14 Quirky Facts About New Jersey That Sound Made Up, But Are 100% Accurate
By Raymond Goldfield|Published February 13, 2023
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Raymond Goldfield
Author
Raymond Goldfield is a life-long New Jersey resident and an avid traveler and foodie who can be usually found on the Jersey Shore during the offseason or checking out the latest seasonal flavors at The Bent Spoon in Princeton. He has been working for Only In Your State for since early 2022, where he writes for New Jersey and Iowa and edits the Mid-Atlantic region. He can also be found writing about pop culture for GeekDad. When at home, he enjoys reading comic books and is part of The Rabbitt Stew podcast team. While New Jersey is his home base, he travels regularly and has visited Virginia, Florida, Maine, Minnesota, and Canada as well as all of NJ's border states. Ultimate travel goal? Visit all the best buffets in the United States.
Anyone who lives in the Garden State knows New Jersey is a quirky state – and that’s exactly how we like it! New Jersey is one of the smallest states in the country, but it’s densely populated and filled with culture. It’s also filled with historic firsts, unique attractions, and record-setting sights and destinations. You might be surprised – even some things you thought belonged to our neighbors are actually New Jersey originals! These 14 quirky facts about New Jersey delve into the state’s history – and may just give you a new destination or five for your next road trip!
1. New Jersey Is The Diner Capital Of The United States.
Reo Diner, 392 Amboy Ave, Woodbridge Township, NJ 07095, USA
New Jersey has more diners per capita than anywhere else in the world - and many of them still look like they did when they were opened in the mid-20th century!
2. The Atlantic City Boardwalk Is The World's First - And Largest
Atlantic City Boardwalk, 2301 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401, USA
The Atlantic City Boardwalk was built in 1854, and gives visitors a straight line down an epic strip of resorts and attractions. And in over 150 years, no one has made a longer one!
Is it Taylor Ham or Pork Roll? That depends on where you live - but the truth is that Taylor Ham is the most popular brand of the breakfast meat known as pork roll!
11. New Jersey Has A Year-Round Old-School Funhouse.
Jenkinson's Boardwalk, 300 Ocean Ave N, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742, USA
Rutan Hill is a long-dormant volcano, and the area has become a hot hub for real estate development - which means everyone is very confident it'll stay dormant.
13. You Can Explore A Paranormal Museum In Asbury Park.
Located in a bookstore only minutes from the shore, this eerie destination is the perfect place to learn about famous New Jersey ghosts and cryptids like the Jersey Devil.
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14. The Statue Of Liberty Is In...New Jersey?
Statue of Liberty Parking, 30 Audrey Zapp Dr, Jersey City, NJ 07305, USA
It's a New York institution - or so they want you to think! Actually, a court case resolved that most of Ellis Island, including Lady Liberty, are part of the Garden State. And the Giants and Jets play here too!
How many of these quirky facts about New Jersey did you know? Do you have any unusual facts about New Jersey you can’t wait to share? Let us know in the comments section. You can visit the websites of Northlandz, Jenkinson’s Boardwalk, or Paranormal Books & Curiosities for more details on these unusual attractions. For another historic site in New Jersey, check out the state’s World War II lookout tower.
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