1. Notes for South Jersey<br />Rich in local history, Egg Harbor City is also a jumping-off point for nearby Atlantic City (just 18 miles away) as well as for a number of Atlantic County historical attractions and entertainment opportunities. In the mid 1800s, Egg Harbor City was a magnet for Germans living in the Baltimore area. They moved here en masse and infused an Old World feel into their New World home. The Historical Society’s Roundhouse Museum has displays that cover the city’s Teutonic history, its time as a health sanitarium (the Roundhouse once belonged to a Dr. Smith, who touted the town’s therapeutic waters) There's also glassworks displays and information on the town’s oenophile background (there were 96, mostly mom and pop, wineries located here at the turn of the century!). <br /> Don’t Miss:<br />• Storybook Land (6415 Blackhorse Pike in Egg Harbor Township), a must if you have small children who enjoy nursery rhymes and gentle rides.<br /> <br />• A visit to Historic Smithville and the Village Green, just south of Egg Harbor City.<br /> <br /> Insider Secret:<br />The Renault Winery is a French-style vineyard that has been producing wine for more than a century right in Egg Harbor City.<br /> <br />It’s also one of the oldest operating vineyards in the country. Enjoy a tour, wine tasting and a stroll through the collection of historic glass.<br /> <br />Renault also operates a posh resort here, so you can stay at The Tuscany House Hotel, play 18 holes of golf at Vineyard Golf and sample a gourmet meal at Joseph’s restaurant.<br />Atlantic City is a seaside resort and gaming capital of the east coast that hosts 33 million visitors a year, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States. More than $1.7 billion in investments in recent years has Atlantic City bursting at the seams with world-renowned casinos resorts and other hotels, brand name restaurants featuring famous chefs, unique attractions, headline entertainment, extravagant spas, championship golf, elite shopping and so much more. Non-casino luxury hotels have changed the skyline of Atlantic City including The Water Club - a Signature Hotel by Borgata, Courtyard by Marriott and The Chelsea. Casinos have expanded with new towers and new amenities for their guests, including Trump Taj Mahal and Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City. For the more discriminating shopper, The Pier Shops at Caesars features elite shopping from Tiffany & Co., Burberry, Hugo Boss and others. Atlantic City Outlets - The Walk spreads out over 15-city blocks and features outlet shopping from famous names like J. Crew, Liz Claiborne and Eddie Bauer, just to name a few. Great dining is everywhere from famous names like Bobby Flay, Wolfgang Puck, Carmine’s, Cuba Libra, Stephen Starr, Jay Z, Georges Perrier and Chris Scarduzio, McCormick & Schmick’s, Patsy’s, Il Mulino, Morton’s, Ruth’s Chris, Gallagher’s, Phillips Seafood and more. A destination that’s unto itself are the spas in Atlantic City, which are more popular than ever. Names such as Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa, bluemercury spa & apothecary and Qua Baths & Spa lead the way for more spas that will have a grand reputation all their own include Sea Spa, Immersion and many more. And, getting to Atlantic City is easier than ever. Spirit Airlines, the main carrier for the Atlantic City International Airport, recently added service to Boston, while the carrier AirTran, just began service between Atlantic City, Atlanta and Orlando. Only one hour from Philadelphia and two and a half hours from New York City, make Atlantic City the perfect complement to these destinations, as well. Rail service provided by New Jersey TRANSIT arrives and departs through the rail terminal adjacent to the Atlantic City Convention Center and Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station. Recently added, the Atlantic City Express Services or ACES, features service between New York’s Penn Station and the Atlantic City Rail Terminal. Express trains will operate on weekends with only one stop between the two destinations. Multi-level rail cars offer passengers comfortable leather seating, private lounge and food and beverage kiosks. Plan a trip today because whether it’s daytime or nighttime, there is always something to do in Atlantic City. From beach bars, fine dining and the beach to casinos, nightclubs and golf, Atlantic City is Always Turned On. To learn more, call toll free 1-888-AC-VISIT or visit Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority For information on packages and other specials <br />Don’t Miss:<br />• A submarine sandwich at the White House Sub Shop.<br /> <br />• Salt water taffy, which originated on the Boardwalk in 1883.<br /> <br />• Traveling the boardwalk on a Rolling Chair, which debuted in 1887.<br /> <br />• Historic Steel Pier for rides for kids of all ages. Amusement games, entertainment, Boardwalk fare food and helicopter rides.<br /> <br />Insider’s Tip:<br />• Download the Boardwalk Walking Tour for your own personal tour guide as you stroll the great wooden way.<br /> <br />• Contact: Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority at 609-449-7130.<br />Take a trip into New Jersey’s historic past at Batsto Village, located in Wharton State Forest, in the heart of the scenic Pinelands National Reserve. The village, which dates from 1766, was originally a center for bog iron production. Today, the restored village gives visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the past. Start your adventure at the visitor’s center, where you’ll find maps and a cell phone audio tour. Guided tours are available several times a week. A good jumping-off point is the historic Mansion, originally occupied by noted iron master John Reed, who built the first ironworks here along the Batsto River. In 1773, he sold the property to John Cox, who made provisions for the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. In the 19th century, the mansion was renovated into the elegant Italianate style of architecture by Joseph Wharton, a Philadelphia businessman.<br />Other owners throughout the 18th and 19th centuries created the village that exists today. Among the structures open for exploration are the iron furnace, gristmill, sawmill, general store and ice house. <br /> Don’t Miss:<br />• The Country Living Fair, held in October, with crafts, food and demonstrations.<br /> <br />• Guided canoe tours on the Batsto River.<br /> <br />• Mailing a postcard from the still-functioning 18th-century post office.<br /> <br />Insider Tip:<br />Nearby Hammonton is often referred to as the blueberry capital of the world, so don’t miss out on these healthy berries when you’re in the area.<br /> <br />Peak season is mid-June to mid-August. You can pick your own (and, naturally, sample a few as you go) at Lindsay’s Pick Your Own Blueberries (Pleasant Mills Rd).<br />A family-friendly suburb of Philadelphia (just 15 minutes away), Cherry Hill is also the commercial center of southern New Jersey. Check out Cherry Hill Mall for fashions and fine dining; find entertainment at Historic Croft Farms; and visit the Garden State Discovery Museum for kid-sized fun. Cherry Hill Mall was the East Coast’s first enclosed mall and it’s still the area’s top destination, not only for shopping but also for special events and even upscale dining. Big draws here include Nordstrom for shoes and clothing and Seasons 52 for elegant and calorie-conscious dining. Another shopping and dining destination is Garden State Park, which started life as a horse racetrack and is now a pedestrian-friendly, modern town center. If you’ve got young kids in tow, make a beeline for the Garden State Discovery Museum (2040 Springdale Rd.). This playful museum enchants nursery through elementary school children with more than a dozen hands-on exhibits. Cherry Hill is also the home of the Wine Room of Cherry Hill where visitors can use professional winery equipment, including authentic wine presses from Italy to bottle wine with personalized labels to proudly share at casual gatherings or special occasions. Wine and food seminars and wine-related events for private groups or organizations. Experience wine like you never have before. <br /> Don’t Miss:<br />•Springdale Farms (1638 S. Springdale Rd.) for seasonal produce and autumn hayrides, bonfires and corn maze fun.<br /> <br />• Swanky Bubbles (482 Evesham Rd.) for cool cocktails and global cuisine made for sharing.<br /> <br />Insider Tip:<br />Historic Croft Farm (100 Borton Mill - Evans Mill Rd.) and the 1753 farmhouse at its center, started life as a working mill and farm.<br /> <br />Later, it was a stop on the Underground Railroad. Today, its 80 acres have been transformed into a regional arts center hosting performances by the Cherry Hill Orchestra, dance troupes and musicians.<br />Like a miniature Philadelphia (which is less than 10 miles away), Haddonfield is filled with Revolutionary era history, Georgian architecture and picturesque, walkable streets. Don't miss Main Street Haddonfield. This beautiful, tree-filled town is the perfect place to shop and eat. It’s filled with more than 200 stores, coffee shops and outdoor cafes, as well as arts and entertainment. Kings Highway, Tanner Street and Lantern Lane are the town’s retail epicenter. Shopping highlights on Kings Highway include Happy Hippo for toys for the kid in everyone; Benjamin Lovell for envy-inducing shoes and Velvet Paws for everything from leashes to sweaters for pampered pets. The historical society is housed in the elegant, red brick Greenfield Hall (343 Kings Hwy.), which was built in 1841. Maps of all the town’s historical spots are available at the Information Center (2 Kings Court). For music and dramatic productions it's the Haddonfield Plays & Players. History lovers will enjoy the Indian King Tavern Museum, a Revolutionary War meeting place for the New Jersey Legislature. <br /> Don’t Miss:<br />• A romantic overnight stay at the Victorian Haddonfield Inn (44 West End Ave.).<br /> <br />• The Craft Show in July, where crafters’ booths line the major streets, turning downtown into a pedestrian thoroughfare.<br /> <br />• New Year’s Eve First Night, with more than 40 performers and two fireworks shows.<br /> <br />Insider Tip:<br />If you dig dinosaurs, you may already know that Haddonfield is where William Foulke discovered the world’s first full dinosaur skeleton in 1858.<br /> <br />Today, a bronze sculpture of Hadrosaurus foulkii is located on Lantern Lane, in the shopping district (the actual skeleton is at the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences).<br /> <br />A stone sign marks the excavation site on a suburban street.<br />Most people know that Trenton, the state capital, has a lot to offer history lovers and other explorers. In the area immediately surrounding the golden dome of the New Jersey State House and Annex is the New Jersey State Museum. After extensive renovations, the museum’s main building re-opened with exhilarating new exhibits that celebrate the state’s artistic and cultural life. Just across the street from the State House is the New Jersey World War II Memorial that honors and pays tribute to the courage and sacrifices of out quot;
Greatest Generation.quot;
The Capitol Complex as it's known also is home to the State Planetarium and the War Memorial, which features a beautiful 1,807-seat venue of Italian Renaissance Revival splendor. The War Memorial contains Patriots Theater, which hosts world-class artists and entertainers, including the American Ballet Theater, The Philadelphia Orchestra and dozens of world-class entertainers. Located between the State House and the War Memorial is the Old Barracks Museum. The only original French and Indian War Barracks still standing in the U.S. It was base to Hessian soldiers at the first battle of Trenton during the American Revolutionary War. The Trenton Thunder, the New York Yankees’ AA baseball team, make their home at Mercer County Waterfront Park and the Trenton Devils, the New Jersey Devils’ AA hockey squad, plays at Sun National Bank Center, which is also the site of major concerts and other top family-oriented events. In addition to Devils hockey, the Sun National Bank Center (a 10,000 seat facility) has, during the past decade, hosted international music sensations like Cher, Bruce Springsteen, Shania Twain, Elton John and Luciano Pavarotti. Other top sports events have included the 2006 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball First and Second Rounds and 2009 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Trenton Regional. The center also hosts family-friendly entertainment like the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus and The Harlem Globetrotters. <br /> Don’t miss:<br />• The Old Barracks Museum, a State and National Landmark. Built in 1758, it was a witness to the 1776 Battle of Trenton, the turning point of the American Revolution.<br /> <br />• For fine pizza, visit De Lorenzo’s, a favorite since 1947.<br /> <br />Insider tip:<br />For rail service to New York City and Philadelphia, there’s the Trenton Transit Center (72 South Clinton Ave.) Grounds for Sculpture (18 Fairgrounds Rd.) is located on the border of Hamilton and Trenton.<br /> <br />It's a 35-acre sculpture garden with 250 contemporary, large-scale outdoor works. There are also two indoor exhibition buildings, a visitors’ center, a water garden and an arboretum.<br />Friendly Ocean City is a beach resort town often described with superlatives, the most quoted of which is “The No. 1 family beach community in the country,” a title it received from the Travel Channel. Just what makes Ocean City so great? First, there are the eight miles of sparkling ocean and bay beaches, all meticulously maintained. Next, there are two and half miles of boardwalk containing eight full blocks of family amusements (from 6th to 14th Sts.) like Gillian's Island Golf & Water Park plus Wonderland Pier. The Boardwalk is where you’ll also find the Music Pier, where concerts are performed throughout the year and is home to the Ocean City Pops. And during the summer, every Thursday is family night, with free entertainment throughout town. Adding to Ocean City’s family image is the fact that it’s a “dry” town, meaning there is no alcohol of any kind sold within its borders. However, alcohol is available in nearby Strathmere. <br /> Don’t miss:<br />• Boardwalk delights including Johnson’s warm caramel popcorn, Fralinger’s saltwater taffy and Mack and Manco’s pizza.<br /> <br />• Taking a ride on the 140-foot Ferris wheel.<br /> <br />• The Boat Parade in July, with more than 100 boats.<br /> <br />Historic icon:<br />About five miles north of Ocean City, in Margate, is a New Jersey icon: Lucy the Elephant (9200 Atlantic Ave.).<br /> <br />At 65 feet tall, the red saddled pachyderm is hard to miss. Don’t forget your camera when you climb up the 127-year-old sculpture.<br /> <br />Lucy is “America’s Oldest Roadside Attraction” and a National Historic Monument. She is also the largest wooden elephant statue in the world.<br />