Tag: Featured

Historical tales of the Jersey Shore

Posted on September 18, 2023 by John Saccenti - Community

From pirates to Pitney to shipwrecks to shoobies, the Jersey Shore has its fair share of stories brought to us by some early settlers. Here are a few of our favorites:

Beaches off the Jersey Coast are often the site of pieces of plates, glass and other treasures left behind from shipwrecks. Photo courtesy of Getty Images

The First Shoobies: Lenni Lenape Native Americans

Who knew New Jerseyans have been vacationing the same way for hundreds of years? Many decades before European settlers set foot on Jersey sand, Lenni Lenape Native Americans spent their summers by the sea just like us. They’d travel on ancient trails instead of in cars, live in wigwam shelters rather than houses and motels, and search for shells to create beads for belts, sashes and scarves. Towns like Manasquan, Absecon, Tuckahoe and Manahawkin are even named after the tribes.

Jersey Shore Shipwrecks Make the Record Books

Some experts say the number of shipwrecks off the Jersey coast is as low as 4,000 and may be as high as 7,000. Beaches off the Jersey Coast are often the site of pieces of plates, glass and other treasures left behind from these shipwrecks, causing beachcombers to add the Jersey Shore to their list of destinations.

Whaling on the Delaware Bay was big business in the 1600s. Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Whalers Get Rich in Town Bank

In the 1600s, many early settlers came to a small town named Town Bank outside of Cape May to make a living whaling on the Delaware Bay. Back then, a whaler would spot a whale from a watch tower, and crew members would man a rowboat to capture the animal, since its bones and oils were worth a fortune. Over the years, storms, erosion and tides washed Town Bank into the sea, and spotting a whale in the Delaware Bay is unfortunately rare these days.

It’s been reported that Wildwood got its name from the dense forests, but one must wonder if it might have also been named Wildwood because of the wild animals. Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Oh, Those ‘Wild’wood … Animals?

Before fishermen took up permanent residence on this famous 5-mile island, farmers would leave their animals to graze and roam the island forest throughout the summer, using the ocean and bay as natural barriers. When fishermen finally began to take up residence, they were greeted by some leftover “wild” animals in overgrown woods. It’s been reported that Wildwood got its name from the dense forests, but one must wonder if it might have also been named Wildwood because of the wild animals.

Dr. Jonathan Pitney’s house still exists today, and anyone can stay at the Atlantic City Bed & Breakfast. Photo courtesy of Jonathan Pitney House

Pitney Proves that the Sea is Healthy

Back in the day, Atlantic City was mostly farmland until Dr. Jonathan Pitney rode his horse miles from home and moved his medical practice to the island during the early 19th century. Pitney felt the climate, sea and salt air provided numerous therapeutic health benefits. So much so that the “Father of Atlantic City” helped build a railroad and a resort so people could enjoy the enormous health benefits of the sea. This began a tourism rush, allowing thousands to escape the city during summer. Pitney’s house still exists today, and anyone can stay at the Atlantic City Bed and Breakfast.

Capt. Kidd, the infamous pirate hunter turned pirate. It has long been a legend that Kidd buried treasure somewhere along the Jersey Shore. Photo courtesy of Jerseyshorepirates.com

Is Capt. Kidd’s Treasure Buried in Barnegat?

There are many rumors when it comes to buried treasure. But none are as notorious as the ones about Capt. Kidd, the infamous pirate hunter turned pirate. It has long been a legend that Kidd buried treasure that would be worth around $10 million today somewhere along the Jersey Shore. Some stories report that Kidd was in love with a Barnegat farm girl and buried his treasure near Oyster Neck. Another tale claimed he sailed up Barnegat Inlet and buried his treasure on an island near Toms River, nicknamed Money Island. And yet another story said that Kidd buried the treasure in the dunes near Barnegat Inlet alongside someone he murdered. In 2015, archeologists claimed that they found Capt. Kidd’s treasure off the coast of Madagascar. But, still, after all these stories and excursions, Kidd’s buried treasure remains a mystery.

The Haunted Mansion of Health

Built in 1822, the Mansion of Health Hotel in Surf City was popular with fishermen and hunters. But, in April of 1854, one of the worst storms to batter the coast sunk a ship close to shore with German immigrants on board. The entire crew and passengers perished in the shipwreck, and rumors circulated that the bodies of the deceased who washed ashore were robbed of their fortunes. Soon after the event, sobs were heard, and shadowy figures were seen walking across the Mansion of Health’s balcony. The Mansion of Health eventually burnt down and was rebuilt as the Surf City Hotel, which still stands today.

Early Settlers Saw Seaside’s Resort Potential

When Seaside was first settled in 1874, it was named Park City with the idea that the city would someday become a fun seaside park. However, it took until 1916 for the town to commit to building the boardwalk. Built in stages, the boardwalk was finally completed in 1921, and after numerous hurricanes, storms and fires, it’s still going strong.

Is Stevenson’s ‘Treasure Island’ Based on the Jersey Shore?

In 1883, Robert Louis Stevenson famously penned “Treasure Island,” written most likely about the West Indies. However, Stevenson visited and stayed in central New Jersey a few years later. He was so captivated by the Manasquan River and Osborne Island and felt it resembled the island in his famous novel that he named it Treasure Island. Some say he even wrote the name on a bulkhead. And not surprisingly, there’s also a rumor that Captain Kidd buried another treasure there.

Watch Out for Mooncussers

Land-based pirates and bandits named Mooncussers would roam the beaches of Cape May and the Delaware Bay, forming a line of horses along the coast. They’d hang lanterns from the saddles to decoy and trick ships into thinking they were another boat instead of bandits ready to pounce. Once the ship ran close to shore, the Mooncussers would raid these stranded vessels for treasure. In August 2020, a bar named Mooncussers was erected in Cape May to pay homage to these infamous pirates.

Mary Todd Lincoln loved the time she spent in Long Branch so much that she recommended it to her friend, Ulysses Grant’s wife. In total, seven U.S. presidents have visited Long Branch.

Long Branch Welcomes First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln

Feeling stressed, Mary Todd Lincoln needed to get away during the Civil War and stayed at the Mansion House Hotel, a four-story luxury hotel that could accommodate 600 guests. Lincoln loved her time in Long Branch so much that she recommended it to her friend, Ulysses Grant’s wife. In total, seven U.S. presidents have visited Long Branch.

Blackbeard Buries His Treasure at Higbee Beach

Is another treasure buried in New Jersey? If legends are true, the pirate Blackbeard buried treasure on the remote Higbee Beach. But don’t get your hopes up or shovels out yet. Since the shoreline has suffered tremendous erosion, Higbee is federally protected, and digging is prohibited.

Early Jersey Shore history, like pirates, still live on today, and there are plenty of ways to experience these stories and more. You can spend time with some pirates and even spot rare whales on the Starlight Fleet in Wildwood Crest. Or maybe you want to ghost hunt at the Surf City Hotel. Grab a shovel and dig for treasure, just not at Higbee Beach. Read “Treasure Island” and decide if it reminds you of the Jersey Shore, beachcomb one of the beautiful beaches, stroll the Seaside Boardwalk, grab a drink at Mooncussers or stay at Pitney’s House in Atlantic City.

Looking for more Jersey Shore adventures? Check out the Coastal Heritage Trail.

This article originally appeared in the Summer 2023 issue of Jersey’s Best. Subscribe here for in-depth access to everything that makes the Garden State great.

History, nature and recreation come together at D&R Canal State Park

Posted on September 14, 2023 by John Saccenti - Community

Delaware and Raritan State Park offers offers a glimpse into New Jersey’s history and opportunities for biking, hiking, fishing, boating and more.

Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park fising

The Millstone Aqueduct, in Plainsboro, connecting with Princeton, is a popular fishing spot. The area connects Carnegie Lake, the Millstone River and the canal. Photo by Vicki Chirco

Mules, hundreds of them, towed barges loaded with Pennsylvania coal down the Lehigh and Delaware Division canals to New Hope, Pa., then through to Lambertville and onto the Delaware & Raritan Canal, where they would head to Trenton.

Others came to the canal via Bristol, Pa., and Philadelphia, entering at Bordentown and heading to Trenton, New Brunswick and all points in between and beyond.

The trails were barren, standing in stark contrast to the forested routes now found along the 70-mile multiuse trail that makes up the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park.

The D&R Canal opened in 1834 and provided a transportation connection between Philadelphia and New York City via the outlet locks at Bordentown and New Brunswick. From the outlet at New Brunswick, goods were transported via the Raritan River into New York City. The entire journey could take about two days, but before that transportation choices were to travel by land, or by boat via the ocean around the southern tip of the state, which could take up to two weeks, said Vicki Chirco, D&R Canal State Park resource interpretive specialist.

The Kingston Canal House, then and now. Above ‘now photo’ by Vicki Chirco; below ‘then photo’ courtesy of the D&R Canal State Park Collection.

“The canal opened for navigation in 1834 — taking four years to construct, open and become navigable for boat traffic, but it was not officially completed until 1838,” Chirco said. “The first vessels were mule-drawn boats, which was the mainstay for a good portion of the canal’s working life. Mule-drawn boats on the canal were still being used up until World War I and perhaps lingering for some time beyond, but steam-powered vessels were also in use as early as the mid-1840s. One thing that made the canal unique was that it had open-swing bridges, so there were no height restrictions and masted vessels could use the corridor as well.”

The canal eventually fell into disuse and was turned over to the state of New Jersey in 1936. After decades serving as a water supply, the canal was eventually transitioned into a linear park that now runs from Frenchtown to the Bulls Island Recreation Area, through Lambertville, Washington Crossing State Park, Trenton, Princeton, Griggstown and ends in New Brunswick, with various stops in between. The park’s numerous access points make it an excellent and easy way to enjoy the outdoors.

Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park locks

The Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park’s numerous access points make it an excellent and easy way to enjoy the outdoors. Photo by Vicki Chirco

“The roads and pristine surface are really new to the park, and you have some beautiful pathways from Frenchtown to New Brunswick. It just keeps getting more and more popular, not just for local people, but it’s a great destination spot,” said Stephanie Fox, D&R Canal State Park resource interpretive specialist.

The well-kept tow path and nearby loop paths are dotted with cobblestone spillways, stone-arched culverts, historic locks and bridge tender houses and various historic points. But the park also provides ample opportunities for boating, fishing, biking, hiking and even cross-country skiing.

Chirco and Fox can’t say for sure how many visitors D&R Canal State Park gets, but they estimate that it’s the second most visited state park, right behind Liberty State Park.

An A-frame house in Griggstown circa 1910. Photo courtesy of the D&R Canal State Park Collection

“Our park is visited every single day, and it becomes such a place for solace for people who live near it and use it once or twice a day. They bring the dog, or their job is nearby, so we have the benefit of the local residents using it daily, then the additional people who come on weekends,” Fox said. “One of the things that makes the park interesting is that we have either private businesses or homeowners along every single square foot of park.”

Many of those businesses serve to enhance the park. Whether it’s a nearby restaurant, or the Griggstown Canoe and Kayak Rental, these businesses are part of what makes the D&R unique. One popular attraction is the Bulls Island Recreation Area. Formerly a campground, the 80-acre island is the perfect spot for a hike, some bird watching, or boating on the Delaware via the nearby boat launch. During the visit, take a stroll over the pedestrian bridge into Pennsylvania and grab a bite to eat.

“One of the new amenities at Bulls Island is a new inlet trail,” Fox said. “It’s in the area where the former campground was. People can access it and see the beginning of the canal where water is forced and fed from the Delaware.”

One portion of the D&R Canal State Park that might not get as much attention, but definitely deserves a visit, is the Abbot Marshlands. The 3,000-acre area isn’t connected directly to the trail, but access points can be found on Lamberton Road, on the scenic overlook on I-295, and in Bordentown near Lock No. 1 where the Crosswicks Creek and Delaware River meet. The area was an access point for individuals coming from Philadelphia to New Brunswick.

Like other areas of the park, the Abbot Marshlands has an ecology unique to its location. Visitors can see tidal creeks, ponds, beaver dams, lushy marsh and an oasis from the busy nearby cities and towns.

D&R Canal State Park North of Kingston, circa 1900. Photo courtesy of D&R Canal State Park Collection

“I like that section because the area is freshwater tidal, and depending on what time of day you go, you see a lot of different things,” Fox said.

While Fox may enjoy the marshlands, she and Chirco find choosing a favorite spot difficult.

Many visitors stop by the Rockingham State Historic Site near Kingston. It served as a final wartime headquarters for Gen. George Washington. This is where he wrote his Farewell Orders. The house contains period furnishing reproductions of military equipment and is easily accessible.

The Millstone Aqueduct, in Plainsboro, connecting with Princeton, is one of Chirco’s favorite spots. The area connects Carnegie Lake, the Millstone River and the canal. The place is easy to get to, just find parking off Mapleton Road.

“That’s what cool about our park: You can go to all the different areas and get a different feel. Princeton has a very different feel than Titusville or Bulls Island. People have their favorite parts for different reasons,” Chirco said.

For more information about the park, call 609-924-5705, visit nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/parks or email parks@dep.nj.gov. The park’s office is located at 145 Mapleton Road, Princeton. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The park’s hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

Click here for more hikes and trails that showcase New Jersey’s history and natural beauty.

This article originally appeared in the Summer 2023 issue of Jersey’s Best. Subscribe here for in-depth access to everything that makes the Garden State great.

Was ‘Jaws’ actually inspired by New Jersey shark attacks?

Posted on September 7, 2023 by Marc Kaliroff - Community

A rumor floating around New Jersey for years has claimed that the deadly 1916 Jersey Shore shark attacks served as the inspiration for Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster horror flick “Jaws.” But is there any truth behind this statement?

Jaws Matawan New Jersey 1916 shark attack man-eater mural

Man-Eater mural in Matawan. Photo by Marc Kaliroff

If you have visited Matawan, you probably have noticed the area’s abundance of “Jaws” art. If you are a resident of the small town that neighbors Raritan Bay, you no doubt have been told dozens of times how Matawan “served as the inspiration for the iconic film” and is home to “one of the Garden State’s deadliest shark attacks.”

At face value, it would seem like “Jaws” being inspired by Matawan’s 1916 shark attacks makes too much sense. From store signs to graffiti, the titular great white shark has been plastered all over the place by local fans. But those who look deeper into this fact will only discover that they are treading in shallow waters.

Despite what you may have heard, New Jersey has no connection to the creation of “Jaws.” The idea that the Jersey Shore’s most notorious shark attack inspired the story of cinema’s most famous marine threat has no basis — in fact, there have only been direct sources that dispute the rumor since it first made waves.

Before it became a film, “Jaws” was a novel written by New Jersey resident, storyteller and ocean activist Peter Benchley. Benchley conjured up “Jaws” in his small Pennington office and later helped write the screenplay for the movie once producers at Universal Pictures reeled in the rights to adapt his best-selling book.

The making of Jaws Peter Benchley author Steven Spielberg

The making of ‘Jaws,’ Peter Benchley cameo courtesy of PeterBenchley.com

In the novel and film, there are several references to the Garden State as the story’s fictional location, Amity Island, is located on the coast of New York. Of the two, only the film namedrops the 1916 Matawan shark attacks.

As far as New Jersey connections to “Jaws” goes, the story of the state and the shark intertwining ends there. According to Benchley’s book “Shark Trouble,” published in 2002, his idea for “Jaws” came from two things: sharks and shark attacks in Massachusetts and New York.

Benchley may have been a resident of Princeton, but the writer spent a lot of his early life traveling to the aforementioned states. He was inspired to write “Jaws” because of shark stories he heard from lifeguards while vacationing in Nantucket. Meanwhile, at home, while commuting to work, Benchley kept newspaper clippings about New York shark sightings and captures in his wallet.

So where did the whole Jaws and New Jersey misconception come from?

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The idea spawned from an honest mistake made by a New York Times reporter who accidentally helped spread the rumor.

On Sept. 5, 2001, The New York Times published an article regarding shark attack scares where a group of scientists incorrectly told a reporter that Jaws was inspired by the 1916 Jersey Shore shark attacks. Three days later in the “Corrections” column, The New York Times noted under the New Jersey section that Benchley had informed the publication that this was simply not true and the 1916 Jersey Shore shark attacks had no connection whatsoever to “Jaws.”

Naturally, because of newspaper circulation and the placement of the “Corrections” column in The New York Times, it’s not surprising that this false fact would pick up traction before it could be corrected by the larger public’s eye.

So next time you hear someone say “Jaws” was inspired by New Jersey shark attacks, be sure to correct them and say that the beloved flick only helped inspire locals to make some fearsome art based on their hometown’s history.

Rutgers Gardens: A green gem that offers botanical treasures

Posted on August 22, 2023 by John Saccenti - Community

Rutgers Gardens in North Brunswick New Jersey offers beautiful scenery, Cook’s Market and opportunities to hike, stroll or just relax among nature.

Rest a bit in the Edwin J. and Ida M. Otken Memorial garden, with its oversized green Adirondack chairs. Photos by John Saccenti

It’s a hot, sunny Friday afternoon, and Cook’s Market at Rutgers Gardens in North Brunswick had already been open for a few hours. But the steady stream of visitors looking for something to bring home for dinner that night or for something special to make during the weekend (or maybe even for lunch that day) continued.

Vendors offering everything from mushrooms to soups and pickles, seafood, homemade food, soaps, honey and local fruits and vegetables lined the tables while music wafted through the air. By the end of the day, anywhere between 400 and 600 people would end up stopping by, according to Rutgers Gardens Director Lauren Errickson.

The market, which is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays from mid-May through December, has about 20 regular vendors and is a popular stop for nearby residents and professionals, and Rutgers staff and students. It’s also part of a much larger green spot known as Rutgers Gardens.

Helyar Woods is the perfect place for a short hike.

Located on Ryders Lane, the initial parcel of property that is now Rutgers Gardens was acquired by Rutgers University in 1916. What once measured at a little over 35 acres now is a 180-acre botanic garden that includes close to 20 gardens and natural areas that reflect a variety of ecosystems including designed gardens, farms, plant collections, natural habitats and, of course, Cook’s Market.

“It was purchased by the university for the sum of $1, from Jacob and Cecilia Lipman, who purchased the farmland with the intention of essentially gifting it to the university,” Errickson said. “So, it was initially acquired with the idea that it would be used for vegetable and fruit research.”

Towering trees greet visitors to Helyar Woods.

Growing With the Times

At its very beginning, Rutgers Gardens helped research a common disease that was affecting peach trees. Researchers studied which varieties were resistant to the disease, so that they could be made available. Over time, the gardens evolved in parallel to the changes that were happening throughout the state, with researchers keeping an eye on what strains and varieties of plants would be resistant to drought, disease, and heat, or thrive best in the local ecosystem.

“What was a very rural agrarian state in the early 1900s started to suburbanize,” Errickson said. “And so, with the addition of more houses and more developments came the need for more landscapes and landscape plants, so that was part of the drive, to become more horticultural and to focus on ornamental plants.”

And over the years, Rutgers Gardens’ staff, students and volunteers have cultivated gardens and research plots where ornamental shrubs now grow, irises bloom, and bamboo towers above sunflowers and water gardens. Today, the area is a horticultural gem that offers a break from the nearby hustle and bustle of New Brunswick, Route 1 and the New Jersey Turnpike, turning what could be just another bleak stretch of highway into an oasis that attracts tens of thousands of visitors a year, Errickson said.

Visitors can see pollinators in action during their visit to Rutgers Gardens.

The gardens are tended to by a staff of four full-time employees, seasonal help and student interns. For many interns, work at the gardens matches with their field of study. But that is not a requirement, and Errickson said students from many backgrounds have contributed to the gardens’ success.

What to See

Visitors can visit the rain garden, which demonstrates how and what type of plants combat erosion and remove pollutants from the water. They can see how native species of plants act as pollinators by watching insects in action, or they can visit the majestic bamboo grove, originally planted in the 1950s as a windscreen for honeybee colonies. If they feel like it, they can rest a bit in the Edwin J. and Ida M. Otken Memorial Garden, but they might have to be tall, as its oversized green Adirondack chairs tower over shrubs perennials and ornamental grasses.

Humans aren’t the only creatures that love visiting Rutgers Gardens.

“The various garden areas are designed in part due to the location and their ecological niche, or the microclimate of their sites,” Errickson said. “So, the rain garden, for example, which is designed for water loving plants, is in a natural depression of the landscape, so it’s in a lower area. That’s going to make sense for the plants’ long-term survivability. They should need less maintenance, and less input from us if they are in an area where they want to thrive, ecologically speaking. It’s also ideal for demonstration purposes, showing what a homeowner with a similar landscape feature could install.”

Over the years, caretakers have designed the gardens so they connect in a way that makes sense for visitors — so they flow through the entirety of the space. There are some stone and grass pathways, and steps from one section to another. And around all of that are more plants.

Bamboo towers over visitors.

“While we do have set designated garden areas, many named in honor or memory of someone or for what they are … there’s also a lot of in-between spaces, so while we could draw a box around all of these individual gardens, the reality is they blend from one to another, so there is a lot of spaces above and beyond the official named garden areas that make up the entire space. Sort of a ‘whole is greater than the sum of the parts,’ situation.”

Out For A Stroll

While visiting Cook’s Market or strolling around and enjoying the day are perfect ways to visit the gardens, for those who want to wander a little more there is Helyar Woods. Named for Frank G. Helyar, an advocate for woodlands and hiking, the nearly 60-acre area includes trails that brings hikers along an old quarry near Westons Mill Pond, around the grounds and to spots offering views of several springs, towering pines and some peace and serenity.

“It has a few really scenic outcroppings and a series of trails that go through some interesting habitat. There’s a wetland habitat and upland forested habitat,” Errickson said. “So, for anyone interested in forest ecology and different tree species and evidence of different wildlife, there’s really a lot to see in this area.”

This historic log cabin is available to rent for almost any type of event.

For those who may have fallen in love with the gardens (and especially for those who may have fallen in love with someone while in the gardens) weddings and other special occasions can be held on site. A historic log cabin is available to rent as a venue, but the area also is a wonderful open air venue for weddings, retirement parties, graduations and more.

“I like to think of (Rutgers Gardens) as telling a story,” Errickson said. “There is the story of the place itself and how the gardens here have evolved, how the relationship of the university and the community has evolved in context of this space, and I think it also tells the story of horticulture in New Jersey.”

Cook’s Market at Rutgers Gardens is located on Ryders Lane in North Brunswick. The GPS location for the Gardens is 130 Log Cabin Road, New Brunswick, N.J. 08901, accessed via the Ryders Lane entrance.

For more information on volunteer opportunities, upcoming events and more, visit https://rutgersgardens.rutgers.edu.

After a stop at Rutgers Gardens, be sure to visit these other beautiful New Jersey gardens.

Raise a Glass: ‘Slow drinks’ enter the fast lane

Posted on August 15, 2023 by John Saccenti - Community

The Farm and Fisherman Tavern uses everything New Jersey has to offer for unique drinks using locally sourced ingredients (read on for a great cocktail recipe!)

Danny Childs emphasizes taking foraged and farmed botanical ingredients from the region and using traditional methods of making wines, beers, ciders, spirits, meads, sodas, shrubs, syrups and tinctures. Photos courtesy of Danny Childs

The Slow Food Movement was started in Italy in the late 1980s as a cultural antidote to the rise of fast food, but also to highlight and celebrate local and traditional growing and making. When Danny Childs created the name Slow Drinks for his media presence, it was not prompted by brashness but by the passionate application of many of the tenets of the food movement toward creating delicious things to drink.

Childs emphasizes taking foraged and farmed botanical ingredients from the region and using traditional methods of making wines, beers, ciders, spirits, meads, sodas, shrubs, syrups and tinctures. He also emphasizes seasonal craft-level production based on what nature provides. “I want to run out of ingredients and use up whatever the land provided me in any given season.”

One only needs to visit The Farm and Fisherman Tavern in Cherry Hill to get a better understanding of the cornucopia of what New Jersey provides Childs in this regard, packing an already well-chosen drinks menu with his creations and flourishes. He holds the title of bar manager there, but his business card may as well say “Grand Wizard.”

Pine cones and other herbs flavor this smoked Amaro.

With about half the ingredients farmed and the other half foraged, his concoctions can show up prismatically in the likes of celery soda, beet and rye kvass, blueberry vermouth, spruce beer, and black walnut liqueur. But it’s the sampler of four housemade amari that may be the best expressions of the segue of the seasons since Vivaldi. While Vivaldi composed with musical notes, Childs composes with ingredients and flavors.

As Childs puts it, the restaurant gave him the platform to display a passion that started with an interest in high school and then WWOOFing on farms in South America with his now wife Katie after they met at the University of Delaware, where he studied anthropology and ethnobotany. (WWOOFing is working volunteer gigs on farms through the Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms global organization.) It was in trying his hand at making ginger beer that launched him on this slow drinks journey.

A Pine Barrens Negroni.

The concepts and the influences though are not recent — both sides of his family made things like dandelion wine and root beer. Often though, with beverage trends, what is old is new again. Childs himself did not know of the family traditions until he started his own brewing.

Since before his nine years at the Farm and Fisherman, Childs has been endlessly searching and sourcing for ingredients and researching and experimenting with recipes and complementary combinations. He also has been collecting sources of information and inspiration from people like Nate Kleinman of the Experimental Farm Network in Philadelphia, and also collecting farm partner suppliers like Rose Robson of Robson’s Farm in Wrightstown, who provides Childs with pawpaws when his own backyard trees did not yield enough of them.

His greatest influences and partners are his wife Katie and his two young sons. “I love sharing the growing experience with the boys, having them get their hands dirty.” It may seem as if Childs is fulfilling a mission one drink at a time, but Katie, who has been side by side with Childs since the beginning, also has a significant role in a new project that is likely to spread the good works of Slow Drinks more widely.

Pawpaws are sought after for their delicious, sweet taste.

She has taken truly spectacular photos for his social media and now they will be featured in Childs’ “Slow Drinks,” his first cocktail book, scheduled for release in September. The book follows Childs’ seasonal approach and will be an excellent outline and inspiration for anyone, from home cooks to industry pros, interested in botanics-based drink making.

While many Americans are paying closer attention to the quality and sourcing of what they eat, there is still a greater divide with the attention given to what they drink. Childs is out to change that, as well as remind people that we are the Garden State. “The more people find out, the more they get interested. I also have an opportunity to flip misconceptions with this book. Jersey gets a bad rap but there is a bounty of riches growing here.”

Cheers to that!

With about half the ingredients farmed and the other half foraged, Danny Childs’s concoctions can show up prismatically in the likes of celery soda, beet and rye kvass, blueberry vermouth, spruce beer, and black walnut liqueur.

Drink Spotlight: Violet Beauregard

You can go to The Farm and The Fisherman in Cherry Hill and try one of Danny Childs’ “slow drinks” but if you fancy yourself a fine amateur mixologist and can’t wait for the book release in September, Childs has provided us with this recipe.

Violet Beauregard in his words is a “really simple but delicious” sour recipe, made with late spring/early summer snow peas. One need not be nearly as ambitious as the Roald Dahl character for which the drink is named to whip this up at home. If you can’t find the purple variety, don’t worry; your friends will still be green with envy after one sip even if you substitute the more traditional snow peas in the syrup recipe.

A Violet Beauregard.

(Makes one cocktail)

2 oz. London dry gin

1.25 oz. purple snow pea syrup (Childs recommends the Beauregard snow pea from Row 7 seeds, though any other green or purple snow pea works as well)

.75 oz. lime juice

Add all ingredients to an ice-filled cocktail shaker and vigorously shake for 10 seconds. Strain over a large cube and garnish with a purple snow pea.

Purple Snow Pea Syrup

(Makes approximately two cups purple snow pea syrup)

1 cup purple snow peas with stems removed

1.5 cups simple syrup

Add all ingredients to a blender and blend on high. Strain out solids and store in an airtight container. Will keep for two weeks in the refrigerator.

This article originally appeared in the Summer 2023 issue of Jersey’s Best. Subscribe here for in-depth access to everything that makes the Garden State great.

Atlantic City’s Showboat permanently trades casino crowd for kids

Posted on August 1, 2023 by John Saccenti - Family

With the July 7 opening of its Island Water Park, Showboat Atlantic City has clinched its new status as a family hotel and resort. The largest beachfront waterpark in the world, according to claims, features 11 water slides; a winding, Lazy River; a FlowRider surf simulator; and concessions from cheesesteaks to ice cream. During our visit, mermaid greeters propped up on the grotto greeted guests and posed for photos before taking a dip in the Lazy River.

As guests arrive at Island Waterpark, they are greeted by ‘mermaids’ relaxing on the nearby grotto. Photos courtesy of Brittany Chrusciel

The $100 million investment in the year-round, indoor Island Waterpark has officially killed any remaining plans to reintroduce gambling to the Showboat. Originally opened in 1987, the Showboat began the city’s first sportsbook in 1993 and operated its casino for 27 years until the property’s closure in 2014. When it reopened in 2016 under developer Bart Blatstein, it did so as a non-gaming hotel.

Island Waterpark features 11 water slides; a winding, Lazy River; a FlowRider surf simulator; and concessions from cheesesteaks to ice cream.

The historic, high-end Claridge Hotel reopened without its casino in 2014, but few other properties have followed suit. There are nine hotel-casinos remaining throughout Atlantic City, and while the boardwalk offers amusements for kids, most properties with a casino are decidedly adult getaways.

In 2018, Blatstein did apply for a casino license and was approved in 2019 to do so in a new building between the Showboat and Ocean Casino Resort. But by the end of 2020, plans shifted back to the proposed waterpark, which was approved for financial assistance by the New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority.

The following year, in May 2021, Showboat introduced the Lucky Snake Arcade and Sports Bar, which now takes up most of the former casino floor. Adding to Showboat’s superlatives, Lucky Snake is New Jersey’s largest arcade, with dizzying, jingling rows of video games, claw machines, bowling and more. There is even an adjacent pinball gallery for old-school gamers.

Lucky Snake is New Jersey’s largest arcade, with dizzying, jingling rows of video games, claw machines, bowling and more. There is even an adjacent pinball gallery for old-school gamers.

A serious, neon-drenched go-kart track called the Raceway at Lucky Snake is front and center as soon as you walk into the hotel’s lobby. It announces, with the sound of small engines rather than slot machines, that this is a place for all-ages entertainment. (Just keep in mind the 4-foot, 8-inch height requirement to race.)

And family fun is promised, rain or shine, with both Showboat’s indoor waterpark and arcade. But this is Atlantic City after all, and anyone who thought that trading casino dollars for splashing tweens and gaming teens would be bad business, take a look at the numbers.

There is no shortage of snacks and food available at Island Waterpark at Showboat.

For a family of four, general admission for Island Waterpark begins at $89 per person. With a current buy-three-get-one-free promotion, that’s $267 (don’t forget to bring your own towels but leave food and drinks at home). Four sodas and two pizzas are $76; toss in two ice creams for the kids and round it up to $100.

Tip: Families can save $20 each by entering the waterpark from 5 to 9 p.m. Kids age 3 and younger are free.

Try body surfing, boogie boarding or even traditional surfing at Island Waterpark.

A forthcoming zip line and zero-gravity coaster are $20 per person, each. FlowRider lessons are a splurge at $100 per person. Access to the 21-plus Paradise Adult Island and Bliss Pool is $30 per person. A cabana for the family (semi-private cushioned seating area with a server to fetch your food and drinks — not included) is $499.

By night, the kiddos will want to check out the arcade. There are a variety of combo passes, but games are individually priced and paid for using a refillable game card (games range from $1 to $10). One, 10-lap race on the Raceway is $24.99. Don’t forget about opportunities to mini-golf or mini-bowl.

For more information, visit www.showboathotelac.com.

— Brittany Chrusciel

Travel in Oppenheimer’s footsteps with Historical Society of Princeton walking tours

Posted on July 27, 2023 by Marc Kaliroff - Community

To celebrate the release of Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer,” the Historical Society of Princeton has added a new walking tour to its event schedule inspired by the film’s title character and late Princeton resident J. Robert Oppenheimer.

Universal Pictures Oppenheimer Princeton scene Christopher Nolan Cillian Murphy Albert Einstein

A scene from ‘Oppenheimer.’ Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures

The Oppenheimer Walking Tour led by Steve Yacik, regular guide for Historical Society of Princeton’s tours, will take visitors across the grounds that the famous theoretical physicist and credited father of the atomic bomb once roamed.

The walking tour will start at the Princeton Garden Theater and include several stops, such as The Frist Campus Center and the exterior of Alexander Hall. Yacik will tell tour groups many stories about Oppenheimer and his family that were not featured in the film, including some that describe Oppenheimer’s time as director of the Institute for Advanced Study and his final years spent in Princeton leading up to his death in 1967.

Along the tour, visitors also will have the opportunity to take photos at two of the three locations used as sets in the film. These set locations are both located on Princeton University’s campus as the tour will not extend to the Institute for Advanced Study due to distance.

: University Chapel at Princeton University. Photo courtesy of Historical Society of Princeton/Encircle Photos

: East Pyne at Princeton University. Photo courtesy of Historical Society of Princeton

August tours have sold out. However, more dates are being added in the coming weeks.

Back in April of 2022, “Oppenheimer” filming rattled Princeton as students and locals crowded Princeton University and the Institute for Advanced Study’s campuses when footage of director Christopher Nolan and famous movie stars Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr. quickly spread across social media. The University Chapel and East Pyne at Princeton University and Fuld Hall at the Institute for Advanced Study were used as sets for the film. The aforementioned locations can all be seen in the final theatrical release.

Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” is a biographical film that explores J. Robert Oppenheimer (played by Cillian Murphy) at the most important moment of his career. Depicted in the film and based on reality, Oppenheimer and the staff of both Princeton University and the Institute for Advanced Study played a major role in advancing the Manhattan Project, a secret research and development team created by the United States government during World War II to develop the most powerful weapon in history before the Nazis could. “Oppenheimer” explores the creation and aftermath of the first nuclear bomb’s invention.

Oppenheimer Walking Tour price tickets are $15 and can be purchased online at the Historical Society of Princeton’s website when they are added to the tour schedule. For those interested in seeing the movie “Oppenheimer” prior to the tour, visitors can see the film at the Princeton Gardens Theater — fun fact, this is the same longstanding Princeton theater where J. Robert Oppenheimer saw several of his favorite movies with his spouse Katherine.

N.J. park provides look at where Thomas Edison’s famous inventions came to life

Posted on July 15, 2023 by Ana Gonzalez - Just In Jersey

The Glenmont Estate is a 26-room, Queen Anne Victorian mansion that Edison and his second wife, Mina, called home. Photos courtesy of Thomas Edison National Historical Park

There may not be a more fitting place in America to feel a sense of discovery than in West Orange, N.J.

Sure, you can dangle along the treetops at Turtle Back Zoo, see some fairy houses at South Mountain Reservation or even catch a glimpse of the New York City skyline at Eagle Rock Reservation, but none of this compares to one unassuming collection of brick buildings sitting quietly at 211 Main St.

You may not sense it simply walking by, but a peek inside each of these structures gets you one step closer to wonders that forever changed the world. Whether it be the chemistry lab, where disk-shaped records and the nickel-iron alkaline battery came to be, or the music room, where phonographic tests laid the foundation for sound recording and talking movies, this National Historical Park is one big window into the life — and legacy — of a “wizard”-like inventor by the name of Thomas Edison.

From left to right: Madeleine, Mina, Theodore, Charles and Thomas Edison at the Glenmont Estate in 1907.

Preserving The Full Picture

“We are the laboratory of Thomas Alva Edison, but we’re also his home and his estate, Glenmont, which is really cool because you get to see both sides of the story,” said Karen Sloat-Olsen, chief of interpretation and education at Thomas Edison National Historical Park. “What you’re looking at is, for the most part, what Edison, his family and his company had or used. In total, we have more than 300,000 objects and more than 5 million documents related to Edison, the second-largest collection in the entire National Park Service (NPS).”

A perk of this extensive collection is piles upon piles of photographs, which the NPS has used to visitors’ advantage. What you see on a self-guided journey today is the byproduct of a careful reconstruction of Edison’s operation as it was in the 1910s and 1920s, when up to 10,000 workers toiled away to create those revolutionary inventions. The ever-expanding reconstruction comes from a continuous analysis of the photo archives, according to Sloat-Olsen.

Of course, among the displays are iconic collections synonymous with Edison — incandescent light bulbs, phonographs and motion picture cameras — but it’s the magnitude of the operation that really catches people by surprise.

“During Thanksgiving weekend last year I met a visitor who said, ‘You know, I had no idea. This is huge! I have to come back when I can wrap my head around all the different things that I’ve seen,’ ’’ Sloat-Olsen said. “That seems to be a typical reaction.”

Take the library, for starters. As you stand in the middle of the massive, wood-paneled building, you can look up to admire three levels with 10,000 volumes containing works used for Edison’s personal and professional endeavors. You’ll see his desk alongside numerous awards and gifts, like an Orpheus statue paying tribute to the disk record, as well as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ first honorary membership, which was awarded to Edison in 1929 and signed by Charlie Chaplin.

The music room is where Edison tested how to record music. Cylinder and disc record players are on display so you can hear how music sounded and played back then.

Then, there’s the storage area on the second floor. The basement-like space is a treasure trove of curiosities Sloat-Olsen described as “kind of like being in grandma’s house,” from a footstool made out of horn, to part of a Henderson motorcycle, to a loaf of bread. The NPS is still trying to piece together why Edison had some of these items, but it gets even more intriguing: There’s also a talking doll dubbed the ‘little monster,’ so named for the creepy voice that emanated from its Victorian-era shell. Visitors can scan a QR code on their phones to hear what this little monster sounded like.

And to think the tour has only just begun.

Edison’s Glenmont Estate: The Inside Story

While the laboratory complex showcases the breadth and depth of Edison’s inventive work, the nearby Glenmont Estate — about a mile down the road — offers a look at the leisurely side of his life. He bought the 26-room, Queen Anne Victorian mansion fully furnished in 1886 for $125,000 as a wedding gift to his second wife, Mina.

thomas edison new jersey west orange sloat-olsen

Thomas Edison National Historical Park ignites a love for learning in both kids and adults.

Mina took charge of the home and treated it like a business, managing the staff and the surrounding grounds daily. Meanwhile, for Edison, Glenmont was where he rubbed elbows with the who’s who of his generation: Woodrow Wilson and Herbert Hoover (before they became presidents), Helen Keller, Henry Ford, the list goes on. A tour of the home sheds light on its illustrious history by giving a glimpse into places such as the “thought room,” where Edison would often ditch dinner guests and start developing new ideas for inventions. Mina attended these dinners and frequently saved the day, and Sloat-Olsen explained that research studies continue to uncover just how integral her role was in the Glenmont Estate operation.

“We don’t know as much as we thought about Mina. Many people are starting to realize the strong role that Mina plays not only in supporting her husband but the business as well,” Sloat-Olsen explained.

An outdoor tour currently in development, titled “Mina’s Place of Business,” will give visitors an in-depth look at her life in and out of the home. A launch date is still up in the air, but visitors can roam the grounds any time of year to see remnants of her handiwork. From global tree and shrub species to the greenhouse, which contains some of the descendants of the original plants dating back Edison’s time, there’s plenty to appreciate. (Plus, you can pay your respects to both Edison and Mina, who are buried next to the Japanese-inspired garden.)

The chemistry lab is where disk-shaped records and the nickel-iron alkaline battery came to fruition.

In addition, the NPS has loads of programming at both the estate and lab complex to enjoy. Kids Days, various talks and demonstrations, and Edison Day, which is held in conjunction with the West Orange Street Fair the first Saturday in June, are all on the calendar every year. The live phonograph recording is a fan favorite during Edison Day, Sloat-Olsen said.

As for tours, the inside of the lab and estate are now open for the 2023 season. The payment process is cashless, and the cost is $15 for visitors ages 16 and older. (Those ages 15 and younger are free.) Hours of operation vary by season, and you can check out nps.gov/edis/index.htm for more information on visitation. Keep in mind the interior of the buildings close every year from January to early March. While lab tours are self-guided, Glenmont tours are always led by NPS staff.

When you step inside this hub for global ingenuity, don’t forget you can only find it … Just in Jersey.

This article originally appeared in the Spring 2023 issue of Jersey’s Best. Subscribe here for in-depth access to everything that makes the Garden State great.

Let’s go glamping

Posted on June 20, 2023 by Ana Gonzalez - Family

The appeal of the great outdoors is, well, great — especially in the Garden State. From sandy shores to blooming fields and pine forests, we have our pick of natural wonders to take part in, though for many, taking part in pitching a tent or squatting in the woods is a strong deterrent from spending the night there.

Luckily for the effort-adverse among us, campsites have evolved, like humans, to feature ready-made shelters with a few luxuries from home, such as AC and Wi-Fi. (Is it really a vacation if you can’t scroll TikTok before bed?) Some even have indoor plumbing!

If you’re considering a camping trip this year, why not make it a little easier on yourself? These campsites, gathered from four corners of New Jersey, will convert you into a glamper.

Sun Outdoors is an all-ages and pet-friendly resort offering families a unique chance to camp in style at the Jersey Shore. Photo courtesy of Sun Outdoors

Sun Outdoors, Cape May , 491 U.S.-9, Cape May, N.J. 08204

Formerly Holly Shores, this all-ages and pet-friendly resort offers families a unique chance to camp in style at the Jersey Shore, just 4 miles from the beaches of Cape May and The Wildwoods. The yurts are carpeted with rugs and include a full-size bed and seating area that can sleep up to four — plus your pup — from $190 per night. All units have air-conditioning as well as heat, but guests must bring their own bed and bath linens. Resort amenities include a heated swimming pool, hot tubs, a playground and a camp store offering made-to-order smoothies and milkshakes. Set across 38 acres of woodlands, guests can enjoy themed events and activities to bond at the campground as well as the convenience of free Wi-Fi. The Sun Outdoors season runs from mid-April through the end of October.

The yurts at Camp Griffin are carpeted with rugs and include a full-size bed and seating area that can sleep up to four — plus your pup. Photo courtesy of Hipcamp

Camp Griffin, Pittstown, Near the intersection of Croton and Oak Grove roads (host provides exact location upon booking for privacy purposes)

Keeping it elevated — literally and figuratively — the platformed yurts (circular tents) at Camp Griffin in Hunterdon County are an ideal way to glamp year-round and are perfect for a couple’s retreat. The yurts are carpeted with rugs and include a full-size bed and seating area that can sleep up to four — plus your pup — from $190 per night. Bathrooms are located nearby, and heaters are available, if needed. A fire pit is on the grounds for nights around the campfire while, in the spring, wildflowers bloom in the adjacent fields. Pittstown is an unincorporated community at the intersection of Union, Franklin and Alexandria townships. Beneduce Vineyard is located in town; the charming shopping streets of Frenchtown are just a few miles away; as are the parks peppered along the Delaware River. The yurt campsites are set on land that has been family owned for 50 years; they’re available to reserve on Hipcamp.

Tents at Heaven’s Landing have an elevated wooden platform and full beds with a memory foam mattress and extra blankets. Photo courtesy of Tentrr

Heaven’s Landing, Vernon Township, 442 N.J.-94, Vernon Township, N.J. 07462

There are some who still don’t know the Appalachian Trail passes through New Jersey — are you one? There are multiple trailheads in Sussex County that access approximately 72 miles of the trail, and Pochuck Crossing in Vernon Valley is one. At the base of the Wawayanda Mountains in Vernon is Heaven’s Landing, a campground with prefabricated tents operated by management company Tentrr. Starting from $150 per night (pets are an additional $60), tents have an elevated wooden platform and full beds with a memory foam mattress and extra blankets. Adirondack chairs and a picnic table are available to watch the sunset with a barbecue and fire pit available for use, though bathrooms are portable toilets. At the entrance to the campsite is a farmstand to stock up on fresh goodies, or walk two minutes to Heaven Hill Farm, which comes alive in the fall with apple and pumpkin picking as well as haunted hayrides.

Wading Pines has air-conditioned log cabins with a ceiling fan, which sleep up to five and offer charcoal grills and fire pits. Photo courtesy of Wading Pines

Wading Pines, Chatsworth, 85 Godfrey Bridge Road, Chatsworth, N.J. 08019

Burlington County is home to New Jersey’s famed Pinelands National Reserve, and Wading Pines welcomes friends and family to its sprawling camp resort from April 1 to Nov. 1. Kids under 11 can stay for just $10, and leashed pets with updated vaccines are welcome for $25 per day. A variety of accommodations are available, from tent sites to RV pull-throughs, but the glampy among us are looking for the air-conditioned log cabins with a ceiling fan, which sleep up to five and offer charcoal grills and fire pits from $125 per night. It’s BYO bath towels and linens, but there is cable TV as a tradeoff. Swim in the saltwater pool or picnic on Wading Pines’ private island one day, and go fishing or attend a concert the next. Kayaks, canoes and golf carts are all available to rent on the premises. Don’t skip a ride on the Jersey Devil train, which provides a great overview of the campground.

N.J.’s best rooftop bars pair high-quality cocktails with unbeatable backdrops

Posted on June 19, 2023 by Ana Gonzalez - Community

Stand upon the crests of buildings, surrounded by the luxurious feel of being at the top, and clink your drink with a friend for the ultimate “cheers” to summer. High enough to reach the clouds — or stars depending on the time of day — and with warmer weather upon us, rooftop bars are once again becoming a staple of summertime entertainment. Following are a few of our favorites around New Jersey.

Alto is Montclair’s only rooftop bar, which makes this a popular spot for residents and visitors alike. Photo courtesy of Alto

Alto, 690 Bloomfield Ave., Montclair

Alto is Montclair’s only rooftop bar, which makes it a popular spot for residents and visitors alike. The chic bar has 3,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space and is open year-round, with multiple heat lamps to alleviate the springtime chill that somehow always seems to linger throughout March.

“We really pride ourselves on our commitment to partnering with local vendors and farms,” said Julian Payne, general manager, the MC Hotel (Alto Rooftop). “We’re all about staying true to the community and the state, overall, while delivering a top-notch experience for guests.”

Executive Chef Joe Tartamella and his team redesigned the food menu consisting of hot bites, cold bites and sweets; and, as part of its commitment to providing the freshest seasonal flavors and local ingredients for culinary delicacies and cocktails, there’s also a rooftop garden, aptly named Jersey Roots.

“The vegetables and herbs cultivated from the roof space are featured in multiple dishes and also serve as complementary ingredients and garnishes for their craft cocktails,” Payne said. Chef Tartamella has also partnered with an Essex County small business, Bee Haven Bees, to create dedicated beehives for the MC Hotel, which are also used to harvest the honey for food and drink.

The Bradford, 600 Somerset Corporate Blvd., 7th floor, Bridgewater Township

The Bradford bar’s décor and views will prompt hundreds of Instagrammable shots. Photo courtesy of The Bradford

We know, we know: You’re not sure what to expect from a rooftop bar in the middle of Central Jersey. But put your doubts aside because as soon as you enter the top floor of the AC Hotel, you’ll feel instantly transported to a New York City-style bar (with a slightly more suburban clientele). The Bradford is an upscale indoor/outdoor bar serving small plates in a cool and fun setting. A vibrant spot in Bridgewater, the bar’s décor and views will prompt hundreds of Instagrammable shots.

On a given Thursday night, you can expect things to be pretty happening with the DJ spinning throwbacks from the late ’90s and early 2000s, and it might drum up the best memories from your club days.

Instead of individual dishes or a menu separated by appetizers versus entrees, The Bradford offers shareable plates for the whole table to enjoy. Brunch fare includes everything from shrimp cocktail and eggs benedict to brioche French toast and BEC (bacon, egg and cheese) burgers. Not a bad way to spend a Sunday in Somerset County, if you ask us.

Located on the 7th floor of the Element New York Wood-Ridge hotel, you’ll get an unrivaled view of the NYC skyline at Concourse Club. Photo courtesy of Concourse Club

Concourse Club, 379 NJ-17 South, Wood-Ridge

Inspired by the glamour of private jet travel, the Concourse Club is a rooftop restaurant and lounge that has all the makings of a VIP experience. Located on the seventh floor of the Element New York Wood-Ridge hotel, you’ll get an unrivaled view of the NYC skyline.

Concourse Club’s rooftop cocktail bar boasts a spacious, heated rooftop with elegant design, perfect for enjoying a night out. The food and cocktail menu is equally matched in sophistication and taste. Bites include shareable plates such as the lobster bao bun, hand-pulled chicken arepas, Cuban egg rolls and prime NY strip steak. (If your mouth is watering at the thought of these dishes, it’s no surprise; Executive Chef Peter Martinez was a “Chopped” finalist on Food Network as well as a season 19 member of Gordon Ramsey’s “Hell’s Kitchen,” and he has brought his knowledge and a passion for food to Concourse Club.)

NoHu Rooftop Bar & Restaurant is a great place to bring friends and soak in breathtaking sights of Manhattan. Photo courtesy of NoHu Rooftop Bar & Restaurant

NoHu , 550 Ave. at Port Imperial, Weehawken

No matter where you are in Weehawken, you’re bound to have a nice view, mostly because the vertical-stretching township is located largely on the Hudson Palisades, which overlooks the Hudson River. But being ground level is one thing — being 20 stories high is another.

NoHu Rooftop Bar & Restaurant is a great place to go for a romantic dinner with breathtaking sights of Manhattan. A 7 p.m. reservation on a Friday evening is a particularly magical experience to eat and watch the reflection of the sunset off the New York skyline. Bring someone special to celebrate a birthday milestone or anniversary.

And even though you’re in Bergen County, you can scratch that itch for a Southern comfort food craving. Chef Jose Emmanuelli and his team continue NoHu’s tradition, delivering a menu that fills stomachs and hearts with items like classic warm buttermilk biscuits, blackened gulf shrimp and grilled bourbon butter steak.

Perched on the 23rd floor of the Claridge Hotel is the VÜE, Atlantic City’s only rooftop bar and lounge. Photo courtesy of VÜE

VÜE, 123 South Indiana Ave., Atlantic City

If you’re really looking to “DO AC,” then you simply must check off the South Jersey trifecta: beach, boardwalk and bars. And what’s better than hitting a bar that gives you a bird’s-eye view of the beach and boardwalk below? Perched on the 23rd floor of the Claridge Hotel is the VÜE, Atlantic City’s only rooftop bar and lounge.

After a lucky night at one of the neighboring casinos, you’ll find a sizable crowd at the VÜE for lunch and happy hour; the menu comprised of plenty of shareables, like cheesesteak spring rolls and buffalo chicken pizza. In 2019, the VÜE was crowned a top place champion in the Atlantic City Wing Wars, so its award-winning wings — smothered in your choice of honey siracha, buffalo or honey BBQ sauce — is worth the splurge.

The bar strikes the balance of being busy enough for a fun and lively energy while also quiet enough to engage in conversation with the person next to you. While a few signature cocktails nod their heads to the history of America’s Playground, like Nucky’s Tea and Atlantic City Fifty-Four, you can grab a seat by the firepit (when it’s not too windy) and cozy up to gaze at the sunset and beachgoers. Sit back, relax and enjoy the VÜE.

Watermark in Asbury Park has multiple sofas and comfortable places to hang out for a relaxed vibe. Photo courtesy of Watermark

Watermark, 800 Ocean Ave., Second Floor, Asbury Park

Situated right upon the Atlantic Ocean and across the street from the landmark Stone Pony Summer Stage, Watermark trades in the urban metropolitan scene for a spectacular view overlooking the beach and boardwalk.

This Asbury Park rooftop bar has been in business for nearly 14 years and relies on word of mouth. “Those in the know, know that we’re actually a fairly well-kept secret — and we like it that way,” said Russell Lewis, co-founder and owner.

Watermark hosts several occasions, from after-proposal parties to mid-sized corporate events, but, arguably, the most special times are those when the weather is perfect and you want to be near the beach watching the sunset with a freshly made cocktail in hand.

There are multiple sofas and comfortable places to hang out for a relaxed vibe, as well as table benches, so that even if you come with someone, you get to eat with others you don’t even know and, by the time you leave, you’ve made new friends.