| Camping in New Jersey is literally the best of all | | | | being just minutes away from New York City. It |
| worlds. There is just about nothing you cannot do | | | | houses the Meadowland Complex with its colorful |
| while you camp in New Jersey. You have your | | | | tapestry of sports and entertainment. |
| choice of over 120 campgrounds and State Park | | | | Restaurants of all types for all tastes, extensive |
| facilities to choose from not to mention thousands | | | | shopping centers with the best of everything, and |
| of acres of public land to explore. | | | | activities for children of all ages round out a vivid, |
| Just about every one of the privates | | | | exciting region. This is truly a gateway to many |
| campgrounds in the state have craft activities, | | | | vacation alternatives. That's why when people |
| pools, fishing ponds, sports activities and so many | | | | experience all the Gateway has to offer they |
| other amenities I can't even count. Most of them | | | | keep coming back again and again. |
| are clean, modern and well suited to just about | | | | 7. Mention the Shore Region, and certain images |
| any type of camping. They are all within a decent | | | | immediately pop into your head: over 60 miles of |
| driving distance of dozens of cultural, sports, | | | | pristine beaches from Sandy Hook to Holgate; |
| historical, recreational and children related | | | | surf fishing off Seaside Park; perhaps some |
| attractions. | | | | bodysurfing off Bay Head; or maybe a moonlit |
| Having said that let me give you the all time Top | | | | walk in Surf City. |
| 10 Reasons to camp in New Jersey: | | | | 8. On the northern fringe of the Gateway National |
| 1. Atlantic City and its world-famous beach and | | | | Recreation Area at Sandy Hook stands the |
| boardwalk, luxurious casino, non-stop gaming | | | | nation's oldest operating beacon, the Sandy Hook |
| action, the hottest entertainers, the best in dining, | | | | Lighthouse. Several miles to the south are the |
| and quality sporting events. | | | | Twin Lights of Navesink, the site of Marconi's first |
| 2. Revel in bay heritage along a scenic waterfront | | | | ship-to-shore broadcast. Further south is Barnegat |
| in Somers Point or visit the landmark mansion of | | | | Light; affectionately know locally as "Old Barney," |
| original harbormaster Richard Somers, the oldest | | | | built by Civil War hero George Gordon Meade in |
| home in all of Atlantic County, it remains a | | | | 1857. And now the newly reconstructed Tuckers |
| museum today. Marvel at the world's only 63-foot | | | | Island Lighthouse in the Tuckerton Seaport. |
| pachyderm with a visit to Lucy the Margate | | | | 9. Gentle mountains, Skiing, Rock climbing, and |
| Elephant. Or have your children experience their | | | | Horseback riding. Can you really do all this stuff in |
| favorite nursery rhythm characters in life size at | | | | New Jersey? Yes you can - and more can be |
| Storybook Land. | | | | found less than an hour's drive from New York |
| 3. There's the 760,000-gallon open-ocean tank at | | | | City. The opportunities of the Skylands Region |
| the New Jersey Academy for Aquatic Sciences | | | | have always been one of New Jersey Camping's |
| At Adventure Aquarium in Camden, just one of | | | | best-kept secrets. |
| the fascinating exhibits depicting sea life from | | | | 10. If its amusement park that make you happy, |
| around the state. Or Trenton, the nations | | | | check out Mountain Creek in Vernon. Somewhat |
| second-largest state capital in continuous use and | | | | more genteel diversions can be found during the |
| the site of one of George Washington's greatest | | | | region's numerous winery festivals or at the |
| Revolutionary victories. Today, you can visit the | | | | Sussex Farm and Horse Show in August. |
| spot where he crossed the Delaware and tour | | | | 11. Walk along 30 miles of wide sandy beaches, |
| the Old Barracks, used by soldiers in the French | | | | experience the warmth of a Victorian inn, take a |
| and Indian War. Or, stroll through the New Jersey | | | | stroll through history and enjoy the fresh bounty |
| State Museum and its impressive art galleries. | | | | of the sea at a gourmet restaurant. |
| 4. The Delaware Region is home to most of New | | | | 12. All along the ocean, the beachfront towns of |
| Jersey's Pine Barrens, a million acres of preserved | | | | the Southern Shore Region offer great fishing, |
| forests and waterways. It is, in fact, the largest | | | | boating, beaches and whale-watching cruises, plus |
| wilderness area east of the Mississippi. | | | | fine restaurants and accommodations - not to |
| 5. Visit Thomas A. Edison's home and laboratories, | | | | mention the wonderful campgrounds in the area, |
| where you will see some of his greatest | | | | to pitch your tent or set up your RV. Cape May |
| inventions. Stop by a museum solely dedicated to | | | | County boasts itself as one of the premium |
| the history of flight. Known as one of the cultural | | | | camping areas of the country. It all adds up to |
| capitals of the United States, the Gateway Region | | | | marvelous fun. |
| is the home of people from all over the world, | | | | Okay, so I lied. |
| whose cultures mingle to produce a rich fabric of | | | | I couldn't stop at 10 things, I had to give you 12! |
| life. Here, you'll find theater, dance and the best in | | | | In this article I just barely scratched the surface |
| classical music. Included is New Jersey's state | | | | of what New Jersey has to offer and it can all be |
| theater, the Paper Mill Playhouse. | | | | done from the back of your RV or the middle of |
| 6. Diversity characterizes the many playtime | | | | your tent! |
| activities you'll find in the Gateway Region, plus | | | | |