| There are literally hundreds of reasons to go | | | | the best in classical music. Included is New |
| camping in New Jersey, but there is one | | | | Jersey's state theater, the Paper Mill |
| large, and I mean really large, reason: | | | | Playhouse. |
| | | | |
| Where else in the country can you drive less | | | | 6. Diversity characterizes the many playtime |
| then 3 hours and go from the mountains, to | | | | activities you'll find in the Gateway Region, |
| the shore, to the marshlands, to 3 different | | | | plus being just minutes away from New York |
| major metropolitan areas to several major | | | | City. It houses the Meadowland Complex with |
| lakes and everywhere in between? | | | | its colorful tapestry of sports and |
| | | | entertainment. Restaurants of all types for |
| Camping in New Jersey is literally the best | | | | all tastes, extensive shopping centers with |
| of all worlds. There is just about nothing | | | | the best of everything, and activities for |
| you cannot do while you camp in New Jersey. | | | | children of all ages round out a vivid, |
| You have your choice of over 120 campgrounds | | | | exciting region. This is truly a gateway to |
| and State Park facilities to choose from not | | | | many vacation alternatives. That's why when |
| to mention thousands of acres of public land | | | | people experience all the Gateway has to |
| to explore. | | | | offer they keep coming back again and again. |
| | | | |
| Just about every one of the privates | | | | 7. Mention the Shore Region, and certain |
| campgrounds in the state have craft | | | | images immediately pop into your head: over |
| activities, pools, fishing ponds, sports | | | | 60 miles of pristine beaches from Sandy Hook |
| activities and so many other amenities I | | | | to Holgate; surf fishing off Seaside Park; |
| can't even count. Most of them are clean, | | | | perhaps some bodysurfing off Bay Head; or |
| modern and well suited to just about any type | | | | maybe a moonlit walk in Surf City. |
| of camping. They are all within a decent | | | | |
| driving distance of dozens of cultural, | | | | 8. On the northern fringe of the Gateway |
| sports, historical, recreational and children | | | | National Recreation Area at Sandy Hook stands |
| related attractions. | | | | the nation's oldest operating beacon, the |
| | | | Sandy Hook Lighthouse. Several miles to the |
| Having said that let me give you the all time | | | | south are the Twin Lights of Navesink, the |
| Top 10 Reasons to camp in New Jersey: | | | | site of Marconi's first ship-to-shore |
| | | | broadcast. Further south is Barnegat Light; |
| 1. Atlantic City and its world-famous beach | | | | affectionately know locally as "Old Barney," |
| and boardwalk, luxurious casino, non-stop | | | | built by Civil War hero George Gordon Meade |
| gaming action, the hottest entertainers, the | | | | in 1857. And now the newly reconstructed |
| best in dining, and quality sporting events. | | | | Tuckers Island Lighthouse in the Tuckerton |
| | | | Seaport. |
| 2. Revel in bay heritage along a scenic | | | | |
| waterfront in Somers Point or visit the | | | | 9. Gentle mountains, Skiing, Rock climbing, |
| landmark mansion of original harbormaster | | | | and Horseback riding. Can you really do all |
| Richard Somers, the oldest home in all of | | | | this stuff in New Jersey? Yes you can - and |
| Atlantic County, it remains a museum today. | | | | more can be found less than an hour's drive |
| Marvel at the world's only 63-foot pachyderm | | | | from New York City. The opportunities of the |
| with a visit to Lucy the Margate Elephant. Or | | | | Skylands Region have always been one of New |
| have your children experience their favorite | | | | Jersey Camping's best-kept secrets. |
| nursery rhythm characters in life size at | | | | |
| Storybook Land. | | | | 10. If its amusement park that make you |
| | | | happy, check out Mountain Creek in Vernon. |
| 3. There's the 760,000-gallon open-ocean tank | | | | Somewhat more genteel diversions can be found |
| at the New Jersey Academy for Aquatic | | | | during the region's numerous winery festivals |
| Sciences At Adventure Aquarium in Camden, | | | | or at the Sussex Farm and Horse Show in |
| just one of the fascinating exhibits | | | | August. |
| depicting sea life from around the state. Or | | | | |
| Trenton, the nations second-largest state | | | | 11. Walk along 30 miles of wide sandy |
| capital in continuous use and the site of one | | | | beaches, experience the warmth of a Victorian |
| of George Washington's greatest Revolutionary | | | | inn, take a stroll through history and enjoy |
| victories. Today, you can visit the spot | | | | the fresh bounty of the sea at a gourmet |
| where he crossed the Delaware and tour the | | | | restaurant. |
| Old Barracks, used by soldiers in the French | | | | |
| and Indian War. Or, stroll through the New | | | | 12. All along the ocean, the beachfront towns |
| Jersey State Museum and its impressive art | | | | of the Southern Shore Region offer great |
| galleries. | | | | fishing, boating, beaches and whale-watching |
| | | | cruises, plus fine restaurants and |
| 4. The Delaware Region is home to most of New | | | | accommodations - not to mention the wonderful |
| Jersey's Pine Barrens, a million acres of | | | | campgrounds in the area, to pitch your tent |
| preserved forests and waterways. It is, in | | | | or set up your RV. Cape May County boasts |
| fact, the largest wilderness area east of the | | | | itself as one of the premium camping areas of |
| Mississippi. | | | | the country. It all adds up to marvelous fun. |
| | | | |
| 5. Visit Thomas A. Edison's home and | | | | Okay, so I lied. |
| laboratories, where you will see some of his | | | | |
| greatest inventions. Stop by a museum solely | | | | I couldn't stop at 10 things, I had to give |
| dedicated to the history of flight. Known as | | | | you 12! |
| one of the cultural capitals of the United | | | | |
| States, the Gateway Region is the home of | | | | In this article I just barely scratched the |
| people from all over the world, whose | | | | surface of what New Jersey has to offer and |
| cultures mingle to produce a rich fabric of | | | | it can all be done from the back of your RV |
| life. Here, you'll find theater, dance and | | | | or the middle of your tent! |