No matter how much time you’ve spent away from New Jersey, there are plenty of places and experiences that will make you think of home. What makes you think fondly of the Garden State? Here are some things that will always remind us of New Jersey.
1. Gas stations
Every time we have to get out of the car and pump our own gas out of state, we think fondly of the Full Service stations that dominate the fuel scene in New Jersey.
2. Hoagies (or Subs)
It's hard to find great hoagies or subs outside of the Garden State... nobody seems to make them with high quality deli meats, cheeses, and the right kind of bread!
3. Traffic circles
Circles are a way of live in New Jersey, but they aren't so common elsewhere. Most other states have at least a handful of "roundabouts", which will always have us reminiscing of the big intersections like 70 & 73 way back when, or the Flemington Circle that still trips me up.
4. Sand dunes
Beaches will always make us think of the Jersey Shore. Our coast is lined with impressive sand dune systems, marshes, bays, and shoreline ecosystems. It's hard not to think of Jersey seagulls (and bayside greenheads!) when we end up on a beach anywhere else.
5. Seafood
Jersey seafood is delicious! Locally caught crabs, clams, oysters, scallops, and even lobster make the Garden State one of the best for dining on fresh catch. It's hard not to compare when you end up eating frozen seafood in landlocked states.
6. Pine Trees
If you grew up in South Jersey, pine trees were a way of life. Over a million acres of pine trees dominate the landscape... and those pine needles that stick to everything never seem to truly leave your mind.
7. Bagels
New Jersey makes the best breakfast sandwiches! Whether you prefer scrapple, pork roll, or something else on them, the key to a good breakfast sandwich is a good bagel. Outside of this area, it's a lot of work to track them down.
7. Pizza
Oh, pizza. Try as they might, the rest of the country just can't figure it out. We'll give NY and Philadelphia a pass, but really, rest of the country, what is going on? We'll always long for a good slice of thin Jersey pizza when we travel.
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