New Jersey has dozens of unique attractions, from interesting memorials to quirky museums and everything in between. For a small state, we have a lot to see; this list only begins to scratch the strange, wonderful, surface.
- United States War Dogs Memorial, Holmdel
Flickr/Deb A bronze statue at the New Jersey Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial honors the brave canines who selflessly served our country in times of war.
- Hadrosaurus Monument, Haddonfieldd
Flickr/Dave Buchhofer This statue was built to commemorate the discovery of the world’s first complete dinosaur skeleton, found in Haddonfield in 1858.
- Insectropolis, Toms River
Facebook/Insectropolis If you like bugs, you’ll love this unique museum! Exhibits include Caterpillar Cafe, Bug University, The Mud Tube, and more! Suitable for all ages, kids tend to love it!
- Northlandz, Flemington
Flickr/Bengt The world’s largest model railroad, Northlandz contains over 8 miles of track, massive canyons and thousands of buildings.
- Franklin Mineral Museum, Franklin
Facebook/Franklin Mineral Museum This museum, located in the “fluorescent mineral capital of the world”, features fossils, rocks, a mine replica and, of course, a fluorescent mineral glow room.
- Lucy, Margate
Flickr/Amy Kearns This six-story mammoth is the largest “elephant” in the world! Formerly used as a hotel, Lucy is now a popular tourist attraction and can be booked for private events.
- Kidsbridge Tolerance Museum, Ewing
Facebook/KidsbridgeToleranceMuseum This truly special museum celebrates diversity and promotes tolerance. According to their website, “The Kidsbridge mission is to educate and empower children and youth through character education, diversity appreciation and pro-social life skills training. The purpose is to create empathetic individuals and caring citizens who live their lives without prejudice or discrimination and who are positive advocates for themselves and others.”. How cool is that?
- Martian Landing Site, West Windsor
Wikipedia/ZeWrestler This historic marker commemorates the “War of the Worlds” radio broadcast in 1938. Though the broadcast was fiction, many took it as fact, causing widespread panic.
- Wild West City, Netcong
Facebook/WildWestCity This “Wild West” theme park takes visitors back in time! Guests can enjoy train, stagecoach and pony rides, but the shows are by far the best. Enjoy 22 live-action performances, replicating life in the Old West.
- Ripley’s Believe It Or Not, Atlantic City
Facebook/Ripley’sBelieveItOrNot This quirky museum celebrates all things strange and obscure. Enjoy the “odditorium” where you can find the world’s smallest production car and a table made entirely of jelly beans!
- Silverball Pinball Museum, Asbury Park
Flickr/Rob DiCaterino This interactive museum offers unlimited gaming on over 100 vintage pinball machines with paid admission. Relive your childhood with games from the 90’s, 80’s, 70’s, 60’s and even the 1950’s!!!
- Elsie The Cow Memorial, Plainsboro
Flickr/Jazz Guy The burial site of “the most famous cow that ever lived,” there is a loving tribute to Elsie, Borden Dairy’s mascot. A fictional character, beloved by fans, she was brought to life in the 1930s and 40s by a Jersey Cow named Lobelia.
Have you visited any of these unique attractions? What others would you recommend? Share your photos on the Only In New Jersey Facebook Page!
Flickr/Deb
A bronze statue at the New Jersey Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial honors the brave canines who selflessly served our country in times of war.
Flickr/Dave Buchhofer
This statue was built to commemorate the discovery of the world’s first complete dinosaur skeleton, found in Haddonfield in 1858.
Facebook/Insectropolis
If you like bugs, you’ll love this unique museum! Exhibits include Caterpillar Cafe, Bug University, The Mud Tube, and more! Suitable for all ages, kids tend to love it!
Flickr/Bengt
The world’s largest model railroad, Northlandz contains over 8 miles of track, massive canyons and thousands of buildings.
Facebook/Franklin Mineral Museum
This museum, located in the “fluorescent mineral capital of the world”, features fossils, rocks, a mine replica and, of course, a fluorescent mineral glow room.
Flickr/Amy Kearns
This six-story mammoth is the largest “elephant” in the world! Formerly used as a hotel, Lucy is now a popular tourist attraction and can be booked for private events.
Facebook/KidsbridgeToleranceMuseum
This truly special museum celebrates diversity and promotes tolerance. According to their website, “The Kidsbridge mission is to educate and empower children and youth through character education, diversity appreciation and pro-social life skills training. The purpose is to create empathetic individuals and caring citizens who live their lives without prejudice or discrimination and who are positive advocates for themselves and others.”. How cool is that?
Wikipedia/ZeWrestler
This historic marker commemorates the “War of the Worlds” radio broadcast in 1938. Though the broadcast was fiction, many took it as fact, causing widespread panic.
Facebook/WildWestCity
This “Wild West” theme park takes visitors back in time! Guests can enjoy train, stagecoach and pony rides, but the shows are by far the best. Enjoy 22 live-action performances, replicating life in the Old West.
Facebook/Ripley’sBelieveItOrNot
This quirky museum celebrates all things strange and obscure. Enjoy the “odditorium” where you can find the world’s smallest production car and a table made entirely of jelly beans!
Flickr/Rob DiCaterino
This interactive museum offers unlimited gaming on over 100 vintage pinball machines with paid admission. Relive your childhood with games from the 90’s, 80’s, 70’s, 60’s and even the 1950’s!!!
Flickr/Jazz Guy
The burial site of “the most famous cow that ever lived,” there is a loving tribute to Elsie, Borden Dairy’s mascot. A fictional character, beloved by fans, she was brought to life in the 1930s and 40s by a Jersey Cow named Lobelia.
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