New Jersey, known as the Garden State, has been called “America in miniature” by National Geographic. The northeastern state has everything you could ask for: coastal regions, mountains, towns and cities. You’ll find so many places to go and things to do in New Jersey that you’ll want to keep coming back again and again. From tiny places like Hoboken to New Jersey’s largest city, Newark, the variety of life that you’ll find in the state will amaze you. Here are some of the best cities in New Jersey to visit, and the things you can see and do there.

Image Courtesy of Doug Kerr

Hoboken

Hoboken is a tiny city, just over one square mile in size. But despite its small size, Hoboken has many accolades to its name. It can proclaim itself the most walkable city in the States, the city with the best public transport in the country and the most exciting small city in America. It’s also one of the top 10 places for new college graduates, according to livability.com and has been named the best dining town in New Jersey. That’s a lot of big claims for a little town! This pedestrian-friendly place is ideal for walking around and checking out the sights. Go down to the Hoboken South Waterfront for fantastic views, or learn about the city’s history at the Hoboken Historical Museum.

Newark

In contrast to Hoboken, Newark is New Jersey’s largest city. Newark is the cultural capital of the state and is teeming with arts and entertainment. If the slow and quiet pace of Hoboken isn’t exciting enough for you, you’ll probably prefer Newark. Once you fly into the city, use the Newark Airport car service from Bergen Limo to get to where you need to be. Then there are endless possibilities for things to do. As with many large cities, there’s something for everyone. Culture vultures will enjoy the Newark Museum and other arts and culture centers. Foodies, meanwhile, should hurry to the East Ward, home to more than 170 restaurants and food and wine stores.

Spring Lake

Vacationing on the Jersey Shore is popular with people from the mid-Atlantic. This includes people from New York, Philadelphia and the rest of New Jersey. Some people’s opinions of the Jersey Shore may have been colored by the reality TV show of the same name. But it’s best not to let it get in the way of visiting. Spring Lake is a less touristy, more refined area of the Shore, where you can see stately homes and the beaches are quiet. The boardwalk isn’t commercial and crowded with people, unlike some other destinations. And the lake in the middle of time is the perfect place for an evening stroll. You’ll find fine dining, family fun and historic inns at this charming and small beach resort.

There’s much more to explore in New Jersey, including beautiful natural locations, as well as many more great cities. Use these three destinations as a starting point for your adventures in the Garden State.