The Top 10 Reasons New Jersey Has the Best Summers in the Country

When most people imagine the best states for summer, New Jersey may not make it on the list. The state does not have the amazing climate of Florida or the elegant, wealthy areas of New England. Still, the state has plenty to offer people who want to have a great time this summer. Take a look at some of the reasons New Jersey has the best summers in the country based on its unique offerings and sheer variety of activities.

1. New Jersey Has the Best Summers Because of the Shore

New Jersey’s beaches, often called the shore by locals, are the stuff of legend. They feature miles of sandy beaches, boardwalks, shops, arcades, restaurants, and much more.

Every beach town has a unique identity, from the family-oriented Wildwoods to the infamous Seaside Heights. Visitors who want easy access to the ocean water to cool off can have it, while others seeking high-end accommodations and amenities can also find it. People travel from all the nearby states to have fun at New Jersey’s beaches.

2. Residents Are Between Two Major Cities

People cannot spend every day at the beach. Fortunately, New Jersey is positioned to help people stay busy throughout the summer. Depending on where a person lives in the state, they’re probably no more than two hours away from Philadelphia or New York City.

Few other states have such close proximity to two cities with such a great abundance of activities, history, and culture. Even if you’re staying at the beach for a long summer vacation, an enriching excursion to a few great cities is within reach.

The inability to be bored with so many amazing shops, historical sites, restaurants, museums, and other attractions so close by is one of the reasons New Jersey has the best summers in the country.

3. The State Has Plenty of National Parks and Natural Areas

Although the state has been maligned as one endless shopping center, New Jersey is home to some national parks. Part of the Appalachian Trail runs through the Garden State, and Southeastern New Jersey is home to the famous Pinelands.

Visitors to this state are never short on places to hike and travel, especially in the northwestern and southeastern areas of New Jersey.

4. Water Parks Help People Stay Cool

New Jersey has more than its fair share of water parks that help people stay cool during the summer. These parks are very helpful for people who want to avoid a trip to the shore. Places like Clementon Park & Splash World, Big Kahuna’s Water Park, and Crystal Springs Family Waterpark are great destinations for the summer.  

Visitors to the shore towns can also find water parks dotting the boardwalks. The parks are helpful for vacationers that want to avoid a long walk to the water or during beach closures.

5. Lakes Are Everywhere for Swimming, Fishing, and More

Tons of people head to the beach to stay cool during the summer. Yet, some people just head to the state’s numerous lakes. New Jersey has many great lakes with sandy beaches where people can swim, fish, camp, and more. These beaches are certainly one of the reasons New Jersey has the best summers.

The numerous lakes offer people in the state a chance to stay cool, support local small towns, and avoid the crowded drive to the shore. Places like Lake Garrison in the southern part of the state and Lake Hopatcong in the north let people have a great day on the water.

6. Amazing Camping Opportunities

Whether visitors prefer to camp in a tent under the stars or hook up an RV with many other people, New Jersey has something for everyone. Even though The Garden State is one of the smallest states in the country, it still has a lot of remote areas.

People can hike and camp in Wharton State Forest, park their RVs close to the beaches in the southern part of the state, and head to the Delaware Water Gap to stray into true wilderness.  

7. Anglers Can Fish in Freshwater or Saltwater

New Jersey has amazing opportunities for anglers with many creeks, lakes, ponds, and rivers packed with freshwater fish. Anglers in New Jersey especially value the large reservoirs where they can catch a massive variety of fish.

Like other coastal states, New Jersey also has the benefit of saltwater fishing. Anglers can skip the warm sandy beaches at the shore and hop on a chartered boat to catch big game fish off the coast.

Striped bass, yellow perch, bluefish, blue marlin, and many other types of fish populate the coastal regions. Although it is a small state, New Jersey has summer fishing.

8. Fresh Fruit and Vegetables

New Jersey is called the Garden State. To be fair, the state is not as dedicated to agriculture as it was in the past. Still, New Jersey produces amazing fruits and vegetables that grow throughout the summer and are then available at markets. The widespread availability of fresh produce is certainly one of the reasons New Jersey has the best summers in the country!

Many farms operate farmers markets where they offer their fresh-grown corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, blueberries, and peaches for sale. People passing through the state to the shore can grab some fresh fruits and veggies. Nothing says summer in New Jersey like a tomato sandwich or peaches topping a bowl of vanilla ice cream.

9. Summers Are Hot, But Not Too Hot

The climate in New Jersey is great in the summertime. The hottest month of the year, July, has an average high temperature of 85 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s warm enough to swim, but not too hot that it will make a pool feel like a bowl of soup. The garden state does get some extremely hot weather from time to time. However, the hottest day in the state’s history was a mere 110 degrees Fahrenheit.   

10. Residents and Visitors Can Try Their Luck at the Casinos

Few states have legalized gambling, but New Jersey is one of them. Atlantic City is probably the most famous city for gambling in the state. The city has vast casinos where people can bet on horse races or lose themselves in the sweet siren call of the slot machines. When they’ve had enough, they can head to the high-end restaurants or the local beaches for more fun.

These reasons show why New Jersey has the best summers in the country. Generally, the state has a lot for people to do in a relatively small area. So, the lakes, campgrounds, beaches, and attractions are accessible to a large portion of the 9.2 million people that live in the state. Everyone that comes to New Jersey in the summer can find something to love!