101 Things to Do

1.

Experience cutting-edge modern art at Grounds For Sculpture, a 35-acre sculpture park and museum, where more than 230 contemporary sculptures, from monumental to tabletop, can be found on the beautifully landscaped grounds. Hamilton, 609-586-0616, www.groundsforsculpture.org.

2.

Tour the Gardens at Duke Farms and see Doris Duke’s horticultural vision – 11 gardens featuring designs inspired by diverse cultures and regions of the world. Italian, Colonial, Edwardian, French, English, Chinese, Japanese and Indo-Persian designs are juxtaposed near desert, tropical and semitropical environments. Hillsborough, 908-722-3700, www.dukefarms.org.

3.

Visit the Statue of Liberty the easy way – take the ferry from Liberty State Park in Jersey City, 201-915-3400, www.libertystatepark.com.

4.

Spend an afternoon shopping, dining and lounging on the beach at the new Pier Village at Long Branch,
732-923-0100, www.piervillage.com.

5.

Be one of the first to stay at the new Appalachian Hotel, a premier village resort at Mountain Creek in Vernon, 973-827-2000, www. mountaincreek.com.

6.

Put this on your “must do list” to visit Morristown National Historic Park which was the main encampment of the American Continental Army and also served as the headquarters of its commander-in-chief, General George Washington. Currently under renovation, the Museum will reopen in 2007. (908) 766-8215 www.nps.gov/morr

7.

Have fun learning about New Jersey’s thriving coastal ecosystems at the Wetlands Institute in Stone Harbor, 609-368-1211, www.wetlandsinstitute.org.

8.

Get back to nature, from sleeping under the stars to cuddling up in a fully-equipped RV at New Jersey’s campgrounds, 800-2-CAMP-NJ, www.newjerseycampgrounds.com.

9.

Taste the culinary explosion in Atlantic City, as exemplified by The Borgata’s array of fine dining options, including Bobby Flay STEAK, the Wolfgang Puck American Grille and Michael Mina’s Seablue, 609-317-1000, www.theborgata.com.

10.

Sway to the soulful sounds of jazz and blues on the banks of the Navesink River at the Jazz & Blues Festival in Red Bank, June, 732-775-4100, www.redbankfestival.com.

11.

Be dazzled by the PNC Bank Arts Center Holiday Light Spectacular – a brilliant presentation of more than one million lights and over 180 displays of holiday spirit – viewed during a two-mile drive from the comfort of your own car. Early December through early January, www.holidaylightspectacular.com/pnc/index.htm

12.

Enjoy an afternoon or evening sail on the A.J. Meerwald, New Jersey’s Official Tall Ship, in Bivalve, 856-785-2060, www.ajmeerwald.org.

13.

Take a spring or summer eco-cruise by pontoon boat down the Hackensack River, narrated by enthusiastic guides from the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission, 201-460-4640, www.meadowlands.state.nj.us/eco_tourism/index.cfm.

14.

Become an expert in the “Arts and Crafts” movement in home design and furnishings with a visit to Craftsman Farms, the former home of noted turn-of-the-century designer Gustav Stickley. Parsippany-Troy Hills, 973-540-1165, www.stickleymuseum.org.

15.

Relive the British attack on Fort Mercer – a key battle in the American Revolution – at the Battlefield of Red Bank re-enactment in National Park, October, 856-853-5120.

16.

Explore a real military fort that dates back to the Spanish-American War, at Fort Mott State Park in Pennsville, 856-935-3218.

17.

Discover the inviting genre of folk music and hear nationally known musicians during the Bridgeton Folk Festival, June, 856-451-9208, www.bridgetonfolkfestival.com.

18.

Get into Princeton – no matter how well you did in school! Take a scenic walking tour of Princeton, explore Palmer Square’s delightful shopping and dining options, visit Morven Museum and Garden – the former governor’s mansion – and spend the night at the renowned Nassau Inn, 609-921-7500, welcoming guests since 1756. www.visitprinceton.org.

19.

When October rolls around, a-maze yourself in New Jersey’s biggest corn maze at Doyle’s Unami Farm in Hillsborough, 908-369-3187, www.doyles-farm.com. For Halloween festivities, visit historic Red Mill Museum Village for a haunted hayride (Clinton, 908-735-4101, www.theredmill.org), or join the fun at Cape May’s Annual Pumpkin Festival at Historic Cold Spring Village, with a Halloween parade, music, games, food vendors and pumpkin painting. 609-898-2300, www.hcsv.org.

20.

See the ongoing revitalization of Asbury Park, as new attractions and restaurants are continuously added to this grand dame of the Jersey Shore, www.cityofasburypark.com.

21.

Check out the vibrant displays at the Museum of American Glass at the Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center, then shape hot molten glass into a one-of-a-kind paperweight, or blow a bowl or a vase out of glass, with guidance from the master glass artists in the Glass Studio, Millville, 800-998-4552, www.wheatonvillage.org. Millville, 800-998-4552, www.wheatonvillage.org.

22.

Let kids be kids with a day of fun and exploration at the Garden State Discovery Museum. Hands-on exhibits for toddlers to 10-year-olds include getting inside a gigantic bubble, dabbling in art, scaling a rock wall, and building a two-story house. Cherry Hill, 856-424-1233, www.discoverymuseum.com.

23.

Say hello to Lucy, a 65-foot-tall Elephant, as she towers over Margate. This wooden wonder - the world's largest elephant - is available for tours and features a sweeping view of the Atlantic. 609-823-6473, www.lucytheelephant.org.

24.

Feel the hair on the back of your neck stand up during a Ghost Tour of Ocean City. Listen to tales of the unknown, from shipwrecks to strange shadows on the beach, on this candlelight walking tour of the historic town center, 609-814-0199, www.ghosttour.com/ocean_city.htm

25.

See lance-splintering action and hear the clash of broadswords at the Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament in Lyndhurst, 201-933-2220, www.medievaltimes.com.

26.

Sculpt your dreams - reveal your inner artist by entering the New Jersey Sandcastle Contest in Belmar, July, 732-863-1900, www.njsandcastle.com.

27.

Ride in a hot air balloon, watch the mud fly in a Mud Bog competition, stroll an artist's exposition and sample New Jersey's agricultural bounty at the Warren County Farmer's Fair, July and August, 908-454-3431, www.warrencountyfarmersfair.org.

28.

See the sand fly as the nation's top volleyball pros go head to head at the AVP Seaside Heights Open, late June, www.seaside-heightsnj.org.

29.

See the best of New Jersey's filmmakers at the Cape May New Jersey State Film Festival, 609-884-6700, www.njstatefilmfestival.com.

30.

Horse around at the New Jersey State Fair/Sussex County Farm & Horse Show, which features the best animals and talented riders from across New Jersey, August, 973-948-5500, www.sussex-county-fair.org.

31.

Get a double dose of high stakes horse racing with the Hambletonian-Haskell double, August 5 and 6, respectively. The Hambletonian is trotted at Meadowlands Racetrack (201-THE-BIGM, www.thebigm.com) in East Rutherford, and the Haskell Invitational takes off at Monmouth Park (732-222-5100, www.monmouthpark.com), in Oceanport.

32.

Explore Long Beach Island, from the dunes to the wetlands, on an eco-tour hosted by Alliance for a Living Ocean in Beach Haven, 609-492-0222, www.livingocean.org.

33.

See the sea from two perspectives with a day at the Camden Waterfront - swim with the sharks at the expanded Adventure Aquarium and explore America's most decorated battleship, the New Jersey, 856-365-3300, www.camdenwaterfront.com.

34.

Immerse yourself in the world of comics and movies at Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash in Red Bank, a "geek-free" comic book outlet named for that pair of friendly neighborhood ne'er-do-wells, Jay and Silent Bob, from Director Kevin Smith of "Clerks" and "Jersey Girl" fame. 732-758-0508, www.jayandsilentbob.com.

35.

Get silly at Ocean City's salute to humor, the Doo Dah Parade in April, 800-BEACHNJ, www.njoceancity.com.

36.

Visit Glenmont, home of Thomas Alva Edison, the world's most prolific inventor, at the Edison National Historic Site in West Orange. Enjoy tours of the grounds and the restored greenhouse, as well as daily interpretive programs, 973-324-9973, www.nps.gov/edis/index.htm.

37.

Ring in the Christmas season with events and festivals across the state. At Dickens' Days in Clinton, celebrate Christmas in true Victorian fashion, with decorated shops, music, carriage rides and street plays, 908-735-4020, www.clintonnj.com.

38.

Spend a weekend in Wildwood, enjoying the sweeping angles, bright colors, starbursts, and boomerang shapes of the area's iconic Doo Wop architecture, 609-729-4000, www.wildwoods.com.

39.

Discover one of New Jersey's hidden treasures - The Newark Museum - with 80 galleries of art and science, a mini zoo, planetarium, sculpture garden, and more, 973-596-6493, www.newarkmuseum.org.

40.

Sneak away for a romantic getaway at one of New Jersey's captivating Bed & Breakfasts. Find just the right inn, and just the right combination of amenities and activities - a relaxing day of wine-tasting, a challenging round of golf or a day of pampering at a spa - at Preferred Inns of New Jersey, www.njinns.com.

41.

Learn how the Underground Railroad rescued early African-Americans from slavery on a walking tour and dining package in Burlington's Historic District, 609-386-0200. www.tourburlington.org/DoSpecials.html#pkgs.

42.

Take a cold dip in the Atlantic for a good cause at the Polar Bear Plunge in Seaside Heights, benefiting the Special Olympics, February, 609-263-TOUR, njpolarplunge.sonj.org.

43.

Have a smashing good time at the Wall Township Speedway, featuring Demolition Derby, monster truck events and racing every Saturday night , 732-681-6400, www.wallspeedway.com

44.

Listen, up close and personal, to the howling of wolves echoing down the Delaware Water Gap at the Lakota Wolf Preserve in Columbia, 908-496-9244, www.lakotawolf.com.

45.

Solve a mystery amidst the gaslamp-lit streets and dramatic Victorian homes of Cape May during Sherlock Holmes Weekends in November and March, 800-275-4278, www.capemaymac.org.

46.

Come within inches of big sharks, vibrantly colored fish and ethereal stingrays at Jenkinson's Aquarium in Point Pleasant Beach. Beyond the 58,000 gallon aquarium exhibit, see the world's smallest monkeys - pygmy marmosets - and colorful cockatoos and macaws in the Rainforest Habitat. 732-899-1212.

47.

Go fly a kite…at the Wildwoods International Kite Festival in Wildwood, 609-729-4000, www.wildwoods.com, and the Spring Kite Festival in Belmar, 732-681-2900, www.belmar.com, both in May. In August, see kite fliers from all over the east coast compete in the New Jersey Sport Kite Championships at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, 201-489-7186.

48.

For a truly authentic New Jersey Christmas experience, join the re-enactment of George Washington's crossing of the Delaware on Christmas Day, visible from Washington Crossing Park the banks of the Delaware River, 609-737-0623, www.tencrucialdays.com

49.

Take a 3-hour tour, but see more than Gilligan ever did on a Hudson River cruise, past the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island on Spirit Cruises, 866-399-8439, www.spiritofnewyork.com or Horizon Cruises, 201-866-7423, www.yachtcharternetwork.com.

50.

Appreciate art in Frenchtown, known for a host of art and craft galleries and studios, featuring art from antiquities to contemporary interpretations. www.frenchtowner.com.

51.

Don't lose your marbles! Bring them to the National Marbles Tournament in Wildwood, 301-724-1297, and Marble Weekend at the Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center, Millville, 800-998-4552, www.wheatonvillage.org, both in June.

52.

Stretch out, and enjoy a Movie Under the Stars in Hoboken every Wednesday evening, June, July and August, 201-420-2207, www.hobokeni.com/film.asp.

53.

Play a round of golf - in miniature - on one of America's largest miniature golf courses, without the windmills and statues. The Pine Creek Miniature Golf challenge offers two beautifully manicured 18-hole courses on 28 acres in West Amwell, 609-466-3803, www.pinecreekgolf.com.

54.

Rev up your classic car memories at the Boardwalk Classic Car Show in Wildwood, September, 609-523-8051, www.njhra.com

55.

Look for the Easter Bunny at the annual Easter Parade on the Boardwalk in Asbury Park (www.asburyboardwalk.com/easterparade.htm), or bring the kids out for the Trenton Easter Egg Hunt, with more than 1,000 eggs nestled in the rolling hills of the beautiful Cadwalader Park on the Saturday before Easter. 609-815-2167.

56.

Let the convenient River LINE, NJ Transit's light rail train from the Camden Waterfront to Trenton, whisk you to 20 stations and hundreds of destinations, including historic towns along the Delaware River, for only $1.25 each way. 1-800-772-2222, www.riverline.com.

57.

Ahoy! See the spectacle of one of the nation's largest parades of decorated boats in Ocean City's "Nights in Venice," July, 1-800-BEACH-NJ, www.njoceancity.com

58.

Experience the thrill and thunder of the East Coast's biggest drag racing event, the Annual K&N Filters NHRA Super-Nationals at Raceway Park in Old Bridge, June, 732- 446-7800.

59.

Celebrate seafood at its finest and freshest at the renowned New Jersey Seafood Festival in Belmar, June, 732-774-8506, www.belmar.com.

60.

Take advantage of Newark's spectacular cherry blossoms in historic Olmsted-designed Branch Brook Park, with more than 2,700 cherry trees ready to bloom by mid-April, 973-268-3500, www.branchbrookpark.org.

61.

Put yourself right in the center of one of the most sensational trials of the 20th Century at "Lindbergh and Hauptmann: The Trial of The Century," a re-enactment of the trial of Bruno Richard Hauptmann for the kidnapping and murder of the infant son of American icon Charles Lindbergh, September and October in Flemington, 908-782-2610, www.famoustrials.com.

62.

Celebrate the craft of the songwriter - hear internationally renowned songsmiths perform their folk, blues, alt-country, roots, Celtic, and acoustic songs at the annual Appel Farm Arts & Music Festival in Elmer, June, 856-358-2472, www.appelfarm.org.

63.

Have it both ways on historic Keyport's waterfront, with stunning views of New York City to the east, and a beautiful sunset over Raritan Bay to the west, www.keyportonline.com.

64.

See over 100 hot air balloons of all shapes, sizes, colors and characters float above the countryside at the New Jersey Festival of Ballooning, late July, Readington, 1-800-HOT-AIR-9, www.balloonfestival.com.

65.

Listen to some cool Jazz at the Cape May Jazz Festival, as 29 New Orleans musicians come to Cape May in November to perform with Chuck Mangione and Kevin Mahogany, 609-884-7277, www.capemayjazz.com.

66.

Celebrate Native American history, foods, art and music at Sussex Pow Wow in Branchville, July, www.redhawkcouncil.org.

67.

Watch the fruit crush and sample gourmet fare at Cream Ridge Winery's Harvestfest and Pig Roast Festival, late September, 609-259-9797, www.creamridgewinery.com.

68.

Be a kid again at the famous Steel Pier in Atlantic City, with classic boardwalk amusements, rides and food. 609-345-4893, www.steelpier.com.

69.

Take another look at the Vietnam War at The New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial and Vietnam Era Educational Center, on the grounds of the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, 732-335-0033, www.njvvmf.org.

70.

Learn about predator-prey relationships at the Liberty Science Center's 4,000-square-foot exhibition entitled Eat and Be Eaten, a sneak preview of things to come when the center completes a $104 million expansion and renovation project, slated for completion in mid-2007. Jersey City, 201-200-1000, www.lsc.org.

71.

Hey, Batter, Batter! Enjoy America's favorite pastime, now in family size, at one of New Jersey's eight minor-league professional stadiums. Check out leagues and teams: www.atlanticleague.com, Atlantic City Surf, www.acsurf.com; Sussex Skyhawks, www.sussexskyhawks.com; Somerset Patriots, www.somersetpatriots.com; Camden Riversharks, www.riversharks.com; Lakewood BlueClaws www.lakewoodblueclaws.com; New Jersey Jackals, www.jackals.com; Newark Bears, www.newarkbears.com; and Trenton Thunder, www.trentonthunder.com.

72.

Make your own wheel of cheese during an artisanal cheesemaking class at the Valley Shepherd Creamery in Long Valley. Age your wheel of sheep's milk cheese in the creamery's hillside aging cave, then enjoy with friends and family. 908-876-3200, www.valleyshepherd.com.

73.

Hoof it on over to The Horse Park of New Jersey at Stone Tavern near Allentown. The Horse Park has a family-friendly event called "The Festival of the Horses" in August, with kids' activities, a petting zoo and pony rides, and the annual Turkey Trot is held in mid-November, 609-259-0170, www.horseparkofnewjersey.com.

74.

Learn how a bill becomes a law during a tour of the State House in Trenton, featuring the Senate and General Assembly Chambers (609-633-2709, www.njleg.state.nj.us). While in Trenton, explore The Old Barracks, which alternately housed Continental, British and Hessian soldiers during the Revolutionary War. 609-396-1776, www.barracks.org.

75.

Witness the full diversity of the black experience in America, both past and present, in America's longest-running African-American film festival - the Newark Black Film Festival at the Newark Museum, August, 973-596-6493, www.newarkmuseum.org.

76.

Learn about New Jersey's complex estuaries, where rivers meet the sea, at the Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Center at Tuckerton Seaport, 609-296-8868, www.tuckertonseaport.org

77.

Get caught up in the thrill of classic dirt track racing at the family-friendly New Egypt Speedway, 609-758-1900, www.newegyptspeedway.net.

78.

See New Jersey's indigenous plants - as well as plants from all over the world - at New Jersey's official botanical garden, the 96-acre Botanical Gardens at Skylands Manor, 973-962-9534, www.njbg.org.

79.

Roll on down the river on one of four reconstructed Mississippi Paddle Wheelers: River Lady in Toms River, 732-349-8664; Crystal Queen in Beach Haven, 609- 492-0333; and the River Belle and River Queen in Point Pleasant Beach, 732-892-3377.

80.

Travel back in time to the 1800's with a visit to Historic Cold Spring Village, an open-air living history museum with antique buildings and interpreters in period costumes, plying their trades and crafts, 609-898-2300, www.hcsv.org.

81.

Find out what's brewing in New Jersey - and how to tell a Hefeweizen from a Honey Wheat - at more than a dozen brewpubs and microbreweries. 732-493-5009, www.njbeer.org.

82.

Fly down the steepest vertical drop of any wooden coaster in the world, 76 white-knuckled degrees, on the monstrous new El Toro roller coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, 732-928-1821, www.sixflags.com/parks/greatadventure.

83.

Escape the rat race for a couple of days in Lambertville, an inviting historic town along the Delaware River, with terrific antiquing, dining, shopping and strolling, 609-397-0055, www.lambertville.org.

84.

Eat your way around the world in Newark's Ironbound section - savor the flavors of Portugal, Brazil, Mexico, Italy, China and other countries at more than 170 restaurants, www.goironbound.com.

85.

Explore one of more than 2,000 shipwrecks off the New Jersey coastline, with a SCUBA diving adventure with the qualified divemasters of the Blue Fathoms (www.bluefathoms.com), departing from Point Pleasant or the "Ursula," (www.eastcoastdiving.com), based in Sea Isle.

86.

Enjoy a first-run movie at New Jersey's last drive-in movie theater, the Delsea Drive-In in Vineland, 856-696-0011, www.delseadrive-in.com.

87.

Hike (or bike) the 70-mile towpath along the Delaware and Raritan Canal or follow the river from Frenchtown to Trenton. The route passes historic sites and great places to eat, 732-873-3050.

88.

See the timeline of the United States - from 1772 to 1996 - reflected in more than 200 years of original furnishings at Liberty Hall, home of New Jersey's first governor and Revolutionary War hero, William Livingston. Don't miss the balustrade slashed by a British general, Union, 908-527-0400, www.libertyhallnj.org.

89.

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream at ShowPlace Ice Cream Parlor in Beach Haven, where the "waitri" sing as they serve ice cream, 609-492-0018.

90.

Keep your head down during a classic western showdown - a re-enactment of the "Gunfight at the O.K. Corral" - and more than 20 other wild west shows at Wild West City, Netcong, 973-347-8900, www.wildwestcity.com.

91.

Take the Lighthouse Challenge, October 14-15, which challenges intrepid visitors to visit all 11 accessible New Jersey lighthouses, at various locations along the New Jersey coastline, www.njlhs.org/challenge/challenge.html.

92.

Put on your Stetson, shine up your western boots, and head out to the Cowtown Rodeo, the nation's longest-running Saturday night rodeo, featuring marquee events such as Brahma Bull Riding and Bareback Bronc Riding. 856-769-3200, www.cowtownrodeo.com.

93.

Bring your saddle shoes and black leather jacket to the Cruisin' River Festival in Red Bank, May, 732-747-7728, www.nj.com/cruisin.

94.

Watch salt water taffy being made at Shriver's in Ocean City, then sample the different flavors for a true taste of the Jersey Shore, 609-399-0100, www.shrivers.com.

95.

Experience the luxurious new Pier at Caesars in Atlantic City - shop such renowned names as Gucci, Tiffany and Luis Vuitton, and savor cutting edge cuisine at Todd English's English is Italian and Jeffrey Chodowrow's Rumjungle. 609-345-3100, www.thepieratcaesars.com.

96.

Stare in amazement at the never-ending miniature railroad - the world's largest miniature train layout, with over eight miles of track! - at Northlandz in Flemington, 908-782-4022, www.northlandz.com.

97.

See the flash of musket fire and hear the roar of the cannons at the authentic re-enactment of the Battle of Monmouth at Monmouth Battlefield State Park, Manalapan, June, 732-780-5782, www.njparksandforests.org/parks/monbat.html.

98.

Get back to nature by exploring The Pinelands National Reserve, with hiking, boating, canoeing, swimming, camping, picnicking, horseback riding, fishing and more. The reserve is the largest body of open space on the Mid-Atlantic seaboard, encompassing 1.1 million acres between Richmond and Boston. 609-894-7300, www.state.nj.us/pinelands/index.shtml.

99.

Take an invigorating hike in High Point State Park - the highest point in the state - offering easy access to the trail, and helpful park rangers who will provide a map and hiking advice, 973-875-4800, www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/highpoint.html.

100.

Search for the Jersey Devil, a legendary creature said to roam the misty wetland areas of the New Jersey Pinelands, venturing out into the woodlands at night seeking humans to scare away with his piercing screams and grotesque appearance. But maybe he's not such a bad guy - some folks think that the Jersey Devil is the protector of the Pinelands, who will not harm any humans who love this special area and try to protect it. www.state.nj.us/pinelands/pastimes/funfac/jerseydevil.html.

101.

Wrap up the year with a visit to Trenton for Patriots Week, the last week in December, for a celebration of the patriots who helped build our nation. Enjoy music, presentations, re-enactments, and other festivities, www.patriotsweek.com