Only in NJ

BY DINA CHENEY

From the iconic Atlantic City boardwalk to neon-lit diners, full-service gas stations, and those famously quirky jughandles, the Garden State is anything but ordinary. Where else can you find Victorian seaside charm, deep fried boardwalk indulgence, and a street festival on any given weekend? If you need a reminder of why New Jersey is proudly one-of-a-kind, start with these destinations and experiences.

Go on a diner crawl: New Jersey is known as the “diner capital of the world” for good reason. It’s home to about 500 of these iconic establishments, more than anywhere else. Recognize them by their trademark metal-and-neon or stone facades. Once inside, select a song from the jukebox (like “Born in the U.S.A” by Bruce Springsteen, who famously grew up in the state), peruse the massive menu, and order an omelet, Greek platter, or disco fries (with brown gravy and melted mozzarella). A couple spots to try: the Summit Diner (Summit) and Tick Tock Diner (Clifton).

Head to the shore: The New Jersey coastline is a mere 130 miles, but the state’s beach culture has left an indelible mark on American pop culture—just consider MTV’s “The Jersey Shore” and HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire.” It took off in 1870, when the world’s first (and longest) boardwalk was built in Atlantic City. (Fun fact: Saltwater taffy was also invented there a few years later.) Since then, heading to the Jersey Shore has been practically a required ritual for state residents. Each summer, New Jerseyans eager for sun flock to towns like Asbury Park, Wildwood, and Seaside Heights.

Tour Princeton University: For a dose of history and beauty, tour this storied Ivy League school founded in 1746. Follow in the footsteps of alums, Woodrow Wilson, Michelle Obama, Jeff Bezos, and F. Scott Fitzgerald, and enter through the FitzRandolph Gate. Among the picturesque Collegiate Gothic buildings on campus, don’t miss Nassau Hall (which served as the U.S. capital in 1783), Firestone Library (home to an extensive rare books collection, including Einstein’s letters), Princeton University Chapel, and the Frist Campus Center (featured in the TV show, “House M.D.”).

Visit the “Painted Ladies” in Cape May: Known for its hundreds of well-preserved Victorians, the seaside resort town of Cape May is a National Historic Landmark. Built mainly in the second half of the 19th century, these homes (many converted into B&Bs) feature gingerbread trim, towers, turrets, porches, steep gables, and vibrantly hued facades. For more Victorian architecture, add Ocean Grove, Montclair, Morristown, Madison, Bernardsville, Bordentown, Lambertville, and Clinton to your itinerary.

Walk through an elephant, really: For architecture that’s more kitschy than classy, visit Lucy the Elephant (Margate City), a six-story elephant-shaped structure built in 1881. Register for a tour and pick up a souvenir at the site’s gift shop.

Get spooked: Connoisseurs of creep can explore eerie spots within state borders. Pine Barrens is home to the legendary Jersey Devil and ghost town of Batsto Village. The Spy House (Port Monmouth), steeped in Revolutionary War history, is believed to be haunted. Clinton Road (West Milford) is associated with ghosts and cult activity, while The Gates of Hell (Clifton) are graffiti-ed storm drain tunnels known for satanic rituals. Finally, don’t say you haven’t been warned: if you touch the storied oak, The Devil’s Tree (Bernards Township), you’ll be cursed, according to local lore.