New Jersey
Go to New Jersey for ocean beach towns, the Atlantic City boardwalk, Victorian Cape May and quiet trails in the Pine Barrens.
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New Jersey sits on the Atlantic coast of the northeastern United States, with New York to its north and east and Pennsylvania to its west. Trenton is the capital. Visitors come for the ocean beaches, the Atlantic City boardwalk and its casino hotels, and the Victorian houses of Cape May at the southern tip. Inland, Princeton University, the Pine Barrens pine forest and the Delaware Water Gap, where the river cuts through the northwest hills, give a different kind of trip. From Hoboken and Liberty State Park, you can see the Manhattan skyline across the Hudson River.
Most trips are built around the coast. Summer is the busiest season at the shore, while late spring and early fall are usually milder and quieter. Fall brings color to the northwest hills. A long weekend covers one shore town well. A week lets you add Cape May, the Pine Barrens and a day trip to New York or Philadelphia.
New Jersey in five
- Get an ESTA before you flyVisitors from Visa Waiver countries need an approved ESTA before they board a flight to the US. Apply only at the official CBP site, since unofficial sites add charges.Visas and entry
- Set up toll payment before you driveMany New Jersey toll roads are electronic. Ask your rental company how tolls are billed, because unpaid tolls can bring extra charges.Getting around
- Ride AirTrain from Newark AirportAirTrain Newark links the airport terminals to the NJ Transit rail station. From there, trains run to Newark Penn Station and on to New York Penn Station.
- Book Shore rentals for summer weekendsMany summer rentals on the Jersey Shore are sold by the week, and weekend stays can sell out. Book early for July and August.
- Declare food and plants at customsFresh food, plant material and some animal products must be declared at US entry, and they can be taken away. Check what you carry before you fly.
Neighborhoods
Hoboken
- Best for: Commuting into NYC, waterfront walks
- Price band: $$
- PATH trains to Manhattan from several stations
- Hudson waterfront promenades with Manhattan views
- Restaurants and bars along Washington Street in Hoboken
Skip if you want the quiet of a small town.
Atlantic City
- Best for: Shows, casino nights, day trips
- Price band: $$
- Casino hotels line the Boardwalk
- Atlantic City Rail Line runs from Philadelphia
- Absecon Lighthouse is in the city, a short ride from the Boardwalk
Skip if you want a small-town beach with little noise.
Cape May
- Best for: Quiet beach stays, bike rides
- Price band: $$$
- Historic district with Victorian inns and B&Bs
- Cape May Lighthouse at the tip of the cape
- Ferry from Cape May to Lewes, Delaware
Skip if you need nightlife or a late train home.
Princeton
Princeton is a small college town in central New Jersey, known for its Ivy League campus and a nearby Revolutionary War battlefield.
Things to do in New Jersey
See all attractions in New Jersey
Need to know
- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- Entry
- Visa Waiver for eligible passports, with an approved ESTA first Read more
- Emergency
- 911 for police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- 15 to 20% at restaurants; tip bar staff and taxi drivers
- Time
- UTC-5 Eastern, UTC-4 daylight saving (March to November)
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold, quiet
- FebruaryCold, gray
- MarchCool, wet
- AprilMild, spring
- MayMild, green
- JuneShore season
- JulyHot, humid
- AugustHot, busy
- SeptemberWarm, quieter
- OctoberAutumn color
- NovemberCool, quiet
- DecemberHoliday lights
Right now in New Jersey
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
16
- Feels like
- 13°
- Humidity
- 48%
- Wind
- 9 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 1%
New Jersey
04:57 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today18°3°1%Monday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 1%.
- Tue21°6°3%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Wed23°11°3%Wednesday: Fog. High 23°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Thu21°14°49%Thursday: Drizzle. High 21°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 49%.
- Fri22°15°53%Friday: Drizzle. High 22°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 53%.
- Sat15°6°43%Saturday: Cloudy. High 15°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 43%.
- Sun14°4°11%Sunday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 11%.
Updated 04:21 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Every year
- SepFeast of San GennaroNew York City, a day trip
Day trips by train
- New York Cityabout 25 to 30 minutes by NJ Transit from Newark PennSkyline, museums and shows, a short train ride from Newark or Hoboken.
- Philadelphiaabout 1 to 1.5 hours by Amtrak from Newark PennHistoric district and museums, reached by a direct train from Newark.
- Atlantic Cityabout 2 hours by car from NewarkBoardwalk and casino hotels; a day is enough for most visitors.
Before you go to New Jersey
Rules for New Jersey, checked
- Visa Waiver travelers need an approved ESTA before boarding. Apply only at esta.cbp.dhs.gov and check the eligibility list there.Source
- Fresh food, plants and some animal products must be declared at US customs and can be taken away. Check CBP travel guidance before you fly.Source
- The legal drinking age is 21, and shops and bars check photo ID. Carry your passport or a driver's license.
Plan around New Jersey
Trains to New York and Philadelphia, toll roads and the Shore by car
Read the guideMoney and cardsPaying in dollars, tipping and card use
Read the guideVisas and entryESTA rules and what to declare at US customs
Read the guideWhere to stayHoboken for Manhattan, Cape May for a quiet seaside base
Read the guidePhones and eSIMData for trains, maps and toll apps
Read the guideAll of North AmericaOther North American destinations on RoamLedger
Read the guideNew Jersey FAQ
Is New Jersey worth visiting?
Yes, for a beach stay, Cape May's Victorian streets, or a cheaper base near New York City. Two or more nights on the Shore give you more than a day trip.
Do I need a car in New Jersey?
Not for Newark, Hoboken or Jersey City, where trains and PATH cover the trip. A car helps for Cape May, the Pine Barrens and smaller Shore towns.
Where should I stay in New Jersey for a first trip?
Hoboken or Jersey City for New York by train, Asbury Park for beach days, or Cape May for a quiet seaside base. Newark suits early flights.
How many days do you need in New Jersey?
Two days cover the Hudson waterfront and Newark, and three to four nights suit the Shore. Add a day or two for New York City if you go there.
Can you visit Atlantic City without a car?
Yes, by NJ Transit bus or by the Atlantic City Rail Line from Philadelphia. Check current schedules before you go.
Is the Jersey Shore good in winter?
It is much quieter, and many shops and restaurants close or cut their hours in the off-season. Cape May and Atlantic City stay open, and the beaches are open for walks.