Barnegat Lighthouse State Park, Barnegat Light (Ocean County)

The Barnegat Lighthouse is located at the northern end of Long Beach Island. It was regarded as one of the most crucial “change of course” points for coastal vessels. Vessels bond to and from New York along the New Jersey coastline depended on Barnegat Lighthouse to avoid the shoals extending from the shoreline. The swift currents, shifting sandbars, and the offshore shoals challenged the skills of even the most experienced sailor. The park is 32 acres created in 1957 and you can climb to the light keepers catwalk

 

Monmouth Battlefield State Park, Manalapan (Monmouth County)

Monmouth Battlefield Sate Park is a 1,818-acre state park located on the border of Manalapan and Freehold Township. This park preserves the historical battlefield on which the American Revolution's Battle of Monmouth was waged in 1778. It was one of the largest battles of the Revolution; it took place in the fields and forests, though the battle soon ended in a standoff. The Battle of Monmouth is notable for creating the American legend of Molly Pitcher, a housewife who boldly took her husband's place at the cannon only moments after his death.

 

New Jersey Buddhist Vihara and Meditation Center, Princeton (Mercer County)

The New Jersey Buddhist Vihara & Meditation Center, established in 2003, is located on a serene 10-acre property, just 10 minutes from Princeton University and 45 minutes from New York City. A Samadhi (meditation posture) statue of Buddha was unveil on the property in September 2009. The Buddha statue is the largest of its kind in the Western hemisphere. Since it’s unveiling, the center has become a New Jersey landmark attracting a steady stream of visitors throughout the year.

 

New Jersey Botanical Gardens, Ringwood (Passaic County)

In 1966, the entire Skylands estate was bought by the State of New Jersey to form the State Botanical Garden whose settings include a Lilac Garden, Magnolia Walk, the Wind Flower Garden, the Crab Apple Vista, and allee of 166 trees extending almost a half-mile, and the Perennial Garden. The entire section now comprises slightly over 4,000 acres of parkland.

 

Walt Whitman's Tomb, Camden (Camden County)

Walt Whitman was an American poet that lived between 1819-1892. He was a part of the transition between transcendentalism and realism; he is one of the most influential poets in the American canon, often called the father of free verse. When he died, a public viewing of his body was held at his Camden home; over 1,000 people visited in 3 hours. His family's tomb is built into a hillside in Harleigh Cemetery in Camden.