I put together my New Jersey bucket list for 2025 earlier this year, and still have a few things to cross off. How about you?
The best part about living in New Jersey is that this small, but super-dense, state never stops surprising me. When I exited a year full of adventures last year and looked forward to another, I was left in awe at how many incredible things I still have yet to do in the Garden State. That inspired me to put together my New Jersey bucket list for 2025 earlier this year, which included many of the best things I haven't done in the state that I hope to pull off this year. Some are locations I've known about for a long time, while others are incredible destinations I discovered through research for this site. I put together a year of adventure, and I still have many things to cross off. I also hope this New Jersey bucket list inspires you to have some of your own adventures for the remainder of 2025.
1. Go for a Winter Hike
I always like a bracing winter hike, which helps to clear my head after the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, and the quieter and more peaceful the better. Will I take on all of the Paulinskill Valley Rail Trail this year? Probably not, but this charming rural trail in New Jersey, with trailheads in Knowlton and Sparta, is a beautiful area with so many great historic spots along the way. The trail is 27 miles long, so I will be equipped with AllTrails+ when I explore. This may be one of the most adventurous hikes I will ever do in New Jersey.
2. Return to My Favorite Mall
I grew up a mall kid, so the reinvention of these American institutions into multi-use entertainment destinations excites me. No place sums this up better than the American Dream. I've been there plenty of times, but I've just scratched the surface. This year, I want to return to visit the new Hasbro GameRoom, the H-Mart Food Hall that recently opened, and finally go to Marcus Samuelsson's signature restaurant, Marcus Live.
3. Learn More About My Favorite Cuisine
I've been a huge devotee of Chinese and Japanese cuisine as far back as I can remember, and the riverfront town of Edgewater has become one of my little pieces of heaven due to its spectacular restaurant scene and massive Japanese market. I want to take that further this year and get some hands-on experience by taking a dumpling-making course. The classes are scheduled for several days each month, and tickets will likely go fast.
4. Take a Winter Staycation
Winter is a great season to decompress, especially during the holidays. I would love to find a peaceful Airbnb during this period to take a working vacation surrounded by natural beauty, and this year, I am looking at a Modern Carriage House in Flemington. Stunning views surround this quaint cottage, and the entire area becomes a frozen paradise when it snows.
5. Learn More About New Jersey's Most Famous Citizen
Who hasn't heard of Thomas Edison? The town near me is named after him, but I still haven't made my way to the Thomas Edison National Historical Park in West Orange. This fascinating museum not only covers his life, but also serves as a huge museum with his inventions on display. It looks like a must for any science buff, and if you expect to visit many sites like this during the last few months of 2025, you might want to consider an "America the Beautiful" Pass. This National Park Pass offers admission to a massive number of federal sites that usually charge admission.
6. Beat Some High Scores
I'm a '90s kid, and when I went to the mall, there was one spot you could usually find me — the old arcade. Whether I was pumping quarters into a story-driven beat-em-up game or challenging my friends in air hockey, those arcades left some great memories. That's why I'm excited to spend more time at Yestercades, a pay-per-hour arcade that just opened a huge branch in Metuchen. It even has several of my favorite games from when I was 14. This may be the most fun in New Jersey I'll have all year!
7. Walk Among the Flowers
New Jersey's natural scene is surprisingly epic for a state with so many cities, and that's never clearer than when the flowers bloom in spring. If there's a better place to see them than at Reeves-Reed Arboretum's Daffodil Days in Summit, I haven't found it. This year's festival was scheduled for Sunday, April 13, and would likely feature stunning views and interactive activities for the whole family. If you missed it this past spring, just add it to next year's New Jersey bucket list!
8. Continue My New Jersey Diner Crawl
New Jersey is arguably the king of the diners, with every town seeming to have one. The Reo Diner in Woodbridge, my hometown diner, is known for being visited by countless celebrities and for serving some seriously delicious food. One of my commitments for 2025 is to stop at every new diner I pass to ensure that if there's another hidden gem out there that I haven't visited, I don't miss it.
9. Find a Perfect Getaway With Friends
One of the best parts of vacation rentals is that you can easily get a larger group together in a one-of-a-kind setting, and it doesn't get more unique than this waterfront cottage in Blairstown. It has some of the most beautiful scenery I've seen in a while, and it's a working farm where you'll be able to see chickens and maybe even a peacock. I'm booking my stay ASAP.
10. Discover More Hidden Hiking Gems
While there are countless amazing trails in New Jersey's state parks and forests, some of the best hikes are also hidden in unique areas like private gardens and exhibits. A perfect example of this, and a hike I intend to tackle this year, is the Garrett Family Perimeter Trail at the Garrett Family Preserve in Cape May. Located in a 150-acre natural area, this easy 1.7-mile trail not only features amazing views but also has charming art installations along the way.
11. Keep My Eyes on the Sky
If there's a festival that takes the cake for the most spectacular in New Jersey, it just might be the Wildwoods International Kite Festival. Taking place on the beach every Memorial Day weekend, it's an amazing opportunity to see some of the best kite designs in the world take flight. The visual feast will be accompanied by live music, food trucks, and all the fun you'd expect from Wildwood at the kickoff of the summer season. Did you miss this year's Kite Festival? You know what to do — add it to next year's bucket list!
12. Stay at the Most Storied Getaway in Cape May
Elaine's is one of those places that needs no introduction in the Cape May area. This boutique hotel and restaurant has been around for decades and once played host to a dinner theater, but now it's best known for its delicious restaurant with an outdoor patio and fantastic beach-style drinks. The hotel is beautifully relaxing, and the attached boutique is a great place to get souvenirs. I'm already looking forward to booking my stay at Elaine's Cape May for a weekend getaway in New Jersey.
13. Take a Safari Adventure in the Garden State
I'm not sure if I'm going to take the new Safari Glamping experience this year. It's a big investment, and I want to make sure I have the right companions for it. But I am extremely curious to check out the revised Six Flags Great Adventure Wild Safari Experience, which has replaced the traditional drive-through experience with a more immersive journey that takes you through the park in traditional safari jeeps. And, of course, I have plenty of roller coasters to ride while I'm there.
14. Indulge My Sweet Tooth
The Jersey Shore might be the best spot in the world for those looking for a sugar fix, with so many iconic boardwalk treats waiting in every major city. The granddaddy of them all, though, is saltwater taffy, a classic chewy candy that now comes in dozens of flavors. I haven't made my way to Shriver's Salt Water Taffy & Fudge, a century-old candy store known for the largest salt water taffy selection in New Jersey, but when I do this year, I expect to come home with a massive bag of sweets.
15. Discover the Shore's Retro Gems
The Jersey Shore isn't just a great vacation spot; it's one of Jersey's most fascinating historic areas. So many of the classic attractions were built in the first half of the 20th century, and Wildwood, in particular, is full of places paying tribute to the doo-wop era of Americana. This is where you'll find the Caribbean Motel, an incredible retro budget motel with a tropical theme, and Duffer's, a family restaurant with a massive ice cream menu and a kitschy mini-golf course attached.
16. Attend a Concert at the Most New Jersey Venue of All
The Stone Pony celebrated 50 years in 2024, but for music fans in this great state, it feels like it's been around forever. The Asbury Park concert hall is still as old-school as ever, and I've never seen a show there — until now. As my list of concert experiences grows, I'll be on the lookout for the perfect country music star to see at my first Stone Pony show. As I'll probably be coming out late, I'll keep an eye on the best hotels in Asbury Park for a night's stay. I'm expecting another year of Asbury Park being the state's best nightlife hotspot.
17. Discover More Dairy-Free Indulgences
As someone with dairy allergies, my visit to Fable Creamery in Red Bank was one of the highlights of 2024. This delicious vegan creamery has incredibly rich and indulgent ice creams, and it left me wanting more. In 2025, I intend to find more places specializing in dairy-free treats, ranging from specialty vegan bakeries to traditional ice cream parlors that have added dairy-free options.
18. Stay at the Molly Pitcher
Sticking with Red Bank, one of my favorite small towns in New Jersey, I'm excited to finally get to stay at one of the state's most acclaimed independent hotels. The Molly Pitcher Inn is one of the best for hospitality and old-school charm. It also has an on-site restaurant that serves one of the state's most acclaimed brunches. I attended a concert in Holmdel in July, and made the perfect nearby place to spend the night. Of course, boutique hotels book quickly, so if you plan to stay here, the best time to book is now.
19. Kick off Fall With a Cider Donut Crawl
Between the cooler weather and the fresh produce, fall is my favorite season; the farm festivals offering freshly-made goodies are just the icing on the cake. I visit at least one farm each year, and I have my eye on Windy Brow Farms in Fredon Township this year. Their acclaimed apple cider donuts make a fantastic gift, and there's nothing more refreshing on a brisk fall day than a cup of hot cider. This is also a you-pick farm, so you can leave with a bag of apples fresh from the field. I can't wait to visit this farm in the fall in New Jersey.
20. Take a Trip to New Jersey's Most Remote Seafood Gem
I was shocked to discover one of New Jersey's best seafood restaurants is in Port Norris, especially because I've never heard of Port Norris. This tiny town on Jersey's southern shore in rural Cumberland County is home to The Red Eyed Crab, an old-school seafood house offering hefty portions of fish and crab in a nautical-themed environment. It's a throwback in the best way, and after hearing from the many enthusiastic fans of this restaurant, I'm determined to try it.
21. Conquer a Mountain
Okay, I'm not the mountain-climbing type. I prefer my hikes to be on relatively level ground and over in an hour or two. But there's something irreplaceable about the view you get from the mountaintop, and it's possible to get it at Windbeam Mountain on a two-mile moderate hike. The Windbeam Mountain Overlook Trail takes you to one of the mountain's best views, although it will involve a challenging 718-foot elevation gain to get there. This is a trail I'll be equipped with AllTrails+ for, but it's an adventure well worth taking.
22. Explore More Holiday Markets
Holiday markets are some of my favorite places to visit in the winter, thanks to just how many unique things to buy and eat there are. Last year, I got to visit the Asbury Park Bazaar, which was a charming market in the town's convention hall. This year, I'm excited to head to some of Jersey's better-hidden markets, like Sussex County's German Christmas Market, which is said to have some of the state's best gingerbread.
23. Find the Perfect Holiday Pastries - Straight From Europe
There are some great spots I've profiled on this site that I haven't visited personally, mainly due to distance. One of those is Holland American Bakery, the most authentic Dutch bakery in New Jersey. This old-school family-owned institution is known for its windmill outside and wide selection of traditional recipes. I hope to take a trip to Sussex this winter and come away with a bag of pastries, a loaf of traditional rye bread, and souvenirs. What better way to celebrate the holiday season in New Jersey?
24. Visit New Jersey's Very Own North Pole
Christmas-themed attractions in New Jersey are a mixed bag for an adult without kids. I'm not likely to book a seat on the Polar Express any time soon without feeling awkward. That doesn't look like the case for Historic Smithville's Christmas Village. Always one of the most beautiful spots in New Jersey, this historic shopping village completely transforms itself into a winter wonderland each December. The entire town is covered with lights, and the carousel has never looked so magical.
25. Have a Bucket List Experience in My Hometown
I'm a big fan of what my hometown of Woodbridge does for the holiday season, and the odds are I'll be having a good time downtown. That also seems like the perfect time to finally dine at Strickland's Steakhouse, the state's most acclaimed new chophouse. Housed in a historic bank and feeling every bit like a classic old-school restaurant, it's a splurge that feels like the perfect place to toast a year of travel and adventure.
What items have been on your New Jersey bucket list for 2025 that you haven't crossed off yet? If you see something on this list that inspires you, tell a friend about your plans and end 2025 on a good note without leaving the Garden State.