If you want to see the beach, visit New Jersey. This northeastern U.S. state features 130 miles of Atlantic shoreline. The state’s famous beaches include the Jersey Shore. You can visit notable beach resort towns, such as Asbury Park, a Victorian-era town. You can also see the Statue of Liberty in Liberty State Park. The state is also a major fishing and yachting center, with many ports of call and marinas.
If you’re planning a road trip to New Jersey, remember that it’s a densely populated state wedged between two massive metropolitan areas. Taking it slowly may not be appreciated if you run into impatience and frustration. But there are still some beautiful, rural areas scattered throughout the state. And while New Jersey is so close to New York City, it’s further north than the rest of upstate New York. Take the time to explore the state and discover its hidden treasures.
While traveling through New Jersey, don’t miss scenic sites. The Palisades, a scenic peninsula, is where Aaron Burr killed Alexander Hamilton. You’ll also find several lakes and rivers, including Lake Hopatcong, a popular swimming and boating destination. In the west of the state, the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is worth a visit. There you can canoe or inner tube down the Delaware River. Near Trenton, you can see Washington’s Crossing, a famous landmark where President George Washington crossed the river.
The state’s blueberry-growing roots go back to Whitesbog. Fourth graders from Veteran’s Memorial Elementary School conducted a lobbying campaign and attended a blueberry festival to lobby for the state to make it official. The students presented their ideas to state governing bodies and even traveled to Trenton to present their ideas in person. A few years later, the state’s blueberries were officially designated as the state fruit. A state-level bill was passed in 1896 declaring them the official state fruit.
Native Americans first inhabited New Jersey at least 2,800 years ago. These people lived in small villages along the Delaware River. The Lenape were the dominant group when Europeans first arrived. After the Dutch colonists arrived, the British seized the region and carved out the Province of New Jersey. The name came from the largest of the Channel Islands, Jersey. In 1787, New Jersey became the third state and the first to sign the Bill of Rights.
The state legislature of New Jersey is a bicameral, with an upper houseSenate and a lower houseGeneral Assembly. The state elects one state senator and two Assembly members from each of 40 legislative districts. Both state senators and Assembly members are elected in odd-numbered years. State senators can serve for up to four consecutive terms. The majority of state senators and assembly members are Democrats. This is a unique feature of New Jersey’s government.
People of color and religion have high representation in New Jersey. About 56 percent of children under one are members of minority groups. Minority groups include those of color or those with parents who are non-Hispanic white. The state is home to America’s largest Malayali community and the third-largest Cuban population outside of Florida. There is a large Chinese population in New Jersey, and it also has a high proportion of Filipinos.