24 reasons to visit New Jersey in 2024

TRENTON, N.J., March 21, 2024 /VisitNJ.org/ For adventure seekers and wanderers who intend to expand their travel portfolio in 2024, the Garden State offers a host of exciting new experiences from the shore to the mountains to bustling city centers. With milestone event anniversaries, and new and renovated accommodations, restaurants and attractions, travelers have every reason to visit the Garden State throughout the seasons; check out 24 of the state’s top destinations in 2024:

2024 MILESTONES

1. The Stone Pony Turns 50: Asbury Park is the Jersey Shore’s heart of culture and music, and The Stone Pony is at the center of it all. This iconic live-music venue opened its doors in 1974 and has played a key role in launching the careers of some of New Jersey’s greatest and most famous musicians, from Bruce Springsteen to Jon Bon Jovi. With 50 years of memories displayed on the walls, The Stone Pony has an exciting events calendar for their big anniversary year, including The Stone Pony Summer Stage.
2. Six Flags Great Adventure Celebrates 50 Years Six Flags Great Adventure opened in Jackson in 1974 and has provided fun for millions of people throughout the years. To honor the park’s 50th anniversary season, major upgrades include the brand-new coaster, THE FLASH: Vertical Velocity, the first super boomerang coaster to open in North America. Safari off-road adventures are also set to return to offer guests a personalized guided tour through the park’s 450-acre safari and an authentic African lodging experience at the new Savannah Sunset Resort and Spa. The park is also updating two original favorites, the log flume and the iconic big wheel.
3. “The Sopranos” Series Commemorates 25 Years on TV: Considered one of the most essential television dramas of all time, “The Sopranos” is a New-Jersey based TV show that aired from 1999 – 2007. With most of the scenes taking place in North Jersey, On Location Tours is offering a Sopranos sites tour leaving from New York City and traveling through New Jersey. The tour visits major sites that were used in filming the show, such as Cozzarelli’s, Car Wash, Searchlight Diner and St. Cecilia’s Church, all of which were locations for major scenes as seen in the series. Get off the bus for a fun stop at Holsten’s (where the final scene of the last episode was shot) and feel free to order some onion rings! Guests can even sit in “Tony’s” booth for a nostalgic photo.

NEW ACCOMMODATIONS

4. Madison Resort Wildwood Crest to Open as the Largest Resort Hotel in Cape May County: Available for bookings in July, the 196-room Madison Resort Wildwood Crest combines the 54-year-old Royal Hawaiian Motel, acquired by Madison Resorts in December 2023, and Oceanview Motel, acquired in 2022, to become the largest resort hotel in Cape May County. The Jersey Shore property now includes a myriad of amenities, including three restaurants, two pools, two hot tubs, two fitness centers, five conference rooms and two rooftop event spaces. Madison Resort Wildwood Crest’s renovations have preserved the history and appeal of the mid-century Doo Wop heritage in the Doo wop Motel District, officially recognized as the “Wildwoods Shore Resort Historic District.”
5. Graduate Princeton to Open in Mercer CountyGraduate Princeton is set to open in Princeton in 2024. Created for travelers who seek memory-making journeys, Graduate Hotels is a thoughtfully crafted collection of hotels that reside in dynamic “university-anchored” cities across the country. Each property celebrates and commemorates the optimistic energy of its community, while offering an extended retreat to places that often play host to the best days of our lives.
6. Savannah Sunset Resort and Spa Opening at Six Flags Great AdventureNow accepting reservations for bookings beginning on June 14, Savannah Sunset Resort and Spa is an African glamping experience that sits within Six Flag’s Wild Safari, providing panoramic views of open land and over 1,200 animals originally from six continents. A stay at Savannah Sunset grants access to all three Six Flags Great Adventure theme parks with VIP packages available at additional costs. Each luxury glamping suite has a private bathroom and access to outdoor entertainment, fire pits, restaurant & bar service, spa services, event space and more.
7. Nobu Hotel Caesars Atlantic City Now OpenAfter much anticipation, Nobu Hotel Caesars Atlantic City opened in January and further positioned the city as a leading travel destination on the East Coast. Nobu Hotel Atlantic City is part of Caesars’ $400 million investment into the destination, including the Nobu restaurant which opened in Atlantic City in 2022. The 82 rooms and suites within Caesars Atlantic City sit on the Centurion Tower’s top three floors and are designed in neutral tones complimented by subtle Japanese nuances and sleek, modern touches.

NEW & RENOVATED ATTRACTIONS

8. Edelman Fossil Park Museum to Open this Summer
   
   Rising from a former marl quarry in Mantua Township, Rowan University’s Jean & Ric Edelman Fossil Park Museum will be a world-class destination inspired by the deep-time perspective that the fossil record offers. With an expected summer opening, the museum will attract an estimated 200,000+ guests per year. Set into a 65-acre landscape, the museum will perch above the quarry where a 66-million-year-old marine and terrestrial fossils record the last moments of the dinosaur world. The museum will feature immersive exhibits galleries, full-scale reconstructions of extinct creatures, hands-on learning experiences, live animal attractions, virtual reality and more. Featuring geothermal, water-source heat pump heating and cooling systems, as well as a photovoltaic solar field, the museum will be New Jersey’s largest public net-zero facility.
    
9. American Dream will Welcome Three New Entertainment Facilities
   
   American Dream, the second-largest mall in North America, spans 3 million-square-feet in East Rutherford. Known for its indoor theme park, waterpark, ski slope, surf attraction, high-end luxury stores and dining, American Dream is welcoming three new entertainment facilities to the mix: New Jersey Hall of Fame, Skip Barker Karting Academy and The Gameroom Powered by Hasbro.
    
10. Upgrades to Wildwoods Boardwalk Nearing Completion
    
    The Wildwoods’ world-famous Boardwalk is also getting a facelift, thanks to a five-phase, multi-year project that will see most of the Boardwalk located in the city of Wildwood refurbished and replaced. Phase 1 was completed just before Memorial Day Weekend 2022, and covered the wooden way stretch from Oak to Maple Avenues. Phase 2 was completed in 2023 and covered Maple Avenue up to 26th Ave. Completion of Phase 3 is on the horizon and will cover Oak Ave. to Schellenger Ave., including the Cedar Ave. extension.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY CULINARY OFFERINGS

11. Dine at James Beard Semifinalist Restaurants
    
    New Jersey’s dining scene scored three nominations on the prestigious James Beard Semifinalist list this year. Lita, a new Iberian restaurant in Aberdeen Township is a semifinalist in the “Best New Restaurants” category. Lita only offers a three-course, prix-fixe menu ($78), which includes starters such as rissóis de camarão, crisp and creamy shrimp turnovers, and delicate saffron spaghetti with braised chicken sofrito. Also honored in the “Best Chefs Mid-Atlantic” category are Dane DeMarco of Gass & Main in Haddonfield, serving American cuisine, and Nur-E Gulshan Rahman of Korai Kitchen in Jersey City serving Bangladeshi cuisine.
     
12. D’Serve Opening This Spring
    
    Opening its doors in Flemington in Hunterdon County, D’Serve will feature French, Latin, and Caribbean cuisine with a menu set to change biweekly. The intimate, 25-seat bistro is owned by Chef Andrew Mercado and his wife Shannon Mercado, owner of Suga’Pie Bakehouse. D’Serve will be open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and will host pop-up events such as cooking classes, taco nights and private gatherings.
     
13. FiNNBAR Opened its Doors in January
    
    Located in the former Frenchtown Inn in Frenchtown, FiNNBAR has taken over the centuries old building that closed its doors in 2022. A vegetable-driven Italian and Mediterranean restaurant, FiNNBAR is led by cookbook author and acclaimed chef, Cal Peternell, and features a full bar, set along views of the Delaware River. FiNNBAR also has a charity component that donates a majority of profits to Studio Route 29, a Frenchtown arts center for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
     
14. Ram & Rooster Opens in Metuchen This Spring
    
    Sean Yan, former pastry chef at the acclaimed Heirloom Kitchen in Old Bridge, is opening his passion project in Metuchen. Ram & Rooster, a Chinese-Inspired eatery, will only offer a prix-fix menu in the intimate 35-seat setting. The restaurant and its name are named after Yan’s parents’ Chinese zodiac signs – the ram and the rooster – to pay homage to them and his culture.
     
15. Stop Along The New Jersey Brews Trail
    
    Launched in November 2023 by The New Jersey Division of Travel & Tourism, The Jersey Brews Trail Pass is a free mobile guide to 49 of the most wow-worthy craft breweries throughout the state. On top of offering brewery recommendations, the pass also offers discounts at select breweries. After visiting just three trail locations, users will be eligible to win one-of-a-kind prizes and swag. The trail features breweries from all over the state, including Angry Erik Brewing in Newton all the way south to Coho Brewing Company in Cape May Courthouse.

NEW ARTS & CULTURE EXPERIENCES

16. Walk Through History at Morven Museum & Garden in Princeton
    
    A National Historic Landmark, Morven Museum & Garden is honoring their twentieth anniversary by showcasing rarely exhibited objects and newly discovered photographs with “Morven Revealed: Untold Stories from New Jersey’s Most Historic Home.” On view from April 28, 2024 – March 2, 2025, the exhibition will take a thematic look at what was once a home to George Washington and five New Jersey governors, explaining the role Morven has played in the history of New Jersey and the nation for more than 250 years.
     
17. Catch a Star at MetLife Stadium
    
    MetLife Stadium, located in East Rutherford, will host mega stars like Morgan Wallen – One Night At A Time World Tour, Luke Combs – Growin’ Up and Getting’ Old Tour, P!NK – Summer Carnival Tour, and more. As one of the largest stadiums in the NFL with a capacity of 82,500, MetLife Stadium will host the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Final.
     
18. Montclair Art Museum Opened “100 Years of Black Art” Exhibit
    
    Running until July 7, the Montclair Museum of Art is showcasing “Century: 100 Years of Black Art at MAM”. The largest of its kind in the Museum’s history, this exhibition celebrates the dramatic growth of MAM’s collection of works by Black artists. Ranging from James Van Der Zee’s historic photograph Black Red Cross March, Harlem (1924), to Nanette Carter’s Destabilizing #2 (2022), the show features the depth, breadth and variety of art by African Americans during the past century.
     
19. Grounds For Sculpture’s “Slow Motion” Exhibit Opens in May
    
    From May 4, 2024 – September 1, 2025, Grounds for Sculpture’s “Slow Motion” exhibit, located in Hamilton, will be an indoor and outdoor art exhibition curated by Monument Lab. With the goal to reimagine the material possibilities of public memory, the exhibition will feature the work of artists who make their mark through unconventional materials and processes for sculpture.
     
20. Step Back in Time at Old Movies by the Sea
    
    Located in Wildwood, Old Movies by the Sea is a century-old theater built in 1915, which has been updated to its former glory. The 40-seat movie house screens golden age films and hosts live comedy performances, birthday parties and events. Old Movies by the Sea also serves a full tapas menu, including hummus boards, crispy honey shrimp, prosciutto wrapped dates, a kids’ menu and a classic concession stand with popcorn, candy and sodas.

RETURNING NOTEWORTHY EVENTS & IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES

21. Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival
    
    The largest cherry blossom collection in the United States beckons residents and visitors each spring. Branch Brook Park, which runs through Belleville and Newark, contains more than 5,200 Japanese cherry blossom trees that burst into full bloom during the annual Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival. The festival runs from April 6-14 with the highlight of the festival, Bloomfest, a day of live performances and attractions on April 14. Attracting over 7,000 attendees from New Jersey and surrounding metropolitan areas, a packed schedule of events offers something for everyone, including Japanese cultural demonstrations, children’s activities, live music, a crafter’s marketplace, food and more.
     
22. NJ Wine + Food Festival at Crystal Springs Resort
    
    After a four-year hiatus from the pandemic, Crystal Springs Resort is hosting the return of the 12th NJ Wine + Food Festival from May 3-5. Events include the Friday night “Top Chefs & Top Wines” dinner, featuring alumni from the Bravo TV series, “Top Chef”; a Wine Cellar Dinner in the Wine Spectator Grand Award-winning cellar; seminars and tastings on May 4, featuring winemakers, interactive cocktail classes and rare spirits; and The Grand Tasting, which brings together the top culinary talent in the state. Attending chefs include: David Burke, Aishling Stevens, Karen Akunowicz, AJ Capella and Ryan DePersio.
     
23. North to Shore Festival Takes the Stage
    
    The North to Shore Festival, launched in 2023, features all the talent, diversity and creativity that New Jersey has to offer, packed into three extraordinary weekends of performances, screenings, parties and conversations in three of the state’s most iconic cities. Hosted by Asbury Park, Atlantic City and Newark, the North to Shore Festival brings together events at more than 100 venues for an over-the-top showcase of Jersey excellence and long legacy of innovation in the arts, film and technology. This year, the festival will launch in Asbury Park from June 10-16, swing down the shore to Atlantic City from June 17-23, and conclude in Newark from June 24-30.
     
24. Catch Bruce Springsteen at Sea.Hear.Now
    
    Held September 14-15 in Asbury Park, Sea.Hear.Now will feature two days of music with more than 25 bands across three stages on the Asbury Park Waterfront. This year, headlining the main stage on Sunday, September 15, is the one and only Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band! Other performances include Saturday’s headliner Noah Kahan, along with Action Bronson, Grace Potter, The Black Crowes and many others. Throughout the festival, East Coast surf legends and emerging male and female pros compete in a team surf contest, held between the Surf and Sand stages.

For more information on New Jersey’s upcoming events, please visit www.visitnj.org.

SOURCE: Visitnj.org