Dinosaur Trail in Allaire State Park, Wall (Monmouth County)

In Allaire State Park, visitors can find the work of Robin Ruggiero, a New Jersey-based artist who has been using these woods as both her canvas and medium since 2019. Ruggiero's work began with a series of huts and witchy symbols before expanding to include a colony of dinosaurs A tyrannosaurus rex first appeared, later joined by a triceratops, a pterodactyl feeing her offspring, and in October 2020, a stegosaurus. Each dinosaur is meticulously crafted within the park using pieces of downed trees, bones, branches, and leaves. With these pieces being made on location, the artist can often be found hard at work.

High Bridge (Hunterdon County)

High Bridge is named after the wooden railroad trestle. Railroad officials determined that the bridge should be replaced as a precaution against locomotive fires. Between 1859-1865, the bridge was buried with earthen fill and other debris. Two arching stone culverts were built at the base, one for the South Branch of the Raritan River to flow through and the other for vehicle travel along Arch Street

 

Emilio Carranza Memorial, Tabernacle (Burglington County)

Captain Emilio Carranza Rodriguez was a famous early 20th century aviator who became a sort of unofficial peace ambassador just before he died in a tragic plan accident. He flew what was, at the time, the third-longest non-stop flight ever, from San Diego to Mexico City. He was friends with American aviator Charles Lindbergh, which earned Carranza the nickname “Lindbergh of Mexico”. It was on a flight to visit Lindbergh, among others, that Carranza would meet his demise. Carranza flew from Mexico City to Washington D.C. Where he met with president Calvin Coolidge, and then flew to New York. As he was scheduled to leave New York, thunderstorms crowded the sky, and Lindbergh himself warned Carranza not to fly, but he did anyway. He did not make it far as his plane, The Mexico Excelsior, crashed in the Pine Barrens on July 12th, 1928. The site of his crash it today marked by a tall memorial plinth that was paid for by the “Pennies of Mexican Children.” Standing in the middle of a sandy clearing in the Wharton State Forest, the spire is decorated with Aztec-style designs of a falling eagle

 

Washington Valley Park, Bridgewater Township (Somerset County)

Washington Valley Park lies along the First Watchung Ridge in Bridgewater Township. This park consists of approximately 219 acres and is located between the first and second Watchung Mountains at the geographic center of Somerset County. This is Buttermilk Falls.

 

Wreck of the SS Atlantus, Cape May (Cape May County)

The SS Atlantus was a concrete ship launched in 1918. She was built for service between New York and the West Indies. The Atlantus was used to transport American troops back home from Europe and also to transport coal to New England. After 2 years of service, the ship was retired to a salvage yard Virginia in 1920. In 1926, Colonel Jesse Rosenfeld purchased the Atlantus for use in the creation of a ferry dock. On June 8, a storm hit and the ship broke free of her moorings and ran aground 150 feet off the coast of Sunset Beach in Cape May. Several attempts were made to free the ship, but none succeeded.

 

Ramapo Valley County Reservation, Mahwah (Bergen County)

Ramapo Valley County Reservation is Bergen County's largest park, over 4000 acres. It features many hiking trails, several ponds, and a waterfall. Beautiful in all 4 seasons, it's a must see in northern New Jersey.

 

Green Sergeant's Covered Bridge, Delaware (Hunterdon County)

Green Sergeant's Covered Bridge is a wooden covered bridge over the Wichecheoke Creek. It is the last historic covered bridge in the state of New Jersey.

 

Grounds for Sculptures, Hamilton (Mercer County)

Grounds For Sculpture is a 42-acre sculpture park and museum located in Hamilton, NJ, United States, on the former site of the Trenton Speedway. Founded in 1992 by John Seward Johnson II, the venue is dedicated to promoting an understanding of and appreciation for contemporary sculpture by organizing exhibitions, publishing catalogues, and offering a variety of educational programs and special community events.

 

Skylands Manor, Ringwood (Passaic County)

Skylands is a 1,119 acres estate property located in Ringwood State Park. The Skylands property consists of the historic Skylands Mansion, The Castle at Skylands Manor, and the New Jersey Botanical Garden. The Skylands property is within the Ramapo Mountains. The house and gardens were built in the 1920's by Clarence MacKenzie Lewis, a New York City stockbroker and civil engineer. Lewis hire architect John Russell Pope to design the 44-room Tudor revival manor house. The manor is a reproduction English mansion. 

 

Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold (Monmouth County)

Historic Walnford is a 36 acre Historic District that was once a mill village. It provides a glimpse into over 200 years of social, technological, and environmental history in Western Monmouth County. It includes a large home built for the Wain Family in 1774, a grist mill, corn crib and carriage house. Richard Wain was a prosperous Quaker merchant who, as a pacifist, refused to take sides in the Revolutionary War. He was arrested as a "Tory" but was later released and returned home. After the war, Richard was known for his efforts as an ardent abolitionist.

 

The Cooper Gristmill, Chester (Morris County)

The Cooper Gristmill was built in 1826 and is one of the remaining restored water-powered mills in New Jersey. It's located in Chester. The mill, with its water wheel, power shafts, gear and 2,00-pound millstone, is a living example of the state's economic transition from agriculture to industry.

 

The Paterson Falls, Paterson (Passaic County)

The Great Falls of Paterson rise 77 feet on the Passaic River. One of the United States' largest waterfalls, it played a significant role in the industrial development of New Jersey starting in the earliest days of the nation. It was formed at the end of the last ice age approximately 13,000 years ago when the river found a new route around the north end of the Watchung Mountains, carving spectacular falls through the underlying basalt. In 1778, Alexander Hamilton visited the falls and was impressed by its potential for industry; later as Secretary of Treasury, he selected the site as the nation's first planned industrial city. In 1792, Paterson was established centered around the Great Falls. From humble mills rose industries that changed the face of the United States.

 

Ocean City Fishing Pier, Ocean City (Cape May County)

The Ocean City Fishing Club opened its first pier and clubhouse in 1916. It is presently the only on-ocean fishing pier in the city and it is one of the most photographed sites in Ocean City. The pier extends 635 feet southeast from the boardwalk.