Given its long historical legacy in our country and its well-earned nickname as the Garden State, it’s no surprise New Jersey is chock-full of must-see landmarks. Parks, monuments, and historic buildings such as the Hermitage and Burlington County Prison are around every corner. The most famous New Jersey landmark is the Atlantic City Boardwalk, but there are several others that you should put on your must-see list.
Top Landmarks in New Jersey
New Jersey Landmarks
Atlantic City Boardwalk
Easily the most iconic of the New Jersey landmarks, the Atlantic City Boardwalk is the oldest boardwalk in the world. It plays host to a wide variety of shops, eateries, and amusements.
You will want to visit the historic Steel Pier to enjoy the Ferris wheel, carousel, and other rides and attractions. Lucky Snake Arcade and Sports Bar is another great place to visit, and Atlantic City Mini Golf offers lots of family fun. Of course, there are also plenty of casinos available for those who are visiting sans kids!
Attractions and Camping Nearby
There are lots of great things to see and do in Atlantic City beyond the boardwalk. We love the Absecon Lighthouse!
As far as overnight parking goes, you have several options. Our picks include:
High Point Monument
Nestled about as far northeast as you can get within New Jersey state borders (close to where it meets both Pennsylvania and New York), High Point Monument is located inside High Point State Park—which, yes, protects and exhibits the highest point in the state of New Jersey.
Standing 1,804 feet above sea level, this viewpoint offers a sweeping scene of the surrounding greenery and hillsides, and is marked by the monument itself, which is dedicated to New Jersey’s veterans. The obelisk tower can be entered and climbed; the 291 steps to the highest viewing platform give visitors an even better vantage and also an opportunity to pay their respects.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
While in the area, make sure you also check out Stokes State Forest and Kittatinny Valley State Park.
There is actually a campground in High Point State Park. The best way to take your RV to the monument? Book a campsite, of course!
Camping in the onsite state park campground is definitely the way to go when visiting this New Jersey landmark. That said, the sites do not include hookups and are pretty small. If this won’t accommodate your needs, consider one of the following campgrounds instead:
The Hermitage
This fourteen-room Gothic Revival-style house has a lot more to offer visitors than its stunning historic exterior and interior—though those are well worth the photo op alone. Located in the borough of Ho-Ho-Kus, this now-museum bears the distinction of being visited by none other than George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and Aaron Burr, who were invited to stop over during their travels by Theodosia Bartow Prevost.
Other famous historical visitors to this site include James Monroe, William Paterson, the Marquis de Lafayette, and Lord Stirling, and today when you visit The Hermitage museum, you’ll learn even more about this structure’s important place in American history.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
There aren’t a lot of attractions in Ho-Ho-Kus, but there is plenty of shopping and dining for those looking for something to do after exploring The Hermitage.
Camping can be found relatively close to The Hermitage at the following wonderful campgrounds:
Great Falls of the Passaic
Think of it as New Jersey’s Niagara Falls—and an important natural and historical landmark all at the same time. The Great Falls of the Passaic are a stunning sight to behold even without any context, standing 77 feet high and bearing the distinction of being one of the largest waterfalls in America.
But beyond that, these falls were also important to the early industrial development of the state, providing hydro power for one of the world’s first paper mills, as well as additional enterprises like Rogers Locomotive Works and Colt’s Manufacturing Company (yes, as in the revolver).
Today it’s protected by the National Park Service as part of the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park, and is also part of the Great Falls of Paterson–Garret Mountain National Natural Landmark.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Other things to see in Paterson include the Paterson Museum and Lambert Castle.
RV camping near this NPS site can be found in the following campgrounds:
The Holland Tunnel
An everyday marvel of engineering, the Holland Tunnel connects downtown Jersey City directly with New York’s Lower Manhattan—and given its original opening date back in November of 1927, it’ll soon celebrate its first centennial!
These four lanes of traffic tucked almost 100 feet below sea level see thousands of vehicles each and every day of the year, and the tunnel remains open even as the lanes are being worked on and improved.
Although its destination is an obvious benefit of visiting this iconic landmark, the drive itself is worth taking note of. We might not give it a second thought today, but the math and architecture that went into designing such a useful route are actually pretty incredible, especially before the days when we all had high-powered computers constantly at our fingertips!
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Obviously, there are tons of amazing things to do and see once you arrive in NYC. We recommend seeing a broadway show, exploring Times Square, and wandering the MoMA.
The RV parks listed above for those wishing to visit the Great Falls of the Passaic will also work well for those hoping to drive the Holland Tunnel. Another option is Skyline RV Camp, which doesn’t offer much in the way of amenities but does put you right in the middle of Brooklyn.
Thomas Edison National Historical Park
An amazing spot for history buffs and science nerds alike, the Thomas Edison National Historical Park plays host to the home and laboratories of Thomas Edison himself. Take a guided tour of the Glenmont and learn all about the Edison family, walk through the laboratories, and check out some of Thomas’ inventions. Explore garages with historic vehicles, the Edison family greenhouse, and more.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Hoping for more ways to fill time while visiting the area? Consider seeing the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo and Eagle Rock Reservation.
Unlike many NPS sites, Thomas Edison National Historical Park does not offer onsite camping. That said, there are some nearby options that we have actually mentioned already:
The Red Mill
Head west from the hustle and bustle of the big city and you’ll find yourself in New Jersey’s smaller, slower-paced towns. Among these is Clinton, which is home to what’s now known as the Red Mill Museum Village.
This historic four-story grist mill served this town’s growing population and aided its industry starting as long ago as the 1760s, and was purchased in 1960 by a group called Red Mill Five, led by a local artist named James Randall Marsh.
Adjoining properties were also purchased and donated that decade to the Clinton Historical Museum.
Today, the museum village offers visitors not only a look at the quaint, historic architecture of these structures, but also the ways of life they supported.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
Other things to do in this area include Hunterdon Art Museum and Spruce Run Recreation Area.
There is RV parking available very nearby. Consider making one of the following campgrounds your home away from home:
Burlington County Prison
Originally built back in 1810, the Burlington County Prison is today a museum that offers visitors a grim if insightful look into the history of incarceration in our country.
Before it was opened to the public, this edifice served as a prison continually all the way up until 1965, making it the oldest prison in the country at the time it ceased operations. That’s thanks in part to the structure’s smart design: Crafted of poured concrete, brick, and stone, it was essentially fireproof, and also offered progressive features like individual cells and good ventilation.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
In addition to the Burlington County Prison, the town of Mount Holly is also home to plenty of dining and shopping.
Of course, you’ll need a place to park the RV while you explore and a spot to sleep at night. These campgrounds should do nicely:
Sandy Hook Light
Nestled onto the well-known barrier spit that might be considered the north end of the Jersey Shore, the Sandy Hook Light is the oldest working lighthouse in the United States, originally built all the way back in 1764.
Today the lighthouse is protected and managed by the National Park Service as part of the Gateway National Recreation Area. Guided tours allow visitors to both learn more about the place and enjoy the sweeping view from the top.
Attractions and Camping Nearby
There are plenty of other things to do in the national recreation area, meaning you definitely won’t get bored during your visit. Make sure to visit all the historic structures and enjoy plenty of beach time!
Camping is available at Gateway National Recreation Area, but RVs are not allowed. Instead, consider one of the following campgrounds:
Cape May Historic District
At the extreme southern end of the state, Cape May awaits with its beautiful beachside offerings—and it takes a special city indeed to land onto the National Register of Historic Places as a whole district.
Along with its stunning shoreline, Cape May boasts one of the largest collections of 19th-century framed buildings in the country, as well as several historic estates, the Cape May Lighthouse, the Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area, wineries, and more. Trust us, it’s worth the drive!
Attractions and Camping Nearby
While in the area, we highly recommend a visit to the adorable (and totally free) Cape May Zoo.
There are tons of awesome campgrounds in and around Cape May. We love the following:
Planning an RV Trip to New Jersey
As you can see, there are plenty of amazing New Jersey landmarks! An RV trip is a great way to string them all together. Rent an RV today, book some of the top campsites in the state, pick a few landmarks from this list, add a few New Jersey bucket list destinations, and stop in at an amusement park, and get ready for the adventure of your dreams!
