New Jerseyans have so much pride in the state. I’ve been living here all my life, and I’m still discovering unique things about the state every day. For visitors and new arrivals, though, this state can take you by surprise all the time! There are a lot of unexpected things in this state – ranging from strange roadside attractions and natural wonders, to food we take way too seriously. If you haven’t lived in the state for long, these ten photos of unique spots in New Jersey might be Greek to you. Even if you’ve lived here for a long time, some of them still might take you by surprise!
1. A Portal To The Bizarre?
Jenkinson's Boardwalk, 300 Ocean Ave N, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742, USA
Jenkinson's Boardwalk is one of the shore's top tourist sites, and its headliner might just be the funhouse - containing a mirror maze and some seriously bizarre displays and attractions.
This lunchmeat causes a surprising number of arguments, but there's an explanation. Taylor Ham is actually the most popular brand of pork roll, so both of the names are accurate.
Advertisement
3. An Alien Invasion Memorial?
Grovers Mill, West Windsor Township, NJ 08550, USA
No, martians never actually landed in New Jersey - but Grovers Mill was the ground zero in the infamous retelling of War of the Worlds by Orson Welles, which caused a brief panic.
4. What The Heck
Is That Statue?
Light Dispelling Darkness Statue, Edison, NJ 08837, USA
One of the strangest attractions in New Jersey is found in Roosevelt Park, and this unique, vaguely spooky statue is part of a Depression-era art project designed to show knowledge triumphing over the forces of ignorance.
5. More Salt Water Taffy Than You Can Shake A Stick At!
Shriver's Salt Water Taffy & Fudge 1898, 852 Boardwalk, Ocean City, NJ 08226, USA
No, it's not an optical illusion - this mine tunnel is lit with fluorescent minerals. It's just one feature at the only working mine left in New Jersey, now a fascinating museum.
7. An Elephant Hanging Out On The Shore?
Lucy the Elephant, 9200 Atlantic Ave, Margate City, NJ 08402, USA
Lucy the Elephant is the oldest still-standing roadside attraction in the USA, dating back to 1881! It used to be a restaurant, cottage, and tavern, and has been recently renovated and restored.
Advertisement
8. A Monster Guarding a Diner?
Lucille's Country Cooking, 1496 Main St, Barnegat Township, NJ 08005, USA
Not the tallest waterfall in the Garden State - that's Buttermilk Falls - but definitely the most majestic, the Great Falls of Paterson is one of the most beautiful spots in New Jersey.
10. A Portal To The North Pole Every December?
Historic Smithville Park, 803 Smithville Rd, Eastampton Township, NJ 08060, USA
Every year, Historic Smithville turns into a unique Christmas Village complete with themed train rides and untold lights blanketing the town.
How many of these unique items and unique spots in New Jersey were you familiar with? What are your favorite only-in-New-Jersey things we didn’t cover? Let us know in the comments section! This is just scratching the surface – rural New Jersey has many more secrets waiting for you. There is so much to see in New Jersey, so make sure you’re covered in New Jersey pride when you go exploring!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
