By Michaela Wang ‘21, Feature Editor

What is New Jersey famous for, except being in close proximity to New York City? Other than a few trees, grass plains, and uneven roads thanks to State Highway Patrol, New Jersey seems to lack “wanderlust.” You must look beyond conventional picturesque destinations to discover the bountiful opportunities for exploration, relaxation, and retail-therapy that the Tri-State region can offer. Adventure is right at the tip of your pork roll hoagie — here are a few immersive activities for your planless summer.

The Jersey Shore generates a tropical ambiance, replacing the majestic ca-caws of parakeets for the “ois” of Jersey accents. Located right in the Atlantic coastal region, the shore provides ample possibilities for a refreshing getaway. The Jersey Shore houses numerous boardwalks, arcades, water parks, and amusement parks, boasting hundreds of rides and attractions. The renowned show Jersey Shore, which fostered the “Jersey accent” and the flashy culture that proudly epitomizes the area, is set in Seaside Heights. The region as a whole is infamous for its cuisine consisting of anything greasy lodged between two pieces of bread.

The Delaware Water Gap is an efficient way to trick your Instagram followers into thinking you’ve embarked on a rainforest expedition, when in reality you’ve walked three meters from the trail’s parking lot. Straddling a stretch of the Delaware River on the New Jersey and Pennsylvania border, the Delaware Water Gap encompasses forested mountains, beaches, and rivers that slice through the Kittatinny Ridge. Miles of trails include sections of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, a popular route for the experienced hiker. For the inexperienced, the half-boardwalk, half-pavement Dingman Creek Trail leads through a hemlock ravine towards barreling waterfalls. “Dad didn’t complain about his joint issues,” says Magnolia Wang ‘19, a recurring visitor at the Dingmans Creek Trail. An experienced hiker herself, Magnolia strives to find easier trails for her parents so that everyone can enjoy nature.

Liberty State Park provides a calming walking area and scenery. A grassy oasis in the middle of metropolitan northern New Jersey, Liberty State Park provides gorgeous views of the Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island. Moreover, the park’s rich history draws a large crowd. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the area was a major waterfront industrial area with a transportation network, the Central Railroad of New Jersey (CRRNJ) Terminal. The CRRNJ Terminal stands with the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, holding one of the nation’s most remarkable stories: the immigration of Northern, Southern, and Eastern Europeans into the United States. After being greeted by the Statue of Liberty and thoroughly processed at Ellis Island, these immigrants purchased tickets and boarded trains at the CRRNJ Terminal that took them to their new homes. It’s powerful to see the gateway that immigrants once entered to achieve hopes and dreams of a new life in America.

The value of a region should not be measured by its surface-level attractions. At times, one must go underground to the Sterling Hill Mining Museum, a former iron and zinc mine located in the historical town of Ogdensburg. While the museum shelves minerals and models of stalagmites, tours allow you to go inside the mine itself and see mining equipment, a drilling and blasting demonstration, and the world famous fluorescent “Rainbow Tunnel” that can challenge your scientific preconceptions.

Staycations aren’t meant for lying on the couch watching travel vlogs. Experience New Jersey’s priceless splendor, because you won’t be here forever.