Here are some fact facts about New Jersey, courtesy of visitnj.org.
- 9,800 farms spanning 790,000 acres of farmland, helping New Jersey live up to its nickname of The Garden State. Farm-fresh produce stands and farm-to-table dining can be readily found throughout the state.
- 130 miles of coastline on the Atlantic Ocean, where one can find New Jersey’s beloved beaches.
- More than 800 lakes and ponds and over 100 rivers and creeks, ideal for swimming, fishing, boating or other water activities.
- 36 state parks including Cape May Point State Park, High Point State Park and Hacklebarney State Park.
- 11 state forests with the famed Appalachian Trail traversing several of them.
- 463 historic sites including the iconic Cape May Lighthouse and the Edison Memorial Tower and Museum that mark the location of Thomas Edison’s early experiments critical to the development of the lightbulb.
- Four state marinas providing visitors and guests with easy access to recreational boating.
- 34,268 miles of highways and roads making New Jersey accessible throughout the Northeast corridor.
- Branch Brook Park, which runs through Belleville and Newark, contains the largest collection of cherry trees in the United States. More than 2,700 Japanese cherry blossom trees burst into full bloom during the annual Cherry Blossom Festival during the month of April; the festival also includes events for visitors and families of all ages.
- Origins of the nickname: Abraham Browning of Camden is given credit for giving New Jersey the nickname the Garden State. While speaking at the Philadelphia Centennial exhibition on New Jersey Day (August 24, 1876) Browning said that New Jersey was “an immense barrel, filled with good things to eat and open at both ends.” The famous founding father Benjamin Franklin is credited with a similar comparison of New Jersey to a barrel tapped at both ends. They were both referencing New Jersey’s position as a leader in farming, which is still true to this day.
- A revolutionary history: New Jersey is known as the “Pathway of the Revolution,” as 100 battles were fought on state soil. One of the most pivotal battles was the Battle of Trenton. Today visitors can check out the Trenton Battle Monument statue to see the site where the American army famously held their ground and started a turning point in the war. General George Washington spent time in Morristown, where he set up two winter encampments.
- Home to America’s founding ideals: On November 20, 1789, New Jersey became the first state to ratify the Bill of Rights – the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution.
- A place for four legged friends: New Jersey has more horses per square mile than any other state. The United States Equestrian Team is headquartered in Gladstone. Individual visitors and groups are invited to visit the headquarters and training facilities to see how these impressive athlete teams prepare for the Olympic Games.
- What all the buzz is about: The honeybee has been New Jersey’s state bug since 1974. Today the state is committed to protecting and helping honeybees, as they play an important role in the success of many fruit and vegetable crops.
- The birthplace of the blueberry: New Jersey’s state fruit is the delicious and much-loved blueberry. The first ever cultivated blueberries were harvested by Elizabeth White of Whitesbog in 1916. A native of New Jersey, Elizabeth grew up on a cranberry farm and saw an opportunity to replicate what was being done for cranberries with the wild blueberries that grew around her home. Her enthusiasm for farming inspired her to work with the USDA to transform the wild blueberry into a vital crop, realizing that New Jersey’s unique soil would make it the perfect place for large berries to flourish. From these humble beginnings, blueberry farming has turned into big-business with farms all over the country—but no matter where they grow, all blueberry bushes can be traced back to New Jersey.
- Making music: Countless musical icons such as Frank Sinatra (Hoboken), Count Basie (Red Bank), Whitney Houston (Newark), Frankie Valli (Newark), Bruce Springsteen (Freehold), and Jon Bon Jovi (Sayreville), hail from New Jersey and their legacy can be felt in performing arts venues throughout the state such as The Count Basie Theater in Red Bank, The Prudential Center in Newark and The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, among many others.
- With many top, award-winning actors coming from New Jersey, such as Meryl Streep (Summit), Anne Hathaway (Millburn), Peter Dinklage (Morristown), John Travolta (Englewood), Tom Cruise (Glen Ridge), and many more, it’s no wonder the state’s theatrical scene, at places such as The Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, State Theatre in New Brunswick and New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, provide some of the finest stage opportunities in the country.
